Local firm gets trained, certified as green business
David and Ravena Huboi of Huboi Architectural Services in
Hollister recently attained official certification through
Build-It-Green, a national clearing house emphasizing livable
communities, indoor air quality, sustainable building and resource
conservation.
Local firm gets trained, certified as green business
David and Ravena Huboi of Huboi Architectural Services in Hollister recently attained official certification through Build-It-Green, a national clearing house emphasizing livable communities, indoor air quality, sustainable building and resource conservation.
The two partners underwent training before taking an exam for green certification. Ravena Huboi intends to continue her studies to eventually become a Build-It-Green rater.
Training included energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, indoor air quality and conservation, David Huboi said.
The two already are incorporating their training into their work with an apartment development planned for Palm Court in west Hollister.
The project will contain no carpeting, a source of volatile organic compounds that affect indoor air quality. Paint is selected for its low toxicity. Structural studs are placed on 24-inch centers rather than the traditional 16, Huboi said. Roofing and concrete will use recycled materials.
Drought-tolerant landscaping may include artificial turf, and irrigation could rely on a cistern that collects rainwater runoff, he said. The Hubois plan to recycle 50 percent of the project’s construction waste.
He expects the project to exceed state energy conservation standards by a full 15 percent.
“One of the things that goes with building it green is local,” Huboi said. “Using local contractors and suppliers, when you use local people you’re reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and stimulating air quality.”
Even when initial costs are higher, green building can lead to long-term savings, Huboi said. And there are other benefits.
“We can set a good example for other communities and at the same time look at what other communities have done that’s effective,” he said.
Neighboring Santa Clara County has adopted a green building checklist that builders and developers can use as a guideline, he said.
Huboi also is coordinating the annual chamber of commerce business-to-business trade show, and this year it will carry a green theme under an “Eco-Nomics” banner.
The May 14 trade show at the Veterans Memorial Building will showcase a number of local businesses that emphasize sustainability. Huboi is scheduled to be one of the speakers at the event.
He is now recruiting exhibitors for the show. People can contact him for further information.
Huboi Architectural Services is located at 910 Monterey St. in Hollister. The staff may be contacted at 636-0949. For more information about green certification, go to www.builditgreen.org/green-building.
