The housing and construction industry is in the preliminary stages of having a profound and positive impact on the environment and how we live our lives. There are many new materials and procedures available or in development to meet the changing consumer needs and lifestyle’s. Many of these ideas have been brought about by social, economical and environmental change while others have come about due to new processes and innovations.

We are now seeing the huge impact that hybrid cars and trucks are having on the automobile industry, with helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. These changes did not happen over night. It takes people a while to learn and understand that new technologies may enhance their lives with increased efficiency, savings, greater comfort or better quality of life.

Housing is no exception. So many of the technologies are new and have yet to hit the mass market, they are not household names. Plus here in the Pasadena area we are not over run with new construction, the primary source for much of these innovative products. Using these new innovations into our everyday life will take some time. Consumers will begin to embrace and adopt new methods and materials as they become more mainstream and when they can see it being utilized by their neighbor. Remember how long it took for cell phones to become affordable? Now everybody has one.

New Construction Processes

One of the early adopters of green building was the NormThompson Company. You may recognize their product if not the name. Next time your on an airplane reach into the seat pocket in front of you. The in-flight shopping guide will probably feature the Solutions Catalog. The building features some unique products including Philippine Wood in the lobby floor which came from decommissioned railroad boxcars. Most of the floors and walls came from recycled beer bottles and windshield glass, mixed with cement powder.

Looking for an example a little closer to home. Try the Audubon Center at Debs Park. Some of the rebar in the building was melted down guns collected by the City of Los Angeles. Also according to the site, more than 97% of the debris accumulated during construction was recycled.

Green Housing, Its Time Has Come

Anytime a discussion concerns environmental issues. it can usually be supplanted with political undertones. This is not one of those times. Using recyclable, sustainable, eco-friendly products in the manufacturing of housing should become the rule, not the exception. If the technology exists to build a stronger structure that is more energy efficient and saves on our natural resources, why not use it? If xeriscaping can replace the water thirsty lawns and shrubs we have in our yards, why not do it? Water is going to become a more precious commodity to us in the future. The City of Pasadena has begun to ask its citizens to be more conscience of the water they use.

As individuals and communities become more versed in the benefits that “green” construction offers, we will gradually see these become routine and standard procedures. There are many things people can begin doing now that will provide an immediate an ongoing benefit. We will take a look at some of these in our next article.