What does it take to become a Rockstar of Sustainability in today’s environment? As reported by Wendy Koch of USA Today, it takes the following:
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Being an architect in San Francisco with a desire to build your own eco-friendly home
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Taking 14 months to actually build it
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Designing a more, affordable alternative
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Stalking manufacturers to build the prefab home
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And … winning an innovation award from the National Association of Home Builders for all the work you did!
This Rockstar of Sustainability is … Michelle Kauffman … and she has tapped into a growing market. The modular homes range in cost from $100,000 to $1 million. The USA Today article has an interactive home plan that demonstrates the green features. As far as savings, Kauffman’s own home has a zero-energy bill since the home produces about two times the energy (through solar panels) than the home uses.
Another Rockstar of Sustainability is … Warren Buffet … who is being reported as having introduced a line of green prefab homes through a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary called Clayton Homes. The green features include: well insulated exterior walls, floor and roof; low-e windows; metal roof designed for rainwater collection; No-VOC paint; high efficiency heat pump; and dual-flush toilets. Other feature options include: 2-4 kilowatts of solar PV panels; bamboo flooring; tankless hot water heaters; Energy Star appliances.
Riddle me this, Batman Green Lantern, AP? Which LEED credits should the project seek?