In the Bag
Douglas McDowell certainly appreciates the environmental aspects of using non-toxic, recycled, and easily renewable products in his houses. He sees signs of this green building movement becoming a long-term industry trend rather than just a fad because there’s more than the concept of saving the planet at stake. Multiple generations are embracing the movement for different reasons from concern about the future of the natural world to concern about health and quality of life. McDowell tries to explain to his clients how any or all of these ideals make it worthwhile to incorporate sustainable products in their homes.
The first part of his education process is in the bag: Every McDowell Construction client receives a company canvas tote bag filled with green goodies. A copy of Prescriptions for A Healthy House: A Practical Guide For Architects, Builders & Homeowners (Paula Baker-Laporte, Erica Elliot and John Banta, New Society Publishers, 2001) talks about the health and lifestyle benefits of building green. Tax credit forms and news on other government reimbursement or grant programs gives them fiscal incentive. Green product newsletters and reading materials alert homeowners to environmental advantages.
Once McDowell or his employees see how clients respond to what’s in the bag, they can point them toward specific products. For some it’s about energy savings or low maintenance while others want to preserve natural resources and their health. Clients also receive assistance in applying for government incentives. But it all starts with a bag full of fun-yet-informative resources that give homeowners options for building a better home. “We’re client and product advocates,” says McDowell. “The owners should understand what’s really going into their home and what their benefits are.”
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Santa Fe, N.M.-based custom builder Douglas McDowell believes that green building products “simply offer better quality—quality in health as well as performance and longevity. They aren’t political products—they’re just good products,” says the founder of McDowell Construction.
Here are links to some of the resources he used to build the houses featured in “Healthy Choices”:
American Clay Products www.americanclay.com
Archaeo Architects www.archaeoarchitects.com
BioShield paints and sealers www.bioshield.com
Bonded Logic Ultra Touch insulation www.bondedlogic.com
Durisol wall forms www.durisolbuild.com
Energy Star appliances www.energystar.gov
Environmental Water Systems whole-house water treatment www.ewswater.com
High Performance boilers www.highperformancehvac.com
Loewen windows and doors www.loewen.com
McDowell Construction Co. www.mcdowellsantafe.com
Neil Kelly non-toxic cabinetry www.neilkelly.com
Sludge Hammer waste water treatment systems www.sludgehammer.net
Southwest Solar Products www.nvo.com/southwestsolar
Toto low-flush toilets www.totousa.com
Triangle Tube modulating boilers www.triangletube.com
Ultimate Air air exchange and purification system www.ultimateair.com
Vitosol solar collectors www.veissmann-us.com
