Walking the Talk – Remodeling with ReSource Materials
By Spenser Villwock
After sixteen years at 1702 Walnut Street,
the CRC found itself outgrowing its office
space as our program demands and operations
have greatly expanded. The staff and
board of directors decided it was time to pack
up and move to a new location at 2639 Spruce
Street in Boulder. The CRC’s “green” remodel
of the former Rocky Mountain Herb School and
Namaste Solar Electric building allows our organization
to more effectively and efficiently work
toward the CRC’s mission of empowering our
community to conserve natural resources.
Our organizational vision is a thriving community
that understands the finite nature of
natural resources and acts to conserve them.
We initiated our sustainable remodel intending to
practice what we preach, using locally resourced
materials and the lowest impact finishes and
adaptations available. Great care and attention
were taken to include energy, waste, and water
conservation features at every turn.
Fortunately, we received great support from
local green-building businesses and designers.
The concept was developed by the green design
firm, VaST Architecture. The design the firm developed
for the CRC was so exciting for our business supporters that we received a resounding response from several local green companies that
wanted to help with the sustainable remodel.
Dusel Custom Builders stepped up to serve
as the general contractor for the project. Led by Clay Dusel and Mark Perry, the crew did a remarkable job to integrate 95% reclaimed and
locally resourced materials (excluding drywall). Clay is a former staff member of the ReSource
program in Boulder and has a strong commitment
to green building, sustainable communities,
and low-impact construction.
The existing walls and fixtures that needed to be removed from the office were deconstructed
by Haul Away Recycling, Inc. The longstanding
deconstruction company diverted over
85% of the materials coming out of the project
for reuse and recycling. The CRC’s ReSource
Yard supplied all the doors, windows, framing lumber, hardware, and other fixtures needed for the remodel.
Eco Handyman provided the expertise and
labor for framing the reclaimed doors. Fiddlehead
Designs created an innovative concrete countertop
with resourced materials for the reception desk, the 100% reclaimed cornerstone of the office.
Direct Drive Services installed an on-demand
hot water system, Namaste Solar created a photovoltaic
(PV) educational display, and AJR Painting
used all zero-VOC paints and vegetable-based
finishes on the new CRC office.
Some of the water conservation features
include
a native xeriscpape garden, drip irrigation
system, low-flow bathroom fixtures, and a
Johnny-Boy toilet tank handwashing system.
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So please come on down to the new CRC offices at 2639 Spruce Street to see first-hand how you too can take sustainable actions in your life. We are here for you, our community. Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 9a - 5p.
THE FACTS
Contractors
Re-Use/Salvage Features
- Over 85% of construction waste reused or recycled
- Reused structural lumber, fixtures and hardware
- Reception desk built from reclaimed materials
- Reclaimed accent windows and doors
- Reused carpet squares
Energy Features
- Natural lighting
- Low wattage fluorescents
- CFLs for task lighting
- Evaporative cooler
- On demand tankless hot water system with refeeder/primer circulation
- EnergyStar appliances
Green Features
- Zero-VOC paints
- Vegetable oil based finishing/sealant for wood features
Water Features
- Xeriscape garden
- Drip irrigation system
- Low flow toilets
- Low-flow showerheads
- Johnny Boy hand washing station
Learn More...
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