4th Annual Green Home Bike Tour - May 18th, 2013

The bike tour has been canceled due to the rain and possibility of thunderstorms.We will reschedule for another date.

Tour De Green

On Saturday May 18th, take a bicycle tour of Asheville neighborhoods and visit 5 properties that feature green building and enegy conservation construction methods. Cutting edge properties built by JAG Construction, Koerber Construction and Surefoot Builders will be featured along with the Gain and Clingman Loft Developments.

The tour will also provide information on energy efficiency upgrades and methods that can be applied to existing homes. Green Building professionals will be available at select properties to answer questions and an experienced cyclist will be your guide and provide information on current and developing infrastructure improvements taking place in core areas of the city.

The tour will originate at Beer City Bicycles, conveniently located in the heart of Downtown at 144 Biltmore Ave. A moderate fitness level is suggested and helmets are required.

Meet at Beer City Bicycles at noon and the ride will begin at 12:15. Parking is available to the right of the building.

The tour is free and food and refreshments will be provided at the end of the tour. To register for the event, contact Justin Mitchell with the number of participants in your party at justin@justinasheville.com or 828.713.9400.

Tour De Green is proud to be a part of Strive Not To Drive week taking place in Asheville May 12th-18th. To learn more about the events or to take the pledge visit the Strive Not to Drive website. www.strivenottodrive.org or check them out on Facebook .

Sponsored by Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, Pisgah Brewing Company and Doc Cheys

Bicycles, Green Homes and a perfect spring day in Asheville!

I grew up with a love of bicycles. Now at 36 years of age I understand that they are an inseparable part of my life and lifestyle. When I was young it was more about the thrill of exploration and catching air on my backyard bmx track. While those two aspects are still a part of my love for bicycles my understanding of the power and possibility of the bicycle evolved while living without a car in my college days.


During my first years of college I relied on my bike to take me everywhere I needed to go while studying environmental science. Several of my classes closely examined the true cost to a society built around a dependence on the automobile and it was during this time that I strived to one day make a difference in some way. After graduation I learned that Real Estate is not the best career choice for someone who would prefer to be on two wheels however over the past 8 years of my 11 year real estate career I have begun to understand the effect my knowledge of and passion can have.

Mahatma Gandhi eloquently said "Be the change you want to see in the world." This quote has always been a favorite of mine and one that I have tried to live by. Considering that our buildings and transportation consume the major percentage of our energy usage it only made sense to organize the 2nd Annual Green Building Bike Tour. It is with this perspective and my life experience that I am fortunate to apply my passion to my career choice and attempt to make a difference even if it is only a small one. And by organizing events such as the bike tour that I am able to meet so many great people who share my vision for what is possible.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the Strive Not to Drive Campaign last week in Asheville and certainly thank all those who participated in the Green Home Bike Tour. We can make a difference and I am very pleased to announce the bike tour alone raised $300 dollars for Asheville’s primary advocacy group for multimodal transportation, Asheville on Bikes. I also want to thank, Mosaic Realty and Mike Figura for all he has done to improve and address green building options for Ashevillians, Biowheels for their commitment to green building and alternative transportation, Green Builders Anthony Brenner with Push Design and JAG Construction owner Jody Guokas who not only built homes featured on the tour but participated in the entire bike ride as well.

It is with the help of these individuals, business owners, participants and organizers of Strive Not to Drive week and bike tour that change happens. Enjoy some photos of this year’s tour and thanks again to everyone who was involved! Justin

Healthy Built Homes and Healthy Transportation

James and Amanda Boren provided cyclist a great start to the tour at our first stop on Waynesville Road.

47 Waynesville Road makes a very small footprint on the Asheville area.

Bikes in yard. What a wonderful site.

Going green doesn't require a new home. Mike Figura covering an energy audit of an older home.

Push Designs latest project in West Asheville. First home built in Asheville using no toxic materials.

Push Design founder Anthony Brenner in front of the hemp wall and discussing the green aspects of the home.

Getting ready to roll.

Green Homes in Davenport Park in West Asheville.

JAG Construction owner and tour participant Jody Goukas talking about Davenport Park's Green features.

Participants gathering at the Gaia Development.

Mosaic Realty owner and Gaia founder Mike Figura talking about the conservation efforts implemented into the Gaia Development.

Community Garden in the works at Gaia.

Community garden and common area at the Hudson Street Cottages in West Asheville.

I look forward to the next Green Home Bike Tour and hope to meet more wonderful people who share my vision.

All the best,

Justin 

What does it mean to build Green?

With all the talk about green building in the news I hear this question frequently. Frankly there is no simple answer when I am asked "what is green building"? To some it means building with all natural materials and others it involves complex systems and using the latest in modern technology. Simply put "Green Building" means something different to people within the same industry.

For some a green home is one that uses primarily recycled or natural materials in the design and building process. There are many types of practices and materials used in this type of green building philosophy and often the methods / materials used are dependant on the region's climate and local resources where the construction is taking place. These homes may be as ecoconscious as an Earthship or Strawbale home or as simple as reusing shipping containers to create efficient living spaces. Natural building has been practiced for generations (think adobe huts) and has been proven by the test of time. While this style may not be for everyone it is undeniable that these structures in many cases will survive well beyond many of our modern structures. As for shipping container homes or upcycling modern materials (tires, glass, etc) I believe we are on the cusp of trend that will gain momentum as we learn to work with less and make use of what we have already created. One man's trash, as they say..

In other circles the Green Building movement refers to incorporating the latest technology available to create a space that can now be powered by the sun, wind or water for all your energy needs. These homes may feature technologies that provide higher indoor air quality, feature building materials that are nontoxic, can withstand many lifetimes of wear and tear and yet are easy to produce and harvest. The most basic principle in this type of construction places great importance on building a tight building envelop to conserve energy and testing the major systems of the home to address energy loss. New certification processes and building practices are being integrated into our traditional construction methods insuring that a consumer is purchasing a home with improved qualities that can be measured. While these new technological systems are designed to reduce both input and output one can not ignore the considerable embodied energy in making the products designed to reduce energy consumption in the long run. Modular homes are growing far more common and acceptable to consumers as the benefits of building in a controlled environment are realized. Construction waste can be minimised and quality standards stay uniform resulting in a much greener dwelling. While technological advancements and new construction methods tends to be the type of green building getting the most headlines it is important to consider yet another side of green building.

What is greener than using what's already been built many ask? You can "green" an existing home and improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality and incorporate many of the same systems available to new construction. There are many green benefits of rehabbing an existing structure. In purchasing an existing property the user is not disturbing a new building site for access and construction and less materials are used in a rehab verses building from ground up greatly reducing the embodied energy required. A green rehab might involve gutting a home to the studs and replacing all the major systems and incorporating new technology in the process. However, for most people this process can be as simple as making the decision to purchase low flow fixtures, LED lighting, Energy Star appliances, etc. when replacing items in your home. Or green your home by winterizing your building envelop with can of spray foam or a local company that specializes in energy conservation.

As you see, the term Green Building means different things to different people. Consumers today are certainly paying more attention to energy conservation to both lesson their impact and reduce their spending. As a Realtor with ten years experience it is clear that people want to purchase homes that suite their lifestyle, offer a feeling of security and comfort but in the end it comes down to affordability and economics. As heartwarming as the environmental benefits of Green Building are it has been documented that the primary motivation for people to purchase a green home is due to the potential economic savings. Buying green saves you green if you will and in most cases people adapt their view of Green Building to what is available to them.

So what does it mean to build green? To me it means raising expectations and making educated decisions throughout the entire process of home construction to create a home that suites your lifestyle and budget while lessening your impact on your health and the world outside of your living space.

Go green, whatever that means to you.

Justin Mitchell

Ecohouse / Dwell Realty