Vertbuild

Capability Brown…

vertbuild — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:24:53 +0000

Is often cited as the originator of the English garden. He was a landscape architect who designed some 170 parks. His style had a profound influence on landscape architects worldwide, a style that transcends to this day. It’s difficult to find landscape designs bereft of Capability Brows style–English or not–regardless the style.

The English garden is often layered with rows of shrubbery and of course that British favorite, the rose bush. Gravel pathways are typically arranged to encourage walking around the garden and enjoying it at a snails pace, with ample time to take in the many scents and colorful scenery.

Another typical element is water and lot’s of it. While beautiful, the English garden is designed for rainy moist climates. If you should happen to be lucky enough to live in such a climate, all the better. If not, you can still have an English garden. Just try to use as many native plants as possible and keep them well insulated with compost. Here are few things to keep in mind if your planning to design your own:

Really LOOK at your site, the size and proportion of your house and map everything
Choose trees and shrubs that balance your existing space
Select plants in colors that appeal to you as well as the varieties you prefer
Install one exceptionally fascinating tree or fantastic fountain
Tie everything together with some common elements, like grasses and ground covers

viola!

You don’t have to be Capability Brown do have a beautiful English garden, you just have to know what you like.

Cheers!

LEED Site Selection

vertbuild — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:32:29 +0000

Vert Build has selected a site for construction for what will be one of Seattle’s first single family residential LEED certified homes. We chose the site carefully, based on not only aesthetic reasons, but also in an effort to conform to LEED criteria for site selection.

LEED specifically states that lands must not be developed on six specific types of land:

• Prime farmland
• Previously undeveloped land lower than 5 feet above the elevation of the 100-year flood as defined by FEMA
• Land that provides habitat to any species on Federal or State threatened or endangered lists
• Within 100 feet of any wetlands
• Previously undeveloped land within 50 feet of a body of water
• Land which was prior to the acquisition for the project was public parkland

By conforming to the LEED site selection criteria we have taken the first step–perhaps even the most important–by not decreasing the supply of wetlands and other natural habitats. After all, it stands to reason that choosing a sustainable building, begins with choosing a sustainable site.

Vert Build Selects West Seattle Site

vertbuild — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:11:43 +0000

Vert Build will begin contruction on one of the first LEED certified residential homes in Seattle. This home will meet or beat all green home building requirements as specified by LEED. We are very excited about the prospect of building a sustainable green home in Seattle and will keep the site up-to-date so you can track our progress. We have selected the home site and will break ground summer of 2009.

What is the FSC?

vertbuild — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:47:39 +0000

One of the ways we can all help commit to a sustainable future is by purchasing FSC certified wood. The Forest Stewardship Council [FSC] was formed to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. The FSC is independent and not for profit. When you see the FSC initials on any wood you or your licensed Seattle contractor purchase the FSC logo mark guarantees that it came from a responsible source. FSC certified wood supports the conservation of forests, wildlife and the livelihood of people in 46 countries.

Vertbuild is dedicated to building a sustainable future using FSC certified material when possible.

Have a project in mind? Call Vert Build at 206.290.7062 or email us at sales@vertbuild.com

What is LEED certification?

vertbuild — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:19:05 +0000

LEED provides a universal set of guidelines that encourage global standards for green building practices. Though used primarily as a standard for commercial buildings, LEED is quickly gaining acceptance a a residential standard as well.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings are rated according to five categories:

Sustainable sites
Water efficiency
Energy & Atmosphere
Materials & Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality

You may look forward to more on LEED certification from Vert Build, as we move toward certification in 2009.

What is a greenroof?

vertbuild — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:03:52 +0000

Green roofs are vegetated roof covers. Simply put, green roofs have a waterproofing layer, drainage, and plants. When rain falls on hard surfaces like paved roads, sidewalks and roofs, it has no way to penetrate and be filtered by the soil and return to groundwater. Instead much of our rain falls onto these hard surfaces and runs directly into our storm water drains. Greenroofs add green surface back where it once was and provide a filtration system for groundwater. It’s more than plants on a roof, although that’s certainly a part of the equation.

Interested in learning more about replacing hard surfaces with permeable surfaces?

Call or email Vertbuild.

Vert Build $199 Energy Audit

vertbuild — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:43:04 +0000

Seattle

Let Vert Build show you how our whole house 67 point inspection can save you money. Most customers will recapture the cost of the audit in as little as 2 months!

Save Money

Many homes will see as much as a 30% cut in energy bills when they complete the Vert Build energy audit upgrades.

Call Vert Build at 206.290.7062 or email sales@vertbuild.com

VertBuild–Seattle’s Green General Contractor

vertbuild — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:10:25 +0000

Vert Build is Seattle’s green homes service, commercial services and maintenance needs solution. We offer everything from handyman services to full general contracting services. Look up our website at: www.vertbuild.com
Have a project in mind? Call Vert Build at 206.290.7062 or email us at sales@vertbuild.com

License Number: SPEAKTL929PM

License Name: SPEAKING TREES LLC (DBA VERT BUILD)