After my experience with Holly Contracting, I recommend them to all with enthusiasm for any and all building or creative projects."

Sustainability

The improvement of lifestyles & well being while preserving natural resources and ecosystems.

• Energy Efficiency
• Healthy Living Space
• Environmental Responsibility

"The Holly Team is committed to sustainability, so no matter what the project is, there's always a level of green built in." –David Hall/President

Respect for the wisdom of natural systems - the biomimicry principle

Buildings use on average 40% of the world’s total energy consumption. During the site selection and design phases of our designing and building processes we strive to incorporate systems and technologies provided by nature.

Nature runs on sunlight. We incorporate passive solar design which allows the sun to radiate heat through the southern windows, heating the thermal mass in the structure, giving off free heat in the cooler months. In the warmer months the sun is blocked by engineered overhangs to reduce solar gain. We also encourage the use of a variety of solar panels acquiring more free energy from the sun.

Nature fits form to function. The old building model of how much square footage can be built for the least amount of money is not sustainable. There is a better way. At Holly we articulate true form-to-function in our design, asking what makes the required spaces affordable, efficient, functional, beautiful, and ecologically responsible. In return this design philosophy can save money and create more free time by reducing cleaning costs, heating and cooling costs, and maintenance costs, while retaining all the desired aspects of a smart, beautiful, efficient place to live, work or play.

Respect for people - the human vitality principle

At Holly our priority is people. Our responsibilities are to the people we serve, the community we grew up in, and the people we employ, whether directly through our sub-contractors and vendors or indirectly through the people manufacturing and transporting the materials we use. People are affected daily by Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). SBS is caused by the presence of prolonged unhealthy air quality that comes from a variety of sources including material off-gassing, mold and mildew, and elevated carbon dioxide levels due to poor ventilation. To eliminate any possibility of Sick Building Syndrome, we incorporate a variety of sustainable building techniques including use of low or no VOC (volatile organic compound) materials, adequate ventilation, and advanced waterproofing techniques. We also advise third party certification to insure our clients of our commitment to people and their health.

Respect for place - the ecosystem principle

Place is a word used to describe the complex relationships between climate, geography, biology and topography that create the differences we see around us. Place relates to the feeling of “home”. Our design team strives to continue that feeling of “home” in the structures we create by retaining the natural beauty of the landscape, and by creating structures that are welcomed by their surroundings whether they’re in the inner city, rural areas, or any other region desired.

Respect for the cycle of life - the no waste system

In nature there is no such thing as waste. All natural ecosystems involve elements, nutrients and metabolisms in which everything is used and reused in a continuous cycle. Buildings account for 40% of municipal waste destined for landfills, 30% of raw materials consumption, and 35% of the world’s CO2 emissions. In the current model, the construction industry is using up renewable and non-renewable resources at a rate that cannot be sustained, while also supporting the creation and use of biologically harmful products. By using ecologically responsible products, creating structures that last, and by putting people first, we at Holly Contracting and Design are hoping to provide future generations a measure of freedom from dealing with ecological, biological, and economic challenges.

Respect for energy and natural resources - the conservation principle

Buildings and their construction are responsible for 40% of the world’s total energy use, 25% of timber harvest, and 16% of fresh water withdrawal. We live in a world without infinite resources, and the resources we do have are not getting any more abundant or less expensive. Oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power and hydroelectric projects are all costing us either in money or quality of life, due to rising costs, pollution, and lost natural places and ecosystems. We begin with site selection and an in-depth planning process with the goal of locking in the energy efficient and ecologically responsible opportunities early in the process, helping the client and all involved avoid wasted time and money and missed opportunity. Then the ground rules established during the planning phase are carried out during the building process with strict attention paid to these following items:

During construction and after job completion, we recommend a third party certification, such as LEED or Earth Advantage, to ensure that sustainable practices and building performance have been achieved. Our clients are provided with an Operations and Maintenance Manual and firsthand instructions to insure continued optimal building performance.

Respect for process - the holistic thinking principle

The construction industry cannot help create a sustainable future by utilizing the same designs and practices that created the unsustainable present. Simply put, we at Holly want a better result, so we have a better process. This process is called holistic thinking, the all-encompassing parameters surrounding the project from site selection and design to building, to turnkey, operations, maintenance, and how all the components of the project work together to insure optimal health, optimal productivity, energy efficiency and affordability.