Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S U M M E R 2 0 1 6 108 HIGH PLAINS ARCHITECTS 2720 Minnesota Avenue; Billings, MT 59101 www.highplainsarchitects.com 406-896-0250 ABOUT: Full-service architecture firm founded in 1999 and specializing in sustainable con- struction, renovation, and historic preservation; has designed 11 buildings rated LEED plati- num, the highest sustainability rating awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council; winner of national, regional, state, and local awards for sustainable building RANDY HAFER FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, PRESIDENT: "Before about 2006, we had to be a bit subversive in get- ting green, sustainable features into our designs. Clients didn't understand or see the need for it. Now, energy savings and sustainable design are part of the agenda for almost every client who comes in. "We rethink every structure from the ground up. We start with a properly oriented building mass optimized for passive solar heating and cooling and daylighting, plus a tight, super-insulated building envelope. en we integrate green materials and water-efficient, energy-efficient, renewable energy systems. e resulting high-performance homes and buildings are comparable in cost to conventional construction but with 50-75% energy savings. Why wouldn't anyone want that? "We've found that the resources needed to build green in Montana — materials, contractors, and sup- pliers — have always been here. You just need to look for them, or to develop them by showing people what you need. "While financing and appraisals in Montana are behind the curve in seeing the long-term value of sustainable building, I am heartened by the resolve of a young family investing in a renovation of its home for efficiency and comfort rather than moving to a new house. e world is changing. I doubt we'll ever go back to the level of resource use we've seen in the past." When complete, this off-the-grid demonstration home near downtown Billings, designed by High Plains Architects, will have no outside water or energy inputs. "We wanted to show that people can take care of them- selves," says High Plains' president Randy Hafer, noting house features that include passive treated and re- cycled water, locally sourced materials , and a direct-current electrical system fed by solar panels and a vertical axis wind turbine. JOHN WARNER PHOTOGRAPHY AND TAISEI TECHNO VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINES High-quality, innovative products for green con- struction don't have to come from far away. High Plains Architects and Barta Built Custom Builders routinely use structural insulated panels (SIPS) from Big Sky Insulations in Belgrade, the largest U.S. manufacturer of expanded polystyrene rigid insulation. The prefabricated panels (shown here in green) go up 50% faster than traditional stick frame construction for walls, roof, and floors, cut energy use by half or more, and provide superior noise-dampening and protection from wind, snow and earthquakes. Founded in 1977, Big Sky has four manufacturing sites in three states and sells its products internationally. Individually numbered panels make for easy use by expert and nonexpert builders alike. BIG SKY INSULATIONS, INC.

• Cover