Normal Green: If You Build It...

The rest of the country may be in an economic free fall, but you'd never know it driving around my Silicon Valley neighborhood.  As my family tightens our belts and puts off our dream of California home ownership for the time being, construction in my 'hood is booming. So much so that Roach Coaches regularly drive through our suburban streets hoping to capture some union-required coffee- and lunch-break business.The big trend across the country, but especially in the West, is in LEED-certified construction.

In my community large signs are posted outside construction sites touting not only the architect's name but also the green-ness of each project. This makes sense in an area known for its innovation and abundant population of environmentally-conscious high-tech kajillionaires. Because of this, it also makes sense that West Coast Green — the largest conference and expo on green innovation, building, business, and design — is going to be held in Silicon Valley beginning this Thursday. The conference boasts over 380 exhibitors showcasing the latest in resource-efficiency among a stunning array of green and healthy building products. Over 100 experts and visionary leaders, including keynote speaker Al Gore, Ed Begley Jr., and Sarah Susanka, will be presenting their latest developments, insights and inspirations at the expanding frontiers of the field. And over 14,000 attendees including the entire chain of professionals and decision-makers rarely reached by other conferences are expected. Sounds like a party, right?

I've been interested in green building ever since first reading about Michelle Kaufmann's Glidehouse in 2002. Since then, I have taken a keen armchair interest in green building. A 16-month stint living in Portland, Oreg., where many green design companies are based, helped to solidify my passion. When faced with a kitchen remodel a few years ago, we had a very limited budget, but we were able to incorporate many "green" choices, such as low-VOC paint, natural cork flooring, wood countertops, and energy-efficient appliances into our design. I'm going to be attending West Coast Green with an eye towards seeking out the coolest, newest, and of course, greenest building practices to keep on file if we ever have a chance to do it again. This week, Tonic News writer Cat Lincoln and I will be donning comfortable shoes as we stalk Al Gore like giddy fangirls tour West Coast Green seeking out the most interesting, most captivating stories to bring to your attention. Be sure to stay tuned during the coming weeks as we share our stories. And if you're going to be there, I'd love to know what you hope to get out of the convention.