The NAHB Research Center is getting ready to certify the homes in the Santa Clarita, Calif., development of LivingSmart Homes in Fair Oaks Ranch, all of which are being built by Pardee Homes to the Gold level of the National Green Building Standard.

Pardee is the first production builder in the state to embrace the green rating system as a community standard.

As dictated by the standard, each home is being built with energy, water and resource efficiency, indoor environmental quality, appropriate lot and site development and home owner education tools. The homes will be inspected twice by an NAHB Research Center-approved verifier before being certified

The 124-home development includes four single-family floor plans with 1,846 to 2,432 square feet of living space. Pricing is from the low $400,000s.

NAHB Research Center President Michael Luzier and Pardee Homes President and CEO Michael McGee announced the milestone at a news conference attended by state and local government officials.

As some of the green attributes of Fair Oaks Ranch, McGee pointed to its walkable neighborhoods; proximity to public transportation, schools, shopping and recreation; water-savings measures; and open space preservation.

The National Green Building Standard, McGee said, “offers builders and product suppliers a nationally recognized standard definition of green building.”

He added that the standard has established an important benchmark for meeting Pardee’s goals for the quality of its new homes. “It's a natural fit for the continuous evolution of our green building commitment, which began 13 years ago with our first energy-efficient homes in California and Nevada," he said.

"Pardee Homes is really raising the bar for what consumers should come to expect when seeking their next new home,”  Luzier said.

“The NAHB Research Center doesn't take lightly the meaning conveyed by issuance of our Green Certified mark, and clearly Pardee doesn't take lightly its responsibility to the local environment and the comfort, health and well-being of its home buyers. They are walking the green walk with the homes in this community, and I applaud the company's commitment."

For more information, email Anne Holtz Schmick at the NAHB Research Center, or call her at 800-638-8556.

'National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.

The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.

Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here.

'National Green Building Standard Commentary' Available at BuilderBooks.com

The "National Green Building Standard Commentary," available through BuilderBooks.com and a companion to the ANSI approved "National Green Building Standard," that provides valuable insight to the intention and implementations of the practices and provisions found in the green building standard.

The "Commentary" is a useful resource for any designer or builder using the ICC 700-2008 as a rating system for developing or renovating residential properties of all types to reduce their relative impact.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

More Than 5,400 People Have Earned Their Certified Green Professional (CGP) Designation

The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.

Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 5,400 people have earned the CGP designation to date.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.

'Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

For answers to questions about National Green Building Certification by the NAHB Research Center, certification to the standard or the guideline sunset, complete and submit the Contact Us form on the NAHBGreen website.