Seattle award winning green builder Martha Rose, president of Martha Rose Construction, is continually looking for ways to lower their environmental footprint in the homes they build by carefully selecting and assessing the building materials they use.
As the movement to carbon-neutral building increases manufactures of building materials will need to become progressively more aware of the need to improve the environmental footprint of their products. Rose’s ethos is to look at the life-cycle-assessment or a holistic view of the total impact of the materials they use.
Wood and Concrete
Choosing to use the existing concrete foundation for their newest project, City Cabins located on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, they reduce the need for using new raw materials and the embodied energy that goes into making concrete.
Part of the charm of Rose’s homes are the stories that go along with them, City Cabins is no exception, the site is located minutes from Fishermen’s Terminal which over the years has help provide jobs, fresh salmon and character to the Seattle Area. The other is the chance to own a piece of Pacific Northwest history by purchasing one of the City Cabins. The flooring in the homes will be reclaimed 2 X 8 tongue and groove Douglas Fir planks salvaged by Pacific Lumber Resources, inc. from a world renowned athletic shoe company’s dismantle distribution center located in Wilsonville Oregon.
The fine grain wide planks have been meticulously removed preserving the natural finishes. Another impressive feature is the fir planks are constructed utilizing two pieces with opposing grain ensuring that the planks will stay flat throughout the year with varying humidity conditions. This cradle-to-cradle-approach helps preserve, history, a timeless look and a beautiful building material.
City Cabins are due to be completed in October 2011 and are available for presale, for more information contact Adrian Willanger 206 909-7536.
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