Blogs
Ron Jones, Co-Founder and President of Green Builder® Media, is recognized as one of the fathers of the green building movement. Instrumental in establishing guidelines and programs through NAHB, USGBC and a variety of regional initiatives, he has more recently worked with the International Code Council in the development of both the National Green Building Standard (ICC 700) and the International Green Construction Code.
He is the charter chairman of the Green Builder Coalition, a grassroots non-profit advocacy group whose goal is to promote integrity in the building industry, and beyond, in an effort to return balance and harmony to the relationship between the built environment and the natural one.
A recognized author and keynote speaker on four continents, his industry credentials and leadership experience, combined with his inspirational message and “take no prisoners” style, make him a high-demand presenter for conferences and events of all kinds.
Sara is the Co-Founder and CEO of Green Builder Media. An experienced entrepreneur, investor, and sustainability consultant, Sara specializes in developing companies that are simultaneously sustainable and profitable. Sara is a former venture capitalist and has participated in a portion of the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies. Sara graduated Cum Laude from Dartmouth College and holds an MBA in entrepreneurship and finance from the University of Colorado.
A potpourri of updates from around the country illustrating just how complicated and varied the code adoption arena is. Courtesy of the Green Builder Coalition.
The Green Builder® Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to achieving balance and harmony between the built and natural environments. The Coalition has been created as a new platform to provide a common voice for those devoted to sustainable living. Committed to honesty, transparency and equality, the grassroots organization offers a single class of individual membership and is open to everyone.
A collection of blogs from friends of Green Builder Media.
The owner of RD Architecture, LLC, a residential architectural firm in Houston, Kathleen Reardon, specializes in integrating energy efficient green design into projects that reflect each client’s personality and lifestyle. With numerous accolades, including designing the first LEED Gold Certified home in Houston, as well as a Mayoral Proclamation, Kathleen is committed to protecting the environment and raising awareness. She currently serves as the 2012 ASES Houston Solar Tour Director.
Patricia Gaylor has practiced as an interior designer in the Northeast for more than two decades. Here, an abundance of older homes in need of complete renovations requiring the removal of everything, from dated appliances to cabinetry, prompted Pat to ponder the question: “What happens to all this stuff after it’s ripped out?” Pat’s passion for green design continues to be fueled by this question.
Tom Miller is not a building scientist, green guru or even a halfway decent DIYer. However, he is passionate about making a difference, ecologically speaking.
The purpose of Tom’s blog is to share experiences and observations from a homeowner’s perspective in the hopes that it will help building professionals spot unmet needs and dramatically increase the velocity of green building adoption across the country.
Ed has been instrumental in responsive housing design since 1985, having been a partner with two national architectural firms in the past, he opened "ed binkley design, llc" in July of 2009. He has a strong focus on an affordable, green, systems approach to housing, which coincides with his development of “the shelter series”, a collection of small rapidly built homes that incorporate sustainable principles. Ed’s experience also includes work with national and international green housing programs and the design of several demonstration homes that highlight sustainable design principals. He is a frequent speaker at symposiums, contributing editor to national publications and has been featured on a variety of HGTV and radio programs presenting his green building philosophies. Ed has a strong belief that green design starts with a responsible program and client…and the end result is only as successful as that collaboration is strong.
As a veteran reporter, Matt Power has covered virtually every aspect of design and construction. His award-winning articles often tackle tough environmental challenges in a way that makes them relevant to both professionals and end users. An expert on both building science and green building, he has a long history of asking hard questions--and adding depth and context as he unfolds complex issues.
Don Ferrier, president of Ferrier Builders, Inc. and Ferrier Custom Homes, represents the third generation of the Ferrier family in the quality construction business. A graduate of the University of the Ozarks, Don constructed his first super energy-efficient home in 1982 as an earth-sheltered home and then began Ferrier Builders in 1984. His background of concrete construction helped him transition into earth-sheltered home construction.
Since 1984 Don has built all types of buildings, but his focus has been energy efficient construction with SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels). In 2005, Ferrier Builders started building High Performance custom homes as Ferrier Custom Homes.
Don serves on the NAHB's Green Building Subcommittee, Energy Subcommittee & Green Remodeling Subcommittee. Ferrier Custom Homes is the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 Energy Value Housing Award recipient for the construction of the most energy efficient elite homes in a hot climate by the NAHB Research Center, U. S. Department of Energy, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Ferrier was also the first builder in Texas to build a home to achieve the LEED Platinum rating.
Cute name. Serious commitment.
Welcome to the Green Chix blog. Each month we are exploring topics that we hope you will find relevant, interesting and supportive of a sustainable way of life. Join Green Chix and become a fellow ambassador for Mother Nature and help us to influence the world and spread the word on sustainable living.
Confident, smart and inspired, Green Chix are teachers, activists, business leaders, mothers and philosphers, infused with the power of nature to bring about positive change to a world in turmoil.
e: catherine@greenbuildermag.com