architects view

Here we go with our fifth installment of Going Green in which we follow the construction, and green certification process, of the Wheaton Green Home being built by Jason Werr of JAW Builders and designed by SWA Architects.  We have just passed the Rough Inspection phase of the green verification process as construction is continuing.  As I’ve said in previous posts, the Rough Inspection is done after the insulation is installed, but before drywall starts to go up.  This way I, as the verifier, can inspect framing techniques and plumbing and mechanical installation before it is covered up.

The ultimate goal for this home was to reach the Emerald level, the highest level achievable, of the NAHB Green Building Standard.  We have reached the point in the process where we can now realistically estimate where the finished product will fall and it appears the Emerald will be just out of reach due to a couple of different factors.

Something we have learned as we have been going through this process with Jason Werr, and other clients, is that there are two kinds of factors that will determine what level you will achieve.  There are those factors that are within a builder’s control, such as material selections and recycling of construction waste, and factors that are beyond a builder’s control, such as the orientation of your site to the street and the climate zone your site falls in. (more…)

As construction continues on the Green Home in Wheaton, the process of green certification moves into the next phase.  To this point, I have not talked much about the process a builder must go through with the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Program in order to get a home certified “green”.

When a builder decides to go for certification, there are a number of steps that he/she must take to reach that goal.  As I have mentioned in prior posts, a builder really should make this decision before any design of the home is put down on paper.  Starting the process like this allows the builder to team with their architect to reach a common goal, while also allowing “green” elements to be integral parts of the home, not just added on after thoughts to an existing design.  This also allows the builder and architect to work together to incorporate as many of the National Green Building Standards (NGBS) requirements as they see fit to reach the level of certification they are striving for. (more…)

When SWA Architects and JAW Builders teamed up, it was decided that our goal would be to design and build a home that would attain the highest level of green certification within the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Program.  It was important to set this goal before the first line of design drawings was ever put on paper, so that we could review all of the requirements of the Green Building Program, and incorporate everything that would be necessary to meet the Emerald level status.

The site of this new home is a tear-down property that’s existing home has reached its life span and is no longer efficient.  This means that we are using an infill site, where existing infrastructure such as roads, sewer, water, etc. are already in place and will be used to serve the new home. (more…)