This newly constructed LEED Silver Home is located on the north side of Ann Arbor, on a 5 acre lot. The home is 4,500 square feet with 6 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, and has a walk-out basement.
The project team wanted to build a very energy efficient, comfortable home for the family to raise their children in. Throughout the project, the team emphasized purchasing sustainable materials including adhesives and sealants with zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) to attain a higher air quality. They worked with a HERS rater to hone in on their energy efficiency strategies. Northern Michigan Oak hardwood flooring was used throughout the first floor of the home because of its close proximity to the project. All carpeting and underlayment were Green Label Plus certified by the GreenGuard Certification Institute. Blown-in cellulose insulation, which is made up of 100% recycled newspaper fiber, was used instead of fiberglass. The fitness room boasts a 100% recycled rubber flooring and the TREX deck had a high percentage of recycled materials as well. A drought resistant turf grass mix limited irrigation requirements, as well as a wildflower mix on the perimeter of the turfed-in area. Additionally, only native species of bushes and trees were installed. The system is controlled by a RainBird Sensor that automatically adjusts the irrigation schedules if it senses rainfall.
A Home Energy Rating Standard (HERS) Score of 44 was achieved for this house, which makes it in the top 10% of MI homes. The score means that the home is 56% more efficient than a conventionally built new home, and 42% more efficient than Energy Star’s standard for homes. To give you an understanding of what this equates to, the energy bill for this 4,500 sq. ft home during the month of July, was $110 for both electric and gas. The project team chose to focus on the Energy & Atmosphere and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) credit areas to compensate for the sacrifice of Location & Linkages credits due to the projects distance from an urban setting. The high rating of LEED Silver was achieved by taking a whole systems design approach to building, and eliminating any weak points in the house.
Sustainable architecture is nothing if it’s not deeply rooted in the surrounding community. Whether it’s sculpture by a local artist or an intimate concert at the Cedar Cultural Center, 7west (1800 Washington) celebrates the satisfying connections that come from Seven Corners living. For residents, LEED is a seal of quality, providing peace of mind that they are living in a home designed to deliver fresh air indoors and improved water and energy efficiency.
The 7west building has several green features that its renters find attractive. Each floor has recycling and organic composting available for the tenants. Green roofs and terraces provide relaxing greenspace, while a white membrane roof provides additional energy efficiency.
The building also features a passive solar design and high efficiency lighting. Tenants are encouraged to utilize alternative transportation with convenient onsite bike storage set in an easily walkable community. The apartments are located within a half mile of public transit services which provide at least 60 rides per week day. However, those that do drive vehicles regularly are provided garage space with continuous exhaust to minimize pollutants that could leak into the residence and affect the indoor air quality. Inside the apartments Low-VOC paints hardwood flooring, and sustainable cabinetry provide for a healthy, natural, and sensible interior environment.
The Buildings landscaping was created with 100% drought tolerant plants. Rain barrels provide the irrigation needed to water the green roof and plants. As a former brownfield this lot has come a long way. Additional LEED points were awarded to the project for its density of 100.9 units per acre.
That’s just the start. Sunny gathering spaces, private study nooks, yoga and fitness studios, and common areas with billiards, fire pits, and entertainment centers recognize that many residents need a respite from the stress of daily life. Innovative Chinese Feng shui design creates a positive atmosphere. The LEED verification team included Jimmie Sparks, Rick Cobbs, and Jason LaFleur of Eco Achievers.
“This $28.5M project involved the construction of two new student housing buildings for Central Michigan University’s (CMU) graduate school. Hoping to emulate apartment living to attract the students who might otherwise choose to
live off-campus, each unit includes private bathrooms, kitchens and laundry facilities—with a mix of one, two and four bedroom units throughout the two structures, with 164 beds total between the two buildings.
The buildings were designed to emulate the Gothic architecture present on campus and the design and construction teams ensured that LEED sustainable features incorporated into the design were properly integrated. Large windows
were added to provide occupants with daylight in regularly occupied areas. A campus-wide green housekeeping program was implemented. Regionally manufactured materials containing recycled content were used extensively throughout the project. Equipment was selected to ensure that refrigerants would cause minimal damage to the atmosphere. Additionally, all HVAC and electrical systems were commissioned and certified that they were installed per specification and working as designed. The design also limits disruption of natural hydrology and all but eliminated pollution and contaminants from stormwater run-off. Universal design practices and sustainable design measures were integrated into the design to create an energy efficient complex recognized by its tenants as a great place to live and by the community as a model for sustainable living, earning the coveted LEED for Homes Platinum Certification.
SUSTAINABLE HIGHLIGHTS
SUSTAINABLE SITE
The pedestrian scale buildings support CMU’s and the City of Mount Pleasant’s mutual goal of a walkable community. The new Graduate Housing units are located on the north end of campus on Bellows Street, just steps from the Health Professions/College of Medicine building and close to Mission Street as well as downtown Mt. Pleasant.
WATER EFFICIENCY
The landscaping was designed to require 50% less irrigation, reducing the use of potable water. In addition, a 33% reduction in potable water and sewage usage was achieved by careful selection of water efficient plumbing fixtures, faucets, and flush valves.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The overall energy performance of a new building can not be measures until after the building has been built. Thus, the energy performance of a building must be predicted using energy analysis software. The Residential Energy Services Network has developed a set of guidelines for accessing the relative energy performance of these units. Commissioning of all HVAC, lighting and domestic water systems were conducted to ensure that all systems operate as designed. All equipment was selected to cause minimal damage to the atmosphere.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
During construction, 94% of all construction waste was reclaimed and recycled. Sources for the building construction materials were evaluated, recycled content materials make use of materials that would otherwise be deposited within landfills. The use of local materials support the local economy and reduce the harmful impacts of long-distance transportation.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
An indoor air quality (IAQ) plan was implemented and low-emitting materials were selected in order to reduce any adverse effects on the IAQ once the building was occupied. The HVAC system was designed to meet the minimum IAQ requirements. No smoking is permitted within 25 feet of any air intake louvers. Low VOC (volatile organic compound) materials such as paints, carpets, sealants, adhesives, and casework were employed in order to provide a healthy indoor environment. The HVAC system was designed to maintain temperatures and humidity in accordance with ASHRAE standard 55-2007.”
The Christman Company – Builder/Contractor & Neumann / Smith Architects
Part of the green building revolution involves replacing harmful materials with non-toxic alternatives. The harmful products that need replacing often pose a threat to the environment and human health.
Asbestos is unique in that even though it is a natural material, it causes serious diseases and cancers in humans including lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma cancer. We often associate natural with healthy, but in the case of asbestos, natural is harmful.
Asbestos is a natural mineral and was used in thousands of products throughout the 1900s, and of those products, hundreds of them were used in homes and other buildings. Any structure built before the 1980s may contain products with significant levels of asbestos.
Though it generally takes heavy and repeated asbestos exposure to place a person at risk of developing a disease, asbestos products in a home could be harmful if they are damaged or become damaged.
Homeowners and home residents should become knowledgeable about which products could contain asbestos and should monitor their home for potentially damaged materials. The importance of hiring an experienced and accredited asbestos professional to perform inspections and abatement cannot be emphasized enough.
Asbestos Exposure in the Home
Asbestos exposure awareness begins with knowledge of the products that could contain the toxic mineral.
Home materials that could contain asbestos include:
Wall and attic insulation
Vinyl floor tiles and flooring adhesive
Roofing and side panel tiles and their adhesives
Paint and patching products
Wall products like drywall and millboard
Plumbing materials
Boilers, fireplaces and furnaces
Cement products
Asbestos may also be in a garage if a vehicle containing asbestos brakes is parked there regularly.
An asbestos material that is in good condition generally poses little threat of exposure. However, natural disasters, accidents and home remodeling can disturb the material and lead to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos material that is aging or damaged could pose an exposure threat and should be assessed by an asbestos professional.
Asbestos Abatement
It is not possible to identify whether a material contains asbestos through visual inspection alone. Sampling and testing suspicious material is the only way to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos.
Only a trained and accredited asbestos professional should sample, test and abate asbestos products in a home. The risk of exposure during sampling and abatement is too high for untrained persons to safely perform.
Do not panic if you suspect asbestos may be in your home. In most cases, home exposure is minimal and rarely poses a serious health risk. However, some people carry genes (genetic coding) that increase their risk of developing a disease following asbestos exposure. In rare cases, a single, heavy exposure has resulted in disease.
To avoid exposure in a home, educate yourself on the products that may contain asbestos and monitor your home for such products to see if they are in need of repair. Seek the advice of an asbestos inspector when you suspect the presence of damaged asbestos materials. If testing confirms that asbestos is present, hire an asbestos contractor to repair or remove the material.
Author bio: Michelle Whitmer has been a medical writer and editor for The Mesothelioma Center since 2008. Focused on the benefits of natural and holistic medicine for cancer patients, Michelle is a certified yoga instructor and earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Rollins College in Florida.
Sources
Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). Asbestos. Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/asbestos
Quoted text from ” http://www.proudgreenhome.com/article/226725/USGBC-certifies-50-000th-green-housing-unit-under-LEED-for-Homes ”
“Since its start in 2007, 50,000 housing units have been certified under LEED for Homes and 44 percent of those homes were classified as affordable housing.” “As one of the most rigorous green residential rating systems in the world, LEED for Homes is the standard against which all other such programs are measured,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “Despite its demanding technical aspects that set a high bar for green residential construction, LEED for Homes has also seen the broadest adoption among its peers — indicative of its position as the rating system of choice to guide the design and construction of healthier, high-performance homes.”
“Since the launch of the LEED for Homes rating system in 2007, the growth trajectory of the world’s most widely used residential green building program has been dramatic. From 392 housing units LEED-certified in 2007, the figure jumped to nearly 900 units certified within the year 2008 and nearly 3,000 certified within 2009. In 2012 and 2013 alone, USGBC certified more than 15,000 and 17,000 housing units, respectively.”
“Of the 50,000-plus certified units, 74 percent are within multifamily buildings, while 44 percent are classified as affordable housing. In addition, nearly 65 percent of the total units were certified in the past two years, a strong indicator of the continued momentum of the rating system. There are also more than 82,000 units under construction and in the pipeline for LEED certification.”
is excited to be apart of this movement. As an ordinal LEED for Homes provider we have certified nearly 4,000 of these homes with another 3,000 in the pipeline. Learn why LEED excites us.
“The continued growth of LEED for Homes is attributable to its many proven benefits, including enhanced property value, healthier indoor environments, and energy and water savings that average 20 to 30 percent. LEED-certified homes are third-party inspected, tested and performance-verified, offering homeowners and renters piece of mind that their places of residence are efficient, saving them money and also better for the natural environment.”
“In December 2013, USGBC also announced the LEED certification of its 20,000th commercial project.”
Many looking for authentic 3rd party verification/certification on their home remodels find local state program within the Midwest & North East can be cost prohibitive, require major guts, are exclusive based on membership and/or are lacking any remodeling components.
Not anymore – GreenStar can certify without requiring expensive energy modeling for kitchen, bathroom, whole house or landscape remodeling projects that can qualify under the program. Remodeling projects tend to be in phases and so you complete your phases through out the years as you have more revenue and time. From there you can submit documentation to get to certain stages of certification in the program.
Become Qualified to register your project!
Take 1 hour to learn about the program navigation, case studies, requirements, qualification/credentialing, up coming courses and how you can get involved locally to jump start GreenStar in your city or State.
Learning Outcomes
Basic Knowledge of How to get started with the GreenStar program locally in your state
Introduction to the GreenStar Checklist, Manual and Online Submittal Process
Run through an actual certified Green Retrofit from Start to Finish
Know where to get more knowledge for education, training, membership in your state or how to be a local champion
CEUs – GBCI – AIA LU/SD – NARI Green and Local Contractor Credits
Up coming Courses & Webinar Schedule
Green Expo 365 – Introduction to GreenStar Remodeling Free Webinar.
Part 1 of 3 back to back webinar GreenStar Online Qualification Course 12/3 – 12/5 10 am to 12 pm – 2 hour segmants
– Demystifying GreenBuilding Certification Options & State Codes*
– Learn about local / state and regional green building programs and how they compare/contrast
– Understand basics of Green Remodeling Opportunities & Challenges
* This course can be skipped if you are a Green Home Professional (LEED APH, Green Rater/Verifier, GCP, Master Green Builder (NGBS) or comparable accreditation. )
Sign up Today!
Full & Half Day Qualification Courses / Webinars – TBD – Email Info@usgreenstar.org for interest
Other ways to qualify: In House or Webinar Design Charrette Half Day Meeting – Qualify multiple team members for extra points! Email Brett.Little@allianceES.org for details.
Find Qualified Contractors, Remodelers, Builders, Raters and/or Consultants: MI IL MN
Founded in 2007, Minnesota GreenStar is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has developed a leading residential building standards and certification program created to promote healthy, durable, high-performance design and construction for both new and existing homes. An objective, third-party verification system assures consumers that the new home or remodeling project meets the program requirements and is constructed as designed. A whole-systems approach applies the five (5) key concepts of green building programs – Energy Efficiency, Resource Efficiency (including durability), Indoor Environmental Quality, Water Conservation, Site and Community – to the traditional building process. The MNGS program improves the impact of green building programs on individuals, their families, the community, and the environment.
Danny McGee approached after talking to the director at the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, who pointed him our way.. Danny came to our office in Grand Rapids MI asking how he could help get involved in our many initiatives. After our ED, Brett Little explained to him the several new initiatives is hoping to launch, Danny dove into assisting us with many of them and showed up several times a week to work in our office and get to know our staff.
Danny hails from the East Coast where he got his feet wet with green building by interning with Sasaki Associates and overseeing the LEED Documentation of a commercial project & worked on a street corridor plan in Boston. Danny went on to seek his Masters Degree of Architectural Engineering at Colorado University of Bolder. While there he served as an Energy Solutions Provider for Sustainable Tribal Housing in Wyoming and sought his BPI Accreditation.
Danny took his BPI to the next level by becoming a MI GreenStar Qualified Rater and is working on the certification of the Man up House with Bethany Christian Services Youth Build for the Urban Transformation Ministries. Danny has also assisted with our new MPG for Existing Homes label by testing it out, learning how to use the tool and giving us feedback on what works.
When Danny learned about the new non profit forming, Homes of Hope, he loved the idea of helping with a veteran house build and West Michigan’s first Living Building Challenge registered home. He has showed up to every meeting to help with project management, website set up, building science & product research, volunteer recruitment and management and community engagement.
Lastly, Danny has just recently become Srinergy’s West Michigan Solar Community Rep to help reach out to local residents and business to get solar up and to help with performance energy analysis before projects move forward with solar. Learn More
We are very grateful for Danny’s time, talent and just overall being a great and exciting person to be around. is making Danny our Volunteer of the Year. Thank you Danny!
Take a behind-the-scenes look from design, to construction, to post-occupancy, of the Universal Design Living Laboratory, the national demonstration home and garden in Columbus, Ohio. This spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Prairie Style home is unlike any you’ve seen. Clever design features and meticulous detailing make this home convenient, accessible, functional, peaceful and safe for everyone during every stage of life — regardless of age, size, or physical ability. This high performance custom home showcases asked for, forward thinking features, such as universal design, green and healthy construction principles. You will learn about these benefits, and more, during a virtual tour of the home. The Universal Design Living Laboratory is the top rated universal design home in North America earning three national certifications that include, Home Innovations Lab NGBS Gold, Zero Step Gold and pending LEED for Homes.
Lessons Learned
Incorporate universal design features into residential housing.
Recognize universal design features in the kitchen, bath wardrobe/laundry, and entrance that provide for accessibility, independence, safety and comfort.
Recognize problems in existing homes that limits accessibility and provide solutions to improve accessibility.
Understand how GreenBuilding and Remodeling go hand in hand with Universal Design & Accessibility
Speaker
Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. is an internationally known speaker, writer, and consultant who works with design professionals and builders to help them integrate universal design and green building features into their projects. She and her husband, Mark Leder built the Universal Design Living Laboratory, the most ambitious national demonstration home and garden in Columbus, OH.
Continuing Education – hour
1 GBCI (LEED H Specific Pending)
1 AIA – LU|HSW
1 NARI Green
NGBS
State License may apply
Take action: Learn How gain extra points in LEED & GreenStar using accessibility features of this home.
This webinar is free to review. If you are interested in continuing education credits, you must follow the following steps:
Making Sense of GreenHome Certifications and Labels 101
When it comes to building, remodeling, designing or developing GreenHome’s that are above code, there are many different labels to choose from. Each greenhome certification comes with different requirements, opportunities, costs, 3rd party oversight and tools and resources to guide you.
Which is right for you and your clients?
In this session we will help you make sense of the different GreenHome certification labels by comparing and contrasting LEED for Homes, National Green Building Standard, GreenStar Homes, Green Communities, Passive House, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, Energy Star for Homes and the Living Building Challenge. We will look each system individually and then together through the lens of cost, 5 key categories, 3rd party oversight requirements, popularity, growth, changes and even political affiliations. You will also learn which programs apply best to different building types; Single/ multi family, mid rise, rehabs, remodels and additions and new construction across market and rate and affordable housing will all be discussed.
Are you ready for constantly changing energy & green codes, the expanding of the new Green MLS and the growth of the 80 billion dollar residential greenhome market?
Learning Objectives
•Be able to articulate the difference between the MPG Home Energy programs such as HERS, HES and EPS
•Understand how to utilize one certification program to achieve another
•Know the basics of and how to compare/contract LEED, NGBS,Green Communities, GreenStar, Living Building Challenge, Passive House and Energy Star.
•Know where to get more resources, training and tools to succeed in Health, Welfare and Safety and GREEN in your next residential project
Instructor – Brett Little, Executive Director @ GreenHome Institute LFA, LEED APH, GHP
SUSAN JULIEN LARIMORETUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 VIA the Grand Rapids Urban Innovation Exchange
The goal of newly formed nonprofit Homes of Hope and the dream of its founder, homebuilder Rich Bloem, share roots in community. They aim to bring people together to help others thrive by building new homes and restoring neighborhoods, while offering hope and a blueprint for success in life’s journey.
Fueled by a passion for sustainability and changing lives for the better, Homes of Hope, the Green Home Institute, Matt and Kristin Fowler, and many other community members are partnering to make two projects a reality in Grand Rapids: The Nest and Home for a Hero.
The idea for Homes of Hope emerged in April when Bloem bought a vacant lot on the southeast side of Grand Rapids. Initially, he thought he’d construct a home and make a profit. A few days later, he thought otherwise.
“It’s almost as if I had a vision, maybe from God,” Bloem said. “I decided to do something totally different and not for profit.”
Through research, Bloem discovered Life Remodeled, a Detroit-based company that builds free homes for low income families. He wanted to do something similar, but realized he couldn’t do it alone—and didn’t want to do it alone.
“I wanted to bring builders, architects, electricians, plumbers, and other professionals together to do this,” he said.
Bloem shared his vision with a few friends, including Brett Little, Executive Director of . They shared Bloem’s passion and put plans in place to meet regularly. Word got out fast. There were 23 people at the first Friday meeting. Since then, the ever-expanding group meets weekly at the offices of (920 Cherry Street SE). Volunteers are welcome to attend and join one of over 20 committees on everything from construction to communications.
Through these meetings, Bloem was introduced to Matt and Kristen Fowler. They shared their dream of creating a living building in the Baxter neighborhood. Shortly after Bloem visited the Baxter neighborhood and proposed site for The Nest, Homes of Hope partnered with the to make the Fowlers’ dream a reality.
The Living Building Challenge: The Nest
The International Living Future Institute defines a living building as “a building designed and constructed to function as elegantly and efficiently as a flower: a building informed by its bioregion’s characteristics, and that generates all of its own energy with renewable resources, captures and treats all of its water, and operates efficiently and for maximum beauty.”
The Living Building Challenge through the ILFI is the world’s most rigorous design and construction standard.
“There are 20 requirements to be met in order to obtain Living Building status,” said Kristen Fowler.
According to the ILFI website, only four buildings in the world to date have achieved living building certification. If the living building proposed for Grand Rapids becomes certified, it will be the first building in Michigan to receive this distinction.
The Fowlers have lived in the Baxter neighborhood for several years and, as Kristin said, “We have fallen in love with the people here. Matt and I recognize people need structured programs and assistance, and it is awesome these programs exist, but sometimes, what’s needed is a relationship-based place to just be; a space where people from all walks of life can feel welcome and safe.”
Passionate about seeing healthy food reach the tables of people in the Baxter neighborhood, the Fowlers created the Treehouse Community Garden in 2012. They raised over $20,000 in labor and materials for the garden space. Today, more than 10 neighborhood families are currently receiving fresh, seasonal produce from this garden.
More recently, the Fowlers began raising funds for a living building next to the community garden. To date, they have collected nearly 58 percent of their goal, but also recognize the need for many skilled professionals and donated materials to pull the project off. The start date for The Nest is dependent on funding and materials.
“We are inspired to do this by the radical, genuine hospitality of Jesus; where there is always room at the table for others,” Kristin said. “This is community at its best.”
In addition to a large kitchen and dining area, the Fowlers envision the floor plan to include a library, arts and crafts room, guest rooms, greenhouse, root cellar, and front porch.
The name, The Nest, was inspired by the Sociable Weaver, a tiny bird in southern Africa that builds a giant nest, housing over 100 different species of birds.
“We think this is a beautiful model of how we can all live and function together,” said Kristin.
Sustainable Building for a Vet: Home for a Hero
Bloem has spent a great deal of time at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. He had always admired veterans for their service and courage, but when he sat down and heard their war stories, he knew in his heart he wanted to do something more.
“If you look at the statistics about veteran depression, suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder, you understand support of veterans is needed,” Bloem said.
This spring, Bloem will lead the transformation of the lot at 336 Donald Place SE into a LEED-certified and cost-efficient residence.
“Homes of Hope doesn’t want it to end with the built house, we also want to offer hope and a blueprint for success. It’s part of our vision,” Bloem said. “If someone needs counseling or training to get a job or deal with an addiction, then we want to help people find it.”
Volunteers of America and Wounded Warriors are taking charge of the veteran application process and selection. The plan is to surprise the selected recipient with the news on the July 4, 2014.
Transformative Change through Collaboration
Through the collaborative work of Homes of Hope, the , and the community, positive changes are beginning to take place in neighborhoods and in people’s lives.
“What we’re doing isn’t about any one individual. It’s about bringing people together to help others, make a difference, and lead by example,” Bloem said.
Brent Fisher with Green Property Management and Homes of Hope Board member agreed.
“It’s truly marvelous to see what can come to fruition when people put their mind to good purpose and collaborate,” Fisher said. “I appreciate being on a team that’s a catalyst for positive change in our great city.”
Kristin said she and Matt are humbled by the generosity and support of the community and are, “excited to create a place of light and hope. We are hopeful people will follow our example. We want everyone to ask themselves what they can do in their own neighborhoods to make the world a more beautiful place.”
Homes of Hope’s website is currently in development. To learn more or volunteer, contact homesofhopemi@gmail.com
Susan Julien Larimore is a freelance writer for UIX Grand Rapids
in 2005 was labeled as a Michigan Energy Demonstration Center. In keeping up with our title we are moving forward with innovative and tangible projects that show case sustainable building. One aspect of this partnership is that The Nest will showcase design using Stawclay or a type of cob for the structures thermal envelope. Straw & Clay are both natural, non toxic waste products that are usually burned or landfilled. We will be teaching other builders how to utilize this abundant resource.
You can help support these projects Below!
Homes of Hope General Fund Donation
The Nest – Living Building Challenge Registered Home – thenestgr.com
