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2000 Built Green Award WinnersThe Built Green Colorado Program recently recognized member builders who have made significant contributions to the Built Green Program over the last year. Awards fell into several categories recognizing outstanding homes, builders and individuals. Randolph
Healthy Homes Of all the homes being built in the Denver Metro area, some of the most efficient and healthy are also some of the most affordable. The Bruce Randolph Healthy Homes are the result of Northeast Denver Housing Center's research as part of the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice through Pollution Prevention grant to demonstrate energy efficient, environmentally sensible design principles in affordable housing. The Bruce Randolph Healthy Homes are five townhomes that represent green building practices that can be incorporated into affordable housing projects and, by implication, all housing projects. The homes are designed to fit in well with existing neighborhood architecture while incorporating 60 options from the Built Green Colorado Checklist. The average number of points for new homes on the Checklist is 44. As part of NDHC's affordable homeownership program, these townhomes will be sold to families making 65% to 80% of the area median income. With energy prices rising and the prospects of another energy crisis looming, these homes have been designed to keep the homeowners comfortable without astronomical utility bills. The energy ratings for the two unit designs, certified through E-Star Colorado, are 89 and 90 respectively, exceeding by a significant margin the requirement of 86 points for the EPA Energy Star Home. This high rating is due to a number of energy features, including sun-tempered design to take partial advantage of free solar heat; an insulated foundation made of insulated concrete forms (ICFs); ducts kept in the conditioned space and sealed with mastic; and a 90% efficient furnace. Not only will these townhomes save monthly heating costs, but they will also reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide by 2.3 to 3.5 tons per year. Affordability doesn't have to come at the cost of health or long-term value. Materials were chosen for this project that are durable and emit less pollution to the indoor air, materials like recycled PET carpet in bedrooms; ceramic tile in the kitchens, bathrooms and entryways; and bamboo flooring in the dining rooms. A passive radon mitigation system was installed that can be upgraded to include a fan if needed. Maintenance and replacement costs will be reduced because of the durable material choices, which translate to long-term value. Another sign of commitment to the environment is in the choice of lumber. Only certified sustainably harvested lumber is being used in this project, meaning that the forestry operations that produced the lumber have been certified to meet strict practices that sustain the health of the forest's ecosystem. The Bruce Randolph Healthy Homes project is being recognized by Built Green Colorado as a shining example of how green building practices can be integrated with mainstream homes, and further demonstrates that the cost of green building is not prohibitive. Rather, the benefits of a sensible Built Green package far outweigh the first costs by resulting in a healthier, more comfortable, more durable and more affordable home. Laureate Homes US Home's luxury home division, Laureate Homes, has once again shown their support for Built Green Colorado by showing that green building is appropriate for any home, any price. For the second year in a row US Home has won a Built Green Colorado award, this time for Built Green Custom Home of the Year (for homes over $500,000). This home, the Promontory, is an award winner in areas that really count ? energy and resource efficiency. Laureate Homes will build about 100 homes this year, priced from around $400,000, all meeting the requirements of Built Green Colorado. US Home enrolls more homes in the Built Green program than any other builder in the state, adding another 2,000 this year from communities across the state. For the past two years Laureate has highlighted Built Green features in its Denver Parade of Homes entry, giving more than 120,000 visitors a chance to see green building features that demonstrate energy and resource efficiency. The landscape was designed around drought-tolerant plants that will reduce the home's need for water. Energy efficiency added to the package that maximizes the appeal of the home. Promontory is a Five-Star E-Star home rated by E-Star Colorado certified raters. This Five-Star rating of 88 points means that this home will perform at least 30% better than a similar home meeting the Model Energy Code. The energy package for the Promontory includes blown cellulose insulation, a method of insulating that uses a high recycled-content material that also tightens the house against unwanted air leaks. And, by the way, the electricity savings of the Promontory will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by more than 14 tons! Durable materials found in the Promontory will give the owners years of trouble-free, low-maintenance performance. Bamboo flooring makes use of an extremely hard, fast-growing material to create a stunning floor. The home features a 50-year warranty tile roof, which not only extends the life of the home but also is a large contributor to the beauty and curb appeal of the home. US Home is one big reason that Built Green Colorado has been such a success. And it's not just because all US Homes meet the Built Green standards. The company has committed to train its staff to understand and promote the benefits of Built Green. Sales office displays and program literature can be found in all US Home communities, and during the Parade of Homes 50 US Home Ambassadors were trained to communicate the Built Green choices found in the Promontory. The Promontory is a very visible demonstration of US Home's commitment to Built Green Colorado and its goals. Laureate Homes has clearly demonstrated that energy and resource-efficient homes can be both beautiful and functional. Moreover, Laureate Homes makes a statement to the building industry that green building is here to stay. John Kurowski Whenever John Kurowski speaks to a group of builders about green building, they listen. They listen because Kurowski is passionate and informed ? and he's a builder. Built Green Colorado is a success in large part due to the persistence and dedication of this tireless crusader for sensible homes. Kurowski has taken his message across the country, the message that builders can and must be leaders in dealing with the resource challenges of the 21st Century. John Kurowski's influence has been behind the success of Built Green Colorado since the beginning. He led the initiative to bring the program into being in the mid-1990s after considerable effort to convince builders that it was in their interest to build "greener" homes. Neither his enthusiasm nor his passion have waned over the years, as Built Green Colorado went from a Denver Metro program to the first (and, so far, only) statewide green building program. It was on the top of his agenda as president of the Denver Home Builders Association (HBA) in 1998, and it was inspiring to hear the president of one of the largest homebuilders associations in the country promote environmentally sensible building because "it's the right thing to do." Kurowski has supported Built Green Colorado in every way possible. It is difficult to put a value on the time he has spent in various committees and meetings promoting the program. His homes reflect his commitment. His home at the 1998 Parade of Homes at Lowry was a showcase of green building features, including an energy-efficient wall system, water-efficient landscape, long-lasting, durable roofing and recycled-content materials and solar water heating. He secured a resolution from the Denver HBA that Built Green Colorado would "dominate Colorado housing by the year 2004," a resolution that was reaffirmed soon after by the Colorado Association of Home Builders. To help bring that vision to reality, Kurowski led the development and HBA endorsement of Built Green Communities, a recent expansion of the program that will encourage greener communities at the development level. Kurowski hasn't limited his zeal to Colorado. He is a well-known speaker and advocate at the national level, speaking before builders at the National Association of Home Builders annual conferences and green building conferences around the country. In July, Built Green Colorado became the first major green building program in the country to be totally funded by program revenues and industry sponsorships. Kurowski Development Company has contributed considerable financial resources to that effort, and John Kurowski led the development of the core funding group, the Built Green Strategic Alliance. This strategic partnership is made up of ten companies, including Kurowski Development, that have contributed more than a million dollars over three years to help fund the continuing success of Built Green Colorado. The other members of the Alliance are The Colorado Brick Council, James Hardie Building Materials, Xcel Energy, The Rheem Team, Trex, Whirlpool, US Home and, McStain Enterprises. This year John Kurowski was awarded the Built Green Home Builder of the Year. Although well deserved, it is an understatement. There is no single individual who has provided the level of dedication and service to Built Green Colorado that John Kurowski has. And while the accolades pile up, the real reward for Kurowski is knowing that he has made a difference that will be felt long after we are gone. It's the kind of guy he is. Xcel Energy Bob Dylan doesn't clarify the words of his song that became an anthem of the 60s, but in the context of today's changing energy picture, at least part of "the answer is blowin' in the wind." Just north of the Colorado-Wyoming border is a visible demonstration of "green power," in the form of elegantly designed windmills churning out power for thousands of utility customers. More than 20,000 customers have signed up to participate in WindSource, part of the energy mix of Xcel Energy, and is one of several powerful programs designed to promote green power and energy efficiency. In that program, customers pay a premium to have part or all of their electricity generated by wind. Xcel Energy is also a major supporter of Built Green Colorado, and was recently named the Built Green Sponsor of the Year because of its exceptional promotional and financial support over the years. Xcel Energy has long been an advocate of energy efficient homes in the state of Colorado. In the mid 1990s their Ideal Home Program was a popular efficiency program that predated Built Green Colorado. With the introduction of Built Green homes Xcel Energy shifted the Ideal Home Program resources to fully support Built Green Colorado. Earlier this year, as part of the historic Built Green Strategic Alliance, Xcel Energy committed $250,000 to help fund Built Green operations over the next three years. Xcel Energy helps make the connection between energy efficient homes and green building by routinely advertising in Built Green promotional activities, and has also promoted the program through its own newsletters that reach 1.3 million Colorado customers. Xcel Energy has remained a consistent and reliable partner in the development and ongoing operation of Built Green Colorado through the efforts of their homebuilding liaison Larry Jaramillo. Xcel Energy and Jaramillo were acknowledged for that commitment by being inducted into the Built Green Hall of Fame, which honors those individual most responsible for the development and success of Built Green Colorado. Clearly, there is a strong connection between the goals of Xcel Energy and Built Green Colorado. Energy efficient housing is more affordable housing at any price range, and the cost of staying comfortable will continue to be an issue as we look for more efficient ways to live and build. Utilities and the homebuilding industry are going to have to be partners in our energy future, and Xcel Energy has already established itself as a solid partner in the efforts of the homebuilding industry in Colorado to provide quality, efficient homes. Judy Niemeyer Once you make a decision, the universe
conspires to make it happen. - Judy Niemeyer and Tierra Concrete Homes have done it again. Judy's list of awards and accolades grows with time, all in the realm of energy efficient and "green" building. Two of the latest acknowledgements are awards given by Built Green Colorado to recognize outstanding contributions to the goals of green building. In the context of the building industry, Judy has been in the business of building homes a relatively short time, about six years, which makes her accomplishments even more impressive. Since 1994, Judy and her company have been awarded the National Association of Home Builders Energy Value Housing Award for 1999, 1998 and 1997. The Colorado Renewable Energy Society has recognized Tierra Concrete Homes for their contributions to renewable energy two year in a row. And this year Tierra Concrete Homes has been chosen by Built Green Colorado as the Built Green Custom Home Builder of the year and its show home was chosen Built Green Home of the Year (under $500,000). GREEN BUILDING IS FUNDAMENTAL Tierra Concrete Homes has clearly been a leader in their commitment to green building and energy efficiency, and is showing builders that pushing the envelope pays dividends in satisfied customers and the satisfaction of knowing that those customers will sail through the coming energy roller coaster ride without a concern for comfort or their utility budget. Judy's clients are some of her best advertising. Here are a few of the features that set Tierra Concrete Homes apart:
Tierra Concrete Homes is an outstanding example of a builder that "walks the talk." The company staff at all levels is aware of their part in the goal to build "the most energy-efficient, resource-efficient homes possible." They work in an office that is powered by the sun. Field workers are trained to protect the integrity of the insulation system from the foundation to the roof. Subcontractors and suppliers are also part of the team, assisting in locating resource-efficient and recycled-content products. On the jobsite, what little waste is generated during construction is recycled where possible. Although most builders use a 30-yard dumpster for construction waste, Tierra Concrete Homes has trouble filling a 2-yard container. Anyone paying attention to the news on energy supply and cost will appreciate that the homes built by Judy Niemeyer are going to keep their owners comfortable regardless of the availability or price of energy. TCH homes cost from 50-75% less to heat than conventional homes of similar size, and require no cooling system in an area of the state that sees the temperature rise to the 100-degree mark during the summer, yet another example of how good design can be the best energy feature. We congratulate and thank each of these award recipients for their ongoing commitment and contributions to the Built Green Program of Colorado. |
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2008 Built Green Colorado
Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, 9033 E. Easter Place, Suite 200,
Centennial, CO 80112 Last Updated: 04/10/2004 |