Ann Arbor Sustainable Building
Innovative Green Building in the Greater Ann Arbor Area
At Meadowlark Design+Build, we are conscious of our environmental impact and are committed to practicing eco-friendly principles. Since founding Meadowlark Design+Build, we’ve focused on developing custom homes and remodels designed to help create a better future. From zero-energy to green home additions, whatever “shade of green” project you're hoping to build, our team is here to explore every aspect of your project with you and guide the level of sustainability that meets your vision and investment.
Meadowlark's Green Building Services
A Meadowlark home is more than beautiful; it’s built to support the environment and maintain integrity. As a sustainable, green builder, we believe in better building practices for better futures.
Green building prioritizes sustainability and efficiency. We use energy-efficient insulation, renewable energy, water-saving fixtures, and eco-friendly materials like reclaimed wood and low-VOC paints. Our designs incorporate natural light and ventilation, reducing carbon footprints and costs and enhancing living spaces.
What Makes a Design+Build Remodel Different?
At Meadowlark, we guide you through all green options, materials, and technologies, making your vision a reality, creating a home that reflects your commitment to sustainability, and supporting a better future for all.
We help homeowners craft beautiful, sustainable homes they love.
LEED-Certified Homes
LEED for Homes, by the U.S. Green Building Council, certifies that homes are built or remodeled using best practices to improve energy and water efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, enhance air quality, protect resources, minimize environmental impacts, reuse materials, and promote local sustainable products. At Meadowlark Design+Build, we take great pride in our projects that have achieved LEED certification and showcase our dedication to sustainable building practices for a brighter future.
Passive House Certification
Designed to use such low amounts of energy that sunlight shining through your windows and summer breezes blowing through the screens provide heating and cooling, a passive home is built to effortlessly maintain an ideal indoor environment while providing unmatched comfort and quietness.
Net-Zero Homes
Net-zero homes are so energy-efficient that they produce as much renewable energy as they consume over a year. Net-zero or near net-zero homes use passive design strategies to maximize natural heating and cooling methods and ensure your home is built for exceptional energy efficiency.
Eco-Friendly Solutions for Every Project
We’re here to guide the way for green building and sustainable home remodeling. In addition to the services mentioned above, we can help you find other ways to make eco-friendly choices during your project, such as utilizing smaller movers and recyclable materials!
Green Building Architecture & Design
The Meadowlark Design+Build team specializes in green architecture, ensuring your vision is brought to life with the highest sustainability standards. Not only do we have fantastic green designers on staff, but we also maintain relationships with top sustainable building architects in the area to bring a collaborative approach to every project.
Green Building Technology
Exceptional sustainable homes start with the latest in green building technology. We stay on top of the best practices, continuously learning and implementing the latest techniques, materials, and technologies so your home is not only beautiful but also healthy and long-lasting.
Why We Believe in Sustainable Building
At Meadowlark Design+Build, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to build better futures by creating homes that are energy-efficient and environmentally responsible. Here’s how we help you achieve your vision:
- Building Better Futures. We build sustainable homes with the best energy efficiency standards to reduce environmental impact and create brighter futures for the next generation.
- Healthier Living. Passive building techniques deliver a comfortable indoor environment year-round, and green building envelopes are tightly sealed to provide a quiet haven that's truly your own.
- Innovation in Sustainable Building. Our crews are true green building experts, continuously learning and implementing the latest technology with every home we build.
To us, green building means delivering the best design, materials, and craftsmanship that will last. That's a home you can feel good about.
Sustainable Home Building FAQs
As sustainable home builders and remodelers, we get a lot of questions about what green building is and what it means to build a "green" home or remodel. Here are answers to a few of our most frequently asked questions.
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What is the difference between a LEED-certified, net-zero, and passive home?
This question is so common that we wrote a blog about it! Head to What is Green Building? for the complete breakdown between those different types of green-certified homes.
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How do green custom homes differ from standard-built homes?
The simple answer to this question is energy efficiency — but there is so much more to it. If you want to know more, we've got the full answer to this question in our post: How Do Green Custom Homes Differ From Standard Built Homes?
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Are there additional costs associated with building a green home?
Any home project involves costs, and green building is no exception. While many people worry that building green might carry slightly higher upfront costs, it's important to look at the bigger picture.
Building a green, passive, or net-zero home can lead to significant savings over time. These homes are designed to minimize energy use and maintenance needs, which means you are likely to recoup any additional initial costs within the first few years.
At Meadowlark Design+Build, we guide you through the entire process to see what works best for you. We help you understand the upfront costs and the long-term benefits, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your vision and investment for a sustainable future.
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How long does the green home building process take?
When planning a green custom home or sustainable remodel, we approach each project timeline with a deep understanding of your specific needs. While the design and construction phases can vary greatly, our initial discussions will always include a clear and tailored timeline discussion. This ensures we set realistic expectations right from the start, based on a thorough understanding of both the homeowner and the project.
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How do you determine whether a building material is sustainable or not?
Entering the world of sustainable building can feel overwhelming. There's a lot to know! Our article Shades of Green Building discusses what "green" means and what exactly makes building materials sustainable.
If you don’t see your question on the list, contact the Meadowlark Design+Build team. We're happy to answer any questions you have!
Check Out Our Client Stories
Interested in learning more about what it’s like to remodel with Meadowlark at your side? See the step-by-step process of bringing your dream home to life.