Nearly half the homebuilders in this country will implement sustainable building practices this year. They know that “green” homes are no longer a trend, but are fully entrenched in the mainstream. They have realized that the market is predicted to grow to $38 billion in 2010, to 14 percent of the single-family market in 2010. They understand that “going green” is essential to their ongoing success.

Leading the movement is John Porretto of Sustainable Building Solutions, a Texas-based company specializing in exceptional, environmentally friendly coastal homes. Not only do SBS homes represent the epitome of energy-efficient, earth honoring home construction, but they are built to last for generations – even through a hurricane with sustained winds of 145 miles per hour. Employing an advanced construction technology of timber framing and structural insulated panels to build houses of unsurpassed stability, quality, durability, energy efficiency, and beauty, SBS is innovating home construction for homeowners who insist on a safe home and a solid investment.

Porretto has been a paradigm-breaker throughout his career. As the chief operating officer of a large academic health center, he cajoled the board of trustees to build the Houston-based School of Nursing with the highest of green standards. Houston may be the energy capital of the country, but it is not known for its leadership in energy efficiency. Nevertheless, Porretto, because the buck stopped at his desk, knew an investment in sustainable building methods would pay for itself in a matter of years, and would continue to benefit the university through reduced utility and maintenance expense for the life of the building. The result was the largest academic green building in the Southwest: a 190,000 square foot School of Nursing that is not only good for health and the environment, but also for the bottom line.

“Far too often we hear that there is not enough money to do a thing right the first time,” Porretto says, “yet when problems result and bring greater costs on the backside, we do seem to find even greater sums to fix them. By this time, expenses are left to the building’s owner after their architects, engineers, and builders have completed their work and moved on.”

Since he picked up a copy of Paul Hawkin’s The Ecology of Commerce, this one-time bean counter became passionate about the possibilities of environmental construction to benefit the bottom line for builders, homeowners, and the planet. After four decades of helping public and private entities achieve impressive financial goals through an emphasis on the long-term payoffs from investments in sustainability, he turned his attention to home building. Now a master builder, Porretto builds multi-million dollar houses for buyers who demand the highest quality in a home and want to pass it on to their children.

Sustainable Building Solutions houses boast a unique combination of timber framing and structural insulated panels for code-surpassing structural integrity and strength. Not only can the homes withstand hurricane-force winds, but they are incredibly beautiful inside. SBS teams up with Riverbend Timber Framing to construct the post and beam structures and fit the SIPs. The exposed beams and clay-covered walls lend a timeless beauty to the interiors. All the wood used is reclaimed or standing dead, preserving natural forests. The cypress siding has not been sealed; allowing wood to breathe in a humid coastal environment reduces moisture concerns. Even the fasteners are stainless steel to prevent rust in the harsh environment. The little plywood used is marine-grade, and coated with a marine-grade varnish where it might be exposed to the salt air. The slate-like composite roofing offers strength, endurance, and longevity.

The SBS construction technology, designed on a four-foot module, is designed to increase materials efficiency. When building on a barrier island like Dewees Island, South Carolina, where John and his wife live part of the year, it becomes especially significant when all supplies must be carried onto the island – and off – by boat. Nevertheless, materials management and waste control improve the bottom line and benefit the environment wherever a house is built.

The interiors of the SBS homes are healthful for the inhabitants. All materials are chosen to ensure as little off-gassing as possible. The choice for clay walls and wood floors, rather than carpet, assures a cleaner indoor environment. Top-quality wood doors, the fine joinery, and German-made windows by Weru characterize the superiority of an SBS interior.

Of course, it is more expensive to build a home to the level of environmental integrity that Porretto demands. But SBS homeowners are informed homebuyers. They know any home they buy will not come cheap – or be cheaply constructed. They are willing to pay a premium that will pay off sooner rather than later. The electric bill, even in a warm coastal climate, drops to a third of the neighbor’s. Maintenance is minimal, because surfaces use natural materials that require minimal upkeep. Highly efficient SIPs offer the assurance of ongoing insulation value: no shifting or deteriorating insulation is hidden inside the walls. Healthful indoor air means fewer respiratory problems and fewer trips to the doctor. And a home that withstands a disaster saves everyone a lot more than money.

Bottom line: this is a house that outlasts the mortgage. For John Porretto of Sustainable Building Solutions, that means a house he can be proud to build and to sell. For his company, that means a level of success that will outpace the industry. For SBS homeowners, that means a home they treasure for a lifetime and an heirloom they can pass on to their children.