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green innovators
GREEN BUSINESS : A SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION / JULY 2010
BY LINDSAY DOWNEY / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA LYLE
They’re saving water, preserving land and developing products and technologies that pave a bold new path toward sustainable living. This month, the area’s most environmentally responsible leaders shared with SRQ the green philosophies that drive their organizations, discussed why earth-friendly practices make smart business decisions and talked about the new ways they’re pushing sustainability projects and innovations forward. From green construction and home design to conservation outreach, these Sarasota-Manatee organizations have overcome immense challenges to define our area’s green revolution. They’ve dedicated themselves to environmental leadership as they define the future of sustainability—in our region and beyond.
Concrete Countertops, Etc.
Jake Brady, Owner
Concrete Countertops is making its mark in green living with architectural accents that add style and sustainability to any home. The company, founded by Jake Brady in 2008, uses finely crushed recycled glass—rather than quarried sand—to create its concrete surfaces. It incorporates the waste product from coal burning—which would otherwise be placed in a landfill—into its products, which are comprised of 98 percent recylced content. “We utilize a unique mix design that replaces 35 percent of the Portland cement with a post-industrial waste that makes the product stronger and more environmentally responsible,” says Brady, who attended the Concrete Countertop Institute in Raleigh, N.C. The results are gorgeous surfaces—available in an array of bright colors and textures—that are more durable and stain-resistant than any other concrete surface on the market.
But the company doesn’t stop its environmental efforts there Concrete Countertops, Etc. also sources many of its materials from local businesses to reduce transportant pollutants, save resources and support the local economy. The company uses wastewater from its polishing process in its mix design, helping to protect Florida's already fragile water supply. In the last few years, Concrete Countertops, Etc. has worked on several high-profile green projects, including providing concrete countertops for the country’s second LEED® Platinum residence as well as for the Florida Green Building Coalition’s highest-scoring house in Mission Valley in Nokomis. The company is currently working on a Net-Zero Emissions home with Josh Wynne Construction in Lakewood Ranch.
Ecotechnologies
Andrew Tanner, Co-Founder & President; Peter Laughlin, Co-Founder and CEO
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. In three words: people love it! Especially when they discover that we have the the ability to make their countertops or other custom concrete products with a 98 percent recycled content. That exceeds anything else available in the current marketplace.
But, as with all things that are “new,” there is an education that must take place to inform your potential clients. Sure, people have heard on TV, or in some clipping that they saw a year ago that concrete countertops are green. Do they know what makes them green? Usually not. I’m constantly encountering people who see sidewalks on top of their cabinetry when they try and envision the concrete tops. Or, the mindset is that because they contain such a high recycled content that they’ll be bland and dull, much like the recycled napkin or paper towel when compared with one that is not. All of the above—not true. The concrete tops that we produce can be as varied, vibrant and unique as the slabs of stone that have been mined from the earth for centuries or the petroleum-based resin products found at the big box stores. One of the most important factors that a lot of people overlook is the fact that our products are hand-produced locally with a good portion of the materials (recycled and non) being sourced from local businesses wherever and whenever possible. And rather than having been transported half way around the globe or from a factory elsewhere in our own country, our products are born right here. Keeping our dollars in our community is a vital part of a sustainable green economy.
EcoTechnologies has long been known as one of the largest installers of photovoltaic products in the state of Florida. Now, the company, founded by Peter Laughlin and Andrew Tanner, has expanded to out-of-state work as well and has grown its operations to 17 direct employees and 8 part time employees. Tanner and Laughlin—who serves as president of the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy—are at the forefront of the green revolution and are helping other leaders see the benefits of sustainable living. EcoTechnologies offers the best in green innovation through solar, water, insulation and air products for new homes and businesses and to retrofit existing structures. The company, offers free evaluations for homeowners and business owners. The company is currently installing energy-saving photovoltaic panels at 320-kilowatt the Hillsborough County Courthouse, Tax Collector’s Office and Community Center and has been chosen for a 650-kilowatt photovoltaic project in Orlando. In addition to offering the latest in photovoltaic technology, the company’s EcoWater division helps consumers save 35 to 40 percent on annual water bills through a three-pronged plan that filters water, recycles grey water and harvests rainwater. EcoSolar products offer solar water and pool heating, solar pool pumps and non-obtrusive photovoltaic panels for roofs. With products such as a natural, soy-based insulation—which improves indoor air quality, detracts pests, reduces fire risk and increases sound and wind resistance—EcoInsulate can help homes and businesses reduce their total energy consumption by 50 to 100 percent.
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. People are very educated and they are in a very conservation type of mode. They want to be able to improve the quality of their life and of the people who are close to them by conserving energy and conserving water. Education plays a major part in telling people that we need to protect the environment. Certainly, we are focused on reducing operating costs in people’s homes, places of business and we are about improving the building science, thereby improving the quality in the environment they are living in. We achieve this through energy conservation using several hot water systems, pool heating systems and photovoltaic systems. In addition as well, would be improving the insulation they have in their homes and their businesses by using a bio-base soy and cavity block fill tripolymer foam.
These systems will save 50-100 percent of the buildings electric power bill. “We began our commitment to Energy Conservation by installing Solar hot water from EcoSolar. The results were so good that we continued with the Soy spray foam insulation and removing our blown in insulation. Further results encouraged us to install a solar photovoltaic system. We have seen a steady decline in our power bills. We continued by having Eco install four (4) additional panels to power a solar pool pump. When Mr. Tanner advised me of new PV panels that were available at a lower cost, we installed twelve panels on our new addition. Our electric bill just keeps declining! We are thrilled with the results, as well as the professional efforts of all the people from EcoSolar , involved with our installation and follow-up.”—Michael Daniels & Diane Harrison, Parrish, FL
Gorman’s Bath Gallery
Jennifer Fontaine, Showroom Manager
Gorman’s Bath Gallery has served as Southwest Florida’s premiere destination for luxury plumbing products for more than 30 years. Now, the company offers the latest earth-friendly innovations as well. “The green trend has instilled a desire and the availability for people to conserve and cut back,” says Showroom Manager Jennifer Fontaine. “We here at Gorman’s Bath Gallery are happy to be able to provide you with products that have both cutting-edge technology and style to meet the growing demand of water conservation.” Beautiful showerheads and handshowers at Gorman’s are available in multi and single functions, offering not only a 35 percent water savings but also a large range
of spray coverage and experience options.
Green bath and kitchen faucets offer state-of-the-art savings and technology options, while High-Efficiency Toilets feature tremendous conservation techniques and an array of styles. The staff at Gorman’s—which offers everything from Maax whirlpool tubs and airbaths to Coyote Glass art glass sinks, Robern medicine cabinets and Bates and Bates’ decorative lavatory bowls in metal, china and stone—is happy to help customers choose the best sustainability options for their home. Gorman’s can help homeowners custom create modern, environmentally friendly retreats in their bathrooms and kitchens.
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. The green trend has become an increasingly popular movement in much of the world as people search for better ways to conserve and use less. Reducing water consumption is one of the key objectives and ways that people are altering their lifestyles for sustainability. Not only have many states mandated stricter building requirements in terms of usage and sustainability, but many manufacturers have recognized the need and desire of consumers to use less. Manufacturers have teamed up with WaterSense, an Environmental Protection Agency-sponsored program, to enhance the market for water-efficient products that not only conserve, but perform. By making the change to use water-efficient plumbing products, the average American can reduce their water use from 70 to 43 gallons per day—that’s 39,000 gallons of water savings over the course of a year for a family of four. There are three easy ways in which consumers are able to embrace conservation without reservation. Perhaps one of the easiest is the replacement of existing 2.5 gpm (gallon per minute) showerheads and handshowers with a more environmentally friendly 1.75 gpm one. Another way in which consumers are able to reduce their daily water usage is by choosing faucets with 1.5 gpm water saving aerators. These faucets, in both the kitchen and bath, provide a savings of up 45 percent, or more than 14,700 gallons of water per year. Installing High-Efficiency Toilets (HET) has the most impact on water conservation. HET toilets use 1.28 gpf (gallons per flush) versus the standard 1.6 gpf. They are available in several different designs, allowing one to functionally conserve without compromising style and performance. By using these types of toilets in a home, a household of four can expect to save up to 16,500 gallons of water per fixture annually.
Josh Wynne Construction, Inc.
Josh Wynne, Owner
At Josh Wynne Construction, quality is the essence of sustainable building. Josh Wynne started his company in 1998 as a carpentry contractor and by 2000, the company had evolved to include remodels, additions, light commercial and new construction homes. As the firm grew, the Sarasota general contractor didn’t lose sight of his vision to construct long-lasting, durable homes and incorporate green philosophies into each project, including building Energy Star homes. The work has paid off, earning the company statewide attention this year for several of its projects. The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council named the company’s Codding Cottage Outstanding Project of the Year for 2010. With an FBGC score of 267, The Cottage, located on Laurel Street in Sarasota, is Florida’s highest-scoring LEED® with 110 for the Platinum home and is the highest-scoring home ever certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition. The innovative structure is certified by Energy Star, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Landscape, Florida Power and Light BuildSmart and is certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. With a total of three homes on the list—including the gorgeous Mission Valley Estates project, which received a score of 242—Josh Wynne Construction is the only builder in the state with more than one home in FGBC’s top 10.
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. While building “green” houses may be a trend, building quality houses is not. First and foremost, I build quality homes. It is my opinion that a quality home is one that is efficient, durable, attractive and responsible. “Green,” as a trend, has brought my business new opportunity. All of the new interest in living healthier and more responsibly has encouraged manufacturers to offer better, healthier and more efficient products. Better products make for better homes. Also, programs such as LEED® for Homes, Energy Star and Florida Green Building Coalition are now popular because of the green trend. These programs have given me the platform to compare my homes with the homes of other builders. It is great for homebuyers to see how their home stacks up against other homes. The “green” trend has also brought some challenges. Businesses trying to capitalize on the trend have often created unrealistic expectations or have not substantiated performance claims. Naturally, this leaves consumers feeling duped and skeptical. For this reason, I am an advocate of the third party certification process. All of my new homes are independently certified. Long before this latest trend, Americans were making sustainable and healthy choices when those choices were available. Consider the advancements in light bulbs, toilets, faucets, insulation and construction techniques over the last 20 years. It didn’t take a trend for society to understand the need for healthier alternatives to things such as lead paint and asbestos. My business is built on the same principles that have always motivated people to change for the better. As the novelty fades, only results will be left. Quality design that addresses our local environment, durability, health, native landscapes, energy and water efficiency and good business practice are ideals—not trends—no matter how “green” they might be. I will be here, building great houses, even when green is just a color again.
Kirk-Pinkerton, P.A.
Casey Colburn, Attorney/Shareholder, LEED AP; William Robertson, Civil Trial Attorney/Shareholder
Casey Colburn championed sustainable thinking decades before green practices entered the main stream. As a law student at the University of Pittsburgh, he studied environmental issues and regularly argued with his law school professors about the importance of sustainability in the business world. As a land use and environmental attorney and shareholder at Kirk-Pinkerton, P.A., Colburn advocates the importance of the triple bottom line: People, Planet and Profit. Sustainability pays off for employees as well as the environment and makes smart economic sense. “For example, if a company has good daylighting and uses no-VOCs or urea formaldehyde in its office space build-out, studies show that the firm will tend to have a healthier workforce that will miss less work and be more productive. If the company installs more efficient lighting products or equipment, they’ll spend less money on electricity to produce their goods or services,” Colburn says. “In either circumstance, by using green products that perform, the second group can do its job better by improving its profit margins. When it comes to commercial real estate, Colburn notes that LEED® certified buildings command a more than 10 percent rent premium and are more occupied than uncertified structures. “In some cases, the rent premiums can make up for the increased up-front cost of building-out certified space,” he says. “In other cases, the landlord will make up the higher construction costs over the long haul, by reduced operating and maintenance costs.”
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. Because I am in the service business, I need to add value to my clients’ business and experience. Right now, my law partner, civil trial attorney William Robertson, and I are helping clients prepare for and respond to unprecedented business concerns arising from the gulf oil spill. When advising green businesses, I focus on improving the company’s triple bottom line: People, Planet and Profit. Traditionally, only the last “P” mattered to shareholders. I distinctly recall spirited discussions with my law school professors about why the first two “P’s” should count for something when it comes to corporations. Of course, law professors don’t “lose” debates with students, but I feel a certain sense of vindication now that many large corporations appear to have embraced sustainability. Now, simply being labeled “green” is not being sustainable. An unsustainable business is not difficult to identify. It is one that is or becomes overly burdensome to either society (which will reject it like an exploding Ford Pinto), the planet (which will cause people to reject it like CFC refrigerants), or one that is simply unprofitable (which will cause shareholders to revolt or unpaid lenders to foreclose). On the other hand, a sustainable business’s products and operations improve the lives of those with whom it interacts, without destroying the environment in which they live in and enjoy, and it returns a profit for its shareholders. Sustainability recognizes that business interests and the interests of society intersect in an environment that is larger than the point of sale. Today, the totality of the consumer’s experience constitutes the marketplace. The events surrounding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico form an ominous backdrop, a reminder to our marketplace of the risk of its dependence upon energy derived from fossil fuels. Sometimes green marketplaces flop because they covet perfection, which can be the enemy of the greener good. Capital investment flows to a path of least resistance and risk. Green marketplaces that embrace and encourage the broadest range of green investment, big or small, will achieve sustainability goals faster than those which hold out for something perfect.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Jim Michaels and Karl Kokomoor, Program directors
When the Deepwater Horizon oil spill threatened the Gulf of Mexico this spring, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium launched into action. Mote scientists mobilized and created action plans they could implement if our wildlife and shores are affected. Mote leaders began working tirelessly with government agencies as part of a regional response and continuously updated the public about the situation. It’s all part of the environmental stewardship Mote has employed since its founding 55 years ago. One of the world’s few remaining private research facilities, Mote hosts numerous community events to educate the public about our oceans and marine life and serves nearly 400,000 visitors each year at its public aquarium. At its innovative aquaculture farm, Mote has partnered with DMK Associates Inc. to educate business and environmental leaders about sound aquaculture practices and how to create their own eco-friendly farms. “One of DMK’s core principles is a commitment to designs that promote sustainable growth for future generations,” says Karl Kokomoor, president and CEO of DMK. “With the development of these plans, we are enabling others to successfully implement a highly functional and sustainable farming operation.” And Mote’s aquaculture facility is proving environmentally responsible operations are smart economic decisions as well. “In aquaculture, being green also makes sense from a purely business standpoint,” says Jim Michaels, manager of the sturgeon program. “The marketplace is becoming more environmentally conscious and consumers are looking for greener alternatives.”
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has been concerned about the environment since the organization’s creation in 1955. Even though its mission is purely blue—as in, all about ocean research, conservation and education—we could just as easily call Mote one of Sarasota’s most green groups for its longstanding efforts to study our marine environment and help teach the public more about it. Being green is also at the heart of Mote Aquaculture Research Park, a fully modern, 200-acre farm in eastern Sarasota County where Mote is growing Siberian sturgeon and caviar for human consumption and growing snook and redfish to enhance wild fish in the ocean. What’s so green about this farm? Mainly its focus on reducing the water and energy needed to grow fish and the idea that farming fish for food reduces our reliance on depleted wild stocks. Traditional aquaculture facilities typically pump water through their systems and then quickly discharge it—a process that uses the “new” water only for about five to seven minutes. Mote’s sturgeon production facilities typically use the same water for five to seven days. And even when the water to grow these fish needs to be “replaced,” it goes to a pond where wetlands plants are being grown for restoration projects. The plants also help purify the water. Additionally, water pump systems were designed to minimize power use and buildings were constructed to maximize natural air flow for cooling. Through a business alliance with DMK Associates Inc., a multi-disciplined consulting engineering firm, Mote is also making these green technologies available to other entrepreneurs. DMK has developed the technical plans and specifications necessary to replicate the existing sturgeon farming facility.
Neal Communities
Pat Neal, Owner and President
For more than 40 years, Neal Communities has dedicated itself to building many of Southwest Florida’s most recognized environmentally sensitive communities and homes. Leading by example through design integrity and commitment, Neal Communities adheres to a long-standing philosophy that responsible development is about balance. It purposefully creates communities that are intermingled with lush landscaping, wetlands and uplands, nature preserves and wildlife areas, all of which contribute to sustainable growth initiatives for the future. Additional eco-friendly programs include installing water and energy conservation systems, building wildlife corridors, creating water estuaries and restoring wetlands. Company owner and President Pat Neal and his team—which includes several members of the Neal family—research the newest green building practices and look for ways to incorporate them into their state-of-the-art, contemporary living homes that come at a variety of price points. As testimony to Neal Communities’ commitment in these areas, the company has won 41 Aurora awards for design and architectural elegance, hundreds of Parade of Homes Awards, five “Best in American Living” awards and numerous local and regional accolades. This year, the company also launched three new companies, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, as well Neal Signature Homes and John Neal Homes, all of which help fill voids in the semi-custom home and building services markets and further its reputation as a leading builder of sustainable homes and lifestyles.
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. For Neal Communities, our first priority starts with protecting and preserving the natural characteristics and planning our communities and homes around these features. Our signature “Saving the trees” initiative started at University Park Country Club in the early 1980s, when we implemented the policy of allowing the trees to create the backdrop for our communities. We developed an honor and reward system with contractors that compensates them for saving trees and penalizes them for ones that are needlessly cut down.
Complementing this program is an ongoing commitment to protect wildlife habitats that help minimize impact. We also integrate wildlife signage into every Neal Communities neighborhood. We work very hard to preserve natural water resources, including lakes and ponds that create safe and natural environments for birds and other wildlife, restore wetlands and create storm water reuse systems for landscaping.
Once building begins, we take great care to keep our sites clean and free of debris. In the actual home planning process, we build energy-efficient homes that also serve the lifestyle needs of each homeowner. Our current home building philosophy focuses on maximizing space and energy usage and focusing on interior features that meet the needs and budgets of first-time buyers or those looking for more custom features.
An example of the newest, green-certified Neal Communities neighborhood is Central Park in Lakewood Ranch, which opens in mid-July. Close-to-home access to stores, schools, medical facilities and recreation areas means less travel time and gas consumption and new home designs offer the latest in design efficiencies that allow families to maximize living area space and minimize energy usage.
Omega Office Systems
Kevin Logan, President
For sustainable green initiatives while realizing a significant cost savings, companies across Southwest Florida are turning to Omega Office Systems. Since its founding in 2000, this Sarasota company has helped businesses take major steps toward environmental responsibility with strategic green plans that preserve natural resources and offer clear savings at the same time. Locally owned and operated, Omega offers top-of-the-line printers, scanners, copiers and fax systems. The company has grown its business by providing excellent products while maintaining the highest levels of customer service available in Sothwest Florida. The following quotes are from current Omega customers:
“Omega Office Systems Managed Print Services has been an invaluable tool for our company. The hard savings has run into the tens of thousands of dollars and continues to climb.”—Tim Boozan, Florida Cancer Specialists, Director of Information Technology, Director of Operations Region II
“We are saving money because we no longer have to purchase toners or pay for service calls on the printers. The printers are faster
than the previous HP printers that we used in the office and can handle larger print jobs. They seldom quit working but if we do
have an issue with any of the Kyocera printers service response time is great!”—Linda Jones, Administrator, Dickinson & Gibbons, PA, Sarasota
“Prior to using Omega’s Managed Print Service, we were experiencing a variety of problems. We now have a network of copiers and printers adequate for the tasks needed at their locations, fast quality service and maintenance, informative reporting, minimal need to stock and inventory toner and a partner we can rely on for these needs.”—Jim Hadnagy, Director of Accounting, Center for Sight, PL
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. Toner cartridge and after-market drums are one of the biggest post-consumer waste products generated in corporations today. Omega has helped more than 400 organizations create a defined program where sustainable green initiatives are implemented. We think most companies would like to do things that are “green,” however, in today’s economy, executives are also concerned about the company’s bottom line. Omega helps corporations of virtually any size attain their goals of being green and at the same time boost profits by reducing their printing budgets. This win-win for businesses is what has helped us grow our company by more than 30 percent during 2008 and 2009. Omega’s Managed Print Services (MPS) program has been successful because it provides quantifiable ecological benefits by taking advantage of recycling toner cartridges, and by using technology that produces less post-consumer waste. Not only does this help the environment by saving the landfills from toxic toner cartridges and drums, but it often results in a 30 percent cost reduction over existing expenditures for our clients. Omega is an authorized Kyocera copier and printer dealer and the only Kyocera dealer in Southwest Florida that has received the designation of “Certified Kyocera MPS Dealer.” Kyocera printers use a proprietary material produced by Kyocera that has the longest life cycle of any other printer drum on the market that produces crisp and clear prints with less post-consumer waste, at a fraction of the cost of other brand printers. This, along with premium recycled Hewlett Packard, Lexmark and Brother toner cartridges, makes Omega the best partner to turn to when looking for green initiatives for your business.
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast
Albert Joerger, President and Founder
In 2003, a group of citizens concerned about conservation on the Gulf Coast came together to begin a land trust. They united to form a community around conservation. In that collaborative spirit, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast was born as a membership organization with a board of trustees and some very committed volunteers. The founders established ambitious goals and never looked back: conserve land for future generations, provide public water access, provide educational programming to help people understand their impact on their watershed and waterfront lands and appreciate their natural surroundings, collaborate with individuals and organizations to connect people with the environment, improve wildlife habitat, manage invasive plants and reintroduce Florida native species, help land owners understand their options for donating and selling land and easements and create public amenities for recreation.
What major green trend do you see being important in the future? Protecting land—it’s good for the environment, water quality, recreation and the economy. Protecting land protects water resources. On the Gulf Coast, water is a powerful force in our lives and it makes this a cherished destination and home for many. Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast works with landowners, businesses and government to protect the beauty and natural integrity of the bays, beaches and the land we live on that make the Gulf Coast extraordinary. While land conservation can be initiated by citizen groups and not-for-profit organizations, large tracts are often purchased by government agencies. Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast serves as the land acquisition agent for Sarasota County’s acclaimed Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program and Neighborhood Parkland Program. Theresa Connor, who is the guiding force for Sarasota County’s Environmental Services says, “By working together with the community, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, we are getting closer to our goal of preserving more than 100,000 acres of natural land in Sarasota County while providing opportunities for eco-tourism and nature education that will benefit everyone for generations.” Together with partners like Sarasota County, the Foundation has protected 18 properties. By conserving waterfront and watershed land, we can ensure that another generation will grow up with a connection to the water that they will carry in their hearts and pass down to their children.
Thanks to members and generous donors, a vision of an emerald necklace of pocket parks and protected lands on the water is becoming a reality. The Foundation now protects Michael Biehl Park at Venice Island, Pine Island Preserve at Matlacha Pass, Bay Preserve at Osprey, Mercy on the Manatee River, and conservation areas on Pine Island, Manasota Key, Casey Key and Siesta Key. Foundation offices are located at Bay Preserve at Osprey, a 4.3-acre public park on Little Sarasota Bay. Visitors enjoy the interpretive nature trail, wildlife observation platform, performance pavilion, museum for the environment and up to 100 youth rowers daily. Properties protected by the Conservation Foundation help to educate Florida residents and tourists about the natural ecology of our region. Programs range from turtle walks and talks and stargazing to training participants for the Sarasota County Seagrass Survey. Activities like kayaking to Palmer Point Park and horseback riding on a private ranch invite members to explore the outdoors. This growing foundation is supported by dedicated group of members and volunteers.
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc.
Rex Jensen, President and CEO
Lakewood Ranch residents relish a life inspired by nature. The 8,500-acre community, which spans both Sarasota and Manatee counties and is part of historical Schroeder-Manatee Ranch (SMR), uses only indigenous trees and plants, reclaims and recycles all water used for irrigation and is careful not to disrupt animal habitats. When it was built in 1994, Lakewood Ranch left more than 3,500 acres within the community untouched for geological preservation. And developments within Lakewood Ranch have carried on the tradition of environmental responsibility. Minto Communities, which is new to Lakewood Ranch this year, is building all of its houses in the Hazeltine section of Country Club East to LEED® certification. Marc Rutenberg will soon begin plans for a Zero Energy Home in The Lake Club. Willis A. Smith Construction has asserted itself as a leader in green construction with projects such as its 18,000-square-foot headquarters in Lakewood Ranch and SMR’s corporate office. And if that wasn’t enough, Lakewood Ranch residents are teaming up with SMR on the LWR SmartFarm Project, which will exemplify sustainable food production, education, community involvement and a commitment to green living. SMR is building more than 5,000 new housing units in its new Sarasota County project the Villages of Lakewood Ranch, a state-of-the-art community that will boast a number of sustainable initiatives.
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. Our commitment to green living in Lakewood Ranch grows out of our century-long role as stewards of this wonderful property. As part of the 31,000-acre Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, green building practices are a tradition, and all of Lakewood Ranch reflects our profound commitment to preserving the environment. As we make our residential entrance into Sarasota County with the Villages of Lakewood Ranch, we plan to preserve more than 70 percent of the open space on the property, bringing a new dimension to the phrase “living with nature.” Our residents will tell you they are just as likely to run into a sand hill crane, deer or otter as they are to run into a neighbor. Designated as a “Green Community” in 2004 by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), every new home built in Lakewood Ranch since 2005 has been FGBC-certified and many of our buildings exceed those requirements. We feel it’s important to set the standard as the developer, and we are proud when our builders, residents and business owners go beyond our expectations and take their own initiative to break new ground when it comes to being green. At Lakewood Ranch, being green is more than just a slogan—it’s a way of life.
Tropex
Charlie Lenger, Owner and General Manager; Shane Christophel, Operations; Robert Gadam, Senior Design Consultant
Since 1981, Tropex Plant Leasing has been creating award-winning interior landscape designs for hotels, resorts, country clubs, offices and luxury residences from Tampa to Miami and beyond. Promoting nature within their interiors helps companies achieve LEED® certification through the U.S. Green Building Council and strengthens the biophilic connection—a term coined by Erich Fromm to describe a psychological orientation of being attracted to all that is alive and vital. “Social ecologist Stephen Kellert wrote that people learn better, work more comfortably and recuperate more successfully in buildings that echo the environment in which the human species evolved,” says Suzanne Teicher, marketing and event manager for Tropex. “Research argues that human beings need to feel connected to the natural environment in order to enjoy a sense of psychological, physical and social well being.” Plants filter Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), uptake carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release fresh oxygen into the atmosphere—all of which support the environment, Teicher says. Tropex’s professional design consultants offer complimentary consultations to help you plan appropriate plant life for your interior and expert staff members provide installation and regular maintenance. “Stress-free employees, patients and customers will help you see green with enhanced attitudes and more sales,” Teicher says.
What are the major green trends you’re seeing in terms of plant usage and design right now? Depending on how old you are, you may recall the "bromeliad tree" of the 1930s, the terrarium craze of the 1960s and the macramé plant hangers of the 1970s. Architects designed elegant high-rise buildings with atriums and built-in planters. While trends for bringing the outdoors inside change, the fact remains that people love plants! Today more than ever, plants are prized not only for their outer beauty, but also for proven health and environmental benefits. Most recently, Tropex has turned green roofs of the 1990s on their sides to offer the next big thing: green living walls. Interiorscaping goes vertical. An array of air-purifying plants is set in a customized design from small decorative planters to full walls. This unique display conserves space while improving air quality, insulating sound, lifting moods, increasing productivity and providing a striking art feature. Tropex recently installed its first living wall for The Mosaic Company in Bartow. Our patent-pending design is a complete, stand-alone system with flexibility for any vision and site situation. Green living walls have garnered lots of interest among designers and architects who are reaching out to us for more information. Another trend is that commercial office buildings are responding to the “green movement” by seeking U.S. Green Building Council LEED® certification under one of several categories. While new construction has all the advantages of starting from scratch, existing buildings can be rewarded for their efforts to incorporate sustainable design elements and practices. Green living walls are part of that solution. Within the current LEED® section titled “Innovation in Design,” it is possible for plants to be part of a specially developed use that helps buildings earn points.
Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc.
David Sessions, LEED AP, president
Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. has demonstrated its commitment to the environment since 1972, when it began building some of Southwest Florida’s most sustainable structures. The builder’s dedication to green practices has only increased over the years and the company is now experimenting with some of the most innovative sustainable practices in the industry. When Willis A. Smith moved into its LEED® Gold certified headquarters in Lakewood Ranch last year, it predicted tremendous environmental and cost benefits. But even company officials were stunned to discover the savings over the past year exceeded all expectations. Now, the builder renowned for its work on schools, museums, health care facilities and performing arts halls is able to offer clients more comprehensive knowledge on green construction methods and their benefits. Willis A. Smith—which Southeast Construction magazine named one of the top 50 green builders in the region last year—was recently recognized for its work on a Sarasota Opera House renovation and is constructing a sustainable campus for The Wellness Community in downtown Sarasota.
Describe the green trend as it pertains to your business. A majority of our clients are interested in the long-term cost saving benefits of sustainable construction. They are looking to reduce their overhead costs on water and power bills, occupy a healthier building and lessen their impact on our environment. Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. has already “walked the walk” by constructing our own LEED® Gold certified 18,000-square-foot headquarters in Lakewood Ranch. We have demonstrated to our clients that eco-friendly structures are essential if we are to save energy, water and keep the occupants of these buildings healthier and more productive. We continue to learn about the salient effects of our sustainable building, like the substantial water and energy savings. After more than a year of occupying our facility, many of our “test tube” experiments are yielding positive results. First and foremost are the cost savings we have experienced from our water harvesting cistern. In our initial LEED® template, we estimated our potable water savings would be 72 percent, thus reducing our potable water consumption from 66,000 gallons per year to 18,000 gallons. Our findings indicated we saved a lot more than originally planned, only using 9,378 gallons, thus making our water savings 85.8 percent. In relation to our energy savings, these findings have also pleasantly surprised us. We purposely utilized many energy saving materials in the construction of our headquarters, including low e-glass, insulated concrete forms (ICF) block, high efficiency air conditioning units with an A/C zone protocol and automatic light sensors. Ostensibly, these items were projected to save approximately 26 percent on energy bills. When we added our solar energy panels in May, we estimated these photovoltaic cells would provide an additional 13.5 percent savings on our energy usage, making the total savings 40 percent. After nearly 17 months of occupancy, we determined that we are really saving closer to 60 percent on power bills, which equates to an annual savings of approximately $15,000. “The ‘test tube’ is paying off,” explains David Sessions, president of Willis A. Smith. “We constantly challenge ourselves on the best practices for constructing high performance, environmentally improved buildings. And in turn, we can advise our clients—very accurately—on the cost savings and benefits they can expect from utilizing sustainable construction for their own projects.”
Yoder Homes and Remodeling
Denny Yoder, President
Specializing in residential and commercial condo renovations, room additions and home repairs, Yoder Homes and Remodeling has satisfied countless clients with its sleek designs and reliable, environmentally responsible work. After earning his degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona and serving as president of Delagrange Homes in Indiana, Denny Yoder moved to Southwest Florida in 2005. He marveled at the beautiful condos on Lido and Longboat Key but was surprised to discover many of them were 20 or 30 years old and hadn’t ever been remodeled or upgraded. The Fort Wayne, Ind. native founded Yoder Homes and Remodeling and quickly got to work renovating area kitchens and bathrooms. His work grew in scope to include such projects as remodeling of the 5,000-square-foot Sarasota Ritz-Carlton Penthouse. Today, Yoder Homes is a well-established and trusted local firm that has expanded its renovation services to include custom kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry and custom built-ins. The firm, which includes Project Managers Shawn Johnson and Scott Gromen, recently remodeled the old Sarasota News and Books location with a chic new look for Apple retailer and high-tech media café Media on Main. No matter the design challenge—whether it’s a small condo in need of more open space or a kitchen begging for creativity and a more modern feel—Yoder Homes is there to help. In just five years, the company’s commitment to sustainable, quality work has helped it grow from approximately $250,000 in sales in 2005 to more than $2 million.
How are people living more green today than they used to? Living on the sunny Gulf Coast, where nature is such an integral part of our community, residents are much more interested in the usage of green products than in other parts of the country. In the past, the construction industry drove the introduction of most new technologies. Today, it is not uncommon to be introduced to new products by our customers. Consumers are easily able to do their own research and gain a comfort level in the reliability of these products and are anxious to use them. Ten years ago customers were more hesitant because of the unknown. For example, when "finger joint" (recycled pieces adhered together rather than one continuous length) studs first came on the market, customers rejected them, thinking the contractor was trying to cut corners. In reality, the studs cost more, but had less tendency to bow and made better usage of our resources. They eventually gained acceptance and today are considered to be the norm. Current innovations that are becoming more commonplace are LED lighting, countertops using recycled products such as glass (IceStone) and tankless water heaters. Younger generations are more accepting and are helping to bring these changes to fruition because they are exposed to green concepts at an early age. Today consumers are much more conscious of green product availability and importance because of the access and availability to information via the Internet.
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