EcoBUILD Project Starts in Binghamton

This was in Saturday's Commercial Appeal...

Habitat for Humanity's Binghamton project seeks LEED approval
By Cassandra Kimberly

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis is going for "gold" with the construction of six "green" homes in the Binghamton neighborhood.

On Pershing Avenue at 7:30 a.m. Friday, the nonprofit group began its first home build project of the year -- and its first attempt at obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

"It's a huge undertaking," said Jeff Capps, director of community relations for Memphis Habitat. "In terms of us being an affordable housing provider, it makes sense for us to look at techniques to be better stewards of our environment and make more affordable homes for our homeowners."

The six homes, which will average between 1,200 and 1,400 square feet, will follow guidelines from the EcoBUILD initiative of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division.

With the help of The Habitat Design team, composed of 25 volunteer architects and sponsored by Memphis-based Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects, the homes will also follow standards for a gold rating under the LEED regulations of the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council.

"A highly efficient, affordable home is needed by a low-income family more than an average person who gets a pretty decent paycheck," said Jon Dimayuga, Habitat Design team director and project coordinator for Askew Nixon Ferguson.

Memphis Habitat has been actively involved in "green building" since 2006 and has built nearly 30 that follow EcoBUILD guidelines with funding by MLGW and Trunkline Gas/Panhandle Energy.

If the first LEED project is successful, the sustainable guidelines will be incorporated into Memphis Habitat's first 38-home community, Trinity Park, which will begin construction near the airport area next spring.

"We try to be very intentional about creating a community for homeowners and having an impact on neighborhoods," Capps said. "We're really just trying to continue and enhance our green building technique."