Dear Readers, I just returned from the "Built Green" annual conference and I want to share some of the excitement of that event.
"Built Green" is the trademark of one of the fastest growing builder organizations in the country. It is supported by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish counties and includes hundreds of architects, designers, builders, landscape professionals and developers (yes, there are "green" developers) from our region.
This year they decided to include real estate professionals in their program and, although there were only 18 of us out of the 600 plus attendees, it's a start. Being a "green" Realtor has always been a part of my business so it's good to see others in my profession getting involved in sustainability.
I believe that the best way to make a commitment to sustainable development is to "recycle" a house rather than build new. One of the keynote speakers was David Johnson, contractor, designer and visionary who is a leader in combining environmental design and excellence in residential construction. He was a dynamic and inspirational speaker and I came away with his most recent book, "Green Remodeling; Changing the World One Room at a Time". I highly recommend that you read it.
This book is full of excellent advice, tips and resources. It takes you totally through the process from choosing an architect or designer, selecting a contractor, finding energy conservation products, choosing building materials and discovering what you really want your home to be. There are resources for finding recycled and less toxic building materials and state of the art heating systems that will save you money as well as save our planet's resources.
Here are some of his words, "Each decision we make today regarding energy use, building materials, and water consumption will have a long lasting impact on future generations. We have a responsibility today to make the wisest decisions possible to address the environmental issues we face." He added that the building industry uses 40% of all our planet's resources. He thinks it's time they address conservation and sustainable design.
Amen!
This year they decided to include real estate professionals in their program and, although there were only 18 of us out of the 600 plus attendees, it's a start. Being a "green" Realtor has always been a part of my business so it's good to see others in my profession getting involved in sustainability.
I believe that the best way to make a commitment to sustainable development is to "recycle" a house rather than build new. One of the keynote speakers was David Johnson, contractor, designer and visionary who is a leader in combining environmental design and excellence in residential construction. He was a dynamic and inspirational speaker and I came away with his most recent book, "Green Remodeling; Changing the World One Room at a Time". I highly recommend that you read it.
This book is full of excellent advice, tips and resources. It takes you totally through the process from choosing an architect or designer, selecting a contractor, finding energy conservation products, choosing building materials and discovering what you really want your home to be. There are resources for finding recycled and less toxic building materials and state of the art heating systems that will save you money as well as save our planet's resources.
Here are some of his words, "Each decision we make today regarding energy use, building materials, and water consumption will have a long lasting impact on future generations. We have a responsibility today to make the wisest decisions possible to address the environmental issues we face." He added that the building industry uses 40% of all our planet's resources. He thinks it's time they address conservation and sustainable design.
Amen!
posted by Emma Amiad at
3:50 PM
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