BrightBuilt Barn: a Super Green, Prefab, LEED Platinum Net-Zero Building

For the BrightBuilt Retrofit, we talk about a Deep Energy Retrofit – generally understood to be a reduction of 50% or more in energy use.  This is great for those who can reach this far but for most homeowners and businesses, a less aggressive undertaking is more logistircally and financially realistic.  Weatherization is the name often given for a lighter energy efficinecy push – it may include such efforts as extensive air sealing, attic insulation, tightening windows and efficient lighting.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act devotes a good bit of energy and finances to weatherization of existing homes in the U.S. After spending quite a bit of time on the web, I’ve been seeing a host of different numbers, from $5 billion specifically dedicated to weatherization services for low income families to $80 billion total for weatherization related investments.  Several government sources refer to average homeowner savings of around $400/ month based on anticipated investments but I’d also like to see this number given in reduction of heating loads by insulating (kBty/sf/yr) and even in pounds of carbon saved.

Robin Tannenbaum

With less than a month until the September 15 deadline, we are pleased to announce that the BrightBuilt Retrofit Award has expanded. Now, in addition to the $100,000 in cash and loans available to the winner, each of the four shortlisted candidates will receive an energy audit of their building and limited consulting services about building envelope and mechanical upgrades from Kaplan Thompson Architects, at no cost to the organization. Shortlisted candidates will be announced on October 13 and site visits will follow shortly thereafter.

If you are still unsure about applying or could use assistance putting your application together, please feel free to contact us at retrofit@brightbuiltbarn.com or at (207)842-2888.

Robin Tannenbaum

The past week has been filled with inquiries from non-profit organizations that are digging into the BrightBuilt Retrofit application. It is exciting to hear the questions raised and to share in the solutions. It is also inspiring to note that BBR is already raising awareness. One particular conversation with a contact from an NPO from Taunton, MA peeked my interest because it got to the root of the BBR goals. While discussing the Community Engagement Plan component of the application, I shared that one of BBR’s overarching intentions is to educate and inspire community members associated with and/or proximate to the selected NPO to take steps to reduce the carbon footprints of their own houses/buildings. The contact from the organization said, “This application process has gotten me thinking about my own house. And, my co-worked mentioned the same new awareness!” So, BBR is underway, and we are delighted by the response and awareness being raised already. Keep the questions coming. We look forward to hearing from you.

Robin Tannenbaum

The BrightBuilt Retrofit initiative is building energy and momentum each day thanks to outreach assistance from many partners, organizations and friends! Many thanks to the following groups:

Center for Land Conservation Assistance

Genesis Loan Fund

Island Institute

Land Trust Alliance Northeast

Maine Affordable Housing Coalition

Maine Association of Nonprofits

Maine Land Trust Network

Maine Philanthropy Center

Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition

NH Sustainable Energy Association

NH Center for Nonprofits

Paddling the Rapids

ReVision Energy

Sunrise Guide

US Green Building Council

(Note: If your organization has helped spread the word and we’ve inadvertently left you off the list, please let us know so we can list you. And, many thanks!)

There are lots of individuals who have helped us as well. Special thanks to everyone.

With the application deadline fast approaching (September 15!), we welcome additional help spreading the word about this exciting and timely initiative. Please let us know if you would like to join in our outreach efforts. Email us at: retrofit@brightbuiltbarn.com

Robin Tannenbaum

The BrightBuilt Barn is participating in the Merryspring Nature Center Annual Kitchen Tour this week on Wednesday, August 4.  Go to http://www.merryspring.org to learn more or to sign up for the tour.

Robin Tannenbaum

Now that the word about BBR is out “on the street” our outreach effort is growing every day!  We’ve been lucky to be joined by Rachel Nixon, a resident of Rockland, Maine and an artist/yoga teacher/sailor (and more!) who has considerable experience working for and running non-profits in the State of Maine.

Rachel is spearheading our efforts to get the work out to NPOS across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.  We find that each contact she makes is not only enthusiastic but gives her a list of several other contacts to try as well.  Rachel will be chiming in on the blog in the coming weeks and months but for now – let’s help her about by sending her more ideas of non-profits in our target states who might benefit from a deep energy retrofit.

If you know of an organization that would be a  good fit, please either send them to this website or send us their name and contact information and we will reach out to them.

An important aspect of BBR is that we want to create a community of organizations that value sustainability and are interested in making their buildings more energy efficient.  Even if there is only one deep energy retrofit this year, we know that there is value in bringing together organizations that share these priorities and can support each other while they take small steps in this new direction.

Robin Tannenbaum

This week we are pleased to announce the official launch of BrightBuilt Retrofit (BBR) an open-source deep energy retrofit of an existing building owned by a non profit organization in the deep Northeast.  This project grew out of a series of discussions that occurred between Keith Collins and Kaplan Thompson Architects, among others, about the relative “ease” of creating a state of the art sustainable building when there is not existing infrastructure holding you back.

A tougher challenge, we recognzied, would be trying to make existing building as tight, green and energy efficient.  Enter the Deep Energy Retrofit (DER)- an attempt at 50% or more in energy savings by tackling an existing building with a combination of added insulation, tighter windows and more efficient mechanical systems.  We’ve been reading a lot about these yesterday and many of the projects that KTA is tackling these days falls under this category.  But just as with the barn, we wanted to tackle a project that would benefit not just the recipient of the work but also the larger community.  Therefore, we launched BBR with the goal os not just executing a DER but keeping the project and process open-source and educational so that all of YOU can be a part of it too.  Check out the new BBR section of this website and stay tuned for more!

Robin Tannenbaum

The BrightBuilt Barn Dream Team – Architect Phil Kaplan, Bensonwood engineer Hans Porschitz and barn owner Keith Collins will be giving a presentation at the BrightBuilt Barn at the 2010 NESEA Building Conference, March 9-11 in Boston. Check it out.

Robin Tannenbaum

BrightBuilt’s own Phil Kaplan now has his own Podcast where he discussed green building issues with friend and colleague Chris Briley – anothe Portland based green architect.  Click here for a link to the most recent podcast – a titilating discussion of air barriers!

Robin Tannenbaum

This article talks about a model I have heard about being used in Berkely.  A person borrows money to make energy improvements to their property and the loan is attached to their property mortgage, not the individual, so the cost of the loan gets passed on with the property.  If the property is sold before the loan is repaid, the loan goes on to the next owner.  This way, the up front costs of energy upgrades are not such a deterrent to people who may not stay in their homes long enough to see the payback.

Robin Tannenbaum