Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, earth-toned countertops in the kitchen, wood flooring throughout the house and light-colored paint on the walls.
When ASU graduate Philip Beere's home near Camelback Road and 34th Street is completed this month, it may appear to be the typical Valley residence — until you notice the small, but important, details.
Those countertops? Made of recycled paper. The wood flooring? Constructed of formaldehyde-free bamboo boards. And that paint covering the walls? It's non-toxic and environmentally-safe.
Beere's home, once a typical Valley residence, is among the first in the nation to be remodeled and meet national standards for being a "green building," he says.
Beere says he came up with the idea for remodeling a house while studying for his master's degree in real-estate development at ASU in early 2007. He bought the house in the same May 2007 week that he graduated and then submitted his plans for remodeling to the U.S. Green Building Council. He began construction in late June.
Beere says part of his decision to remodel the home was about being environmentally friendly and sustainable. "It had to do with building it smarter and building it better," he says. "Its all about a lifestyle: living healthier, building smarter, building better."
In order to be certified as eco-friendly, houses must pass a rating system set by the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote buildings that are "environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work," according to its Web site, usgbc.org.
The organization's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) benchmark certifies homes that conserve energy and water, reduce waste and lower harmful greenhouse-gas emissions.
LEED certification gives buildings credibility in a time when the term "earth-friendly" has become trendy, Beere says. "In the marketplace, you hear so much about green building that it's becoming sort of a gray area," he says. "LEED sets a standard and actually tests the home and has more credibility."
Homeowners are given a checklist to follow during construction in order to be sure that their residences will be LEED-certifiable once completed. Each item on the checklist is assigned a number of points, and a building must earn a certain number of points to be certified, according to usgbc.com.
Beere says he followed the LEED regulations to be sure his house will meet criteria for certification. The house will undergo a final test for energy efficiency before it can be LEED-certified, which he expects to happen by the end of October.
Energy Star appliances, which meet government standards for maximum energy efficiency, and low-flow water fixtures and toilets will help the house meet the requirements, Beere says.
Among other environmentally-friendly characteristics, the home is also insulated with recycled Arizona Republic newspapers and outfitted with a charging station for electrical cars, Beere says.
Beere used products from local companies as another way to maintain environmentally-friendly practices. "Part of being 'green' — the word gets thrown around a lot — is asking … 'Where [are the products] coming from?'" Beere says. "If they're coming from India, all the transportation effects go into it."
Beere's project has received nationwide media attention for its environmentally-friendly initiative, and people in the media and the public are calling him a pioneer for his work, he says.
"Everyone that's involved in this project is setting an example [with this house]," he says. "There were some comments that it would be impossible. There is definitely some satisfaction knowing that it's going to get done."
The house has drawn a handful of prospective buyers, but Beere says he plans on keeping the residence for himself. The house will be used as a model for people who want to remodel their homes to make them LEED-certifiable, Beere says.
Beere's home will also be featured in the National Solar Tour, which highlights "green," solar and sustainable buildings, on Oct. 20 and 21. The free, self-guided tour allows Valley residents to check out homes and public buildings and meet the people who live and work in them. A map of the buildings and more information can be found at azsolarcenter.com.
Beere's earth-friendly endeavors have just begun. He owns an environmentally-friendly carpet-cleaning business, Eco-Fresh, and he plans to remodel two or three more homes in the upcoming months.
"There are so many homes out there that have so much potential," he says. "It's just about bringing them back, and bringing them back better than a new home."
