USGBC partners with LIPA, UWLI and town of Babylon for inaugural Attainable Green Homes Competition

The U.S. Green Building Council Long Island Chapter (USGBC-LI) recently unveiled its partnership with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), the United Way of Long Island (UWLI), and the town of Babylon in hosting the inaugural Attainable Green Homes Competition. Welcoming entries from both building professionals and students, the first-of-its-kind competition aims to construct a single-family home that is affordable to buy, affordable to maintain, and adherent to principles of sustainability, efficiency, environmental design and passive survivability. Each entity involved will play a specific role. The town of Babylon is donating a residential site for the winning design to be built upon, the UWLI's YouthBuild Program will assist in construction of the project, LIPA is providing expertise regarding energy efficiency, and the USGBC-LI Chapter will assist the winning design team with all aspects related to the home achieving LEED certification. "The USGBC-LI is proud to be collaborating with the Town of Babylon, LIPA and United Way-Long Island to bring this competition forward," said USGBC-LI executive director, Vince Capogna. "This is a very important partnership because it involves organizations that share a common commitment coming together to achieve a greater good." The USGBC-LI has sponsored design competitions in the past, but this is the first where the winning design will be brought to fruition. In addition to seeing that the winning design achieves LEED for Homes Gold (or higher), the USGBC-LI will assist in making sure certain criteria are met, including the composition of a written narrative about the design which will act as a guide for future projects. "We are going to see tangible results," Capogna said. "Our hope is that by having the winning design made available free to the general public it will begin to simplify and stimulate construction of truly responsible housing." Registration for the competition ends May 20. Designs need be submitted by June 3. All designs must be submitted through www.attainableli.com.