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It was a sunny day in Ashland, and as I put out my hand to shake Allen Satterfield’s I noticed a look of puzzlement.聽 Allen, one of Southern Oregon’s greatest concrete contractors is the kind of guy who’s seen all projects great and small.

鈥淏oy, you are a young little guy!” he said. “I mean, this isn’t an everyday project. I expected a big, old, hard-nosed kind of guy.鈥�

Allen’s right. It’s not an everyday project. Green Hammer‘s Ashland house boasts more than 5,000 square feet of ultra-high-performance inspired living. 聽When completed, the structure will be the first and rated building in the United States. 聽Perched atop a golden hillside in Ashland, the home’s design exemplifies the precision of modern simplicity with breathtaking views, trimless detailing and elaborate artwork designed into the structure. What’s more unique is it’s building envelope: 17 times tighter than the code equivalent with energy loads of a home one sixth the size, giving it indoor air quality as fresh as an Ashland breeze.

Generally I champion the concept that small buildings have a greener footprint than large ones, yet I also believe every building has the potential to inspire a community. Each building we create is a reflection of values through a series of choices. At any scale these values can shine through. To quote Pink Floyd, 鈥淢oney鈥�it’s a drag.鈥� But if we use money consciously and keep our focus on the well being of people and the planet, the positive effect will be powerful.

Sustainability is where economic, environmental and social priorities overlap harmoniously. One thing I’ve learned over my career is if we balance this trifecta, ultimately the larger investment inspires others to place confidence in social and environmental values, too.

In Ashland, this big, hard-nosed 5,200-square-foot house is proof. Values to promote prosperity for people and the planet have driven its creation, and it will survive generations beyond the people building it.

We are integrating expertise in construction, thermodynamics, biology and natural resource management against a backdrop of inspirational creativity. Sometimes it takes a not-everyday project to envision how to apply the same technology for the everyday. Can you imagine these ideas put into practice when building our schools and community centers? Our typical homes? Our shopping malls and grocery stores? Can you imagine living in a neighborhood where everyone has access to comfortable, healthy and inspiring buildings, while reducing our impact on the planet and carbon emissions?

This young little guy can.

Stephen Aiguier is a certified passive house consultant and CEO of , an integrated design, build and energy firm based in Portland. Contact him at [email protected].