On Earth Day,
The Greenspiration Home won the 2010 Triad Green Award for "Single-Family Home" in Greensboro, N.C.. An honor, to be sure, but more important is the fact that this home, which is the private home of Trish Holder and Mark Raines, is an educational tool.
Holder created the "Greenspiration Home" concept, which capitalizes on her family's real life green building experiences to directly educate consumers about green building, particularly through the project's website. Since its completion in January 2009, the Greenspiration Home has hosted numerous open houses, private tours, and educational events and raised money for multiple charities.
"What makes Greenspiration Home different from other green building projects is that it is one homeowner talking to other homeowners. The website is designed and written for the layman so homeowners needn't be intimidated. In fact, they should be entertained," says Holder.
Holder feels strongly that there is a disconnect between consumers and the residential construction industry. She believes the average homeowner has to go out of his or her way to get good advice about energy-efficient HVAC, locally sourced building materials, plumbing options, and other important green strategies.
"Consumers mostly hear about things like bamboo flooring and Energy Star appliances. Sadly, that may be all their builder or contractor tells them about. But there's so much more," says Holder.
The home features a geothermal heat pump, water-saving fixtures, and a multitude of other sustainable and/or energy efficient materials. Kohler, Ferguson, Zurn, Sunbrella, Columbia Forest Products, and Stanley Furniture were among the 50+ sponsors for the home.