14 Jan Sustainable Construction, Integrity in Design

Wes Wigginton, managing director of Austin based Foursquare Builders and Eric Brown, founder and CEO of Thoughtcrib, an Austin design firm that focuses on sustainable practices join us this Thursday, January 19^th at 1 PM on Shades of Green Radio, 91.7 FM KOOP Radio and streaming live online at www.koop.org.

Designing and building beautiful, comfortable and functional homes that exceed a family’s expectations has always been a goal of custom homebuilders. Designing a home that also contributes to reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) is a fundamental concept of sustainability and a core value for Wes Wigginton, a homebuilder with over 30 years of experience and architect, designer, Eric Brown. Together these award winning, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) have conceived a building process where every step seeks to reduce the fiscal and environmental implications of home construction and operation.

In acknowledgement of their efforts to improve the design, construction process and performance of homes, both Wigginton and Brown have received Austin Energy’s Green Building Program 5-star rating for a local home construction and recognition from local and state Home Builder’s Associations. Most recently they were both recognized by the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin and the Texas Association of Builders – Foursquare Builders was named 2011 Texas Custom Home Builder of the Year, 2011 Austin Custom Home Builder of the Year and Brown received awards for his design of a small home, another collaboration with Foursquare Builders.

According to Wigginton, “We took a much broader, more integrated design/build approach to the process by working through the fundamental goals of the design – needs, desires and budget of the client – while also addressing the logistical, contractual and fiscal implications of the construction process. This practice has led to projects that are built more quickly, use resources more effectively and cost less.” Adds Brown, “We recognized the larger ecosystem of design and construction which allowed us to consider the needs and long-term goals of our clients, our business, and the environment. This is the essence of sustainability.”

Tune in every Thursday from 1 – 2:00 PM for Shades of Green Radio on 91.7 FM KOOP and live online at www.koop.org to hear about green events, green businesses, green living, renewable energy and other healthy sustainable topics benefiting the triple-bottom-line; people, planet and profit.