Light refreshments included

Speaker: Michael R. Klement, AIA

Organization: Architectural Resource Group

Earth Advantage is pleased to host architect Michael Klement for this interactive, fun and informative presentation. Architectural Resource Group is based in Ann Arbor, MI, and has an award-winning portfolio of green homes to share, including the first LEED Platinum Addition/Remodel in the Great Lakes Region, and the 5th in the nation!

Background

Humankind is facing a challenge.  It is perhaps the greatest challenge of all time: the race against time.  It is a race to see if the human race can save itself from itself.   If you have ever wondered what you can do personally with your own built environment to make a difference come to this class.

Considering our dwindling energy and natural resources and our planet's ecological distress, each of us as homeowners has a unique and critical role to play in making a change for the better.  According to the USDOE the residential sector accounts for 22% of the total energy consumed in the US and 74% of the water.  21% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are contributed by the residential sector.  Indoor air pollutants in our homes can often be four to five times as high as outdoor levels of the same irritants. Green home design and building addresses these issues by creating homes that perform significantly better than conventional homes. 

Learning Outcomes

Attendees will be introduced to what constitutes the core of a 'Green' new home/remodeling/addition project and will take away valuable information, insights and inspirations that they can immediately apply to their own homes and pending projects.  The program will provide a very basic overview of the USGBC's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes program. Using visual presentations of actual projects to illustrate Green building principles and concepts, informative hand-out references and resource materials, and with the opportunity for hands-on investigation of various Green building products, this class will be packed with information providing a glimpse into the opportunities to make a change "at home".