COLLIER CONSTRUCTION IS THE FIRST CONSTRUCTION COMPANY TO BE KRUESI AWARD FINALIST
Chattanooga, TN (April 2, 2009) – Collier Construction has been named a finalist for the Kruesi Award for Innovation. Collier Construction is the first construction company to be a finalist for the award, which recognizes Chattanooga businesses that exemplify an innovative spirit. The award recipient will be announced at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Innovation Awards Luncheon on April 29th.
The Kruesi award is America’s first community innovation award. It is named after “a Chattanooga family whose Swiss ancestor, John Kruesi, immigrated to America and worked with the inventor Thomas A. Edison. Kruesi made the first phonograph in 1877 and was the principal mechanic on countless other patented innovations, including the incandescent light bulb. His son Paul Kruesi settled in Chattanooga, founded the American Lava Company in 1902, and served as president of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. The legacy and lineage of the Kruesi family permeate the community today, symbolizing enlightened enterprise and philanthropy.”
Collier Construction is being recognized for pioneering a Whole Systems Approach to construction. A Whole Systems Approach “combines off-the-shelf products and sustainable building practices. The benefits of a Whole Systems Approach include a minimal environmental impact, improved home quality, interior air quality, home longevity, and reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs.”
Applications for the Kruesi award are reviewed by two panels of experts. The first panel was comprised of local business people, entrepreneurs and community leaders. The second panel of national business leaders and entrepreneurs will review finalists and select the winner.
“We are honored to be named among the finalists for this year’s Kruesi award. Over the years, the Kruesi award has recognized great companies here in Chattanooga,” said Ethan Collier, president and CEO. “One of our goals is to promote sustainable building practices, and this award is a huge step toward accomplishing that goal. We hope that a Whole Systems Approach to construction becomes the norm.”
Collier Construction has developed a reputation as Chattanooga’s green builder through numerous LEED certified projects and EarthCraft homes. In November, Ethan Collier became Chattanooga’s first LEED accredited residential builder. And in December, Collier headed up the construction of Tennessee’s first LEED certified Habitat for Humanity House. Collier Construction also built what will be Chattanooga’s first three LEED certified homes located on Madison Street in Jefferson Heights. The Madison Moderns, pioneered by developer Christian Rushing, was awarded the 2008 Green Development of the Year by Tennessee’s Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Mr. Collier’s company has practiced green construction methods since 2004, and the company continues to improve its whole-systems approach to better fit the needs of homeowners. For every home that Collier builds, the company uses advanced framing techniques in order to reduce lumber, increase insulation and strengthen the home’s structural integrity. Collier has pioneered many sustainable building practices, like resource management, sealed air barriers and rain screen siding systems. “Our aim is to build homes that last twice as long as the traditionally built home while costing significantly less to maintain,” says Mr. Collier.
Collier Construction will be participating in the Eco Expo on Tuesday April 7. Collier will be featuring a wall section with an actual advanced framed wall and a conventionally framed wall for comparison. Collier will also be highlighting two homes, the Rushing residence and the Monroe residence. Collier will release its (re)source packet on green construction. The folder details 5 sustainable building practices that are combined to achieve a green home. David Porfiri of Mindflow Media will be at Collier's booth selling a how to video on green construction featuring behind the scenes footage from his documentary on the Southside Habitat House and interviews with Ethan Collier.
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