November Wrap Up

With the infrastructure in place for the winter, we turn our attention to the design phase of the project and the various aspects it includes. The week prior to Thanksgiving (by the way, Happy Belated Thanksgiving to All), we had initial design renditions from Don Briggs, Briggs Architecture and Design. Don was putting forth the initial drawings basis the program we submitted for a second time last month. We were pleased with the initial rendition as it both answered questions we had about our initial program design ideas and prompted new aspects we had yet to think about. If anything, the first round of drawings transformed our ideas to paper which brought clarity and change to what we had thought we would like. As a result, we went back to Don with constructive comments on what we liked and what we wished to rework per our new vision. Looking back at the program (see article dated 10/21 'Reshuffled Program') we opted to revamp the basement space, make a small flow change from kitchen to great room, maximize the useable space over the garage, and downsize the observation deck on the 3rd floor. Speaking with Don, we are expecting another round of rough drafts by next week. From there we will continue to tweak the design until we have our final product.



That being said, there is much to work through before this final product materializes. Working very closely with Don Briggs we will be spending the majority of December building a project team whom will work together to start in January in collaborating on this final product. Don Briggs (Architect), Tim & Sarah Southwell (Owners), Structural, Eletrical, Mechanical Engineers, Landscape Architect, Energy rater / Commissioning Agent, LEED AP, and other industry experts will be invited to take part in brainstorming, designing, and ultimately producing a highly efficient, sustainably designed, green built home. The renditions we are working on at present will merely act as a starting point for getting the ball rolling. As we get the initial draft together for the project team and the corresponding charette process to commence in January, I will be posting the initial drawings for all to see so to better appreciate the scope of the project at large.



As always, I appreciate your comments and thank those that have put opinions and suggestions forward towards our green build. Happy holidays and an Abundant Tomorrow to All.



Sincerely, Tim Southwell

Prepared for Jack Frost

This past month we can say that we have successfully designed and installed utilities & septic drain-field aspects of the project. With the continued aid of Jim Albrecht, Iron Wood Construction (406-360-4816), we have seen North Western Energy and Qwest Telephone cables trenched, installed, and back bladed into place for future use. Transformers and pedestals have been placed for utilization at the front entry gate, alongside two drilled wells for water supply, and at the home site for future use by construction efforts and eventual living needs.

On top of this, Jim Heiland, Heiland Excavating (406-363-2357), has been busy working the property to incorporate basic infrastructure needs as well as the septic drain-field. This past week, the septic drain-field was installed adjacent to the home site approximately 300’ away. We chose a location that was burned this past August during the Tin Cup Fires, and which was used as an access for heavy machinery during the suppressing effort. We purchased and installed septic system products by Infiltrator Systems (http://www.infiltratorsystems.com/), as they produce a quality product and incorporate a green awareness in the industry.

Here are some ways Infiltrator Systems and Champion are working to improve the environment in which we live.
• We seek polypropylene, polyethylene (LDPE & HDPE) and materials (parts, purging, regrind, pellets) from the following industries: automotive, building materials, beverage and bottling, food processing, grocery/bakery, and distribution centers.
• ISI products are made of 90% recycled material.
• The post-consumer and post-industrial plastics we purchase keep 65,000 tons from going into a landfill.
• ISI has the ability to process up to 500,000 pounds of plastic daily.
• Champion is the fifth largest purchaser of recycled plastics in the United States.
• Procurement Breakdown
􀂊 32% Post-consumer
􀂊 68% Post-industrial
Quick Facts
• With our unique procurement procedure we visit dump sites to reclaim materials before they are land filled.
• Proprietary processing method allows us to utilize waste streams that are otherwise unusable to other recycling/manufacturing companies.
• Champion was honored as Recycler of the Year by the Carpet America Recovery Effort™ (CARE) in 2006.
• Champion participates in many recycling organizations and associations including the National Recycling Commission, Automotive Body Parts Association, and Automobile Recyclers Association.
• ISI named by ENR Magazine as one of the Top 200 Environmental Firms in 2006 – ranked #48.
• Total Barrels of oil saved by recycling (2005-2007e) = 1.76 million barrels.
• Tons of CO2 reduced by recycling (2005-2007e) = 228,000 tons.


Here are ‘on-location’ pictures of the installed Infiltrator System’s septic products, complete with feeder pipes and individual leaching chambers.

With the numerous traffic we have had over the past few months in fire suppression, water well installation, electric and phone cables installed, as well as septic drain-field install & road rework, it only made good sense to have our main entry road contoured to a smooth, unblemished appearance. At the close of the work performed by Heiland Excavating we had the professional services of J&J Excavating & Trucking (406-961-1511) run a road-grader along 1.7 miles of gravel & dirt roadway to cleanup the access to our property prior to the ground freezing and winter setting in for the next five months. As a result, the road will be in pristine shape when access is needed once again in the spring on next year.

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, work on infrastructure development is coming to a close. Colder temperatures combined with snowfall will ultimately shut down physical development of the property until next spring. That being said, the project is set to take off as these dormant winter months will be anything other than a seasonal slumber. By years end we will look to solidify design drawings, register for LEED-H, and formalize the project team who will lead this residential build through to fruition.

Stay tuned as Sarah and I continue to bring you updates along the way. As usual, we invite comments / emails on our progress, as we know you might have ideas worth bringing to the table.

Good health and an Abundant Tomorrow to All.

Tim