A sense of history and the past helped the Proximity designer to win the highest accolade from the US Green Building Council with the award of its Platinum LEED certification. Dennis Quaintance , the CEO and CDO (Chief Design Officer) of Quaintance-Weaver, is obviously delighted. “When we started the design process four years ago, I would have never believed that we could use 39% less energy and 33% less water without one iota of compromise in comfort or luxury and with minimal additional construction costs,” says Quaintance. “It just goes to show what a determined team can accomplish if they use common sense and get a little bit of help from the sun.” Sun meaning the solar panels on the roof that supply 60% of the water heating.

The creation of the new hotel on its 2½ acre site also involved the restoration of the stream that runs past the property. This focus on water extended to the designer fitting different toilets at home until he found the most effective flush for the least water. “We tested so many different toilets at home that our children were anxious to see what they called the ‘commode du jour’,” he says. “We finally found one that works wonderfully and uses a third of a gallon less with each flush, and it did not cost one cent more than a conventional toilet.”

The rigorous testing for a variety of water saving products is paying off. The hotel and restaurant is on track to use two million gallons less water during the first year, saving more than $13,000 by spending less than $7,000 in additional construction costs.

More on page 2

Share|