After months of working with our architect, we have reached a point in the project to move to the next stage. Incorporating input from industry professionals in an effort to mold our Dream Home into a state of the art residence, we are proud to introduce the following members of our Project Team:
Home Owners / LEED AP: Tim & Sarah Southwell
Architect: Don Briggs (www.briggsarch.com)
CAD Professional: Jeff Stahlecker
LEED Provider: Kristin Shewfelt (www.archenergy.com)
Energy Rater: Russ Hellem (www.energetechsinc.com)
Engineering Firm: Brian Solan (www.m-m.net)
Log Home Supplier: Rick Shaw (www.culturedlogs.com)
Alternative Energy: Lee Tavenner (www.solarplexus1.com)
Home Systems Integrator: Rick Trauth (www.ghostfighters.com)
Experienced Contractor: Jim Albrecht
You will note the LEED Provider, Architectural Energy Corporation, on the list. In the past week, and becoming comfortable with their individual services, we are pleased to move forward under their direction for eventual pre-certification / certification of the project under the USGBC’s LEED for Home Rating System criteria.
In the coming month, I will post individual introductions from each team member, as you get a better glimpse into their industry focus and coupled experience with residential projects and Green / Sustainable Design.
We are also presently putting together a list of potential contractors / project managers that we will interview for the job. Via phone conversations, face to face meeting, and a strict qualification process, we are hopeful to have this individual identified soon and added to the Project Team accordingly.
Our first charrette meeting is now being scheduled for latter part April where we will dissect the current design detail and introduce many aspects of operating systems / materials which will find their way into the final project. I will do my best to recap these meetings as a way to educate viewers into understanding how our project unfolds, subject matters being discussed, the LEED for Homes process, and latest technology / green aspects being entertained for implementation. From here we will go to eventual implementation, construction, and move-in. Keep checking in, for it proves to be a most exciting ride.
Good Health and an Abundant Tomorrow to all.
Tim
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
LEED the Way
The project is moving forward despite the lack of details over the past few weeks. We recently met with an engineering firm in Missoula, which all but solidified the project team which will be unveiled next week. The remaining part of the puzzle, and a big part at that, is to finalize a working relationship with a LEED Provider to register, administer, and ultimately certify the project under the auspice of the LEED for Homes rating system created by the USGBC.
As Montana does not have a nominated Provider, I am contacting adjacent states to try and create a working relationship for moving this project forward. As a LEED AP, my knowledge is geared towards commercial structures through the LEED NC, CI, and EB programs. Even though I feel confident I could work inline with the LEED H criteria, I am busy communicating with various LEED Provider entities. To that note, I have presently made contact with Earth Advantage (www.earthadvantage.com) out of Oregon and Arch Energy (www.archenergy.com) out of Colorado. I am hopeful one of these outfits will show interest in the project and put forth a comprehensive overview of services customized for our project from A to Z. With our now scheduled first Charrette for the first week of April, I am pressing to solidify this relationship sooner than later. I am a firm believer in the LEED system, but must admit that establishing a working relationship within the LEED structure has been most difficult. I believe this will change as the USGBC and the LEED system grow and as more and more LEED professionals come online to offer such services nationwide.
As a result of this, I am now pursuing additional avenues to bolster my abilities to act, consult, and work on all aspects of LEED projects. In reading previous entries, you will note that under the LEED Home rating system, it is the requirement of the rating system that a LEED accredited Energy Rater work directly on the project. The Energy Rater is hired and managed by the Provider to handle site visits, collection of information on the project pursuant to criteria attainment, and culminate all materials for presentation to the Provider for review and submittal to the USGBC panel for final certification. I will be flying to Colorado where I will take place in a weeklong workshop put on by an Energy Rater firm, Energy Logic (www.nrglogic.com). The weeklong workshop will culminate with the national exam and two months of required energy rater practice to obtain the official HERS (Home Energy Rating Standard) Energy Rater status. With this knowledge I will be both educated to the intricacies of our own personal residential build, but more so will cultivate the LEED AP and Energy Rater accolades into a working Green / Energy consulting business which I will debut later this year. Fittingly enough, the name of my business is Abundant Tomorrrow.
In the next week, I will plan on unveiling the nominated project team, introducing the LEED Provider, and sharing some personal comments on our Dream Home and how I feel its design ties into the framework of the Green Building movement.
Until then, keep your dreams alive, and move forward with the Power of Intention.
Wishing you all an Abundant Tomorrow!
Tim
As Montana does not have a nominated Provider, I am contacting adjacent states to try and create a working relationship for moving this project forward. As a LEED AP, my knowledge is geared towards commercial structures through the LEED NC, CI, and EB programs. Even though I feel confident I could work inline with the LEED H criteria, I am busy communicating with various LEED Provider entities. To that note, I have presently made contact with Earth Advantage (www.earthadvantage.com) out of Oregon and Arch Energy (www.archenergy.com) out of Colorado. I am hopeful one of these outfits will show interest in the project and put forth a comprehensive overview of services customized for our project from A to Z. With our now scheduled first Charrette for the first week of April, I am pressing to solidify this relationship sooner than later. I am a firm believer in the LEED system, but must admit that establishing a working relationship within the LEED structure has been most difficult. I believe this will change as the USGBC and the LEED system grow and as more and more LEED professionals come online to offer such services nationwide.
As a result of this, I am now pursuing additional avenues to bolster my abilities to act, consult, and work on all aspects of LEED projects. In reading previous entries, you will note that under the LEED Home rating system, it is the requirement of the rating system that a LEED accredited Energy Rater work directly on the project. The Energy Rater is hired and managed by the Provider to handle site visits, collection of information on the project pursuant to criteria attainment, and culminate all materials for presentation to the Provider for review and submittal to the USGBC panel for final certification. I will be flying to Colorado where I will take place in a weeklong workshop put on by an Energy Rater firm, Energy Logic (www.nrglogic.com). The weeklong workshop will culminate with the national exam and two months of required energy rater practice to obtain the official HERS (Home Energy Rating Standard) Energy Rater status. With this knowledge I will be both educated to the intricacies of our own personal residential build, but more so will cultivate the LEED AP and Energy Rater accolades into a working Green / Energy consulting business which I will debut later this year. Fittingly enough, the name of my business is Abundant Tomorrrow.
In the next week, I will plan on unveiling the nominated project team, introducing the LEED Provider, and sharing some personal comments on our Dream Home and how I feel its design ties into the framework of the Green Building movement.
Until then, keep your dreams alive, and move forward with the Power of Intention.
Wishing you all an Abundant Tomorrow!
Tim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
