Sustainable Construction
As a contractor focusing on complex construction, Nordby is an industry leader in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Build It Green concepts and processes, and knowledgeable practitioners of green building practices.
There are many different definitions of “Green Building” and “Sustainable Construction” in our industry today. Nordby defines these terms as follows:
“Green Building," The practice of increasing the efficiency with which a building uses resources—energy, water, and materials—while reducing the impact on human health and the environment, and providing long-term cost benefits during the lifecycle of the building.
“Sustainable Construction,” The commitment to use less resources, based on green building practices, in an effort to allow future generations to meet their needs.
501 Main, Sebastopol, CA achieved “Gold” status for City of Sebastopol’s Green Building Program.
Green Begins at Home
Nordby, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and Build It Green, embraces the sustainable concept not only at the jobsite, but in our offices as well. Examples of practices in place or in progress are:
- Conducted an in-house fleet analysis to determine which vehicles provide the best balance of GHG emissions, fuel consumption, and capital and operating costs.
- Purchased five new hybrid vehicles for company use
- Enforced office recycle practices including old blueprints, electronic components, paper, business cards, batteries, and printer cartridges
- Created “home audit checklist” for all staff members to use
- Compiled rebate savings resources for home appliances and peripherals
- Purchased “Kill-A-Watt” electricity usage meters to assess appliance efficiency
- Conducts quarterly seminars with outside experts to educate Nordby staff about green and sustainability issues
- Researched document imaging for a paperless environment, including double-sided blueprints and all printed documents
- Distribute more project bid documents on CDs
- Implemented project “Green Review Design Charrette”
- Promote use of efax instead of paper waste
- Instituted jobsite recycling programs with goal of 95% job waste recycling
- Created an FTP site with the purpose of “paperless” bidding.
To implement the sustainable needs of the 501 Main project, Nordby installed solar photovoltaic systems for energy savings and efficiency.
Our Future Green Goals
- Establish quarterly newsletter including a “sustainability” section for distribution to clients and Nordby employees
- Schedule regular catered “organic” lunches to promote local organic farmers
- Work with office tenants to encourage recycling practices
- Research use of solar panel and wind-generated systems for home use with upfront costs and breakeven periods clearly defined
"Nordby works closely with our clients toward a common goal--to better our community, improve the lives of our employees and our clientele, and prepare for future generations. To that end, we are committed, personally and professionally, to environmentally sensitive practices, at the jobsite, in our offices, and in our homes.”
Del Nordby
President,
Nordby Construction