skip to main content
CYBER WEEK EXTENDED
0
Your shopping cart is empty.
Sign In
Join as a Pro
History of Houzz
GET IDEAS
PHOTOS
Kitchen & DiningKitchenDining RoomPantryGreat Room
Bed & BathBathroomPowder RoomBedroomStorage & ClosetBaby & Kids
OutdoorLandscapePatioDeckPoolPorchBalcony
LivingLiving RoomFamily RoomSunroomHome Theater
Small RoomsSmall BathroomsSmall KitchensSmall BedroomsSmall Living RoomsSmall Closets
More RoomsExteriorEntryHallHome OfficeStaircaseBasement
LaundryGarageShedGymHome BarPlayroomWine Cellar
MAGAZINE
Stories and GuidesRemodeling GuidesDecorating GuidesPopular StoriesBacksplash Cost GuideBathroom Remodel Cost GuidePool Cost GuideCost Guides
DISCUSSIONS
Get AdviceDesign DilemmasBefore & AfterPollsGardenweb
HOUZZ TV
HOUZZ RESEARCH
COMMUNITY
SHOP BY DEPARTMENT
KITCHEN & DINING
Kitchen & Dining FurnitureSinks & FaucetsKitchen AppliancesTabletopCabinets & StorageKnobs & PullsKitchen LightingTileCookware & BakewareTools & GadgetsView All
FURNITURE
Living RoomKitchen & DiningHome OfficeOutdoorBedroomStorageBathroomView All
BATH
Bathroom VanitiesShowersBathtubsBathroom LightingFaucetsBathroom SinksTileBath AccessoriesBath LinensMedicine CabinetsView All
DECOR
RugsMirrorsWall DecorDecorative AccentsArtworkPillows & ThrowsHoliday DecorView All
BEDROOM
Beds & HeadboardsBeddingDressersNightstandsBenchesBedroom DecorLampsCloset StorageFutonsChaisesView All
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HardwareTileBathroom FixturesKitchen FixturesHeating & CoolingBuilding MaterialsTools & EquipmentView All
LIVING
Coffee & Accent TablesRugsSofas & SectionalsArmchairs & Accent ChairsTV Stand & Media StorageHome DecorLampsArtworkBookcasesFireplaces & AccessoriesView All
OUTDOOR
Patio FurnitureOutdoor DecorOutdoor LightingPool & SpaLawn & GardenOutdoor StructuresOutdoor CookingView All
LIGHTING
ChandeliersPendant LightsFlush-MountsBathroom & VanityWall SconcesCeiling FansTable LampsFloor LampsKitchen & CabinetOutdoor LightingView All
MORE
Storage & OrganizationHome OfficeBaby & KidsHome BarCleaning & LaundryPet SuppliesHoliday DecorView All
Looking for the perfect gift? Send a Houzz Gift Card!
FIND PROFESSIONALS
DESIGN & REMODELING
Architects & Building DesignersDesign-Build FirmsGeneral ContractorsHome BuildersInterior DesignersKitchen & Bath DesignersKitchen & Bath RemodelersLandscape Architects & DesignersLandscape ContractorsSwimming Pool Builders
OUTDOOR & GARDEN
Landscape ArchitectsLandscape ContractorsSwimming Pool BuildersDeck & Patio BuildersStone, Pavers & ConcreteFence ContractorsDriveway InstallationHot Tub & Spa DealersGardeners
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Building SuppliesCabinets & CabinetryCarpet DealersDeck & Patio BuildersDoor DealersFireplacesGarage Door SalesHandymanHardwood Flooring DealersPaint & Wall CoveringsSiding & ExteriorsTile, Stone & CountertopsWindow Dealers
HOME SERVICES
Air Conditioning & HeatingElectriciansFurniture Repair & UpholsteryGarage Door RepairGardeners & Lawn CareHome StagersMoversPaintersPest ControlPlumbersRoofing & GuttersSpa & Pool MaintenanceTree Services
All ProfessionalsAll ServicesFor ProfessionalsAdvertise
SALE
ON SALE - UP TO 75% OFF
Bathroom VanitiesChandeliersBar StoolsPendant LightsRugsLiving Room ChairsDining Room FurnitureWall LightingCoffee TablesSide & End TablesHome Office FurnitureSofasBedroom FurnitureLampsMirrors
CYBER WEEK EXTENDED
Up to 70% Off
Ultimate Dining Room Sale 
Up to 75% Off
Ultimate Outdoor Sale 
Up to 60% Off
Ultimate Vanity Sale 
Up to 70% Off
Kitchen and Appliance Sale 
Trade Program
Trade Program
Trend Report: Black-and-White Tile Favors the Bold
Top Ideabooks
Trend Report: Black-and-White Tile Favors the BoldUnderstanding Where Clients Stand on Green BuildingTrend Report: Showers Embrace Nature and Open-Plan LivingVendor in Focus: Company C

Understanding Where Clients Stand on Green Building

Spreading the green word to clients

Amara Holstein
Amara HolsteinNov 15, 2019
Writer. Lover of all things to do with architecture, art, design, travel and books. Chocolate aficionado. Aspiring runner. Former Dwell magazine editor.
More
Samsel Architects
Architecture by Samsel Architects; contracting by Morgan-Keefe Builders; interior design by Allard + Roberts Interior Design

This story is from our Trade Program Trend Report email series.

Healthier air, indoors and out. Natural materials. Bright, airy spaces. These are all earth-friendly elements almost universally appealing in theory. But getting from ideal to actuality isn’t always the easiest bridge to cross for homeowners, especially when factors such as cost stand in the way. It’s up to professionals to light the path to sustainability.

Initial interest. More and more, homeowners want eco-attentive aspects built into their projects. “But there’s a good percentage of folks where sustainability is an added bonus, not their main driver,” says Nic James, owner of Beech Tree Woodworks, a woodworking company in Olympia, Washington. “It’s a key part of our job to find out what motivates them,” says designer Tyler Housholder of Samsel Architects in Asheville, North Carolina.
Beech Tree Woodworks
Custom table by Beech Tree Woodworks

Cost considerations. The main issue is clear: “For most clients, it comes down to money,” says Woody Vaughan, principal of Norwood Architects in Atlanta. Changing minds happens by showing cost-savings benefits. “Many times it’s about shifting the clients’ perspective from a short-term view to a longer-term investment,” Housholder says. “While some green products and materials may cost more upfront, there can be significant savings over their lifetime.”

Popular Eco-Friendly Product Picks: Moe’s Home Collection Teigen Bed, Anji Mountain Denim and Jute Rug, Kosas Reagan Low Back Stool
Samsel Architects
Design by Samsel Architects; photo by Keith Isaacs

Terms that resonate. Some phrases especially pique client interest. These include “energy efficiency,” “low-VOC,” “tiny house” or “small living,” “low maintenance,” “durability” and “simplicity,” says architect Dominique Gettliffe, whose eponymous firm is in Boulder, Colorado. James adds a few more: “FSC-certified,” “local,” “indoor air quality” and “keeping money in the community.”

Eyes on energy efficiency. “We typically find that clients are more willing to spend money on items they have visual contact with,” Gettliffe says. He gives examples such as low-maintenance materials, Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient windows. Vaughan mentions rainwater collection, solar panels and green (such as recycled) building products.
Gettliffe Architecture
Design by Gettliffe Architecture

Behind the scenes. For bigger-picture ideas such as passive siting and thermal envelopes, Gettliffe has created a booklet with photos and illustrations as “an approachable way for our clients to grasp sustainable systems,” he says. Housholder also promotes standards-based building, such as obtaining Energy Star certification. “Energy performance data is monitored after construction and during building use,” he says. “Obtaining certification is an easy way for clients to understand the benefits of eco-friendly design.”

Health care. Indoor air quality is another top concern. “A lot of people come to us with chemical sensitivities,” James says. Showing the benefits of green materials to clients can change their lives. “We’re batting 1,000; we’ve had disabled people spend the day with our products and have zero reaction,” he says.
Norwood Architects
Design by Norwood Architects

Tech proves the point. Home automation is key, Vaughan says. Automating daily routines, such as turning off lights and heat when leaving the house, helps eliminate waste on utility bills, he says. “Utility bill savings is something that every building owner understands,” Housholder affirms. “Many clients are drawn to new smart-tech products that allow homeowners to directly interface with their home to measure improved building performance and see the cost savings over time.”

The larger perspective. Ultimately, clients appreciate working with businesses that have a broad view of sustainability. “I tell people, ‘We’re your neighbors; we use good materials, hire good people, build good products; come meet us,’” James says. “People like that.” “The more green principles that are enacted into our built environment, the healthier our planet will be,” Gettliffe says.

More Eco-Friendly Product Picks: Hunter LED Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fan, Pure Garden Solar Path Bollard Lights, Kraus Bolden Commercial Faucet
Comments (0)
Related Stories
Before and After: 5 Beautiful Blue-and-White Kitchen Makeovers
Before and AftersBefore and After: 5 Beautiful Blue-and-White Kitchen Makeovers
By Mitchell Parker
See how this great color combination transformed these outdated spaces
Full Story44
10 Beautiful White-and-Wood Bathrooms
Bathroom Makeovers10 Beautiful White-and-Wood Bathrooms
By Annie Thornton
Designers hit the mark with this popular pairing in makeovers of bathrooms in many sizes and styles
Full Story36
Details That Count: Tips for Range Hoods, Appliances and Lighting
Remodeling GuidesDetails That Count: Tips for Range Hoods, Appliances and Lighting
By Barbra Bright
Learn how to get your microwave height just right, what kind of bar stool will be most comfortable and more
Full Story80
How to Focus Your Family Room on Family
LifeHow to Focus Your Family Room on Family
By Sally Augustin
Reclaim your room from screens and headphones with these ideas for fostering family togetherness
Full Story58
19 Ways to Create a Cozy Breakfast Nook
Dining Rooms19 Ways to Create a Cozy Breakfast Nook
By Becky Harris
No rude awakenings here. Start your day the gentle way, with a snuggly corner for noshing
Full Story46
Perfect Palettes: How to Find the Right Colors for Your Home
Decorating GuidesPerfect Palettes: How to Find the Right Colors for Your Home
By Gabrielle Chariton
Color specialists and interior design experts share their tips for selecting the best shades
Full Story45
Kitchen of the Week: White Cabinets With a Big Island, Please!
Kitchen of the WeekKitchen of the Week: White Cabinets With a Big Island, Please!
By Kelly LaPlante
Designers help a growing Chicago-area family put together a simple, clean and high-functioning space
Full Story74
11 Creative and Thrifty Ideas for Bedside Tables
Decorating Guides11 Creative and Thrifty Ideas for Bedside Tables
By Karen Egly-Thompson
Show your resourcefulness and get a one-of-a-kind nightstand by taking the repurposed route
Full Story79
Room of the Day: Two Seating Areas and a Mix of Patterns
Room of the DayRoom of the Day: Two Seating Areas and a Mix of Patterns
By Mary Jo Bowling
Faced with a room that’s more than twice as long as it is wide, a designer divides and conquers
Full Story37
My Houzz: A Smart-Home Jewel in Vancouver
My HouzzMy Houzz: A Smart-Home Jewel in Vancouver
By Heather Merenda
Fully automated, wise about energy use and with ecofriendly features, this Canadian home has become a highlight of the neighborhood
Full Story35
How to Plan Your Kitchen's Layout
Remodeling GuidesHow to Plan Your Kitchen's Layout
By Vanessa Brunner
Get your kitchen in shape to fit your appliances, cooking needs and lifestyle with these resources for choosing a layout style
Full Story33
How to Give Neutral Paint Colors a Subtle Jolt
Decorating GuidesHow to Give Neutral Paint Colors a Subtle Jolt
By Jennifer Ott
Don’t compete with your neutral hues — complement them!
Full Story47
A Wall Comes Down and a Skylight Goes Up in a Sleek New Kitchen
Kitchen DesignA Wall Comes Down and a Skylight Goes Up in a Sleek New Kitchen
By Bryan Anthony
Before-and-after pictures show the dramatic changes in this remodeled California kitchen
Full Story33
A New Take on Shiplap and Hexagon Tiles in the Bathroom
Bathroom DesignA New Take on Shiplap and Hexagon Tiles in the Bathroom
By Morgan Province
Fresh approaches to popular material choices create a refreshing bathroom for this Canadian couple
Full Story48
Kitchen of the Week: Touches of Traditional Charm in Seattle
Kitchen of the WeekKitchen of the Week: Touches of Traditional Charm in Seattle
By Kelly LaPlante
A cottage home gets a functional kitchen upgrade with timeless appeal and a surprise feature
Full Story67
Sponsored
Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
173 Reviews
Loudoun County Custom Decks & Patios 5x Best of Houzz!
People who liked this story also liked
Before and After: 5 Beautiful Blue-and-White Kitchen Makeovers
Before and After: 5 Beautiful Blue-and-White Kitchen MakeoversFull Story
10 Beautiful White-and-Wood Bathrooms
10 Beautiful White-and-Wood BathroomsFull Story
Details That Count: Tips for Range Hoods, Appliances and Lighting
Details That Count: Tips for Range Hoods, Appliances and LightingFull Story
How to Focus Your Family Room on Family
How to Focus Your Family Room on FamilyFull Story
19 Ways to Create a Cozy Breakfast Nook
19 Ways to Create a Cozy Breakfast NookFull Story
Perfect Palettes: How to Find the Right Colors for Your Home
Perfect Palettes: How to Find the Right Colors for Your HomeFull Story
Kitchen of the Week: White Cabinets With a Big Island, Please!
Kitchen of the Week: White Cabinets With a Big Island, Please!Full Story
11 Creative and Thrifty Ideas for Bedside Tables
11 Creative and Thrifty Ideas for Bedside TablesFull Story
Room of the Day: Two Seating Areas and a Mix of Patterns
Room of the Day: Two Seating Areas and a Mix of PatternsFull Story
My Houzz: A Smart-Home Jewel in Vancouver
My Houzz: A Smart-Home Jewel in VancouverFull Story
Sponsored
HaiJoe Stamped Concrete Patios and Decks
91 Reviews
Woodbridge's Leader in Stone, Pavers & Concrete
  • United States
  • ABOUT
  • CAREERS
  • MOBILE APPS
  • PROFESSIONALS
  • BUTTONS
  • ADVERTISE
  • SELL
  • Terms & Privacy
  • © 2019 Houzz Inc.