What is the best way to ensure your project is as green as possible, yet saves you money in the design-build phases and throughout the life of the building?

Our custom home designs have put together the best team people that when combined, creates a synergistic solution for your project, that won't break your piggy bank in the process.

Use IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) between you (ownership), the design team (green consultants, designers, architects & engineers), the materials team (various building system solutions companies, various materials companies), and then the Construction Team (the General Contractor, Subs, etc.) and on LARGER projects, the Legal Team (that manages the legal instrument that creates a sense of team involvement from all members of the project team from the beginning.) to ensure cost savings from the design phase through the construction phase, and then in the facilities management phase.  This is all facilitated in BIM and via various tools that Green Tek Haus has used for years on our projects. 

Smaller projects can even benefit from IPD via BIM to manage all of these team members and the various components that will work on the project.  First BIM manages the files in a more organized and efficient manner, then it also manages the timeline components to keep the project on schedule.  This is accomplished in a very transparent (not the government's definition of it!) way that keeps everyone in the loop from the beginning.

The next thing one can do is to use materials that promote light-industry, not heavy industry.  Such as: Strawbales.  Through utilization of this material, less burning of rice (or other straw) after harvest season occurs.  Plus, this material lends really well to DIY types of projects.  At the least, certain stages of the project can be done by a few participants without a set of construction skills.  (While it should probably still be done with someone supervising that KNOWS what they're doing!)  This saves greenbacks, too! 

Once a project is done in BIM though, it enables the building manager to use that file to better perform their responsibilities.  One good example is better asset management.  For instance, once a HVAC system breaks down and needs replacement, the Property or Facilities Manager can simply "plug-in" a virtual model of the new HVAC unit and see who it will perform before purchasing. 

Virtual management of the assets is better facilitated through the use of the BIM files. 

There are many things one can do to Go Green and yet be "Double-Green".

Even though this has not much to do with Going Green, I do believe that a balanced life is an important part of Going Green.  As part of this, our spiritual well being is an important aspect of that balance.  It has been for me in my life. 

As such, most of my friends know that I was a volunteer missionary for my church in Sapporo, Japan years ago.  I have always dreamed of the day when Hokkaido would see it's own Temple built.  Especially since I have two daughters, all grown-up, that live near there. 

The location was selected a number of months ago, but not much in pics has been available about the site.  Well, now this site has published some pics of the site, and I'd like to share that with you here:

http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/sapporo/construction/

Please have a look.  I think the location is really the "right place" for the Temple.  Generally speaking, in Japan, to put the Temple on top of a hill is not really appropriate in their architectural and cultural aesthetic.  However, to work with the site and yet have it be a prominent "landmark" is within that same aesthetic.   It looks like it will be visible from a number of angles and areas. 

I am pretty sure that the Church AEC offices will incorporate Green principles and methods into the design and construction of the new Temple.

I look forward to going to the dedicatory ceremony when that happens!  In the meantime, I will make my services available to the Church in any capacity they need for this project.