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Build it Green I (BIG I)

Build it Green Subdivision, Portland Maine

[ROUGH DRAFT: Last update Nov 16, 2008*]

BIG I is a 1,392 sq/ft single story, three bedroom, one bathroom bungalow that is being built by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland (Maine) as part of their four home affordable green subdivision. BIG I is expected to achieve USGBC LEED (U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for homes Platinum certification.

Even though much of the labor and materials were donated or provided at a significantly reduced cost, the construction allowances for this home were budgeted as if materials were being purchased at normal costs. As such the $190,000 price cap put very real budgetary limitations on construction and hard choices had to be made about what went into this home. The reason for the budget limitation was to prove that constructing a green home need not be expensive and that many of the green construction techniques could be incorporated into any home construction project. The net proceeds from the sale of this house along with the net proceeds from the sale of BIG II are going to towards funding overall subdevelopment infrastructure improvements which made it possible to build the two traditional Habitat for Humanity homes in this four home subdivision.

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Key features:

  • 24" on center frame construction
  • FSC certified local lumber when available
  • In slab radiant floor heat
  • High efficiency Prestige Solo 110 Condensing Propane Gas Boiler (95% efficient)
  • Solar hot water
  • Colored and polished concrete floors in common areas
  • All concrete contains at least 30% recycled content (steel slag)
  • Bamboo flooring in bedrooms
  • Doors reclaimed and refinished from the demolition/renovation of another home.
  • Paradigm Triple glazed Low-E II Windows
  • Cellulose insulation in exterior walls and attic (100% recycled content)
  • Projected HERS Index: 50
  • Energy Star Appliances
  • Energy Star light fixtures
  • Energy Star bathroom fixtures
  • Pervious concrete driveway
  • Correct Deck decking and railing on porch (made from recycled wood and plastic)
  • FSC certified local harvest pine clapboard siding
  • "No mow" drought tolerant dwarf grass for lawn

BIG I Sponsors and Contributing Contractors

The following is a partial list of companies and organizations helped sponsor and/or donated materials/services to the construction of BIG I (a more complete list is being developed).

More on the Build it Green Demerest ST Project

  • Build it Green I (BIG I)
    1,392 sq/ft single story bungalow, three Bedrooms, one bath, frame construction. BIG I is projected to achieve USGBC LEED for Homes Gold certification, it could possibly achieve LEED Platinum certification.
  • Build it Green II (BIG II)
    1,298 sq/ft two story insulated concrete form (ICF) home with three bedrooms and one bath. BIG II is projected to achieve USGBC LEED Platinum certification.
  • Bank of America House
    Sponsored by Bank of America and the Sustainable Forest Inititive, this home will be certified to the National Association of Home Builder Green Building Guidlines.
  • Interfaith House
    Sponsored by the 2008 Portland Interfaith Build Committee, this home will be certified to Maine State Housing Authority's green building guidelines.

*PLEASE NOTE: This section of EnvironmentalChemistry.com is a work in progress. Normally we would prefer to complete the editing of a new addition before making it live for readers to access. This time, however, so many hundreds of volunteers and companies have been donating time and/or materials to the Habitat for Humanity Demerest ST project that we want them to be able to track the progress as quickly as we can. In this spirit, please excuse the unpolished nature of these pages.

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