When a green showcase house is built in an established community, it can generate a mix of feelings among the neighbors, from simple curiosity to apprehension or dismay, as well as excitement and curiosity. One way to allay community concerns, earn goodwill, and encourage positive interest is to give neighbors the chance to learn about the house and the green building processes and products that go into it.
High-end custom home builder Michael Lenahen, CGP, president and owner of Aurora Custom Homes in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is doing just that as work progresses on a 10,500-square-foot home he’s building—the first project with sustainable features his company has taken on. CUSTOM HOME first reported on Lenahen’s entry into the green building arena before work got underway in July 2009. In the months since, the ambitious project—which aims for certification under LEED for Homes, Green Built Homes of Florida, and Energy Star for Homes—has generated much interest in and around its Ponte Vedra Beach neighborhood.
Green homes are in short supply in the Jacksonville, Fla., area, although there are some builders and contractors beginning to cater to clients who desire energy efficient and more sustainable residences, Lenahen notes. But many consumers don’t understand what makes a house green or sustainable.
“People are hearing about green building products and practices, but they’re not really sure what it means for them and what the possibilities are for them,” he says. “Because it is so new to our market, and since so many people have asked me about the home, I thought “why not invite them in?” I felt it would be a pleasure for me to talk about something that I’m learning and employing for the first time.”
Lenahen decided to host public educational tours in the house throughout the construction process, giving neighbors and others a behind-the-scenes glimpse at sustainable, energy efficient building methods and materials. The house is about to enter the drywall phase and many of the mechanical systems are still exposed, so visitors can gain a better understanding of how the systems work and how materials such as spray foam insulation are applied.
Since first announcing the house tour offer, Lenahen says he’s received several calls and already conducted a few tours for information-hungry homeowners, some of whom are planning their own sustainable house builds or renovations.
While informing the public is a noble goal, the goodwill Lenahen generates through these tours also builds his reputation as a responsible green builder and helps him make contact with potential clients. He says he’s flattered by the community’s interest in his work and is happy to provide an educational opportunity, but also notes “you never know who might be your next client or who might have a friend planning to rebuild or renovate.”
A rendering of the front elevation of Aurora Custom Homes’ first green-built project. Click here for a larger image. Courtesy of Aurora Custom Homes
