WILLIAMS - Local architectural designer Thad Johnson is on a mission to build sustainable off-grid homes that are good for the environment and save homeowners money in the long run, something everyone can appreciate in today's economy.
Johnson own Williams based Solar Terra LLC and, along with Mike Tulloss of Stilley-Tulloss Design Build Group, is currently constructing a high efficiency off-grid home scheduled to win a Coconino County Sustainable Building Award in 2010.
The home, located off Highway 180, will have no volatile organic chemical (VOC) emissions, lower sound levels due to efficient insulation, utilize thermal mass passive solar to regulate temperatures and feature extensive natural light. It will not only meet its own heat and electric energy needs, but also will harvest rainwater and utilize grey water for irrigation as well.
Johnson said there are three levels of certification attainable from the Coconino County Sustainable Building Program (CCSBP); beginner, medium and advanced. He has designed four homes in the area with three meeting the advanced level criteria. The certification levels are determined by tabulating points from the CCSBP's rating worksheet.
"Basically, the program looks for things like how much of your energy is going to be renewable energy and how many of the products used on the home are recycled products," Johnson said. "Say you're using metal roofing and the roofing is from a recycled metal. If you're purchasing lumber from forest stewardship council certified lumber or if you're using glue-lamed beams instead of old growth forest. If you're catching your rainwater. If you're doing drip irrigation. Making sure that you're using low VOC paints so the home is very healthy. A wide range of variables go into the certification checklist."
Johnson has been involved in green building for approximately seven years. He initially became interested in pursuing sustainable design when he purchased property in Four Hills Ranch and realized the home he planned to build for himself would be completely off-grid. He has served on the CCSBP advisory committee for three years.
Johnson strives to build homes that are resource and energy efficient and comfortable to live in at the same time.
"A lot of people don't realize that when you build a Green Home, it's a very comfortable and enjoyable home to live in just because it performs well," Johnson said. "You don't have glary rooms, you don't have overheated rooms, you don't have places that are too cold and drafty around this time of year and too hot in the summer."
The Coconino County Sustainable Building Program was adopted in 2003 with its goal to educate, support, encourage and help develop sustainable building practices and processes for the citizens of Coconino County. The program offers consultations services, educational opportunities, and resources on sustainable building products, methods and practices.
Amanda Acheson, sustainable building program manager with CCSBP, said the program grew out of community meetings starting in 2000 to encourage sustainable building in the county. After researching what other communities were doing to promote healthy building practices, they came across the city of Scottsdale's green building checklist which was then modified to fit Coconino County's climate.
Acheson said the program is designed to encourage and support homebuilders and designers.
"We don't want to make it more difficult for someone to go through the program," she said. "We're seeing more and more projects go through the program. Currently we have about 14 projects in Coconino County."
CCSBP is also a resource for homeowners looking to make their home more energy efficient.
For more information on sustainable building or renovation, visit the CCSBP's website at www.coconino.az.gov/sustainablebuilding.
