Latest News and Insight
Inspiration and Tips from Our Eco-Friendly Home Blog
What Happens During Pre-Construction for a Custom Home in Lake Oswego
The pre-construction phase of a custom home sets the foundation for everything that follows. Discover what happens between signing your...
5 Ventilation Decisions That Sabotage Net-Zero Homes in Portland
Building a net-zero home in Portland? Poor ventilation design can erase your thermal efficiency gains. Learn the five critical mistakes...
Design-Build vs. Traditional Bid: Which Path Fits Your Custom Home in Vancouver WA
Choosing between design-build and traditional bidding shapes every aspect of your custom home project. Understand how each delivery method handles...
Custom Home Building in Portland: What July Weather Means for Your Project
July's dry conditions create Portland's optimal construction window. Understanding how summer weather impacts custom home building timelines helps you schedule...
5 Ventilation Mistakes That Sabotage Healthier Custom Homes in Camas
Poor ventilation design quietly undermines indoor air quality in tight, high-performance homes. Discover the five critical errors Camas builders make...
Net-Zero Ready vs. Net-Zero Certified: Which Path Fits Your Lake Oswego Home
Lake Oswego homeowners face a critical decision: build net-zero ready or go fully certified? This guide breaks down the foundation...
June in Vancouver WA: Why Summer Starts Matter for Custom Builds
June marks the start of peak building season in the Pacific Northwest. If you're planning to build a custom home...
The 7-Step Roadmap to Building a Custom Home in Portland
Building a custom home in Portland doesn't have to feel like stepping into the unknown. Walk through the exact 7-step...
Why Technical Plan Review is the Unsung Hero of High-Performance Homes
Most homes look great but perform poorly. Discover how a technical plan review prevents costly build mistakes before they happen....
Is Your Home Making You Sick?
IntroductionWe often think of our health in terms of diet and exercise. We track our steps. We buy organic produce....
The Benefits of a High-Performance ADU
Need space for aging parents or adult kids? Discover the Marnella High-Performance ADU. Net-Zero, healthy, and private backyard cottages in...
How to Build Your Dream Home in Vancouver WA
Introduction We have all heard the horror stories. You are at a dinner party and the conversation turns to home...
Why Your Camas Custom Home Should Be Net-Zero
Introduction The wind is howling off the Columbia River. It strips the last of the autumn leaves from the trees...
How to Spot a Fake Green Builder
Don't be fooled by "eco-friendly" marketing labels. Learn how to spot a true high-performance home builder in Vancouver & Portland....
Final Performance Testing for Healthy Homes
Without Final Performance Testing: Fear: “What if the home doesn’t perform as promised?” Concern: Without testing, you’ll never know until...
Why Third-Party Home Inspections Matter
Without Independent Verification: Fear: “Am I just taking the builder’s word for it?” Concern: Most builders self-certify or only meet...
7 Verifications Every High-Performance Home Needs
“Green” has become the kale smoothie of the building industry—everybody says they’re doing it, but you never quite know what’s...
Efficient HVAC and Plumbing Design Benefits
“Will I be wasting energy and water every single day?” It’s a valid fear. One that crosses the mind of...
Why Technical Plan Review is the Unsung Hero of High- Performance Homes
Imagine investing in your dream home—only to discover later that it looks stunning but performs… well, like a Hollywood set:...
7 Checks for a Healthy High-Performance Home
"Green" has become the kale smoothie of the building industry—everybody says they’re doing it, but you never quite know what’s...