Page 52 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2019 Issue

COURTESY OF WESTERN WINDOW SYSTEMS

Super ‘Series’. The VISION House® will use Western Window Systems’ Series 7000 aluminum windows, which offer U-value ratings as low as 0.19 and
design pressure ratings above 50.

FROM UPHILL BATTLE TO NEW REALITY Jones believes that many builders, as people what they can really do,” says Clifton.
Outside this VISION House project, the well as buyers, understand the concept that “If builders say, ‘In my price range I can’t
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battle to elevate the conversation around first cost is not the same as full cost; that do that,’ then we have missed what we are
first-cost versus full-cost will continue, at better quality and higher performance are trying to accomplish.”
least in the short term. much more cost-effective in the long run. Herro is secure in his belief that this
“It is basic to human nature to skip to “But sometimes, it’s impossible to embrace house will ultimately illustrate the value
the bottom line and just skim through the the reality that the long game is in every- of looking long-term when designing and
specifics,” says Green Builder Media Founder one’s best interest if they don’t feel it’s in building homes. “As a builder, I am keenly
and President Ron Jones, whose design/ their immediate interest,” he says. “Even the aware that we can’t do amazing building
build firm produced award-winning, high- builder with the best of intentions and high- science if negative impacts are experienced
performance custom homes in the Southern est standards often has to choose between by the homeowner,” he says. “This home
Rockies for more than two decades. “So in delivering a truly superior product or watch- is designed so a 36-year-old mom would
home building, like any industry, it’s difficult ing a potential customer walk out the door have no idea about the building science
to be competitive but still take buyers one by in search of a ‘better deal.’” in it. It’s crazy smart physics and building
one and walk them through all the elements VISION House Seattle Cascades aims to science, but the experience of living would
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that add up to that final number, especially be a definitive proof point in this education just be easier, more comfortable…and cost
when everyone is so focused on first cost.” process. “The VISION House will show real a bunch less.” GB
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50 GREEN BUILDER September/October 2019 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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