Going Green Without Starting From Scratch

Consumer interest in green construction has continued to grow, but few people can afford to build an environmentally friendly house from the ground up. They don’t have to, says architect Kelly Lerner, co-author of “Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House.”

Q How do you define green construction? What are the most important things to take into consideration?

AThere are three critical threats to our species and our planet right now: global warming from the rampant emissions of carbon dioxide, peak oil and dangerously high levels of bio-accumulative toxins in our environment that threaten human health and the health of ecosystems. Green buildings should address these three issues by designing buildings to use as much “free” natural energy as possible, by not adding carbon dioxide to the environment through their construction and operations, by conserving and cleaning their own water, and by using materials that are not toxic to life — no volatile organic compounds, no formaldehyde, no PVC. Instead, they use rapidly renewable materials, locally produced materials, etc.


Is remodeling easier or harder than building from scratch?

It all depends on the existing house, but in the context of a neighborhood that is already developed, it’s better to conserve all the materials in an existing house than tear it down and start over. It’s not harder, just different.

Is it usually more or less expensive?

You don’t have to invest in site development costs with a remodel, such as well, septic, road, electricity lines and phone lines. I think it can be less expensive when those factors are considered. You can also phase a remodel — do one or two rooms at a time or do one or two projects at a time so that it can be less expensive over time, especially counting the cost of loans.

Washington Post