The green American dream

By paying attention to green details while building their dream home, one family proves you can live sustainably in the suburbs

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Jul 10, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (29 Reader comments)

Chuck and Melissa Gatchell with Nate, 2, and Dylan, 9 months, stand in front of the ‘green’ home they are building.

Jaime Valdez / The Beaverton Valley Times

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When Chuck and Melissa Gatchell set out to build a dream home for their growing family, they had something very special and “green” in mind.

After finding an ideal lot backing up to Bonny Slope Park, the Gatchell family teamed up with Kurt Kopp of Kopp Construction Company in Forest Grove to build a home using the U.S. Green Building Council’s new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes guidelines.

LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes.

According to the Green Building Council, a green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants.

“The definition of a quality home in America is changing,” Chuck said of his family’s reasons for going green. “More people are choosing to build a home with the environment in mind.

“They want a healthy home for their family.”

Going green is not a unique idea and is easier than folks might think, he added.

“It’s really in reach for anybody if they want to build a home or remodel,” Chuck said. “There are little things you can do.

“This is the way the industry is going, especially with our generation. We have different expectations than a generation ago did. We want to reduce our impact on the environment where we can. It also makes good economic sense.”

Small, up-front investments in sustainable building practices will pay back over time, he said.

Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins.

Emerging trend

“There is an emerging sense of quality in what is considered a new, great American home – one that’s green,” Chuck said.

Kopp, who has been in the building industry for 29 years, agreed.

For the past eight years, Kopp has incorporated green building techniques in projects, depending on the clients’ wishes.

From using recycled materials where possible to installing high-efficiency furnaces, solar tubes and fiberglass exterior doors, Kopp continues to search out new, environmentally friendly products to incorporate in projects.

“We’ve tried to be aware of our impact on the environment and stayed up-to-date on what we can do and what products are green,” Kopp said. “Our subcontractors try to do their part as well.

“There is definitely a growing trend. I’ve seen a lot of people heading in this direction, both builders and consumers in commercial and residential markets.”

Building the Gatchells’ home with support by JB Insulation of Sherwood, Western Pacific and Advanced Heating is Kopp’s first project following LEED’s new home certification program.

“It’s been a rewarding experience,” Kopp said. “We’re constructing a better home for the future.

“I’ve taken what I know and combined it with new ideas from LEED, and we’ve made a tighter home package.”

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