Building
Advisors:
DMK Real Estate & Property Management
Norwalk Community College
Green Building Designs

Armour Academic Center
Sustainable building takes into account environment, existing land or pre-existing buildings, eco-friendly products and building practices as well as the eventual deconstruction of the building. Green buildings have renewable energy sources, use resources and materials efficiently, have internal recycling and waste reduction practices, use recycled or biodegradable construction materials, and are designed to complement the existing environment or neighborhood.
"Building green" is important not just because of the volume of materials involved in construction (and deconstruction), or the ongoing financial and environmental costs of their operation. The buildings in which we live and work also shape our daily lives and how we experience the world. Sustainable communities need green buildings, and will be inspired by them.
Western North Carolina Green Building Council
Contact: Mary Love
Location: Asheville, NC
Number of Locations: 1
Organic Painters of Athens GA
Contact: Christopher Gaudreau
Location: Athens, GA
Number of Locations: 1
City of Houston Green Building Resource Center
Contact: Steve Stelzer
Location: Houston, TX
Number of Locations: 1
Tour an Affordable Green Apartment Building in the South Bronx, NY
Location: Bronx, NY
Number of Locations: 1
Healing the wounds of war "Operation Green"
Contact: John Passander
Location: West Haven, CT
Number of Locations: 1
Connecticut Businesses that Educate People on Green Building Practices
Contact: Edward Santandrea
Location: Fairfield, CT
Number of Locations: 1
Educating consumers about basic green design, renovation and building practices
Contact: Victoria Lyon
Location: Greenwich, CT
Number of Locations: 1
Habitat for Humanity Bay Waveland Area, Inc. Green Sustainable Community-Seal Pointe
Contact: Wendy McDonald
Location: Bay Saint Louis, MS
Number of Locations: 1
Tour a Salvaged Home with the Latest Green Technologies
Contact: Bob Vila
Location: Mount Kisco, NY
Number of Locations: 1
Sustainable Stamford's Corporate Sustainability Challenge (Stamford, CT)
Contact: Kristine D'Elisa
Location: Stamford, CT
Number of Locations: 1
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Hi Laura for Ashville NC contact janeAnne Narrin she is a designated Realtor® Green. For Connecticut there are two green community builders http://bycarrier.com/ http://www.brooksidedevelopment.com/ national wide website for green homes https://www.greenhomesforsale.com/ To find a designated GREEN Realtor® go to http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/find-nar-green-designee good luck

Marlene, You can write a book about this, it really depends on your budget, location and use of floor (kitchen, bath, familyroom, basement). I recommend the going to www.TheFlooringGirl.com to find answers. Here is a link http://theflooringgirl.com/request-a-free-consultation/frequently-asked-questions.html

Michael there are so many resources for you. Your local state or regional chapter of the US Green Building Council, Certified Greee Professionals at National Association of Home Builder, Realtors~Green. Here is a link for more http://activerain.com/blogsview/3707698/look-here-to-find-your-local-green-professionals-

Hi Marlee, Yes to both of your questions at Rings End lumber with a number of locations through out Connecticut. http://www.ringsend.com/products/doors Good luck on your project.

HI Christa, I have heard all too many stories about families stuck in this situation. Habitat for Humanity is a great organization that recycles building materials in Connecticut and Nationwide. Here is their website; there is a recycle store next town over from you. http://blog.habitatcfc.org/ You can also try contacting your local building supply company to see if they or if they know of any contractor’s that have left over unused materials. Patience is key, rebuilding a home is a long process I wish you the best of luck.

Feel free to give me a call. My office number is 203-296-2207 or my cell is 203-650-5583

Lisa here are some websites to help you find a local builder who specializes in green building techniques, materials and designs. 1. The National Assoc. of Home Builders (NAHB) has a Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation for builders. Here is a link to find local CGP’s in your region. http://www.nahb.org/directory.aspx?sectionID=1434&directoryID=1415 2. The National Assoc. of Realtor’s also has a Green designation for real estate agents. http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/find_an_nar_green_designee.cfm 3. U.S. Green Building Council has LEED AP Homes designation for architects, builders, consultants. https://ssl12.cyzap.net/gbcicertonline/onlinedirectory/ https://ssl12.cyzap.net/dzapps/dbzap.bin/apps/assess/webmembers/tool 4. Energy Star program for homes by the US government. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=new_homes_partners.locator

Lisa, I'm currently building a house with multiple certifications,located in Old Greenwich Connecticut. I would be interested in taking a look at your plans. Pete F. www.preferredbuilders.biz

Go to your local U.S. Green Building Council and they will send an email out to the members their region http://www.usgbc.org/FindaChapter/ChapList.aspx. You could also find LEED homes in your area by searching the database at http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147#Lists . Each home project is assigned a LEED Rater and they can give you some references as well. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2528

Looks like we all are suggesting techniques used by the U.S. Green Building Council. You can download their free LEED for Homes guide at http://www.usgbc.org. If you want more detail you can purchase the expanded edition that goes into more detail. I've LEED registered my 1956 Frank Lloyd Wright home as a gut rehab. See my checklist at http://green-cincinnati.com/category/flw-boulter-house/.

Lexi, #1 When choosing cabinets you want to have formaldehyde free glues and low volatile organic compounds that give off little or no toxic fumes. #2 For countertops using there are quite a few manufacturers that incorporate recycled paper, recycled glass and limestone. here is a example. http://www.squakmountainstone.com/ #3 Choose Energy Star appliances which will save your utility costs and may provide rebates for your refrigerator, dishwasher along with water sense approved faucet fixtures. Here is a useful link http://www.energystar.gov/ I hope this serves you well! Pete F,

Lexi, my links did not come through on my first comments. To find USGBC chapters ~ http://www.usgbc.org/FindaChapter/ChapList.aspx To find Certified Green Professional Builders at NAHB ~ http://www.nahb.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=1434

Kitchen Remodeling. Lexi I totally agree with Andrew: 1. You want to reduce waste as much as possible by reusing or giving away 2. Try to use renewable products and/or recycled products 3. Natural light with high efficient gas filled windows. I would also suggest: • Energy Star appliances that will continue to use less energy. • Efficient light fixtures such as LED’s that will give you great task lighting. • Find a ‘green’ contractor; try the NAHB website or your local USGBC chapter for accredited professionals. • Pick out all your materials before hand, have proper blueprints drawn so there are no miss communications. If we can be of any further help please send e-mail, good luck.

lexi: 1. divert as much of the waste from the demolition away from a landfill as you can. an increasing number of waste management facilities have diversion programs for construction waste that can reduce the impact on the landfill. not sure if there is a habitat for humanity "re-store" near you or a place that takes in used building materials and re-sells them for profit. we have one in our community and its a good feeling to leave something there, i also buy stuff there too. also consider re-installing the old cabinets in a garage, basement or other area of the house (or a friend's house). 2. use materials with low-energy or recycled content. cork flooring, countertops with easily renewable core materials, tile made from recycled glass. the neat thing about all of these is that so many manufacturers have jumped into the game, your kitchen doesn't have to look dull or strictly earth-tone... 3. bring as much natural light into the space as is feasible, which can greatly reduce the amount of time the lights are on. consider the layout and how frequently used task areas (sink, cutting board) may be placed near a window or under a skylight. best of luck, let me know how it goes ...

Thank you for the link, always good to hear about new products

Great news! I just heard that it is suppose to start in July.

Congratulations!