LAUPEN HOMES LLC is a residential building and remodeling firm based in Olympia, Washington, designing homes for the 21st century utilizing green construction techniques. More than a lifestyle choice, green building is the only way to ensure a safe, healthy and vibrant planet. Thus Laupen’s mission statement: To build high performance, sustainable, energy efficient homes that are beautiful, affordable, and socially responsible. At the core of Laupen Homes are three concepts that guide all projects:

1. Energy Efficiency: Laupen uses the German Passivhaus technique of building homes that are super-insulated, making maximum use of available sunlight to heat, light and ventilate the house and create an airtight shell. Laupen also incorporates the LEED standards of a better-insulated home, the use of high-efficiency appliances, as well as the incorporation of alternative sources of power, to energize the residence. In addition, Laupen uses eco-friendly, locally or regionally supplied building materials whenever possible.

2. Affordability: Laupen takes aim at the misconception that having a green home requires a substantial investment of greenbacks. They produce sustainable homes that are as affordable as those built to current U.S. energy standards. To do this, Laupen lowers costs through innovative design, careful planning, and improved efficiency. For example, they can maximize long-term energy savings while minimizing upfront costs by using alternative heating systems rather than foreign energy sources. Also lowering green costs is the increased competition in the supply of earth-friendly building products.

3. Sustainability: Providing ways of construction that use less virgin material and less energy is a challenge Laupen embraces. By reducing water consumption, buying renewable materials and those with recycled content, recycling and salvaging on-site materials, and using local or regionally manufactured products, Laupen decreases their impact on the environment. Also, Cory stays on top of current advancements in the area of green building. “We strive to keep ourselves updated, believing that better technology can make green homes even more sustainable and comfortable to live in. That said we try not to get caught up in a trend without asking the question, ‘Does this make sense?’ This ensures that our homes are not only environmentally sustainable, but also deliver the kind of aesthetics our customer’s desire.”

It is the goal of Laupen to build homes – neither at the expense of the planet nor a customer’s dreams and financial means – but with intelligent, innovative design, planning, and execution. Incorporating sustainability and improved energy efficiency, thus reducing waste and pollution, makes it a win-win for everyone involved, especially generations to