Page 4 - Green Builder Jan-Feb 2021

EDITOR’S NOTE By Matt Power

The Inside Scoop Editor-in-Chief
Caption. Text

Beauty Prevails

Despite the carnage of 2020, the best in the business did not abandon their

vision and craft.

HE ONGOING PANDEMIC, horrific as it has been, has Spending more time than ever at home, it
largely spared the U.S. building industry. For that,
we should be grateful, but never cocky. Spending turns out, brings out the nesting instinct in
more time than ever at home, it turns out, brings
T out the nesting instinct in people. Money that might people. Money that might previously have
previously have been spent on travel, tourism or dining out has,
for the fortunate, been redirected toward kitchen renovations, deck been spent on travel, tourism or dining out
upgrades and accessory dwelling units.
This year, as we prepared has, for the fortunate, been redirected
for our annual Green Home of
the Year Awards, we weren’t toward kitchen renovations, deck upgrades
sure what to expect. Would
builders and architects briefly and accessory dwelling units.
pause their labors to put their
best work forward, or would the
sheer momentum of demand
keep them focused on the small
picture, the utilitarian demands
of scheduling, material
deliveries and subcontractors?
We needn’t have worried.
Our mailbox soon filled up with entries from the U.S. and beyond;
high-impact projects that show an attention to design and building
science. For all of you who entered, I want to say thank you, whether
you made the final cut or not. No effort is wasted; we want you
on our radar, so we can come to you when we’re looking for a specific
type of project or detail. You’ve become part of our permanent
library.
From a strikingly modern net-zero custom home in New Jersey,
to a super solar courtyard community in Washington state, to eye-
popping, ultra-energy efficient dwellings in New Zealand, these
projects raised the bar of sheer possibility to new heights.
But this issue isn’t really about sticks and bricks and ICFs and
SIPs. It’s about the people behind the projects, and the forces at
work in their communities, “pushing the envelope” toward better
performance. That’s why we’ll also honor the cities taking the lead
on Climate Change, and individuals like builder Gene Myers, who
give us a hero to look up to.
So take a break from your labors, make a fresh cup of coffee, and By example. This year’s Sustainability Superhero, Gene Myers of Thrive
leaf through this compendium of the best of the best. It’s been a Homes, exemplifies how the industry’s best have handled the daunting
long pandemic. You deserve some kudos, and some optimism. GB challenges of our time. COURTESY OF GENE MYERS

2 GREEN BUILDER January/February 2021 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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