Green Canopy NODE was featured in a Green Building Advisor article highlighting our innovative approach to prefabrication.

The article highlights our Utility Kit system, which integrates mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems for offsite construction, helping streamline installation.

Photo Credit: Fernando Pages Ruiz

Additionally, the author visited The Trillium at Grow Community on Bainbridge Island, Washington where our team installed our Utility Kits into six homes.

The article also explores a growing shift in the modular construction industry: focusing on high-value building components rather than entire structures. This approach addresses challenges like transportation costs and labor shortages, improving efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Green Canopy NODE had the honor of exhibiting US HUD Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall. Supported by the US Forest Service, American Wood Council, US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and Mercer Mass Timber, our exhibit showcased how mass timber and prefabricated, integrated systems can revolutionize offsite construction for faster, more affordable housing.

Aimed at raising awareness of new and affordable housing solutions, the HUD Showcase is a public event that focuses on increasing affordable housing, reducing construction costs, improving energy efficiency, and lowering housing expenses for both homeowners and renters.

Green Canopy NODE’s exhibit featured a showcase of our prefabricated, modular mass timber building system, including our proprietary utility wall. Visitors had the opportunity to explore a volumetric module and interact with various layers of a mass timber home, including the rainscreen siding, timber fiber insulation, and weather barrier.

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Highlights from our exhibit:

The key benefits of our mass timber building system include:

• Sustainability: Mass timber homes are exceptional in carbon sequestration, storing the carbon absorbed by trees throughout their growth, which remains locked in the timber for the life of the building. This results in a significant environmental impact, with mass timber homes storing 6.6 times more carbon than comparable traditional stick-frame homes.

• Speed: The prefabricated components of mass timber enable quicker on-site assembly, significantly shortening construction times. Our approach is 44% faster than traditional construction methods, leading to substantial savings in time and cost.

• Strength: Mass timber offers durability and strength comparable to traditional construction materials, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the structures.

• Waste Reduction: 29% of landfill waste comes from construction and demolition - prefabricated mass timber can reach 95% efficiency with the potential to downcycle into other materials.

Our proprietary utility system combines mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services into pre-engineered units to maximize efficiency. Key benefits include:

• Efficiency and Speed: Our prefabricated utility kits significantly reduce the time required for traditional mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations by 50%, eliminating many of the inefficiencies and potential callbacks associated with conventional methods.

• Architectural Coordination: Our systems are meticulously designed to integrate seamlessly with the designated layouts of kitchens and bathrooms, and are optimized for use across multiple floors, ensuring a cohesive and functional design.

• Seamless Installation: Preconstructed in an off-site factory during the site work phase, our utility kits are ready for a smooth and seamless installation process during the framing phase, enhancing overall project efficiency.

Our team had a wonderful time connecting with other industry leaders at the showcase, and the event underscored the critical role of innovation in addressing the pressing challenges of climate and housing. Engaging with forward-thinking organizations reinforced our commitment to pioneering solutions that not only meet current needs but help shape a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

Integrate our building systems into your next project – learn how you can partner with our Development Services.

Green Canopy NODE is honored to have received the 2024 National Institute of Building Sciences Innovator Award! The NIBS Innovator Award recognizes an individual, organization, or project that has made groundbreaking advances and significant technological contributions to the built environment.

Prefabricated construction holds immense potential, promising to mitigate risks, reduce costs, and minimize waste, while accelerating construction timelines by up to 50%. However, in the United States, the adoption of permanent modular construction remains largely untapped, representing only a fraction of the vast construction market.

With a critical shortage of housing units exacerbating societal challenges, fostering growth in the prefabricated construction sector has become imperative. The primary obstacle lies in the misalignment between prefabricated production systems and traditional construction business models, necessitating transformative solutions to reconcile these differences.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, Green Canopy NODE has emerged as a trailblazer, reshaping the landscape of construction through innovative approaches that address industry challenges and drive unparalleled progress. 

Over the past five years, Green Canopy NODE has spearheaded a paradigm shift within the construction industry by reimagining the conventional business model. As a vertically integrated full-service development company encompassing construction, design, and research and development (R&D), Green Canopy NODE approaches the entire value chain as a dynamic product in need of continuous innovation.

Innovation is the cornerstone of progress, and Green Canopy NODE exemplifies the transformative power of visionary leadership and bold experimentation. By challenging conventions, embracing technological advancements, and fostering collaboration across sectors, Green Canopy NODE is reshaping the built environment and paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future. 

Green Canopy NODE is honored to be included in TIME and Statista's ranking of America's Top GreenTech Companies of 2024. This recognition underscores Green Canopy NODE's commitment to leveraging innovation and cutting-edge construction technology to address pressing environmental challenges.

As TIME stated in its ranking, the green-technology sector has emerged as a vital force for positive change, with predictions indicating its potential to grow to $9.5 trillion by 2030. In acknowledgment of this, TIME, in collaboration with Statista, conducted a comprehensive statistical ranking of 250 sustainability-focused companies in America. The ranking criteria encompassed factors such as environmental impact, financial strength, and innovation, highlighting those companies making significant strides in curbing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability.

Green Canopy NODE‘s dedication to sustainability and innovative approach to construction. Through integrated development services, including pre-development consulting, architectural design, prefabrication, and general contracting, the company delivers carbon-negative housing solutions that redefine traditional construction methods.

Supported by investors and grants from esteemed institutions like the Department of Energy and the US Forest Service, Green Canopy NODE is at the forefront of revolutionizing the construction industry. Our prefabricated building components not only streamline the construction process but also contribute to reducing carbon emissions, making a positive impact on the environment.

By prioritizing environmental responsibility and embracing innovation, Green Canopy NODE is not only reshaping the industry but also paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

Green Canopy NODE’s Work Beta Testing Autodesk’s New Industry Transformative Software 

For the longest time, the building industry has remained siloed from the manufacturing industry. Yet, it’s at the intersection of these two industries that we can find solutions to quickly build housing and drastically reduce its carbon footprint. 

At Green Canopy NODE, we are dedicated to bringing Industrialized Construction to the world of sustainable housing. Recognizing a significant data transfer gap in preparing 3D architectural models for manufacturing, our team members Abby Willets and Benjamin Hall seized an opportunity to serve as beta testers for Autodesk's cutting-edge software, Informed Design. 

“Informed Design for Inventor is the master planner,” said Abby, R&D engineer. “It really lets me set up the parameters and the boundaries which the architect can take and configure to fit their design, all while knowing it’s manufacturable.” 

As a beta tester, Abby transformed our MEP Utility Kit into a dynamic, configurable Revit family, enabling architects to tailor features and dimensions effortlessly. Gone are the days of laborious coordination for every tweak – with this software, we can envision a future free of shop drawings while streamlining our processes and workflows. 

With an architectural background, Benjamin sees productized building components not as design inhibitors but as enablers of mass-produced quality. 

“Autodesk Informed Design has shown that there’s a way to bring customized details, good aesthetics, and quality engineering into a product that can be mass-produced,” said Benjamin Hall, senior product manager. “Designing with constraints doesn’t curb my creativity – it gives me choices I know will work. And that is good for the planet, the building’s inhabitants, and the building industry.”   

While challenges undoubtedly lie ahead on our journey to affordable, sustainable housing, we see Autodesk’s Informed Design as one of many tools in helping us get there. We extend our gratitude to the Informed Design team, with a special mention to Ryan McMahon, for granting us early access to this transformative software. We eagerly anticipate delving deeper into the full-release version and leveraging its capabilities to their fullest extent. 

• Learn more about Autodesk Informed Design

• Learn more about Abby and Benjamin’s work as beta testers

Our in-house architecture team is on a mission to redefine the way we approach design. In an industry saturated with digital models and blueprints, we believe that there's no substitute for experiencing a project firsthand. Andrew Tsuei and Kyle Kutz, two of our in-house architecture team members, weighed in on the insights gained from the design team’s regular field trips to construction sites.

 “These trips are key because you can’t understand a project just from a digital model,” said Andrew, Architectural Designer at Green Canopy NODE. This sentiment underlines our core philosophy – that to truly comprehend a design, the designer must go beyond the confines of a screen. Is that room too tight? How does the ceiling height affect the overall feel? How will users navigate through the space? These are questions that can only be answered by immersing yourself in the project as its user.

Site visits provide insights that extend beyond theory, allowing the design team to understand the project in the context of its surroundings. "You get to feel the materials of neighboring buildings, see what the neighbors are like, eat fruit off the bushes," said Andrew.  Inside the home, the team discusses the full process of building a home – from air sealing details to lighting layouts.

In addition to these real-life insights, our team takes a holistic approach to these visits, engaging other members of Green Canopy NODE’s integrated team such as sales and construction team members. What truly sets the Green Canopy NODE architecture team approach apart, emphasized by Kyle, Architect and Senior Design Project Manager, is this integration. For example, "being part of an integrated team with the construction managers allows for more open and honest conversations. We can see what they’re seeing, and they can see what we’re seeing. Egos are set aside, and everyone shares a common goal: build better housing,” Kyle said.

This seamless integration and collaboration not only enhance our projects but also addresses a critical industry challenge. Design changes are a major cause of cost overruns and project delays, often due to communication issues. However, by increasing communication among all stakeholders in a project, we are better equipped to deliver projects on time and on budget.

Ready to explore the possibilities of designing and building with us? Contact our team to bring your vision to life. Learn more about our integrated development services.

Green Canopy NODE featured in KXLY article: Spokane Valley Mass Timber pitches eco-friendly, easy-to-build townhomes.

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Green Canopy NODE was honored to host Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Commissioner of Public Lands Hillary Franz at our Mass Timber Model Home in Spokane, alongside our partner Mercer Mass Timber.

Mass Timber represents an opportunity to revolutionize home construction, providing faster, more affordable, and environmentally friendly housing solutions. Beyond that, mass timber structures serve as carbon sinks, effectively addressing issues related to both forest health and the housing crisis.

In an article about Commissioner Franz’s visit, KXLY noted, “Developers say there is no one solution to the current housing crisis, but they hope this can be a step in the right direction.

‘If you think about all the wood that is in this building, it's like a carbon battery. We are taking it out of the environment and storing it so that it's not burnt, not wasted, not rotting and releasing methane and we are designing these buildings to last over 100 years. 150 years is our target,’ said developer Darrin Griechen.”

Designed by Schemata Workshop and built by Green Canopy NODE, Sunnyside Village Cohousing is a multigenerational community intended to foster neighborly connection, sustainability, and healthy living.

The Sunnyside Village Cohousing team celebrates groundbreaking

Green Canopy NODE’s Sam Lai, Chief Development Officer and Justin Hooks, Vice President of Construction

SEATTLE, Washington (October 3, 2023) - Sunnyside Village Cohousing, Schemata Workshop, and Green Canopy NODE alongside community members and stakeholders celebrated the groundbreaking of Sunnyside Village this summer . This event marks a significant milestone in the journey towards creating a vibrant and sustainable intentional community located in Marysville, Washington.

Sunnyside Village Cohousing is dedicated to sustainability, intergenerational living, and organic gardening - fostering a more connected way of life. The community, designed by Schemata Workshop and built by Green Canopy NODE, will comprise four-star Built Green cottages, a shared common house, and organic community gardens. Sunnyside Village is currently accepting reservations for homes with a limited number of homes remaining available.

“After many years of effort and planning, it is exciting to see our dream becoming a reality. It is fulfilling our desire to live in a community where no one feels isolated or lonely, where people are friendly and neighborly with each other, and where parents have support for raising their children,” said Jennie Lindberg, co-founder of Sunnyside Village. “We love the skill, caring, attention to detail and professionalism of our team, Green Canopy NODE and Schemata Workshop.”

Embracing Connection Through Design

Sunnyside Village Cohousing is not just a residential development; it's a blueprint for a more connected way of life, thoughtfully intended to combat postmodern loneliness. Designed by architectural firm Schemata Workshop, Sunnyside Village has been meticulously planned to cultivate neighborly connections and nurture an affinity for nature.

Sunnyside Village will offer 32 independent cottages, complemented conveniently located clustered parking designed to minimize the project's ecological footprint. At its heart lies a common house, housing home offices, a children's playroom, and a communal kitchen, among other amenities. What sets Sunnyside Village apart is its extensive outdoor green spaces, featuring a community garden, orchard, and berry patch. These spaces are envisioned as hubs for forging connections and fostering social capital, with harvested organic produce contributing to weekly communal meals shared by residents.

“Cohousing is different from other types of housing, not by the physical form, but rather by the intentionality of the residents to live collaboratively and interdependently,” said Grace Kim, Principal Architect at Schemata Workshop. “Many of us learned through the pandemic that complete independence was isolating and lonely. Cohousing offers resilient neighborhoods where people are more socially connected- resulting in longer lives for those who chose this housing option.”

Partnerships for Sustainability

The shared commitment to sustainability and a deeper sense of community unites Schemata Workshop, Sunnyside Village Cohousing, and Green Canopy NODE in this transformative project. The collective partnership signifies an effort to make better decisions for the community and the planet.

“It’s been a pleasure working shoulder to shoulder with the brilliant people at Sunnyside community and Schemata Workshop in such an inspirational project. Our aggressive social, environmental, and financial goals would not have come to fruition without deep trust and healthy communication facilitated by Karen Gimnig, our process consultant.”

Green Canopy NODE brings its depth of consulting expertise to the development, contributing to conceptual design, risk analysis, and facilitating the community in realizing its vision, in addition to general contracting services to bring the project to life.

Integrated Development Solutions

Green Canopy NODE offers comprehensive development solutions, supporting developer clients engaged in multi-unit residential projects at every stage of the development journey. From pre-development to architecture, construction management, and consulting, Green Canopy NODE is committed to building sustainable homes faster to meet clients’ financial, social, and environmental goals.

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About Sunnyside Village Cohousing: Sunnyside Village is a cohousing community with a strong focus on its organic garden. Residents will live in 32 cottages and share ownership in a Common House for community activities and some shared meals. Members own their home and the lot it is built on. As a forming community, their mission is to create a cohousing community of diverse people who share vision and values – solidarity, sustainability, and democracy.

About Schemata Workshop: Schemata Workshop is an architecture and urban design practice that empowers people and their communities. The firm values community, equity, and sustainability. Their team approaches each project with the goal of creating resilient communities. They design with integrity, believing in honest, expressive use of materials, and always preferring local resources and production.

About Green Canopy NODE: Green Canopy NODE is a mission-driven construction technology, real estate development, and fund management company. Over its history, it has sought to embrace the innovation required to change the current paradigm of housing development and deliver on its commitment to help regenerate communities and environments. The company works with its clients and investors to develop high-performing, deep green, all-electric, and healthy housing.

For more information about SVC please contact:
jennie@sunnysidevillagecohousing.com

For information about developing similar communities, contact:
developmentservices@greencanopynode.com

Mass timber is revolutionizing construction as a climate-friendly alternative to concrete and steel, with the carbon footprint of mass timber buildings being 40% less than traditional materials. This innovative approach is reshaping the construction industry and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

The article, Fire resistant, quake safe, climate friendly: Mass timber is on the rise as a construction alternative by Lisa Stiffler, contributor to GeekWire, explores several types of Mass Timber projects, including Green Canopy NODE’s Mass Timber Model Home. Read the article to learn how mass timber is revolutionizing construction, and don’t miss the insights from Green Canopy NODE’s co-CEO Bec Wilder.

Each year, Built Green recognizes outstanding builders and advocates in the sustainable building community during the Built Green Hammer Award ceremony. This year, we at Green Canopy NODE are honored to have received an award in the Builder, Small Production homes category for our sustainable all-electric, and healthy homes across Seattle.

Green Canopy NODE played an active role in two enlightening sessions at the conference: "Completing the Grow Community: Built Green 5-Star" and "Conquering Embodied Carbon Emissions for a Greener Future."

Completing the Grow Community covered the final phase of the Grow Community on Bainbridge Island, which will be a Built Green 5-Star development. Architect Jonathan Davis, Green Canopy NODE’s Lead Mechanical Engineer Eliot Siegel, and sustainability expert Cybil Tribie discussed the architecture, new and innovative construction methods, and the sustainable design features of the project. Learn more about Grow here!

Eliot Siegel, Lead Mechanical Engineer at Green Canopy NODE, discussing the construction technologies embedded in the Grow Community, including the Utility Kit designed to reduce overall MEP installation times.

Sadie Carlson, Building Scientist at Green Canopy NODE, discussing a housing solution that leverages innovative construction techniques to optimize for embodied carbon, operational carbon, and cost.

Conquering Embodied Carbon Emissions for a Greener Future covered the rising importance of addressing embodied carbon emissions from building products, including discussions on building code proposals, permit incentives, and case studies on innovative construction techniques. Green Canopy NODE’s Building Scientist Sadie Carlson was a panel member, alongside Liepa Braciulyte from New Buildings Institute, Jess Harris from the City of Seattle, and Jessica Martinez from DCI Engineers.

Read more from Built Green on the 2023 Award winners and conference and view our current available sustainable homes for sale here. Interested in building your next residential real estate project with Green Canopy NODE? Learn more about our Integrated Development Solutions.

We are pleased to share our 2022 Impact Report!

I deeply believe that as a society we are going to make the transition to a resilient future. That said, the path to get there may not be smooth or pretty. However, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that when faced with crisis, we can adapt and rise to the occasion.

At Green Canopy NODE, we stand at the forefront of this movement, fully aware of the magnitude of the problem and the immense potential for positive change. Through our commitment to building carbon-negative, healthy homes, we strive to regenerate communities and environments, demonstrating that housing can be a catalyst for transformation.

We are a deeply committed community of teammates, board members, shareholders, impact investors, institutional investors, homeowners, landowners, developers, affordable housing groups, architects, real estate agents, and sub-contractors.

Together we are building the future of housing!

I invite you to join us on this journey. Please feel free to start by sharing with me your insights and reflections on this report.

 With deep gratitude,

Susan Fairchild
Chief Marketing & Impact Officer

Trillium at Grow Community on Bainbridge Island is blossoming under the spring sun! Designed by Jonathan Davis and built by Green Canopy NODE, the final phase of the community is coming along quickly – continue reading for the latest updates. 

An Overview of Trillium 

Trillium follows the development's naming tradition of referencing treasured plants. The neighborhood features 14 townhomes, including six three-bedroom and eight two-bedroom homes, situated along a shared garden path. All homes have roof decks, as well as ground level patios.

Lot reservations will be available in June, and presales will begin later in September – contact Anne Reichard of Compass to learn more! 

Foundations were poured in January, and the homes are quickly taking shape as they are framed with panels – providing superior insulation, faster construction times, and sustainability benefits.

Building Faster with Innovative Tech Systems 

We’re excited to share that Green Canopy NODE’s patent pending Utility Kit was successfully installed into six of the units. Integrating innovative tech systems into the project has helped ensure a faster, more efficient build. Using the Utility Kit reduced the normal mechanical, electrical, and plumbing install time by nearly twenty percent. Pre-constructed in our off-site factory during the site work phase, the utility walls were ready for installation for the framing phase. With the help of utility subcontractors, connections were made on-site to allow for a smooth and seamless installation process. 

Green Canopy NODE is on a path to revolutionize construction, and these innovative construction technologies are just one example of how we are pushing the envelope of construction industry standards. Over the past dozen years, we’ve continued to advance towards our mission of regenerating communities and environments. Trillium, the new neighborhood at Grow, will be 5 Star Built Green and will join our inventory of Net Zero Energy homes.  

Read more about our partnership with Grow below: 

• Blog: The Final Phase of Grow Community is Underway, Built with Green Canopy NODE's Innovation Ecosystem Model 

• Press Release: Green Canopy & Grow Community Partner to Build Third Phase of Sustainable Neighborhood  

• New York Times: Energy-Efficient Isn’t Enough, So Homes Go ‘Net Zero’  

Seattle, WA, March 27, 2023 - Green Canopy NODE, a leading sustainable construction technology company, is proud to announce the launch and completion of its Mass Timber Model Home, designed as a turnkey workforce housing unit. The Model Home showcases the benefits of Green Canopy NODE's Building Mass Timber Assembly Kits providing developers a path to deliver housing twice as fast with greater predictability.

The Mass Timber Model Home is a two-story modular home built using precision-engineered mass timber components manufactured offsite, demonstrating the power of prefabrication, installation, and logistics. The modules for the home were assembled offsite and ready for shipping in two days. Onsite assembly for the entire home occurred in two days during a blizzard, further testing the company’s process and capabilities to build under extreme conditions.

"Green Canopy NODE's Mass Timber Model Home is a game-changer for developers. We all want to solve the housing market’s pains, but we get stuck in long development timelines and traditional construction schedules. Our Model Home will help cut out a lot of hurdles and risks we all have traditionally struggled with and help us all simply deliver more housing," said Bec Chapin, Co-CEO of Green Canopy NODE.

Green Canopy NODE's Mass Timber Model Home is at the forefront of sustainability, storing carbon and reducing embodied carbon footprint and waste. Building with mass timber delivers increased efficiency, enhanced sustainability, health benefits, and unparalleled aesthetics, making it an ideal choice for developers and investors interested in low- and mid-rise residential construction technology.

"We are excited to bring the power of manufacturing to help regenerate communities and environments, all while reducing waste and minimizing embodied carbon," said Aaron Fairchild, Co-CEO of Green Canopy NODE.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E HESTIA program awarded $2.63 Million to a research project in partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL), Washington State University (WSU), and Green Canopy NODE. The project’s team will be working together over the next two years to develop ways to create affordable carbon-negative homes.

Keep reading to learn more about why this project matters and get an insider’s perspective from Green Canopy NODE’s VP of Product and Technology, Darrin Griechen.

Q. What is the project trying to do?

DG: Our goal is to research ways in which we can create not just net-zero, but also carbon-negative buildings affordably. Finding the intersection between affordability, net-zero and carbon-negative buildings is no small feat. We believe the requirements to achieve this are two-fold: feasible low-carbon construction and cost efficiency at scale. The research project will develop an innovative approach toward modular design and construction of residential buildings that centers around the reuse, recycling, and reimagination of building components, leveraging advanced manufacturing processes.

Q. How are you going to do it?

The Circular Economy

DG: We are taking a holistic project-solving approach, involving design and materials considerations with a focus on bringing about a circular economy – that is, a systemic approach to eliminating waste by reusing, recycling, and refurbishing materials, and products to expanding their lifecycle as long as possible. Rather than reusing the materials of existing buildings, our goal is to plan for new construction using bio-based materials and create the path for a circular economic cycle, where the materials can be reused or re-purposed once their lifespan in buildings is completed.

Q. What are the main challenges?

DG: We need to challenge those materials and methods that haven't really evolved in the last century. We feel that with Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), we have a product that allows us to leverage advanced manufacturing to scale a solution that will be cost-competitive, while also contributing to enabling a carbon-negative home. It is also a material that can be adapted and re-used later in life without a significant amount going into the landfill, thus keeping the carbon it stores from being released into the environment.

Q. Why is this partnership between PNNL, WSU, and Green Canopy NODE the right mix for this project?

DG: This project involves a strategic partnership to realize the vision of sustainability for everyone. PNNL brings considerable experience and knowledge in understanding embodied carbon, energy efficiency, and building science, to name a few. The WSU team has expertise in engineering with composite materials, and structural engineering, alongside testing materials for certification to building codes. Green Canopy NODE intends to leverage our expertise in supply chain, CLT product development, and residential design and construction, to take it to the next level. Together, we strive to provide the needed scientific, engineering, and business foundations to innovate so others can integrate these approaches into their construction projects and scale the impact of affordable carbon-negative homes.

A Cradle-to-Grave Circular Home

A key tenant of this research is that the carbon intensity in residential buildings can be significantly decreased by using factory-built bio-based solutions.  We believe that an all-electric, modular design will allow us to minimize cost while retaining the flexibility to adapt to project needs during construction and over the lifecycle of buildings. These homes would be flexibly assembled on-site and later disassembled and reassembled into new buildings, increasing their lifespan from the traditional 50 years to over 150 years over multiple building iterations. This results in a carbon-neutral lifecycle of the building itself and the used materials.

More details about this research’s process and outcomes will be shared as it develops. Follow us to stay updated on this transformative project!

The Built Green Conference is an annual gathering designed to provide valuable and cutting-edge information on green building and sustainability.  At the convention, it is easy to notice attendees’ general desire to keep up with industry advancements, and what innovations builders are pushing out. Green Canopy NODE’s Co-CEO Bec Chapin was selected to lead a session on “Construction Technology for Low and Midrise Residential,” engaging project managers, city inspectors, architects, and other guild professionals to explore together the opportunities for innovation in the industry.  

Given the current affordability and climate crises, how do we use the power of technology to build more efficiently, affordably, and sustainably? Bec focused on three key innovations: material and component products, robotics, and automation software.  

1. Materials and component products range from mushroom insulation to prefabricated modular buildings. They can increase efficiency and sustainability. Green Canopy NODE creates products that fit into the manufactured component category: these types of products deliver efficiency by reducing on-site construction schedules, the labor hours needed, and by allowing for manufacturing levels of product quality control.  

2. Robotics are an unfolding possibility – the technology is here today and will continue to evolve in the future, but there is a gap to bridge when it comes to its adoption. However, construction is driven by safety to protect individuals from dangerous tasks or from those that are repetitive and hard on the human body. For instance, drones are setting a new frontier for safety, efficiency, and accuracy – allowing builders to conduct quality controls and mapping with more security. Drones doing roof inspections or cleaning windows make for safer and more efficient construction sites. At the same time, robots can undertake time-consuming and risky tasks for a fraction of the cost, like cleaning the windows of a skyscraper. Still, we see people on ladders, risking life and limb.  

3. When it comes to automation, software is something anyone can act on today – by implementing a CRM for customer relationship management, running bids, supervising client updates, and so much more. “If you find yourself doing the same task over, again and again, automate it!” advised Bec. Currently, there are countless software suites available to solve many real estate development tasks, such as estimating, construction management, take-offs, site updates, and payments, to name a few. Technology can save builders precious time while getting rid of complex spreadsheets. “If we work smarter and get those minutes back, what would we do with them? Burn out less and invest more time in building better and greener,” added Bec.  

From Working in a Silo to Collaborating Together 

As we think about even greater levels of efficiency, it’s time to embrace the possibility of AI in the industry. Harnessing the potential of technology and innovation in construction requires a shift out of our silos.  There is real value in streamlining the various channels within the construction cycle. Green Canopy NODE’s vertical integration helps our clients and developments avoid the inefficiencies of segmented project execution. Our commitment is to build better and work smarter, by doing it together. 

Learn more about how we're leveraging the power of technology. 

Sign up for our newsletter and social media to become part of the Green Canopy NODE community. 

For Immediate Release

Funding Part of Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) HESTIA Program to Increase Total Amount of Carbon Stored in Buildings

[Richland, WA] – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been selected, along with its collaborators Washington State University (WSU) and Green Canopy NODE, to receive $2.63 Million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding is part of the ARPA-E HESTIA program, which prioritizes overcoming barriers associated with carbon-storing buildings, including scarce, expensive, and geographically limited building materials. The goal of the HESTIA program is to increase the total amount of carbon stored in buildings to create carbon sinks, which absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than released during the construction process.

The project team is led by Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Chrissi Antonopoulos, senior analyst at PNNL, with Co-PI Dr. Adam Phillips leading the Washington State University research team and Darrin Griechen representing Green Canopy NODE. Other senior researchers and collaborators on the project team include Patricia Gunderson (PNNL), Edward Louie (PNNL), Dr. Karl Englund (WSU), and Dr. Ji Yun Lee (WSU).

The research project will develop an innovative approach toward modular design and construction of residential buildings that centers around reuse, recycling, and reimagination of building components. The project’s goal is to produce a net negative carbon residence using advanced manufacturing techniques, biobased materials, de-constructable connection details, and circular design planning to create residences that have the durability and flexibility to be sustainable, modifiable, and reconfigurable for generations to come.

For additional information about Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Washington State University, and Green Canopy NODE please visit the institutional websites. More information will be forthcoming as the project starts.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering WSU

Green Canopy NODE

Contract Susan Fairchild with questions.

We were honored to participate in the 2022 Built Green Conference. Every year, it provides valuable and cutting-edge information on green building and sustainability. Green Canopy NODE’s Co-Founder Sam Lai was invited to moderate the panel Partnerships for Delivering Sustainable Affordable Housing. “The point of convening today is to come with humility and listen. The group of people in this space is amazing. I hope every one of you can leave this room having learned one or two things that you can apply in your work,” he said.   

In a nutshell, panelists were clear on a generalized goal: residential real estate projects need to be increasingly community-led. Unhelpful structures need to change. That change can be hard, painful, and sometimes even feel impossible. But if the brave people in the industry continue to gather and partner, willing to look at problems, racist structures, or blind spots – within our communities and organizations – everything is possible. 

We want to share the key insights from each of the panelists on creating partnerships to help ensure real estate development meets community needs. 

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity – “When someone tells me something is impossible, I am more motivated to do it and partner with smart people that will help me accomplish it. We need to plan different types of housing for all people at all income levels," said CEO Carly Colgan. Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homeownership opportunities for current and future generations. Each home is built closely with the future homeowners, so they are part of creating a better life for themselves and their families, developing strength, stability, and independence in the process. 

Africatown Community Land Trust – “Do developers impact communities in the way the latter would like them to do? It is only by working together that we can bring about a new paradigm in which communities are fully taking part in developments,” explained Muammar Hermanstyne. Africatown Land Trust works to acquire, steward, and develop land assets to empower the African diaspora in the Greater Seattle Region, fostering civic participation and equity.  

Artisans Group Architecture Planning – “We feel a strong call to action from our industry: we need to address racial equity and affordable housing. We should all be fighting for something,” shared Tessa Bradley, Principal Architect. Artisan Group Architecture Planning is a women-owned firm committed to artful design and building science for a better world. The firm currently works 70 percent on Passive House and 30 percent on affordable housing, partnering with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity, Homes First, and other actors in the process. 

Homestead Community Land Trust – "Too often we are given a forced choice to either build for affordability or sustainability. It's urgent that we build more affordable housing. It's urgent that we address climate change. We must reject this false choice. We must do both now," urged Kathleen Hosfeld, Executive Director. Homestead Community Land Trust preserves and advances access to affordable homeownership to create thriving, equitable and inclusive communities, empowering individuals, families and neighborhoods in the Greater Seattle and King County area.  

Washington State Housing Finance Commission – “There is more need for resources than we have resources to provide. How do we prioritize which projects to finance? Through a community-based approach and partnerships informing a scoring criterion to distribute resources,” shared Lisa Vatske, Director of Multifamily Housing and Community Facilities Division. The Commission is dedicated to expanding housing access, safeguarding racial equity values, and committed to actively dismantling structural racism in the housing industry. 

City of Seattle – “The growth strategy in Seattle has been almost the same for the past 30 years, that is, concentrating most new developments –apartments and townhomes – in the same areas,” explained Senior Urban Planner Nick Welch. “We are now in the exciting phase of rethinking that; addressing the historic underproduction of housing and creating more opportunities in affordable and income-restricted markets,” he added. As prices rise and economic and racial segregation continues, Seattle’s Land Use division strives to shift these issues by rethinking how to distribute housing opportunities throughout the city. 

Building Communities 

There are many ways to go about including communities in real estate projects. The spectrum ranges from ignoring or merely informing groups to collaborating, co-developing, and even delegating responsibility for different parts of the project. Collaboration allows for creating the housing that communities want, and future generations need.  

Green Canopy NODE has long recognized that to build sustainable homes for everyone, we cannot work in isolation. Building partnerships is key to creating a better future where good homes are affordable, communities are resilient and inclusive, net zero carbon homes are the norm, wild lands are preserved and impact investors earn profits.  

Interested in exploring a partnership opportunity to deliver more sustainable and affordable housing?  

Green Canopy NODE and Timber Finance Initiative to Lead Working Group on Carbon Methodology for Mass Timber Construction

Seattle, Zurich, 29th of September 2022 – The Timber Finance Initiative, Green Canopy NODE, South Pole and Gordian Knot Strategies are pleased to announce they have joined efforts in creating the first mass timber carbon credit methodology. They are developing a globally applicable carbon credit methodology for mass timber construction in Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) GHG crediting Program. Verra will serve as the independent standard-setter for the methodology.

The Working Group will bring together a team of field and technical experts. Together, it will develop a concept note to be submitted to Verra’s VCS Program, the world’s leading greenhouse gas program, later this year. The final methodology will then be developed by the Timber Finance Initiative and South Pole. A rigorous carbon methodology will help realize the climate value of stored carbon in mass timber construction and help scale mass timber as a negative emissions technology and low-emissions building material.

Current estimates show that up to 40 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions originate from the built environment. Furthermore, up to 60 percent of the world’s existing building stocks will be built and rebuilt within the next two decades, laying a tremendous challenge and opportunity to set more sustainable trends in the construction sector. Mass timber has been identified as a renewable and low-emissions alternative to concrete and steel. If timber is procured from sustainable forest management, mass timber mitigates climate change twofold: By removing CO2 (Carbon Dioxide Removal) from the atmosphere and storing it long-term in buildings and by replacing Green House Gas (GHG)-intensive conventional building materials.

About Timber Finance Initiative

The Timber Finance Initiative is the Swiss competence center for timber investments. Timber Finance promotes sustainable investment opportunities of the forest and timber industry through the development of new financial products, carbon removal credits, whitepapers, and advisory services. Timber Finance launched the world’s first timber carbon capture and storage index in February 2022. www.timberfinance.ch

Co-Founder of Timber Finance Initiative, Thomas Fedrizzi: “The United Nations Climate Council has recently recognized the potential of mass timber and its multiple benefits: Timber not only functions as a carbon sink, but – when used in building construction – achieves emission reductions by displacing carbon-intensive materials such as concrete and steel.

About Green Canopy NODE

Green Canopy NODE is a vertically integrated construction technology, real estate development, and fund management company. Over its history, it has sought to embrace the innovation required to change the current paradigm of housing development and deliver on its commitment to help regenerate both communities and environments. The company works with its clients and investors to develop high-performing, deep green, all-electric, and healthy housing. www.greencanopynode.com

Co-CEO of Green Canopy NODE, Aaron Fairchild: “I am encouraged about the potential to further scale mass and cross-laminated timber through building our shared future. Housing that utilizes mass-timber is longer-lasting and can be more cost-effective, making climate-smart homes accessible to people of all income levels.”

About South Pole

South Pole, a social enterprise recognized by the World Economic Forum's Schwab Foundation, is the world's leading climate solutions provider and carbon project developer. Since its creation in 2006, it has developed nearly 1,000 projects in over 50 countries to reduce over one gigaton of CO2 emissions, and to provide social benefits to less privileged communities who are particularly vulnerable to climate change. South Pole's project work spans sustainable agriculture, forest conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, and decentralized renewable energy. www.southpole.com

Associate Director  at South Pole, Nicolas Roduner, “The climate benefit of using timber instead of conventional building materials is currently not monetized. We will change this by developing this methodology and subsequently support mass timber projects with climate finance.”

About Gordian Knot Strategies

Gordian Knot Strategies is a strategic problem-solving consulting company with a focus on natural climate solutions and expertise in climate finance, impact funds, and carbon markets, and has developed numerous go-to-market plans in these areas.  https://gordianknotstrategies.com/

CEO of GKS, Sean Penrith: “Voluntary carbon markets have the potential to route billions of dollars from firms committing to net zero to projects and technologies that reduce or eliminate carbon emissions. The successful introduction of a mass timber carbon methodology is key to help finance the shift to carbon storing, green buildings.”

About Verra

Verra is a nonprofit organization that operates the world’s leading carbon crediting program, the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, as well as other standards in environmental and social markets. To date, Verra has issued over 970 million carbon credits to over 1,800 projects around the world.

Verra is committed to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods, and protect natural resources by working with the private and public sectors. We support climate action and sustainable development with standards, tools, and programs that credibly, transparently, and robustly assess environmental and social impacts and enable funding for sustaining and scaling up projects that verifiably deliver these benefits.  www.verra.org

The Mass Timber CDR Working Group

The Timber Finance Initiative, Green Canopy NODE ,South Pole and Gordian Knot Strategies have created a Working Group of issue area experts to develop a globally applicable carbon credit methodology for mass timber construction Verra will serve as an independent standard-setter for the methodology. A rigorous carbon methodology will help realize the value of stored carbon in mass timber construction and further clear a pathway to scale mass timber as a climate-smart building material. The final methodology will be developed by the Timber Finance Initiative and South Pole. The final methodology is anticipated in early 2023.

Questions? Contact:

Susan Fairchild
Chief Marketing Officer
susan@greencanopynode.com

The Spring season begins a beautiful process of birth and renewal. What once was dormant, begins to awake, slowly unfurl, and reveal its true purpose. To be called to purpose with such intention is not to be taken lightly.

Amidst the ongoing strain of the pandemic and global crises, Green Canopy & NODE took the concept of purpose further. Rather than tackle the challenges of the construction industry separate from each other, we recognized that we could accelerate transformation of the construction industry towards greater sustainability, health, and affordability together. Today, Green Canopy NODE is a collective of investors, innovators, changemakers, makers-at-heart, and people living their lives aligned to purpose. Our shared vision is to provide more healthy and sustainable housing for people of all income levels across the nation.

I am grateful to not be alone in this work. At Green Canopy NODE we come together in a coordinated effort to do more than one person could on their own. I am blessed with a deeply committed community of teammates, board members, shareholders, impact investors, institutional investors, homeowners, landowners, developers, affordable housing groups, architects, real estate agents, and sub-contractors; all playing an important role in achieving our collective mission and vision.

I welcome you to engage with us on this journey! Please feel free to start by sharing with me your insights and reflections on this report.

With deep gratitude,
Susan Fairchild, Chief Marketing and Impact Officer
Green Canopy NODE

We’re excited about the potential for mass timber, and specifically cross-laminated timber, to help us on our quest to revolutionize construction and deliver sustainable, healthy homes to everyone.

What is Mass Timber and Cross-Laminated Timber?

Mass timber is a category of wood product made by fastening or bonding smaller wood components with nails, dowels, or adhesives. Mass timber is exceptionally strong, can be an excellent low carbon substitute for concrete and steel and is particularly well-suited for modular construction and prefab construction.

Cross-laminated timber blocks
Photo courtesy of Oregon Forest Resources Institute

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is specific type of mass timber, made from wood that has been stacked at 90-degree angles from each other and glued together with a structural adhesive to form panels. Think of CLT as a giant, thick solid sheet of wood. Similar to plywood, but made of solid lumber instead of thin veneers.

CLT panels can be used for the entire structure of a home and has many benefits including:

• Health & Wellness: CLT can be used to create beautiful, quiet and healthier homes that can help unlock the promised benefits of biophilic design.

• Carbon Sequestration: CLT naturally stores carbon from the atmosphere, which is one significant step to moving beyond net zero energy toward an even more environmentally responsible net zero carbon building.

•  Circular Economy: As a more durable product, CLT homes will last longer than standard code-built homes. At the end of the structure’s life, it can also be more easily deconstructed and re-used rather than ending up in a landfill.

The Path Beyond Net Zero Ready Homes

If you have followed Green Canopy NODE over the years, you have known the company to be determined to innovate within the world of real estate and build much more sustainable homes than code requires. The team has built increasingly more sustainable homes over the years, proving that homebuilders can deliver net zero energy ready homes at roughly the same cost as code-built homes. However, to take sustainability in housing further and build at increasingly lower costs, the slow to transform industry needs to incorporate innovative construction technologies and leverage offsite manufacturing. 

The Power of Manufacturing & Green Canopy NODE

The team, the board, and the shareholders of Green Canopy NODE believe that through the power of manufacturing, Green Canopy NODE can realize the full potential of its mission to build homes, businesses, and relationships to help regenerate communities and environments.  To that end, Green Canopy NODE is excited about the promise of cross-laminated timber as a structural technology solution in the residential mid-to-low rise real estate space. CLT is ideal for leveraging manufacturing. As an engineered wood product, it is more dimensionally stable and easy to carve and groove using large precise computer controlled cutting machines. Controlling uniformity and tolerances allows for efficient installation while maximizing structure and sustainability. 

Innovating to Deliver CLT Housing at all Income Levels

The challenge of building with CLT is the increased cost associated with the cost of extra wood in the floors and walls, especially in mid-to-low rise residential buildings. Green Canopy NODE is working on innovative financing, wood sourcing, construction technologies, design, and manufacturing strategies to lower the cost of construction and make CLT available for housing at all income levels.

For those of you who like to mine for more information here are some links with additional detail on CLT and its benefits: 

• Vox: The hottest new thing in sustainable building is, uh, wood

• Nature in Design: The Biophilia Effect 

• Think Wood: CLT Design + Construction