I usually do not post other people’s articles but I have a lot of respect for Preston Koerner of Jetson Green. His website is dedicated to featuring green building all over the world. In describing his website, Preston states,” [g]enerally, I try to focus Jetson Green on modern + green building. Specifically, I try to flaunt the business case for green building. Sometimes I’ll delve more into the green building than the modern, and vice versa.”
His posts are concise, informative, and easy to read. In addition, his photographs that accompany his posts are clear and fully illustrate his topic. He is a one man show and does not have a slew of writers to help him unlike many other green websites out there today. His website was recently voted one of the top ten up and coming website by the folks at Lighter Footsteps, a green online magazine dedicated to sustainability. Go preview Jetson Green and I am sure you will enjoy his website.
I really liked an article on his site regarding the first LEED west coast residence. Preston gave me permission to reprint his post. Although, Preston’s post is dated February 14, 2007, this article is a little dated but very informative for those wishing to build green.
Tom Kelly with Neil Kelly Company, as the general contractor, built one of the first LEED house on the West Coast. The name may seem familiar to you because Neil Kelly Company started Neil Kelly Cabinets, one of the largest eco-friendly kitchen cabinet makers in the country. I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.
February 14, 2007
Nick Garibbo, Photo Design, 2006
The LEED-H Silver Kelly Woodford Retreat Near Mt. Hood, Oregon
As one of the first residential LEED homes on the west coast, the Kelly Woodford home is blazing a trail for the future of residential construction. In addition to its USGBC certification, the home is “net zero energy use” and Energy Star certified. The 2,000 square-foot, three-bedroom/two-bath retreat has a great view of Mt. Hood and some pretty impressive green features. Tom Kelly and Barbara Woodford built the home as a family getaway (with the Neil Kelly Company as general contractor), but they’ve also made the home available half the year to Neil Kelly employees to enjoy.
It’s important to note that some green features work better in one location than another. Localization is key, not only for the carbon impact, but for what works due to the local weather and climate (i.e., Californians may build sans AC, but that won’t fly in Texas). This home has an amazing slew of green features, so I’m just going to throw them out: net-metering photovoltaic panels; south-facing windows + passive solar design to reduce heating/cooling requirements; natural ventilation and proper solar orientation; solar-powered hydronic radiant floor; foot thick SIPs (structural insulated panels) for the roof to insulate against the winter chill; Energy Star-rated appliances; 16 SEER heat pump; CFL lighting throughout the house; two Sterling energy recovery ventilators to keep the air fresh; clean air filtration system; internal finishes from American Clay Plaster, Rhodda Paint’s Green Seal Horizontal line, and Yolo Colorhouse paints; FSC-certified lumber products; concrete with a high percentage of fly ash; 20-30% recycled steel roof with a shingle appearance; wheatboard and reclaimed lumber bath + kitchen cabinets; and recycled counter tops. That’s just a few green features. From beginning to end, it’s clear the entire process elevated sustainability to #1.
Kelly remarked about the home, “When our family, friends and employees enjoy their time here, we want them to know they are living with nature, not in competition with it.“ Kelly’s serious, too. He drives a bio-diesel fueled car and thinks residential building is going the direction of green. Don’t you agree?!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing this article. Being one for detail, my eyes were more drawn to those 2 cool solar panels on the left of the pic and the creamy-white rock(s) next to the porch!
I think what Preston’s doing is great – exploring and showing what is possible in order to commune with Nature, not hurt it (or ourselves).
More power to him. May we be inspired to follow by example (in our own individual ways).
(p.s.: I’m loving the green text in the comment box! Reminds me of getting stuck into paint and crayons with creative abandon!)
Beautiful House. I like it very much
Thanks for sharing