How is Solaris Real Estate Group, Inc. involved with Green Building?

As a certified Sustainable Building Advisor, Solaris Real Estate Group, Inc. Partner, Michelle Shafagh, is working hard to promote green designed buildings and sustainable communities with a growing rate of innovative solutions which create environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. With that, Solaris is fostering partnerships with consultants, associations, builders, municipalities, as well as the interested public, in order to encourage and educate others toward green building and sustainable development practices.

As an important asset to Solaris Real Estate Group services, Michelle works as a Project Associate with O'Brien and Company, a nationally recognized leader in sustainable design and construction, education, and research. O'Brien and Company provides technical and educational support to the design and construction industry; to policy-makers affecting construction and development; and to the public.

For more information about O'Brien and Company, visit their website at: www.obrienandco.com.

Did you know that in the United States:

• Excessive consumption is largely responsible for the depletion of natural resources worldwide and the acceleration of global warming.
  
  
• The construction and maintenance of buildings are responsible for 39% of U.S. energy use and 30% of wood and raw materials use.
  
  
• Buildings are a main contributor to global warming by generating 38% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions (the most significant climate change gas).
  
  
• Buildings account for 12% of total water consumption and 68% of total electricity consumption.

A list of additional statistics on buildings and the environment [PDF] is available on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website at: www.epa.gov/opptintr/greenbuilding

Green Building and Sustainable Building Programs are fostering sustainability within urban environments by changing patterns of natural resource consumption through initiatives such as The King County Green Building Initiative # FES 9-3 (AEP). The Green Building Initiative establishes Executive Policy to encourage and promote the use of green building practices in all buildings the County constructs, remodels, and renovates. The Initiative directs Offices and Departments to incorporate or support the use of LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design specification certification) methods and techniques into construction of facilities; and establishes a Green Building Team to educate and guide Departments in green building practices.

Why Build Green?

Environmental building partners, consultants, strategists, educators, builders, communities and municipalities are all part of a fast growing number of Green Building Professionals working to improve energy and environmental performance of buildings and built communities.

By adopting green building strategies, we can maximize both environmental and economic performance. Sustainable construction methods can be integrated into buildings at any stage, from design and construction (which is, of course, the most productive), to the renovation and deconstruction. Potential benefits of green building can include:

• High Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Economic Benefits
• Social Benefits (improve occupant comfort, health & sense of community)
• Healthier Indoor Air
• Resource Efficiency
• Environmental Responsibility
• Waste Reduction
• Smart Growth and Sustainable Development
• Water Stewardship
  
  

Are there Green Programs Available For Residential Homes?

BuiltGreen™ is an environmentally-friendly, non-profit, residential building program of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, developed in partnership with King County, Snohomish County, and other agencies in Washington State. BuiltGreen™ provides consumers with easy-to-understand rating systems, which quantify environmentally friendly building practices for remodeling and new home construction, communities and multifamily development units. Look for the BuiltGreen™ Logo

Have your home certified as meeting ENERGY STAR qualifications, making them at least 15 percent more efficient. The ENERGY STAR rating is administered through a regional coalition called the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. The project is a continuation of successful regional efforts to promote ENERGY STAR qualified lighting, appliances, windows and other home products to Northwest consumers. Products carrying the ENERGY STAR symbol, use less energy than competing goods, save money on monthly energy bills and help protect the environment. O'Brien and Company also offers ENERGY STAR Certification services. They are approved to Verify and Performance Test homes through the Energy Star Northwest Homes program. www.obrienandco.com

Sustainable (Green Building) Feature Examples

One Earth One Design – Eco-friendly Interior Design & Retail