Eco-Charrette

On January 9th, 2007, nearly 40 spent the day with us lending their ideas and expertise as we work to integrate green building philosophies and ideas into the master plan of our ten-acre development of affordable housing.

Over the years, Bend Habitat has experimented with many “green technologies.” However, we have never documented or formalized our construction practices or design specifications to ensure a minimum standard. Earlier this year, ML Vidas and Jo Conover created Green Building Guidelines, the construction volunteers reviewed them, and the Board of Directors adopted them. (See link to the left.) These will be utilized for the first time in our development in 2007/08.

Building on the 10-acres is likely still a couple of years away. However, we believe establishing a green development plan now, that can later be refined with our learnings from implementing the new Guidelines, will allow us to more fully engage the community in our efforts. At Habitat, we see ourselves as a catalyst working in partnership with families and the rest of the community to tackle the challenge of affordable housing. Together we can successfully create and implement cost-effective green strategies that take into account our situational factors (use of volunteer labor, donated materials, etc.) at both the home and site plan level.

What is a Charrette?
A charrette is an opportunity to bring people of diverse disciplines together for a brief, yet intensive design process. Time is not wasted; ideas are considered openly and energetically. The result is a distillation of the best ideas into a master plan that will establish clear values and priorities.

Participants will be introduced to the project site and Habitat’s guiding principles. An overview of sustainable design practices and how they relate to Habitat projects will be provided. The participants will then brainstorm, together and in small groups, developing a master plan that works with the 10-acre site and incorporates all the best of Habitat.

Background:
Four significant elements are converging on this date:

1. In July, Bend Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors approved Green Building Guidelines.
2. Also, the Board has made a commitment to not just build affordable housing, but to provide affordable and healthy living.

   Energy efficient design, passive solar orientation, strategic placement of homes for optimal utilization of resources, these and other priorities will be incorporated into every Habitat home.

3. The Cornerstone capital campaign to purchase the 10-Acre Site is less than $400,000 from completion.
4. Finally, Habitat received a grant from the Enterprise Foundation to assist in holding the charrette that will jumpstart the planning for the 10-acres.

Please feel free to contact us with questions or suggestions.

ML Vidas
Charrette Co-Chair
318-7212
mlvidas@bendbroadband.com

Jo Conover
Charrette Co-Chair
317-8917
jo@benningtonconover.com

Alison Hamm
Board President
385-5387
alhabitat@bendbroadband.com

Bruce Sullivan
Charrette Facilitator
480-7303
bsullivan@earthadvantage.org

Eco-Charrette for 10 Acre Site Planning

Almost forty enthusiastic, high energy volunteers, attended the Bend Area Habitat for Humanity (BAHFH) eco-charrette on January 9th sharing their ideas and expertise. A charrette is an opportunity to bring people of diverse disciplines together for a brief, yet intensive design process. The goal of this charrette was to integrate green building philosophies and ideas into the master plan of BAHFH’s planned ten-acre development of affordable housing.

Building on the 10-acres is likely still a couple of years away. However, Habitat believes establishing a green development plan now will allow them to recruit more members of the community to assist their efforts, according to Board President, Alison Hamm. In 2006, ML Vidas and Jo Conover, both LEED accredited professionals, created BAHFH’s Green Building Guidelines, the construction volunteers reviewed them, and the Board of Directors adopted them. “The commitment has expanded from affordable housing to affordable living.” stated Hamm.

The Enterprise Foundation Green Communities supplied a $4,000 grant to cover expenses for the Charrette. Bruce Sullivan, from Earth Advantage, facilitated the day and Vidas and Conover co-chaired the event. Participants were provided aerial photographs and plat maps to aid them in their designs. Organized into six groups, they generated ideas in the following key areas:

The teams also generated conceptual drawings of the site. The results will be captured in a report and a number of attendees have volunteered to participate in a steering committee to guide the development process of the 10 acres moving forward.

For more information on Charrette grants click here.