“I’m told code officials loved it because they knew the owner of the company was determined to do things the right way,” Kraus says. “But it really was a case of a company growing out of a lot of on-the-spot learning of how to do things, and from there we’ve grown to a company of 11 people that does everything from new construction to simply helping people select a color scheme for their home.”
Kraus, whose own design aesthetic is rooted in the juxtaposition of traditional forms and modern elements, says that for him, designing green is both a practical matter and an ethical one.
“It’s a way for my conscience to be comfortable with the fact that someone is going to live in this home when I’m done with it,” he says. “I don’t want to put that person in a home and have it filled with chemicals or be susceptible to mold. I want whatever we’re doing for the client whether it is a room or an entire house to be as healthy an environment for them as possible.
“As a result, I always use low-or no-VOC Benjamin Moore paint, water-based finishes, and formaldehyde-free cabinetry, and I also try to source FSC-certified wood products, so that we know the wood is grown properly” Kraus continues.
“At the same time, we try whenever possible to use products that contain recycled content, so that we are not using virgin material and so that in the unlikely event somebody would want to remodel one of our projects, we capture that kind of cradle-to-cradle aspect as well,” he adds.
Brand-wise, Kraus says every project is different, and the team consistently tries to introduce new products and techniques into its residential work.
“Of course, everybody has certain things they go back to. After all, a cabinet is a cabinet, and a countertop is a countertop. But I’d say when it comes to our overall approach to tackling a project, the first thing we try to do is make sure our stuff is sourced locally, that the products come, at the very least from within a 500-mile radius,” he says.
“That can be difficult sometimes for instance, in the case of plumbing fixtures but generally speaking, we do pretty well at that,” Kraus adds.
The original, mostly unfinished attic space was transformed into a flexible suite that doubles as a guest quarters.
KEY GREEN FEATURES
> Open Floor Plan. The client wanted a largely unused space to be transformed into a bedroom, office space, and sitting room. But rather than cut the space up, the designer incorporated all of the uses into a wide open space to allow for better daylighting and ventilation.
> Local Sourcing. The company tries to source as much as possible from local suppliers to reduce a home’s carbon footprint. One example in this project, was its sourcing of countertops from Eden Prairie, Minn.- based Cambria.
> Recycled Materials. Douglas fir flooring was used as a design element to dress up support beams in the project space. The owners also used granite remnants from other construction firms.
> Low-VOC Paints, Stains and Finishes. Benjamin Moore’s brands can be found throughout the home.
> Foam Insulation. Spray foam tightened up the walls and ceiling considerably.
TOTO DUAL-FLUSH TOILET
Water-saving dual flush toilet offers the option of a 1.6 gallon flush or 0.9 gallon flush, depending on need. The company offers several high-efficiency styles, which come in six colors.
www.totousa.com
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