A Home Office That Works: Green Remodeling Tips

Enlarge Image Image Gallery This Trex deck—a composite of recycled plastic and wood fiber—offers stunning views from just outside David Johnston’s home office. The trellis shades the south-facing windows during the summer. PHOTOGRAPHY BY POVY KENDAL ATCHISON

DAVID JOHNSTON’S GREEN REMODELING TIPS

When my wife and I first considered buying our Boulder, Colorado, house ten years ago, we climbed up on the garage roof and fantasized about putting an office there. This was going to be the “world headquarters” of What’s Working, my environmental construc­tion consulting company, so it had to be the best example of what is working. I wanted unique architecture that would blend into my mountain neighborhood, a playful space for working and entertaining, and a room big enough for presentations and meetings. Additionally, it had to be nontoxic and energy and resource efficient.

My architect, George Watt, helped me flesh out a final design that accomplished all of our objectives. My motivations for using environmentally sensitive materials were twofold. First, I train builders, architects, and remodelers to build green. This was my chance to gain practical experience with more products. Second, I developed the Boulder Green Points program and counsel many builders on complying with the program’s energy-efficient, resourceful, and healthy material requirements. I often hear builder complaints: “The products are too expensive,” “I can’t get my subs to use them,” or “I can’t find the products.” Using green materials for my own office addition helped me address these issues firsthand.