About the author:

Mark Robert Johnson – FAIA / CKD / AIBD mark’s image

Mark Johnson is Principal of MARKITECT, a consulting firm serving the design and building industry. He has led efforts for two Fortune 500 Companies, Whirlpool Corporation and CertainTeed Corporation, to reach the design community, garnering three AIA Continuing Education System Awards for Excellence. Mr. Johnson collaborates with industry leaders like Google, Apple and McGraw-Hill Construction to bring Web 2.0 design tools and continuing education to the industry. Prior to his corporate career, he practiced as a licensed architect, working for top firms including HOK and Moore Ruble Yudell. Mr. Johnson writes and speaks internationally on subjects ranging from sustainable design and technology to design trends in architecture.
Mr. Johnson is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, NKBA Educator for the National Kitchen and Bath Association, Certified Kitchen Designer and a Professional Building Designer with the American Institute of Building Design. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and MBA degree from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from UCLA.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Green Design Guide – What, a Sustainable Home Plan Collection?

This week we’ll explore the fist collection of home designs ever created to qualify for the two national green certification programs, NAHB National Green Building Standard and LEED for Homes.

I had the pleasure of collaborating on this project with Alan Mascord Design Associates, based in Portland, Oregon, and launching it at the International Builders’ Show. The Northwest has long been a hotbed of green activity and Alan and his team carved out a niche early on by producing green home designs for builders and consumers.

The book/CD/website can be accessed at www.mascordefficientliving.com. There you’ll find a collection of single and multi-family designs ranging from contemporary to traditional in style. All of the designs are available for purchase and include construction drawings as well as notes, detail sheets and information for building green. Think of it as a “how to” guide for building a sustainable home to comply with one of the national standards, but without an expensive consultant. Not that it’s a simple task, but with this plan collection, green home building is more accessible and affordable than ever.

One of my favorite aspects of the Mascord Efficient Living book/CD is our idea of including richer home plan content than has been available before. The kitchen and laundry rooms from 23 of the 54 home plans have been drawn using Google SketchUp for an interactive experience. The CD allows you can take a virtual tour within these rooms, explore cabinet color and finish options using SketchUp, and even try different appliance options by accessing the Google 3D Warehouse.

The website is free to explore and at $14.95, the hardback book with interactive CD is the deal of the year. Even if you don’t build a home using the book, the chapters on Location, Materials & Resources, Energy, Water, Air Quality and Landscaping contain a wealth of ideas for green living.

Come back next week for another conversation, and share GreenDesignGuide with a friend. If you’d like to comment, we appreciate your feedback. Please suggest ideas or topics you’d like to hear about. Thanks for reading, watching, and commenting… it’s all good.
Bookmark and Share
Posted by AEC Daily at 4:07 PM
Labels:

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)