Green building takes root in the Lowcountry
If you’re planning to build a new home now or any time in the future, you are certain to come across the trend known as “green” that is currently sweeping the building industry. Green – also known as “sustainable” – refers to the building materials, techniques, technologies, and other practices that are meant to make the finished home more energy efficient, lessen the building’s impact on its natural surroundings, and in some cases, create a healthier living environment within.
While the idea of sustainable building seems to have become a worldwide phenomenon relatively recently, it’s really nothing new, especially here in the Lowcountry where environmental impact has always been a primary concern. We all know the story of Charles Fraser’s vision for an environmentally sensitive community when he conceived Hilton Head’s Sea Pines years ago. Since then, development throughout the island and eventually into Bluffton and beyond has by and large followed Fraser’s respect for nature concept.
Historically, for the Lowcountry at least, the issue of environmental sensitivity was largely driven by a desire to maintain our unique quality of life. Nowadays, a worldwide concern over energy conservation has turned sustainable building into big business. The global market for green building materials is expected to reach $571 billion by the year 2013, according to a recent Reuters story, and market research company, The Freedonia Group, estimates that U.S. sales for the materials will grow by 7.2 percent per year through 2013, greater than the projected growth of overall building expenditures.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit association of builders and other associated industries tasked with fostering the growth of sustainable building practices. It has established the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system, which has become the benchmark for evaluating the “green-ness” of a construction project.
Recently VanGeison Construction of Bluffton broke ground in Windmill Harbour for Hilton Head Island’s first LEED-certified private home. The home will feature green elements as simple as advanced insulation and windows that help reduce the workload of the heating and cooling system, and others that are a bit morecomplex. For example, roofmounted solar panels will generate electricity for the home. Solar panel technology has not progressed to a stage where a home can economically rely on solar power for all of its energy needs, but the system being installed in the Windmill Harbour home will generate about 20 percent of its energy requirement, according to VanGeison’s Clayton Colleran.
Water conservation is another big item in green building. This house will incorporate a filtration system that recycles used water from showers, sinks and laundry to flush toilets, and a rainwater harvesting system that will collect and store rainwater for use watering the lawn.
If you’re ready to embrace green building for your new home, the best way to get started is to do some research to find out what is available and what fits your budget. Some good resources are: U.S. Green Building Council: www.usgb.org USGB, South Carolina Chapter: www.usgbcsc.org EarthCraft House: www.earthcrafthouse.com Energy Star: www.energystar.gov
Leading The Way: Green Building in the Lowcountry
LHave you heard? Green is the future of the building industry. No, that doesn’t mean we’re all going to live in houses of the same color. “Green” is the catchall phrase for technologies and materials that improve a building’s energy efficiency. If you pay utility bills, you probably understand the appeal.
The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based market research firm, reported earlier this year that U.S. green building materials sales totaled nearly $57 billion in 2008 and that they are projected to increase by 7.2 percent per year through 2013. According to the Freedonia report, that rate of growth is greater than the projected growth of overall building expenditures over the same period. The Reuters news agency recently ran a story claiming that the worldwide market for green building materials will reach $571 billion by 2013.
What is this green building thing they’re all talking about? The people to ask are the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). They are a non-profit association and the self-appointed gurus of green—also known as “sustainable”—building in America. The USGBC has established a certification system that is widely believed to be the standard measurement of what is a green building and what is not.
The certification system is called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED is a voluntary program that evaluates buildings on a list of criteria: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, locations and linkages, awareness and education, innovation in design and regional priority. You can learn more about what all that means at the USGBC Web site: usgbc.org, but do that later. For now, stay here and read about LEED certified buildings on Hilton Head Island…and green paint.
Right now, there are two LEED buildings on Hilton Head—one commercial and one residential. Since the residential unit is under construction, we’ll have to give the nod to J Banks Design Group’s headquarters as the island’s first LEED certified building. The 18,000-square-foot structure at 35 Main Street serves as the interior design firm’s administrative and management offices, design studio, warehouse and retail store.
The benefits sought by J Banks in obtaining LEED certification include lower operating costs, increased asset value, waste reduction, energy and water conservation, and a healthier working environment. This is accomplished, in part, by use of advanced materials that, while they may cost more than conventional materials at the front end, can produce various long-term payoffs. Greater energy efficiency reduces a building’s ongoing operating costs, and an improved working environment makes happier, more productive employees.
For instance, paints and other coatings used in the building are all “low-VOC” or “VOC-free. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. Those are the nasty little devils found in “old fashioned” paints that emit toxic fumes into the air. “They are competitive price-wise and just as durable as any regular paint,” said John Meeks, business development manager at Grayco. In short, the paint doesn’t smell bad and it doesn’t make you sick.
Another example is found on the roof, which is constructed of “high-albedo” materials. That’s a fancy way of saying that they reflect light and heat to help to keep the building cool without turning up the air conditioner.
LEED is not only about whiz-bang newfangled technology, though. Some of the things that can help a building achieve certification have nothing to do with expensive, high-tech materials and systems. Some of it might just make you say, why didn’t I think of that?
The conference room walls and other wood paneling and trim throughout the J Banks building were crafted out of trees cut down to clear the building site. There wasn’t enough to use for the floors, but those are made of recycled barn siding. Outside, the landscaping features mostly native, drought-tolerant plants, eliminating the need to use an irrigation system and resulting in savings on the water bill.
Maximizing the use of natural light is another way to reduce energy consumption as well as create a more pleasant indoor environment. You can’t entirely light the interior of a building with sunlight, but architects today are finding ways to get as much natural light as possible into every nook and cranny. The J Banks building uses light shelves at the windows to reflect and project sunlight deep into the building. It can’t completely replace artificial electric lighting, but it cuts down on the usage.
Business practices having little or nothing to do with the building itself can also contribute to earning a LEED certification. J Banks makes it standard practice to recycle all paper, glass, plastic, metal and cardboard. When a piece of paper has finally exhausted its useful life—printed on both sides, etc.—it’s off to the shredder and used as packing material. Also, for the extremely dedicated, J Banks installed bike racks outside and showers inside to encourage employees to leave the car at home and pedal into work.
J Banks moved into the new digs in June of last year and, according to marketing director, Anna Ruby, the employees are big fans. “The natural lighting creates a more energetic mood,” she said. “And we have had fewer sick days. Some employees have actually adapted some of these practices into their home life as well.”
On the residential side, Bluffton-based homebuilder, VanGeison Construction, has broken ground for what will be Hilton Head Island’s first LEED certified private residence.
The homeowner, a gentleman by the name of Ernst Bruderer, is an enthusiast for the advancement of green building and an early adopter of the applicable technologies. The house, located in Windmill Harbour and projected for completion this December, will effectively be a showcase for some of the latest innovations in green building including materials, building systems, and practices. Even some that are not quite ready for prime time.
One example is roof-mounted solar panels to generate electricity. Does this mean that life without electric bills is around the corner? Not quite. Solar panel technology has not yet advanced to a point that will free our homes from the electric grid. “It’s not economically feasible yet,” said VanGeison’s Clayton Colleran. “The array that we are installing will provide roughly 20 percent of the overall energy demand for Mr. Bruderer’s home.” Colleran said that at the present state of solar panel technology, it would take about 25 years for a system to pay for itself. However, the Bruderer home will incorporate other conservation elements expected to offset that particular downside.
Some of those measures are:
• Spray foam insulation applied to exterior walls and crevices that will provide superior insulation to more conventional materials.
• Energy Star rated windows that reduce indoor air temperature fluctuations and allow the HVAC system to work more efficiently and inexpensively. Energy Star is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy program for rating the energy efficiency of household appliances and other products.
• Geo-thermal heat pumps, using constant below-ground temperatures to heat and cool the home and generate hot water.
• A filtration system to recycle water from showers, sinks and laundry to be reused for toilet flushing.
• A rainwater harvesting system that will collect and store rainwater to be used for landscape irrigation.
Another cool new tech feature in Mr. Bruderer’s house is the lighting. “We’re installing LED lighting throughout,” said Colleran. That’s light emitting diodes and they’re the real future of electric lighting. You haven’t heard much about it because it is still emerging and everybody’s talking about compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL) right now. It will be several years at least before LED technology is ready for mainstream home lighting use, but when it comes it will be far superior to CFLs. In contrast, LEDs last six times longer, use half the electricity, cost less than half as much to operate, and they don’t contain dangerous mercury.
Some of this stuff in the Bruderer home is a bit advanced for the average homeowner, but keep in mind that we have barely scratched the surface of all the tips and techniques out there that can contribute to a more energy efficient house or commercial building, and a healthier indoor environment. If you’re thinking of going in the green direction, here are a few online resources to get you started on your research.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you…the volume of info is overwhelming:
USGB: www.usgb.org
USGB, South Carolina Chapter: www.usgbcsc.org
National Association of Homebuilders: www.nahbgreen.org
Southface: www.southface.org
EarthCraft House: www.earthcrafthouse.com
Energy Star: www.energystar.gov
Hilton Head association names new board, honors top members
Members of the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association presented top honors Dec. 11 to the organization's Builder of the Year and Associate Members of the Year during a holiday party Dec. 11 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa.
Don Lee of D. Lee Builders was named the 2010 Builder Member of the Year for his outstanding dedication and contributions to the HBA, the community and the building industry. Lee has been an active member of the HBA for more than 20 years, serving multiple terms as a member of the board of directors. In 2009 and 2010 he served as the remodelers council chairman, where he led efforts to preserve the Hilton Head Island Gullah Museum's "Little House." He will continue in this office in 2011.
The 2010 Associate Member of the Year award went to Parrish Neville of Palmetto Electric Cooperative. An active member of the HBA for more than 10 years, he served on the HBA's board as an associate director in 2010 and will be associate vice president in 2011. He also serves on the association's golf tournament committee and programs committee.
Several other awards were presented during the evening's festivities.
Randy Jeffcoat of Randy Jeffcoat Builders received the coveted 2010 President's Award in appreciation of his years of commitment and support to the association and building industry.
Additionally, Brian Esposito of Esposito Construction, andHarry Gregory of Floors by Sterling Hight won HBA Hammer Awards. These awards recognize members who do extraordinary work behind the scenes, ensuring the success of association programs, events and community service projects.
"The association exists only by the strength and dedication of its members. Tonight's award winners truly exemplify the best of the best and their time and efforts are greatly appreciated and admired," said Mike Tuten, the association's outgoing president.
The Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association also has new leaders, after Marc Ellis, past president of the local and state home builders associations, swore in the group's 2011 board of directors and officers at the holiday gala.
The new president is Steve Tilton of Tilton Group Signature Homes. In addition to serving as an association officer since 2008, he is an alternate director to the National Association of Home Builders.
Vice president of administration is Randy Jeffcoat of Randy Jeffcoat Builders; vice president of membership is Howard Feldman of Coastal Green Building Solutions; associate vice president is Parrish Neville of Palmetto Electric Cooperative; secretary/treasurer is David Gaal, Gaal Custom Homes & Remodeling.
ABOUT THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
Chartered in 1965, the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association is a nonprofit professional trade association of professionals that promote excellence in the home building industry through education, community service and environmental stewardship. The group includes more than 500 member companies representing residential and light commercial builders, subcontractors, suppliers and other service providers throughout southern Beaufort County. The association also administers the Hilton Head Home Builders Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed to support and help fund continuing education efforts in the southern Beaufort Country region.
Home Discovery: The island's greenest home
The water views aren’t bad, of course, but there’s a bigger reason that Ernst and Christina Bruderer chose to build their home in Windmill Harbour: The area, conceived by Charles Fraser with sustainability in mind, is one of the most progressive on the island, one that enables and encourages the kind of eco-friendly construction that is the home’s hallmark. (Photography by Butch Hirsch)
A self-proclaimed “frustrated architect” with a vision for an ecologically friendly home, Ernst Bruderer approached architect Terry Rosser and Chris VanGeison of VanGeison Construction, who had recently built an Earth Craft home in Palmetto Bluff, to help make his green vision a reality — not to be trendy, not to cut power bills, but because, as Bruderer says, “It is our responsibility.”
Bruderer was determined to build the home to the highest energy-efficient standards, going the extra mile (and then some) to source renewable materials and appliances from as far away as Germany. “We had a blast doing it,” adds VanGeison. “They were wonderful to work with, because they understood.”
Home Discovery: The island's greenest homeEnvironmentally friendly measures were put into place from day one. Waste from the production process was separated on site and sent to appropriate recycling and disposal centers, while the parts of the original landscape that had to be moved, such as the palm trees, were replanted in the gardens by Mark Baker of Wood and Partners, Inc. The home’s landscaping employs local plants, and its pathways are lined with crushed shells. Bruderer’s ultimate goal is to craft a “natural garden” that will be sustained wholly by the elements, though until then rainwater is being collected and used for irrigation.
Eco-friendly design is evident everywhere. A special filter recycles shower and sink water for the toilets, while the driveway’s sand-based paving stones enable rainwater to permeate through the ground, relieving the street’s storm system. Runo from the roof is directed through gutters and a filtration system into a cistern below. (Given Hilton Head’s levels of rainfall, this should enable the Bruderers to collect 77,000 gallons of water annually for reuse.)
The elevator is flooded with natural light from the home’s skylights, which eliminates the need for an energyconsuming light fixture. The guest and kids’ bedrooms share a single floor, meaning that heating can essentially be shut off to that level when it’s unoccupied. The garage is already outfitted with a socket for the Nissan Leaf, an electric, zero-emission car that the Bruderers plan to buy when it is released later this year. And the list goes on — although Bruderer is quick to point out that many of these features can easily be incorporated into existing homes.
In contrast to its Charleston-style exterior, the interior of the property is sleek and minimalist, reflecting Ernst and Christina’s European tastes. The home’s simple elegance reflects the family’s “less is more” philosophy. The couple designed the kitchen with Atlanta-based German company Bulthaup, using mostly Miele appliances and Silestone countertops, which is an environmentally friendly alternative to granite. An attractive eye-level fireplace creates a divider between the kitchen and living space, with large windows framing the expansive views (and beautiful sunsets) across the water. In short, the efficiency doesn’t detract one bit from the beauty.
“Nowadays, it’s not smart to build homes that waste energy,” Bruderer says, “This is the way we have to go.”
The greenest of building blocks
The Lowcountry’s greenest home Insulation
• Aerated concrete block walls and foundations
• Filmed insulating glass windows Sustainability
• Bamboo floors throughout
• Certified plywood from managed forests
• PaperStone countertops made of a composite of recycled paper and resin.
• Gas fireplaces
• High-efficiency appliances, including wall-mounted, European dual-flush toilets
Renewable energy
• Geothermal pumps for heating
Home Discovery: The lowcountry’s greenest home• Solar panels to provide 20% of home’s electricity
• VanGeison Construction had to create a new company to meet their needs for collecting rainwater
Awards
• 2010 Lighthouse Awards for Best Green Home in Beaufort County; Best Kitchen
• First LEED silver-certified home in Hilton Head.
Geothermal
• A geothermal ground source heat pump, installed by Gochnauer Mechanical, uses the same components as a conventional heating/cooling system, but instead of exchanging refrigeration with outdoor air temperatures it uses the consistent ground temperature to enhance efficiency. Holes are drilled in the land, and a small pump is used to push water in and out of the ground in a buried-loop system.
Ernst and Christina Bruderer chose to build their home in Windmill HarbourTo warm the home, fluid-filled underground pipes absorb stored heat and carry it indoors; an indoor unit then compresses heat to higher temperatures and distributes it throughout the building. To cool the home, the system reverses, pulling heat from the building through the loop and transferring it to the cooler earth.
SELECT VENDORS
• Argand Energy, solar PV contractor
• Budget Blinds
• Gochnauer HVAC
• J.T. Rosser Architects
• KPM Flooring
• VanGeison Construction
• Year Round Pool
EarthCraft House by Southface
In Atlanta and the metro area, over 4,000 EarthCraft House single family homes and over 1,500 EarthCraft Multifamily dwelling units have been certified, providing a long term pollution prevention impact. Developers working with EarthCraft House to promote environmental policies on a larger scale, have created six EarthCraft Communities in the Greater Atlanta region.
