Services
Eco Brooklyn is a Design/Build firm that greens co-ops, condominiums and brownstones in the New York area. We are a green design/build firm specializing in all aspects of energy efficient, ecological green renovations. As part of our underlying philosophy of Building It Forward our prices are 100% affordable, 100% green and 100% sustainable.
All our jobs have three goals: to make zero waste during the deconstruction and building, to consume zero new materials during the rebuilding process, and to create a home that needs zero energy to run. We do this by reusing as much as possible, avoiding buying new materials, and building energy efficient homes that run on their own.
We don’t always meet our goals but we are getting close.
A key element in this equation is our adherence to the German Passive House standard (AKA Passiv Haus). We have staff certified in this system and all our renovations adhere to the standard.
Because of the holistic aspect of green building we do the whole green building package, from full renovations, green roofs, solar PV and thermal, and green building consulting. We have a team of green building professionals. We design, build, expedite and give professional tax consulting for a green job.
We work with an Engineer, Architect, Green Roof Expert, Solar Installer, High Efficiency Heating Installer, Green Experienced Lawyer and an Tax Rebate Accountant experienced in preparing taxes involving the many available rebates for green building.
The following aspects are the foundation of any Eco Brooklyn green co-op, condo and brownstone:
Inside
gray water recycling
massive amounts of insulation
salvaged materials
locally built materials
sound proofing
no chemicals
green kitchen cabinets
Roof and Exterior Walls
solar hot water heating
solar photo voltaic electricity
green roof
green walls
bee hive
bat house
Garden
edible garden
xeriscape
rainwater capture
chickens
local plants
bird house
wildlife preserve designation
Professional Services
Passive House Design and Consulting
Green Architectural Design
Tax Preparation and Rebate consulting
Structural Engineering for green roofs, basement underpinning and salvaged lumber
Green Related Legal Consultation
Below is an outline for a full Brownstone gut and rebuild along green principles:
The planning stages of a full building greening are:
In this stage you explore the possibilities and narrow them down to one plan of action. Time frame two weeks to two months.
1. Start bringing together building, design, expediting and financial team based on general ideas.
2. Establish overall goals and life plans in relation to the building.
3. Narrow down important features wanted for the building.
4. Establish budget.
5. Review possible tax credits and state or local financial incentives.
6. Finalize team members.
7. Create team plan within budget to accomplish goals.
Design Phase
In this stage you lay the groundwork for construction in terms of getting all paperwork and design plans made up. Time frame one month to three months.
1. Begin design of space.
2. Get design approved with DOB.
3. Get all permits in place.
4. Do needed surveys and site inspections.
The construction stages of a full building greening:
In this stage you actually start building. Time frame four months to one year.
Stage 1. Deconstruction
This would normally be called the demolition stage but green builders don’t demolish anything. We deconstruct the parts for future use. The Eco Brooklyn green building process attempts to reuse as much of the existing building as possible, either as components for that building or for another building.
Stage 2. Rebuild the bones.
Using salvaged wood and metal we strengthen the walls and floors. We also strengthen the roof in anticipation of a green roof and solar panels.
Stage 3. Insane Insulation.
Using salvaged insulation we seal the exterior walls and roof with massive amounts of insulation and sealant. We also install super high efficiency fiberglass framed windows. Insulation along with other methods are also a large part of the soundproofing of the home.
Stage 4. Mechanics
We install high efficiency heating, plumbing and electric. We connect the solar hot water, solar PV and gray water systems.
Stage 5. Finnish Work.
Using non-chemical and locally built materials we paint the walls, install the bathrooms and kitchens, and redo the floors. We plant the roof.
Stage 6. We hand over the keys.
The home should now be useful for at least a couple generations.
Cost
The greening of a Brooklyn brownstone or co-op should not cost more than a normal renovation. We have been able to build at the same price or lower, although this can vary job to job depending on what we can salvage.
Greening a building in New York and Brooklyn does encompass a different approach than normal building.
The first is the important consideration of tax incentives and incentives from local organizations. These rebates can be substantial. We work with a tax consultant experienced in this area to make sure all tax incentives are taken advantage of.
A longer perspective does need to be taken, though, since this is the whole premise of Built It Forward thinking. What is the cost of a normal renovation over ten years when you include:
utility bills
bad workmanship
impact on the environment from waste and over consumption
health impact on the inhabitants from toxins and bad ventilation
A green brownstone, condominium or co-op is much, much cheaper when you include the overall costs over a 5-10 year period. When viewed over more than 10 years it makes absolutely no sense NOT to build green. When viewed over a 200 year period like we do, it would be suicidal not to build otherwise since we strongly believe that the current mode of building is not sustainable and needs to be changed immediately if we have any hope of living in a healthy world.
A bit about our philosophy
The Eco Brooklyn green co-op and brownstone is built along the Build It Forward principle: that we are custodians of our buildings, that they were gifted to us by past generations, and that we will be gifting them to future generations.
With this in mind the Eco Brooklyn green building process respects what has been built by past builders and adds to it as a gift to the future. All building is done with a 200 year time frame in mind.
Since we are forward thinking in the building process Eco Brooklyn green buildings are built in anticipation of rising fuel, material and water costs due to increased awareness of the true costs of those elements. Our building is geared towards conserving those resources through such things as energy efficiency and water conservation.
We are not concerned with brand names and when possible prefer to build products in house. Our focus is on building sustainably with affordability, quality, aesthetics and practicality in mind.
The Eco Brooklyn green co-op or brownstone is not like any other but if we have our way it will be the norm in 5-10 years. We’ve been called nuts and we’ve been called visionary but we just think our way is smart.
Our clients are forward thinking people who see a strong connection between the renovation of their building and the rest of the world, both past and future. They realize that renovating their brownstone or co-op can impact either negatively or positively the world and they have the power to decide which.
Comments
I would like to start school or maybe a on the job training program(ojt) in the green building field, do you have any recommendation for my, I live on staten island, will travel, have a military backround 20+ years, looking for a new career in green trade.
How can a person like me learn and train. So i can obtain work for a Green Certified Company. Im very interested in this field.
nice site. Do you know any green plumbing and heating contractors— we have gas boilers. Thanks.