Page 4 - Green Builder MagazineJan-Feb 2019 HOTY Issue

EDITOR’S NOTE By Matt Power

The Inside Scoop Editor-in-Chief
Caption. Text

Engineering With Heart

Bringing building science and beauty together doesn’t happen accidentally.

I city planning. Composite decking material that’s
T’S VERY EASY TO GO WRONG. I think of
my poor neighbor, who remuddled together
impervious to moisture and rot, and lasts 50
years, represents a huge upgrade from wood. But
some cliché ideas about luxury with e€ciency
upgrades, festooning his bright and airy
if it lacks texture and color, it may not last in the
apartment building with dark wood ‚oors,
Will we use bike paths that cut through urban
crypt-like basement bedrooms, and over-the-top marketplace. The same is true of city sustainability.
moldings and cabinetry, to end up with a colorless, blight in dark byways?
gloomy space with the feng shui of a hotel lobby. I bring up these latter examples because for
It’s a common problem: good building science the first time this year, our awards program is
undone by imitative design. honoring product innovators and sustainable city
One of things I love about this annual issue, planners, along with ‘ne-home builders. We’ve put
honoring the best green homes in the nation, is that a lot of our own passion into this issue to identify
true artistry supports the science of building these and honor leaders in sustainability at all levels,
great homes. That doesn’t mean every project involved an architect and introduced a new, special award for the year’s “Sustainability
or design pro. But I’d hazard to say that a good builder knows his or Superhero.”
her design limitations and asks for help when a keen eye is needed— We live in uncertain times, yet perhaps that has always been the
the same way a good editor relies on a graphic designer to make a case. These tangible homes, products and people demonstrate that real
publication more than gray text and photos. results, motivated by real heart, lie within our means. Let’s take this
But the same principle applies to product innovation and even moment to celebrate, to wonder and applaud some worthy e•orts. GB

Even brighter days ahead.
Green building takes dedicated
effort by planners, builders,
homeowners and manufacturers.

CREDIT: MOSS PHOTOGRAPHY

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