We recently completed the remodel of a Hair Stylist Room in Merle Norman Cosmetics off of Anderson Lane in North Austin. Check out the Tile work!
Merle Norman Hair Stylists Room
We recently completed the remodel of a Hair Stylist Room in Merle Norman Cosmetics off of Anderson Lane in North Austin. Check out the Tile work!
Round Rock Newspaper & Go! Green Builders
The different shades of green
Projects blend dollar and earth-friendly values in latest building trend
By Christi Covington
Hints of support for environment-friendly development have sprouted their first shoots in Round Rock, and for more than one reason.
“Green is good business,” said Don Dungan, a developer with Designated Tree Inc. “It is changing every day,” he said. “Even Wal-Mart is going green.”
Dungan and his partner Kang Lee began construction this summer on Green Square, the city’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified office space, a designation that dubs the project officially green.
Dungan chose Round Rock as the site for Green Square because of the city’s interest, the need for office space and the lack of green projects already in the area. It does not surprise him other developers have already entered the landscape.
“We felt like we found our niche,” Dungan said. “We thought the marketing of the unique property gave us an advantage, but as green becomes more popular, we will see competitors.”
Expectations
Within the next decade, Dungan estimates at least half of Round Rock’s new buildings will meet similar standards.
“Williamson County does not really fit the mold [for green growth],” he said. “Usually, you think of liberal areas using green. This works for the conservative communities when it looks like green projects are economical. It does not need to be a political issue.”
He said green projects increase market value because the buildings must be sustainable and made with quality materials. The emphasis on energy efficiency also attracts buyers, he said.
Round Rock realtor Robert Rees has found similar trends. In January, Rees with his partner Brian Sippel opened Go! Green Builders, a construction company that focuses solely on environment-friendly structures.
“To be honest, I was surprised Round Rock was going green,” Rees said. “Usually you see that trend in large municipalities like Austin, but Round Rock has definitely shown it supports a green growth environment. I guess they just want to get ahead of the curve.”
Rees said he can now find eco-friendly materials at or near the same cost of those used in the past. One such product called PaperStone is made of 100-percent recycled paper, which Rees describes as hard as traditional countertop and similarly priced.
Explanations
However, in the end consumers often build green simply for energy efficiency, Rees said.
“[People] want to save on utility bills. That is the No. 1 reason for businesses,” he said. “The other aspect is the return on investment. They get a better market value.”
Both Rees and Dungan admit the term “green” is loosely used. That is why Dungan’s project is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, which uses more than 100 criteria to judge new construction.
As a result, Dungan’s development not only uses green materials, but the products also come from as near the city as possible to save the energy of transporting goods. It also emphasizes design, using features such as reflective roofs to retract sunlight and showers for employees who might ride their bike to work.
After Green Square broke ground, Simmons Vedder and Company began construction this summer on Frontera Vista, a mixed-use and Class A office space. Located on 43 acres at La Frontera shopping center, the project earned the LEED certification.
All of Simmons Vedder’s projects are built with the certification in mind, said Leisha Ehlert, a development associate with the firm. During the next decade, she expects the building trend will become an expectation, not an asset, in the construction industry.
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