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Design

The Recycled House

A resourceful homeowner and his contractor explain how they created a sustainable home on budget in under five months

Issue 199 (Kitchens & Baths)

When homeowner Adam Rust was about to become a father for the second time, he bought land, adapted a roughly drawn floor plan to the lot, and began applying the values he held for sustainability and environmental responsibility to his new house, now known in Portland, Ore., as “The Recycled House” for its extensive use of recycled materials, most notably the reclaimed wood used for the floors, stairs, decking, cabinets, and trim. The countertops are recycled glass tile, and everything from the carpets to the concrete-tile roofing is made from recycled content.

In this video, Adam sits down with his contractor Meron Alemseghed and shares the methods the two employed to create a green house that exceeded Adam’s expectations, and came in on budget and on schedule.

Adam’s house was featured in Portland’s Build It Green! Homes Tour + Info Fair. Click the links to learn more about the event and to tour another green home.

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