UPDATE: Excavation Underway at Gregorio Residence

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The mini-excavator and our crew were busy on June 18 preparing for the foundation of the green addition to the Gregorio residence. Below is a close up of the Structural Insulated Panels (or SIPs) that will be assembled to create the floors and walls of the addition. These panels consist of dense, 10" layer of foam sandwiched between large sheets of engineered wood panels. This combination creates an insulation barrier that outperforms traditional fiberglass batt insulation up to 300%.

Closeup of SIPs Onsite (Click To Enlarge)

Check back for more pictures of our progress on this exciting project!

NEWS: Groundbreaking on "Green" Remodel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Go Green Announces Groundbreaking on Green Residential Remodel

CONTACT:
Leslie S. Glennon
Go Green Construction, Inc.
Tel: 818.718.7477
Fax: 818.718.7117
leslie@gogreencalifornia.com

Los Angeles, CA, June 12, 2007 - Today we break ground on a green addition to an existing single-family home in the Lake Balboa area of Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley. The crew is excavating in preparation for pouring the footings next week; over the next few days a mini-excavator and a few crew members will be readying the site for construction.

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We will de-construct instead of demolishing any portion of the house which abuts the new construction. These de-constructed materials will be sorted and recycled in lieu of being sent to the landfill and adding to the waste stream. This project calls for adding 820 square feet to the existing 1,115 square foot home; we’ll give the owners a new master suite and bath plus a new laundry room. The “green” aspects of the project include construction of the addition with SIP (Structurally Insulated Panels) panels which are manufactured offsite and generate less waste than conventional stick framing. SIP panels offer superior "R-Values" (the measure for insulating capabilities) compared to traditional insulation methods, which adds to the long-term energy efficiency of this structure.

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We also intend to install and/or utilize a restricted flow showerhead; a dual-flush water conserving toilet; low- or no-VOC paint finishes in all rooms; a strategically placed skylight to minimize need for interior lights during daylight hours; dual-pane, low-E windows; a front loading water-conserving washer and energy efficient dryer; and a tankless water heater to service the new bath and laundry facilities.

A television crew from Green That House may be stopping by to film our progress – watch for us on Discovery Home.

ABOUT GO GREEN CONSTRUCTION - We are providers of sustainable building solutions for Southern California. We pride ourselves on delivering quality craftsmanship using renewable materials. Our creations offer an attractive alternative to traditional construction while promoting a healthier environment for our clients and the planet. We have 33 years’ experience serving the high-end residential market in Southern California, providing expert consulting, design and construction services. Contact us today at info@gogreencalifornia.com or 818.718.7477

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DESIGN: Gregorio Residence

LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA

COMPLETION: Target 2007

GOAL: Adapting an existing 1950s structure to meet a growing family’s needs rather than demolishing the entire structure and building from the ground up. We will utilize sustainable materials and techniques to decrease energy costs, to create a more comfortable, healthier indoor environment, and to minimize costs associated with transporting debris to a landfill.

SCOPE: Addition of 820 square feet to an existing 1,115 square foot 2 bedroom, 2 bath single family residence. The process will involve careful “deconstruction” of the existing structure, sorting and diverting material to recycling facilities; framing with structurally insulated panels (SIP); installing a dual-flush toilet and other water-reducing plumbing fixtures; selecting materials and finishes that have minimal impact on natural resources and that expose neither the homeowner’s family nor the manufacturer/installer to toxic chemicals.

SUSTAINABLE ATTRIBUTES

• Modification of an existing structure has less impact on the environment than construction of an entirely new home because there is less material harvested, manufactured, or transported.
• Carefully deconstructing portions of the existing structure and sorting by material type enables valuable resources to be recycled, keeping them out of the landfill.
• Because they are prefabricated to exact specifications offsite, SIP panels generate less construction waste and thus save trees.
• SIP panels are more energy efficient than conventional wood-framed walls with fiberglass batt insulation because they have a higher insulating capacity, or R-value, for the same wall thickness.
• Use of sustainable materials such as bamboo flooring, which rapidly renews itself, lessens the impact on the natural environment.
• Use of materials having little to no harmful chemicals prevents those chemicals, during their manufacturing phase, from entering the waste stream or contaminating the water supply.
• Plumbing fixtures with “low-flow” features reduce household water use and thus preserve the water supply in an arid region

DESIGN: Feldman Residence

LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA

COMPLETION: Target 2008

GOAL: Creation of a LEED for Homes Silver certified residence that will incorporate the most thoughtful and innovative building materials, finishes, fixtures, HVAC and lighting systems to ensure that the environment inside the home promotes the comfort, health and well-being of its occupants.

SCOPE: Construction of a 3-story, 4,360 square foot single family residence with an indoor elevator designed for accessibility. This home is designed to minimize, and even eliminate altogether, the impact of the construction and operation of the home on the surrounding community and the environment in general.

SUSTAINABLE ATTRIBUTES

• Passive solar design strategies
• Heat sink via ground floor foundation/slab
• Heat vent via operable skylight above stairwell
• Energy Star-rated low-E glazing
• Photovoltaic system for power generation
• Electric car recharging station in garage
• Tankless water heating
• LED and compact fluorescent lighting
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures, including dual-flush toilets
• Energy Star-rated appliances
• Graywater recycling system
• Landscape consisting of drought-tolerant, native plants
• Fly-ash content in concrete foundation
• Re-use of existing cement driveway
• “Living Wall” on NW façade of building
• Permeable paving and hardscape elements
• Recycled or sustainable hardscape elements
• FSC-certified lumber
• Wood framing 24” on center
• Engineered truss system
• Insulated wall panels, polyurethane foam or organic fiber insulation
• Formaldehyde-free sheathing, subflooring, etc.
• Low, Zero-VOC finishes & adhesives
• Deconstruction and reuse/donation of existing structure materials