Ann Arbor based green building and remodeling company, Meadowlark Builders, has moved to a historic building at 3250 West Liberty in Ann Arbor. The original building, formerly occupied by Washtenaw Engineering, was an old schoolhouse built in 1874.The building had been expanded upon and turned into office space with a mid-century modern addition during the 1950’s. In the 1980’s, another office wing was added to complete the structure. Fountain Investment Group purchased the building in 2011 and is renting to the Meadowlark Family of companies on a long-term basis. Meadowlark Builders immediately took on the task of updating the structure and implementing “green” building techniques to bring the building into the 21st century. Meadowlark Energy will provide energy modeling and energy-specific retrofit tasks.
Doug Selby, co-founder of Meadowlark Builders, a design and build firm that specializes in green building projects, said the goal of this project is a “proof of concept” that a building can not only make more energy than it uses, but become a “living building” that restores the environment around it. “We are in time period where we no longer have the luxury of building wasteful systems into our homes and buildings. Even historic structures can be retrofit to have zero net-energy use, but you have to plan carefully for it and be sensitive to the local surroundings.” Meadowlark Builders is practicing what they preach by making a plan to take this historic building to net-zero energy and beyond in 3 years. “It’s a perfect fit for us. We are specialists in “deep energy” retrofits on old buildings, and this building seems to have one of everything from the additions over the years.” They also plan to remove the asphalt parking lot over time and begin restoring the site with native plants and supportive habitat. “We hope to begin attracting Meadowlarks, among other native species that you don’t see around very much.” This lot backs up to Lakewood Natural Area and Dolph Park. Selby also noted that the entire building will be a showcase of energy efficient and environmentally friendly design techniques and products. Meadowlark will also use the building as a testing facility to measure the results of the techniques they use under real-world conditions.
Meadowlark Builders operations will be based in this building which they will also use to host community programs and education events, particularly those related to green building and building performance. Meadowlark is planning a grand opening sometime in late Summer 2012 and Selby is hopeful that the community will come to see the beginning of a “living gallery” of green building technology and design.
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Source: Meadowlark Builders
