More than a decade after its U.S. entry, Nature’s Carpet gets mainstream attention and could be part of a market that is “ready to explode”

Some rolled their eyes and suppressed laughter at the idea that a chemical-free, biodegradable, un-dyed carpet could make it in mainstream America. But when Brian Cox saw Nature’s Carpet in the early 1990s, something told him it would be a winner.

After seeing this wool carpet at a Domotex trade show in Germany, Cox returned to his office at the Colin Campbell distribution company in Vancouver, BC, he organized his presentation, and he began calling on retailers.  After the Canadians started selling it, Cox crossed the U.S. border and called on one of the country’s first green-building gurus in Bellingham, WA. The builder in turn installed the product in several green homes, including his own, and he helped Cox introduce Nature’s Carpet to the Environmental Home Center in Seattle, which would later be known as EcoHaus.

read more here

What it is: Aiki Homes, which has been building green homes in Bellingham since 1992, builds all of its homes through the Built Green program of Whatcom County and the Energy Star program.

LEED Platinum: In December 2010 an Aiki home on 17th Street near Fairhaven was awarded LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for achievement in green homebuilding and design. The certification is awarded to homes that are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient as well as healthier and durable for the occupants, according to Hannah White, who is in charge of marketing and business development at Aiki.

Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/02/07/1849876/aiki-homes-builds-green-community.html#ixzz1E9Fkbs2U

Holcomb Tour

Robin and Annette Holcomb, project homeowners, built this home with a commitment to “living light.” The lot was selected for its environmental advantages and infill location. Located blocks from Fairhaven- one of Bellingham’s most active commercial centers, community parks and trail, and transit lines; the Holcomb’s will be able to walk, bike or bus to nearly all essential services. The Holcomb’s also wanted to strive for energy independence. While it is not a Net Zero home, this house has been designed for that potential with no fossil fuels used onsite.

As one of Bellingham’s green building pioneers, Aiki Homes welcomed the commitment of the Holcomb’s to energy and water efficiency, sustainable resources, and community education. All facets of sustainable building have been applied to this project. It has been touted a model for green development.

There are many features that make this home unique, including the first permitting rainwater harvesting system in the City of Bellingham, a solar Photovoltaic System on a unique infill lot located in charming Fairhaven. 

Subcontractors and others will be on hand to answer any questions.

Read a profile of this home at Homes Across America-Resource Efficient Homes here

Please contact with any questions you may have or call 360-715-0700

Photo below of the kitchen.

Another home is a 14 sided Deltec Home (a kit from Ashville, NC) on Noon Rd.These homes are Prefabricated, Hurricane Resistant and Storm Resistant Houses. Rob, from Aiki Homes went to Ashville for Deltec training per the homeowners request. More about Deltec Homes click here.

Lastly a Built Green and ENERGY STAR Certified single family residence near Loomis Trail on Castlerock Dr.

The Marshak home located at 1807 McKenzie Ave. in Fairhaven was awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for achievement in green homebuilding and design. LEED for Homes is a green home certification system for assuring homes are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient and healthy for occupants. LEED certified homes complete a technically rigorous process that includes a home energy (HERS) rating and onsite inspections to verify that the home is built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound, and a healthier place to live.

The Marshak home is the FIRST home to be certified LEED Gold in Whatcom County.  The home was built by Aiki Homes, which is known for their expertise in building LEED homes.  Aiki Homes has a LEED home in process currently in Fairhaven, which is aiming for Platinum, the highest LEED rating. Green homes have substantially lower utility bills [1]and may qualify for advantageous financing, lower insurance rates and government incentives. Through their commitment to green homebuilding, Aiki Homes is helping to keep homeownership affordable.

“Aiki Homes continues to influence and inspire the design/build community in Bellingham by pioneering Zero Waste strategies and efficient construction techniques demonstrated in the Marshak home.  They are strong advocates for green building and continue to positively collaborate with local government in efforts to streamline green building.”

-Nick Hartrich, Green Building Program Manager, Sustainable Connections

Specific information about the home Located on an infill lot a few blocks from Downtown Fairhaven, The Marshak home is within walking distance of public transportation, shops and other conveniences. The home focuses heavily on reducing energy use.  The two bedroom project features a 1.8 kilowatt solar PV (photovoltaic) system, solar hot water, radiant heat, low-e argon windows, high efficiency lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, blown-in and spray foam insulation, No VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, Low VOC finishes and sealers, marmoleum and concrete flooring and energy efficient appliances.  

About USGBC

The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Since USGBC’s founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 20,000 member companies and organizations and a comprehensive suite of LEED® green building certification systems. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations all sharing the Council’s commitment to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. For more information, please visit www.usgbc.org.

About LEED® for Homes

LEED® for Homes is a third-party certification system for building and designing high-performance green homes that are energy-and-resource-efficient and healthy for its occupants.  Developed and administered by USGBC, LEED for Homes awards points to projects in eight categories of environmental performance: Innovation & Design Process, Location & Linkages, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Awareness & Education. To date, more than 2,200 homes have been LEED-certified, and over 14,600 are registered and under development.  For more information, visit www.thegreenhomeguide.org.