Green Way Supply's green home design includes custom-designed cabinets and shelves made from wood that is sustainably harvested and water-based stains; concrete and recycled glass countertops; high-efficiency aluminum-clad wood windows and a recycled glass backsplash.
“In order for sustainability to work, it has to work for everyone.” In the wake of corporate greed and unethical business practice, these words from green building visionary Terry Black are a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Black’s company Green Way Supply, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, has been building sustainable homes for three years, but the company is no longer satisfied just helping the affluent neighborhoods go green. He believes what’s good enough (and green enough) for the wealthy, should be within reach of everyone.
His company’s new division, Green Way Homes, is committed to bringing sustainable entry-level and market level homes to the inner city of Indianapolis.
Green Home Design
Why put so much effort into these abandoned or run-down areas? It’s the same thinking behind all the green rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. Of course, it makes sense for the environment. But reusing, repurposing, and local buying are good for the business economy.
“The key is to build affordable, green homes to bring in people who will stabilize neighborhoods by occupying empty lots,” Black says. This starts a healthy cycle where nearby home values increase, and banks become more comfortable lending money to remodel existing homes.
LEED-Certified Construction
A Green Way Home goes beyond Energy Star appliances and low VOC paints. Each home construction is LEED certified, meaning it meets specific criteria defined by the U.S. Green Building Council. Homeowners use the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) system as a scorecard to see where their home falls on the scale of sustainability. “The thing about LEED certified homes is that it’s not one or two things to consider. It’s everything from concept to completion,” says Black.
So what are some of the components of these homes?
In the construction stage, Black considers every possible way to lessen the environmental impact of the building process. The home’s frame is made from wood from deconstructed homes. Reusing existing materials is an obvious choice, especially since wood gets harder as it ages.
Other construction attributes are formaldehyde free plywood, metal roofing, and aluminum clad, energy efficient windows. Floors are made from a mixture of cork, bamboo, marmoleum, recycled content carpets, and wood from reclaimed lumber of Indiana barns.
To conserve resources, Green Way Homes includes low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets, on–demand hot water, and Energy Star appliances. Passive ventilation and lighting are used, and many homes even incorporate solar power. Terry Black sees renewables as becoming increasingly important as climate change awareness and energy costs continue to grow.
Green Way Homes also feature low VOC paints, water-based finishes, and some of the most beautiful eco-innovative designs like recycled glass countertops and formaldehyde-free cabinets.
Black says new clay finishes are becoming a popular earth friendly feature in homes. “Natural clay saves energy because it absorbs moisture in the summer and releases it in the winter. It releases negative ions, which counteract our many electronics. It’s a natural mood elevator… like living next to a waterfall.”
Green Way Homes has partnered with Tim Gray, an award-winning architect, and All American Homes of Decatur to create these sustainable and functional new homes. Black says supporting local businesses is “key to our economic survival,” so they use local labor and products.
Green Way Supply also offers workshops on green home improvement. Black believes all we need is a shift in how we see the future of building. ”If you learn and you grow, and are contributing to the greater good, you’re just happier.”
And one final thought from Terry Black, “If you don’t have passion, it’s just a real dull day.”
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Originally posted 2010-04-05 09:12:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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