Results tagged “Sustainability” from TCC Insider

Being the Director of Estimating and Purchasing for The Coral Company, I have recently noticed a large interest in "Green Building" and on Jeff Epstein's February 25^th blog, he talked about our Solon Project and how we are moving in the "Green Building" direction. Everyone may not understand how exactly you build "Green" and take on the LEED concept. Our team at Coral has been intensively gather information and details on LEED and "Green Building". I could go on forever explaining these two topics. 

 

To make it simple, the Three R's summarizes everything - Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce:

·         Recycle consists of using building products that are made from recycled products.  Composite decking, Cellulose Insulation, and Recycled Carpet are all examples.

·         Reuse can be a variety of things. One example is making an irrigation system that is connected to your gutters and downspouts to collect rain water to irrigate your yard and landscaping.  I also found an example of where you could collect the rain water and use it for all toilets being flushed in your home.  These are some of the items HGTV used on their "Green Home".  For information on that go to: www.hgtv.com.

·         The last one is Reduce. When I think of reduce I think of everything I can do to reduce my energy consumption. Using energy star appliances helps reduce energy usage.  Having windows with Low-E to minimize heat escaping your home which decreases the amount of heat your furnace has to put out to keep your house warm and suitable.

 

If you are interested in more information on "Green Building" and LEED visit the U.S. Green Building Council's website @  www.usgbc.org.

One of the most exciting parts of our mixed-use redevelopment project in Solon is the opportunity to create a project that will be a national leader in sustainable design and green building.  With a 90+ acre project site, we can impact a community on a far greater scale than with individual buildings.  Building a green neighborhood improves the overall public health of a community and reduces its impact on the surrounding area.  We plan to create a walkable neighborhood that reduces dependence on cars and promotes a more healthy Solon while being conscious of its impact on the environment. 

Throughout our design process, we have been considering strategies to minimize our carbon footprint - from incorporating high energy-efficiency systems into the buildings to creating green and/or or light-colored roofs that treat stormwater and reduce heat island effects to utilizing recycled materials in construction.  We have been studying the new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) neighborhood development program from the US Green Building Council to identify the ways in which our project can be a model community for sustainable design.   As we continue to move forward, I'll post on some of the key decisions we are making to "green" the project and promote a sustainable Solon.

       

When I first started working at The Coral Company four years ago, I had no idea that developers were actually interested in building and redeveloping within the city limits. It was refreshing to know that my company, among a small handful of similar builders, were taking part in creating viable communities and neighborhoods within the greater city limits.

This reuse and redevelopment of inner ring suburban land, known as Smart Growth, is just the opposite of exurbia (the decades of low density development in the outer reaches of suburbia that have created traffic congestion, long commutes, air and water pollution, inadequate transit options and a decline in green space). By building in established suburbs, green space is conserved, new howmeowners are provided with more choices to live, work, and play, given more transit alternatives and cities thrive again with the increased tax base.

Some guiding principles of Smart Growth development that The Coral Company follows are:

• making sure new developments reflect the character of the surrounding neighborhoods
• designating and keeping green space for the enjoyment of everyone - in the present and for the future
• building where established infrastructure, jobs, and transportation are
• offering trans-generational housing choices to result in greater neighborhood diversity
• providing open space connections to encourage walking, cycling, or use of public transportation
• creating a sense of place by incorporating the local community's culture, heritage, and history into the new development

Makes sense and sounds smart, doesn't it?

Leanne van Beers-Werneke is the Director of Marketing for The Coral Company.