Riviera Construction considers it our responsibility to recognize and appreciate our relationship with the natural resources in the world we live in. Many of our resources are non-renewable and it is for this reason, we believe in the use of sustainable and renewable resources in the remodeling and building industries.

Ken Badalamenti, CGR, CAPS is currently involved with the development of a new green building council and certification program for Northeastern Ohio. The HBA of Greater Cleveland in partnership with the Northcoast BIA has formed the Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative. The mission of this joint council is to promote energy efficient and environmentally friendly building solutions within the Northeast Ohio residential building and remodeling industry. Their vision: “To create positive outcomes for future generations”.

In its narrowest sense, the green building process minimizes the environmental impact of construction from site development, procurement and use of materials to the safe reuse, or as we like to call it “deconstruction” or disposal of a building at the end of its useful life. In its widest sense, green building is about sustainability.

Sustainability has been defined as the ability to provide for the needs of current generations without diminishing the capacity for future generations to do the same.

So what does this involve?

1. Emphasize the four "R's"
   
   Utilizing sound design, construction and building commissioning without compromising structural durability, indoor pollutant levels, ventilation, building code requirements, or Marketability, including:
   
   
   1. Reduce –lower quantities of building materials, resources, and embodied energy are used.
   2. Reuse -- construction materials are reused where practical and structurally sound
   3. Recycle -- recycled materials are used, and home is designed for recycle-ability
   4. Renewable -- energy from natural sources and renewable building materials are emphasized.
      
      
2. Use Energy, Water and Resource Efficient design, specification and construction methods:
   
   
   1. Building thermal envelope. Thermal and air leakage levels are superior by at least 20% to levels cited in the International Energy Conservation Code - 2000
      (of ICBO) or ASHRAE Std. 90.2-1993. (A minimum 30% improvement in energy used for heating, A/C and Hot-water, is recommended by EPA/DOE "EnergyStar" Homes.)
   2. Mechanical home ventilation is provided and designed to be occupant controllable.
   3. Ducts and pipes are of minimal length and well sealed.
   4. High efficiency heating and air-conditioning equipment ("right" sizing, high unitary efficiency, effective controls, system gets commissioned)
   5. Efficient service water heating, including consideration of solar water heating
   6. Major appliances selected with DOE "Energy-guide" labeled usage in most Efficient quintile (best 20%) of appliance "family" annual comparison. Another important gauge of appliance efficiency is whether it obtained an "Energy Star" designation, ask for it!
   7. Minimize potable water use of both hot and cold supplies, and outdoor uses for landscaping.
   8. Install energy efficient electrical lighting, and design floor plans to maximize Interior day lighting.
   9. Respect site conditions to consider passive solar and natural cooling.
   10. An operating manual is supplied so owner/occupant knows how to maintain good performance.
       
       
3. Healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) (meets or exceeds US EPA voluntary criteria)
   
   
   1. Radon/soil-gas entry is prevented through good design and construction.
   2. Low-VOC emitting construction adhesives, finishes and paints are employed.
   3. Low Formaldehyde emitting manufactured wood products are installed.
   4. Use carpeting that is tested and labeled for low emissions and is installed along with low emission padding.
   5. Steps are taken in design and construction preventing excess moisture to avoid rot, mold and mildew.
      
      
4. "Affordable" Community building location has connectivity with:
   
   
   1. Mass transit, bus, light rail.
   2. Community infrastructure that reduces vehicle miles traveled.
   3. Local health and social services.
   4. Walk-able options for recreation and light shopping needs.
   5. Accessible bike paths, etc.
      
      
5. Building remains reasonably affordable - cost effective while accomplishing criteria one through five;
   
   
   1. Overall added mortgage cost per month is generally offset by savings on building Operating energy, commuting costs, avoided health claims from indoor air pollution, and better mental health due to sense of community and fewer hours spent commuting); and
   2. Over the useful life of the structure (50 year useful life for life-cycle analysis purposes) the building produces no net economic loss to owner(s) when evaluated against traditional competing free market investments (bonds, stocks,
      etc.) for the funds employed to upgrade the building to meet these criteria.
      

For more information, please contact us at info@riviera-construction.com