The City of Malibu and the Chamber of Commerce conduct a workshop called “Zero Impact Malibu,” focusing on environmentally sustainable building.
By Kimberlie Nitti / Special to The Malibu Times
Granite backsplashes, stainless steel appliances and sisal carpeting are all yesterday’s news. Today’s hippest homeowners are seeking out more earth-friendly materials, such as SCIP panels, recycled-content rubber tiles and kitchen counters made out of-believe it or not-hemp.
The latest trends in eco-design and other environmental issues were hot topics for several dozen Malibu citizens and business leaders gathered at the Malibu Performing Arts Center last week, where they met to exchange ideas about innovative building construction, nature preservation and business incentives for “going green.”
A recurrent theme during the afternoon event was sustainability-that is, how to live in an ecologically responsible manner without compromising the needs of future generations. The industrialization of human life has not been good for the planet, and for those who live and work in a place as renowned for its natural beauty as Malibu, there’s an even greater impetus to protect and restore the environment. Concern about pollution, toxic waste and poor water quality is evolving into a much broader “green movement,” or as local Dutch-born architect Robert Mechielsen calls it, “eco-chic.” For some people, “going green” is not so much about altruism as it is about the bottom line. Economic and environmental interests have often butted heads with each other, but these days, as Malibu Chamber Board Member David Resnick pointed out, “The business community is learning that sustainability makes good economic sense.” (Resnick is the spokesperson for Malibu Bay Company, owned by Jerry Perenchio, who is a Malibu resident.)
The workshop organizers promoted the fact that green buildings save money by lowering energy bills and creating less pollution and waste.
“We’re eager to educate local businesses about what products are available, what materials can and can’t be used, and what the economic impact will be,” Resnick said. “When it comes to environmental issues, the city has a huge leadership role to play.”
But even with pocket-lining incentives such as federal and state tax credits, people often hesitate to construct environmentally friendly buildings, organizers said. Cost is a major issue.
When local homeowner Eric Codova built his green house several years ago, the final price tag was approximately 30 percent higher than if he’d used conventional construction methods and materials. Today, the additional expense would only be about 10 percent, and considering the rising cost of energy, the long-term savings could be significant.
Costs aside, this is Southern California, where aesthetics are important. To many eyes, green buildings can appear industrial, chilly and even downright funky. To an increasing degree, however, green building materials look more and more like the environmentally damaging materials they replace. Codova’s house incorporates such elements as all-natural stucco, recycled glass tile, recycled rubber flooring, and bamboo and other sustainable woods. He also has the aforementioned hemp countertops: “You can’t exactly scrape it off and get baked,” he said joking. “But it’s incredibly durable and beautiful.”
Codova said he is heartened by the greater availability of green building materials. As little as three years ago, it was a real struggle to find recycled content and non-toxic, energy-efficient products anywhere in the Los Angeles area. Now there’s a much wider selection of products that are both affordable and functional. Mechielsen said he also sees reason to be optimistic, and predicts eco-design will evolve in a similar fashion to the organic food movement.
“Organic food used to be expensive and hard to find. Now everybody’s got it.”
With all the new building materials entering the marketplace, the once ubiquitous 2×4 may someday go the way of the dinosaurs. As Mechielsen said, “Wood in America isn’t even real wood anymore. It’s pressboard held together with toxic glue.”
Builders are turning instead to SCIPs, or structural concrete insulated panels, which are prefabricated foam panels with welded mesh and a concrete skin. SCIPs are tremendously strong and resistant to earthquakes, fire and wind damage, so cities such as Miami endorse the system, especially for new construction in areas most vulnerable to hurricanes. Malibu also approved the use of SCIP technology after the area’s devastating 1992 fires.
“SCIPs have revolutionized building construction in Europe,” Mechielsen said, “and no doubt this country will eventually follow suit.”
The Malibu Chamber will host a full day “Zero Impact Malibu” conference on Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. -4 pm, location TBD. More information can be obtained by calling 310.456.9025.
nts, prepared by the youth from Camp David Gonzales, will be served after the show.