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Signature Homes First Locally Owned and Operated Production Home Builder to Join the Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership

The Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership and Signature Homes on Tuesday jointly announced that Signature Homes has signed as the first locally owned and operated production home builder to participate in the partnership's program, which was established to help builders design and construct more environmentally sensitive, or "green" new homes in metropolitan Las Vegas.

The Green Building Partnership, a program of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association and the Green Building Initiative of Portland, Ore., will provide Signature Homes, and other home building companies that sign up for the program, the technical expertise to use the program's 10-page green building guidelines developed specifically for conditions in Southern Nevada. The partnership will administer an impartial, third-party inspection and verification that the program guidelines have been met in the design and construction of the home; and will issue certification that the home has been constructed to the program's green building requirements.

Signature Homes plans to launch its participation in the Green Building Partnership with the design and construction of its Cortona subdivision in northwest Las Vegas at Centennial Parkway and Torrey Pines Drive. The project is in the design phase. The company expects to break ground for the model-home complex in the first quarter of 2008. Approximately 70 single-family homes are planned.

"Signature Homes is honored to be the first locally owned and operated home builder to sign up for the Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership program," said Brian Plaster of Signature Homes, and son of longtime Las Vegas home builders, Richard and Wendy Plaster. "We want to be part of this locally based effort that's bringing green building to residential construction in our community."

Signature Custom Homes also is a participating home builder in the Green Building Partnership program.

The Plasters established Signature Homes in 1978. It ranks among the largest locally owned and operated home builders in the Las Vegas valley. The company has built thousands of homes, condominiums, and apartments and is listed in the top 100 builders nationally.

Green building goes beyond energy conservation. The Green Building Partnership's goal is to direct the efficient use of resources, materials, energy and water; maximize the indoor environmental quality in new housing; and educate homeowners about the operation and maintenance of a green home.

Homeowners who buy a green home will benefit in several ways; lower operating costs because of the reduced use of water, electricity and gas; and a higher level of indoor air quality because of the guideline requirements for environmentally sensitive building materials and ventilation systems.

"We are pleased that Signature Homes has signed as the first locally owned and operated production home builder to participate in the Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership," said Irene Porter, executive director of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association, which is the administrator of the Green Building Partnership. "Signature Homes and the Plasters have 30-years experience in quality home building. They've demonstrated their commitment to energy efficiency and conservation. They've been very active and generous, whether that be in civic, cultural or governmental involvement for the benefit of the community," Porter said.

SNHBA, the largest and oldest trade association representing the Southern Nevada residential construction industry, and the GBI of Portland, Ore., formed the Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership in mid-2005; together, they developed the program guidelines to serve the needs of production home building in Southern Nevada.

The guidelines are based on the National Association of Home Builders' Model Green Home Building Guidelines, but were customized to meet the special conditions of the Southern Nevada environment. SNHBA is an affiliate of NAHB. The NAHB guidelines were developed in 2004 by a stakeholder group of nearly 60 builders, environmentalists, government agencies and product manufacturers, and provide a baseline for practical green building approaches for the residential construction industry.

"The Green Building Initiative applauds Signature Homes for its commitment to build green homes." said Kelly O'Brien, director of residential programs for the GBI. "Their dedication sets an example for builders throughout Nevada to build homes that are healthier to live in and better for the environment."

GBI's mission is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in more energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green approaches. GBI partnered with the National Association of Home Builders, and local home builder association chapters, such as SNHBA, to develop green building programs based on the NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines and customized to specific geographic locations.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GREEN BUILDING PARTNERSHIP GUIDELINES

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to green building, the Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership program requirements are based on fundamental green building principles, including, but not limited to the following:

Resource Efficiency:

• Reduce the quantity of materials and waste by creating a detailed framing plan and detailed material takeoffs. Provide on onsite cut list for all framing and sheathing materials.
• Enhance durability and reduce maintenance by providing a covered primary entrance (awnings, covered porch); install drip edge at eave and gable roof ends; install gutter and downspout system to divert water a minimum of two feet away from foundation.
• Use recycled content materials, such as oriented strand board, and renewable materials, such as soy-based insulation, bamboo and other wood-based products.
• Develop and implement a construction and demolition waste management plan that is posted at the jobsite.

Energy Efficiency:

• The home must be equivalent to, or greater than, 15 percent above the current International Energy Conservation Code or local energy code, whichever is more stringent.

Water Efficiency:

• Front yard must have water-smart landscaping; no turf.
• Homes must include high-efficiency indoor plumbing fixtures; there are maximum flow requirements for the faucets and fixtures.
• All air conditioning systems must be non-evaporative systems with zero net consumptive water use.

Indoor Environmental Quality:

• Minimize potential sources of pollutants by installing direct-vent, sealed-combustion gas fireplace, sealed wood fireplace or sealed woodstove, or, don't install fireplaces or woodstoves.
• Ensure particleboard, medium-density fiberboard and hardwood plywood substrates are certified to low formaldehyde emission standards; composite wood/agrifiber panel products must either contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins or must be third-party certified for low formaldehyde emissions.
• Install carpet and padding that hold "Green Label" certification from Carpet and Rug Institute's indoor air quality testing program or meet equivalent thresholds verified by a third party; use house paints with no- to low-volatile organic compounds.
• Manage potential pollutants generated in the home by providing mechanical exhaust fan to the outside from the kitchen range, bath and laundry; there are also mechanical ventilation requirements for the bedrooms.

For more information about the Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership and the benefits of green building, visit www.snhba.com and click on the Green Building Partnership logo, or contact Connie Suckling at (702) 794-0117 or connie@snhba.