LGLS In the News

There is green construction and then there is really green construction

2009-02-12T16:36:00Z

The Live Green, Live Smart Institute has announced that is has received the coveted Outstanding Custom Project Award from the US Green Building Council®(USGBC) for the highest rating home in the history of the LEED for Homes ® program.

The project referred to as The Sustainable House® was a comprehensive, residential construction, research project conceived and managed by the Live Green, Live Smart Institute. The house, a 1948 rambler, located in Minnetonka, Minnesota was planned and remodeled by 7 teams of 278 individuals over a period of two years. The house features a broad variety of sustainable energy systems, water saving devices, incorporates significant reuse of materials and has had extensive landscaping to demonstrate effective land management techniques.

The home received a platinum level rating of 121 points making it the first platinum remodel and gaining the highest score in the history of the LEED for Homes® program. The house is also the highest scoring home for Minnesota GreenStar and attained the top performance rating of Gold with 633 points. The house also is an Energy Star® Home with a HERS rating of 31.

According to the Institute’s Information Office: To date the home has had over 6,500 individuals tour it, be educated in it and it has been the subject of numerous TV shows, books, short films, magazine articles and has had extensive coverage on the Internet. A family of 3 who are tracking a variety of data for the Institute is currently living in the home. In a joint venture the Institute completed a second remodeled home in Minneapolis in the fall of 2008 and plans a third test home for late 2009 or early 2010.

Peter Lytle, Executive Director and founder of the Live Green, Live Smart Institute said in a statement to the press: “ We are very pleased to be honored by the USGBC for this award. The project was conceived to test the rating systems of several certification programs, to see if they actually performed as advertised. I am happy to say if you build to the higher standards of all these programs the homes will perform, as everyone believes. We have watched this home for almost one year and it is definitively saving energy, resources and has created a strong harmony with the surrounding environment as the USGBC, GreenStar and Energy Star® have promoted.”

Live Green, Live Smart Institute ® is a Minnesota-based organization dedicated to promoting a sustainable planet through education, primary research, linking of resources, and fostering a global, green community. The organization is formed for the benefit of those individuals concerned about the impact their housing, transportation and lifestyle choices have on the environment.

For more information: Visit our on-line Press Kit and Press Room and the Sections called Primary Research / The Sustainable House: http://livegreenlivesmart.org on the Live Green, Live Smart website. Viewers can also take an interactive tour on-line at: http://livegreenlivesmart.org/shelter/sustainable_house/interior.aspx

Inside the Sustainable Home

2008-07-02T12:54:00Z

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine

...it has taken awhile to see much in the way of significant action toward [envronmentally friendly] measures in the building industry. That's why Peter Lytle, the executive director at Live Green, Live Smart, decided to renovate a 1948 ranch-style home in Minnetonka.

Through his example (he recycled 90 percent of the old home's materials in the remodeled home, significantly improved the home's energy savings, and dramatically boosted its style), he hopes to encourage others to build and remodel in similar ways. And he has set quite an example, landing the highest possible certifications on local, state, and national levels. Peter pointed out to me, however, that almost everything possible was included here, in this demonstration home. People can take significant steps toward sustainability using even a handful of ideas.

Filming & TV Series Video taken at the Sustainable House

2008-06-30T12:56:00Z

June and July: HGTV, The Discovery Channel, Green Europe, Kare 11/NBC

More Live Green Live Smart Press

2008-06-25T21:37:00Z

Spray Foam. Com: Spray foam insulation helps Achieve 1st LEED Platinum Certification for Remodel, June 17
Luxury Home & Renovation Magazine: Going Green with Borgert (the story of the aqua brick pavers at the Sustainable House), Summer 2008
PU2PU: Dow, Live Green, Live Smart, Summer 2008
Twin Cities Home Improvement Magazine: Green Gardening, June 2008
Builder Architect: SKD Architects Show Us How to Live Green, Live Smart, May 2008
LML Living Magazine: Father Nature, Spring 2008
Midwest Home: The Green House Effect, May 2008

LGLS in the Metro Hippie and Jetson Green blogs

2008-03-06T20:56:00Z

Joshua Foss and the fine people at Metro Hippie (we love their blog's name too) have give us a nice and very enthusiastic write-up on their daily blog. Thanks Metro Hippie!

Metro Hippie
This Remodel's Gone Platinum!

The people over at Jetson Green have also given us a great write-up. Thanks Jetson Green!

Jetson Green
World's First LEED Platinum Home Remodel

Saint Paul College and Live Green, Live Smart™ Launch Green Building Training and Certification INTEGRATED GREEN

2008-03-05T19:58:00Z

More than $180 billion will be spent annually in the United States to remodel existing homes – many of them less than a year old.
Of that remodeling, almost half is related to greener, sustainable practices, products, and systems.
60% of our individual environmental footprint is related to our houses and the way we live in and operate them – more than our transportation footprint.
Yet many homeowners insist they can’t find a green builder to do their project -- while many builders are overwhelmed by the dozens of building certification programs that focus on the end product rather than the process.
It’s time to give builders and remodelers a green edge by cutting through the clutter to tip the balance that takes green building beyond option to standard building practice.

Live Green, Live Smart™ was founded to inform builders and consumers about the benefits and challenges of building greener. In December 2007 the organization’s whole house rehab, Live Green, Live Smart’s The Sustainable House™, received the US Green Building Council’s first LEED Platinum rating for a residential remodel.

Saint Paul College’s Customized Training division, a center for continuing training and education, partners with Live Green, Live Smart™ to offer Integrated Green, a training program for contractors, designers, and project managers that offers certification as a green-savvy builder.

Upon completion of the two-day Integrated Green certification builders can offer clients the information that they are Integrated Green members, offering clients confidence that their contractor is knowledgeable about green building motives, practices, and results. Based on experience with The Sustainable House™,
Live Green, Live Smart faculty cut through the clutter in sessions that fast-track building professionals in the philosophy and practical concerns related to building green. Saint Paul College offers online access to participants, and CEUs for Fall 2008.

For information and registration, visit: http://training.saintpaul.edu/GreenCertforBldrs.aspx,
www.livegreenlivesmart.org or phone Dave Baker at 651.846.1583 at Saint Paul College.

Culligan and Live Green Live Smart Press Release

2008-02-08T14:59:00Z

This press release from Culligan highlights the company's important contributions to the Sustainable House. Our project uses an advanced water softening system and reverse-osmosis water filtration system, both essential products in making the House green and LEED-compliant.

You can download the press release here.

Live Green, Live Smart Sustainable House Awarded LEED Platinum

2008-01-07T00:10:00Z

For Immediate Release
January 11, 2008
From: Live Green, Live Smart

One of World’s Greenest Homes is a Remodeled 1948 Rambler

Environmental Organization Live Green, Live Smart™ announced today that its green housing project – Live Green, Live Smart The Sustainable House – has been awarded the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) highest certification for residential Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

The Sustainable House received LEED Platinum certification for the ambitious remodeling of a 1948 rambler, located in Minnetonka, Minnesota. According to Live Green, Live Smart™ founder and CEO, Peter Lytle “This is not only the first LEED for Homes™Platinum Certification for a home remodel – it is also the first LEED Platinum Certified home in any class in Minnesota. With the collaboration of a team of dedicated and innovative people, we were able to demonstrate that energy efficiency and contemporary living standards are compatible. We appreciate the work of all these individuals and companies - and the support and training from the USGBC and the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability.”

The house and landscape underwent major alterations focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, habitat protection, resource efficiency and healthy occupancy. The landscape was restored more nearly pre-development condition, materials from the existing home were recycled into the remodel or another building, and renewable energy systems utilizing solar, geothermal, wind and innovative co-generation make the home close to zero-emission.

In awarding the USGBC’s first-ever LEED for Homes Platinum rating, USGBC President and CEO S. Richard Fedrizzi said “The U. S. Green Building Council is proud to recognize the effort and accomplishments of the homebuilder and project team by awarding the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for Homes™ for the house located at 3502 The Mall in Minnetonka, Minnesota; this home is now rated at a LEED Platinum Certification level”.

According to Live Green, Live Smart’s Lytle, when project concept discussions were begun in 2006 the organization was “.... told by some very knowledgeable sources that it was not possible to remodel a home and achieve any significant certification level within the LEED program or any other program. Many of the organizations and companies that we approached for resource support, information and research could see little value in even attempting a green remodel. Two years later, we know that green remodeling is going to provide an essential contribution to our planet’s survival by preserving existing resources and fostering more sustainable systems and practices in both remodeling and new construction of homes.”

The USGBC is the preeminent green certification agency in the United States. A program of the United States Department of Energy, it is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. More than 12,000 member organizations from across the United States’ building industry are working to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. Members include building owners and end-users, real estate developers, facility managers, architects, designers, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, product and building system manufacturers, government agencies, and nonprofits.

The Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is a LEED rater and trainer for the USGBC. Founded in 2000 as a vehicle to bring the residential construction industry into the 21st-century, its founders’s goal was to provide training to builders and homebuyers for environmentally friendly, healthy and energy efficient building practices and products.

Live Green, Live Smart™ is a Wayzata, Minnesota-based organization dedicated to promoting a sustainable planet through education, linking of resources, and fostering a global, green community. The organization is formed for the benefit of those individuals concerned about the impact their housing, transportation and lifestyle choices have on the environment.

For more information, press kits, photos and the construction diary on the Live Green, Live Smart Sustainable House or Live Green, Live Smart visit: www.livegreenlivesmart.org or contact: editor@livegreenlivesmart.org or by phone at: 651.253.6825/

Twin Cities Home Improvement Magazine

2008-01-02T17:49:00Z

The Sustainable House and LGLS founder Peter Lytle are featured in this magazine's January issue, along with some of our fellow Twin Cities green builders. Thanks to Cyd Haynes and the magazine's staff for including us!

"Eco Pioneers" Article

"If You Build It Green, They Will Come" Article

Twin Cities Home Improvement Magazine main page

It Takes A Village Radio

2007-12-13T15:59:00Z

Listen to Founder Peter Lytle on the "It Takes a Village" radio program. Thanks to Carla and Eric for having us on!

Loll makes it LEED Platinum

2007-12-13T15:12:00Z

From Loll Designs:

Loll pieces have been used recently in a LEED Platinum Certified House. LEED certification, through the U.S. Green Building Council, provides independent, third-party verification that a building project is environmentally responsible by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The Platinum mark is the highest level of certification for LEED projects.

Live Green, Live Smart took on a large project for 2007: A LEED for Homes Pilot Project in the Minneapolis suburbs, with the goal of surpassing LEED Platinum certification. To see their fantastic results, check out their website: http://livegreenlivesmart.org/shelter/sustainable_house/exterior.aspx

If you're interested in learning more about LEED certification, visit the U.S. Green Building Council's website: http://www.usgbc.org

DFI nano-coating featured in world's most eco-friendly green house

2007-12-13T15:05:00Z

2007-11-06 00:55:00

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. -- Diamon-Fusion International, Inc. (DFI Nanotechnology) [profile], global developer and exclusive licensor of the Diamon-Fusion(R) patented hydrophobic nanotechnology, recently announced its flagship easy-to-clean nano-coating Diamon-Fusion(R) has been applied at a "Green Project" in the State of Minnesota, USA, which has been denominated by Eco-Architects, Designers and Industry Experts as the world's most environmentally friendly home.

Live Green, Live Smart/The Sustainable House(TM) is a participant in the LEED for Homes Pilot Project(TM) transforming an ordinary post-war rambler in a suburban neighborhood into a Century House that will be energy efficient, environmentally healthy, respectful of the natural environment, and comfortable for family life as climate and energy resources alter in the coming decades. The Sustainable House(TM) intends to become the nation's first home remodel to achieve LEED Platinum Certification - the highest level of efficient design.

The collaborative team remodeling this home is committed to using the best off-the-shelf and state-of-the-science materials and techniques to reconstruct an ordinary residence into a demonstration of best practices in sustainability, minimizing carbon footprint, preserving natural resources, and living with as much energy independence as attainable. The house will be a demonstration laboratory occupied by an ordinary American family - extraordinarily monitored for the performance of systems and materials for the next three years.

Bruce Ticknor, DFI's Director of New Market Development, stated: "We are proud to participate in this green project through our licensee, Easy Clean Home of San Diego. We are strongly committed to supporting the movement towards "greening" homes. DFI's patented nanotechnology offers a quick, easy and cost-effective way to convert existing living spaces into green, healthy environments."

Greg Hagenah, Business Partner at Easy Clean San Diego, a California-based DFI Licensee, in charge of this project, commented: "We are honored to be included in the Live Green Live Smart project. The 'Easy Clean Home' process eliminates the need for traditional household cleaning chemicals, while protecting and preserving valuable interior and exterior surfaces, and the environment. Through our relationships with state-of-the-art hygienic surface technology providers like DFI, we can economically convert existing homes into a Green Easy-to-Clean Home."

DFI Nanotechnology multi-functional characteristics include: water and oil repellency (hydrophobic and oleophobic), impact and scratch resistance, protection against graffiti, dirt and stains, finger print protection, UV stability, additional electrical insulation, protection against calcium and sodium deposits and increased brilliance and lubricity. DFI's nanocoating works at nanoscale levels to change the molecular composition of any silica-based surface. Diamon-Fusion(R) provides, in chemical terms, a 'cross-linked', 'branched' and 'capped' optically clear nano-film along with a strong and durable covalent bond.

For more information about DFI and Easy Clean San Diego, visit their websites:

www.DFInanotechnology.com and www.easycleanhome.com.

WCCO-TV

2007-12-03T17:24:00Z

Don Shelby and WCCO-TV recently aired their fourth and final segment on Live Green, Live Smart's Sustainable House. We at LGLS would like to thank Don, his crew, and WCCO for their commitment to our project, and for their ongoing dedication to green news and programming.

Here are all four parts of the story on This Old Green House:

The Star Tribune

2007-12-02T17:37:00Z

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune has featured two stories on the Sustainable House over the past few months. You can find them here:

May 16, 2007

October 31, 2007

Media Advisory: Live Green, Live Smart Offers Micro Grants for Green Initiatives

2007-08-01T19:21:00Z

Wayzata-based environmental organization Live Green, Live Smart™ is giving Micro Grants of up to $500 for individuals and organizations working toward a greener future. Live Green, Live Smart™ is dedicated to sharing information and ideas about building a more sustainable and energy efficient community. The group at present time is racing to be the first to achieve Platinum LEED certification for a green home remodel, located in Minnetonka. The Micro Grants Program is a way for the organization to foster goals of creating a more eco-friendly world.

The Micro Grants Program focuses on areas of research on energy efficiency and healthy habitats, information sharing, and fostering a sustainable environment. The three areas encompass a variety of interests, including technology development, ecological studies, information outreach through printed and/or electronic materials, promotion of sustainable practices in Shelter, Transportation, and Lifestyle, and action toward sustainability such as planting trees or native plants.

More information about the guidelines, restrictions, and application process for the Micro Grants Program is available here. Join Live Green, Live Smart™ in creating a sustainable community.