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

It’s Official!  Congratulations to the winner of the BrightBuilt Retrofit Award — Community Partners, Inc. in Biddeford, ME.   Click here to read more about Community Partners and to learn how to follow the progress on their building.  Tremendous congratulations are also due to the recipients of the People’s Choice Award – Farm & Wilderness in Plymouth, VT who received a staggering number of on-line votes, enough to give them double the votes of the nearest entrant.  And congratulations to all of the shortlist candidates who all had terrific projects and impressive community support.

Robin Tannenbaum

BrightBuilt Retrofit is now offering a People’s Choice Award for the shortlist candidate who receives the most votes. If you haven’t cast your vote yet, it’s time!

Robin Tannenbaum

Time to VOTE! Our four shortlist finalsts are:  Community Partners, Inc. of Biddeford, ME, Farm & Wilderness Foundation of Plymouth, VT, Freeport Community Services of Freeport, ME, and Yestermorrow Design/Build School of Warren, VT.  Learn more about each of our four shortlist finalists here and cast your vote for your favorite.

Robin Tannenbaum

A special thanks to the Board of Advisors, a group of green architects, builders, sustainability consultants and non-profit experts who are weighing in on the strong pool of BrightBuilt Retrofit applications!  Learn more about the Advosirs: http://www.brightbuiltbarn.com/brightbuilt-retrofit/advisory-committee/

Robin Tannenbaum

The BrightBuilt Barn will be open for tours on Saturday, October 2 from 10 am – 4 pm.   The open house is part of a larger Green Building Open House organized around the country region that day by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association.  Two other Kaplan Thompson Houses will be open to the public that day, including one featured on the front of today’s Portland Press Herald.  Last year, over a hundred people visited the BrightBuilt Barn alone – please stop by!  You can check the NESEA website here for directions, or e-mail us at info@brightbuiltbarn if you need more information.

Robin Tannenbaum

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