11 Sustainable Home Builders to Know From the AD PRO Directory

Aman Johnson

As the effects of climate change become ever more alarming, sustainable home builders are taking major steps to lessen the impact of their work on the environment. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Yale Center for Ecosystems and Architecture, the building and construction sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases. However, the following firms—all of which are members of the AD PRO Directory—reduce their carbon impact through the use of sustainable building practices and materials, reduction of waste, and implementation of energy-efficient systems. If you’re building a new home or renovating your current residence, these AD-approved sustainable home builders can make the process easier for you—and better for the environment.

Scandic Builders

Traditional craftsmanship meets modern innovation in the work of New Jersey–based Scandic Builders. The environmentally conscious builder utilizes recycled and sustainable materials, renewable energy sources, and other green technology. Recent projects have utilized solar shingles, battery backups, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and the firm's patented Hydronic Radiant Flooring system. Scandic Builders emphasizes natural building, using long-lasting materials such as stone, cedar, slate, and copper to reduce its impact on the environment while incorporating the latest learnings on sustainability and conservation.

J Kramer Corp

Laguna Beach custom-home builder J Kramer Corp appreciates a challenge, whether it's building on a steep hillside site or constructing the first home with a BONE Structure—a patented steel-construction technology—in Orange County. The latter, a prefab modern duplex, also boasts skylights and large windows to bring in natural light, as well as solar and battery power. Natural materials are a through-line in the firm's work, from a home built into a Laguna Beach site's natural sandstone to wood-clad cabins in Mammoth.

OOR Design Build

For New York City’s OOR Design Build, sustainability is more than just selecting eco-friendly materials; it’s about designing intentionally and purposefully to create homes that support those who inhabit them. The company, which was founded by Leah Almog Arazi and specializes in high-end renovations, considers sustainability integral to its approach for every project. Reclaimed materials, state-of-the-art HVAC systems, LED lighting, low VOC paints, and solar panels are all incorporated into its modern designs.

Z Builders

Thanks to its partnership with architecture and interiors firm Studio Zung, Z Builders brings a unified vision to each home it designs and builds. Led by founder Tommy Zung and principal Kupal Fontaine, the New York–based company considers sustainability a driving principle, and carries that ethos through all aspects of the construction process. It meticulously selects long-lasting, ethically sourced materials; works under eco-conscious conditions; and partners with environmentally conscious suppliers and artisans.

Perez Construction

Founded in 2017 by Everson Perez, San Francisco’s Perez Construction has become a go-to partner for designers and architects in the Bay Area. From historic renovations to large-scale modern remodels, the family firm does it all and approaches its work with a strong commitment to sustainability. Perez Construction advocates for environmentally sustainable renovation practices and is a part of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, an organization committed to eliminating fossil fuels in buildings.

Escobedo Group

Texas-based Escobedo Group’s process emphasizes efficiency without sacrificing quality and craftsmanship. Its 60,000-square-foot facility outside Austin keeps stone, millwork, and metal fabrication all under one roof, and the firm cold-rolls its own light-gauge steel framing—made of 75% recycled material to reduce waste. The firm also created the DARIO panelized construction system, which allows homes to be installed in days—limiting the impact on the landscape—and utilizes high-efficiency mechanical systems, bamboo floors and exterior decks, and pier and beam foundation that reduces the use of concrete.

Clayton

Clayton makes it easy for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint with its eBuilt collection of manufactured homes. The single-family home builder has worked to make its process more sustainable by reducing waste, recycling and reusing materials, and expanding its use of renewable energy. The eBuilt homes are constructed ready for renewable energy systems and include energy-efficient features like a Rheem hybrid water heater, argon gas low-E windows, LED lighting, and increased insulation—all helping to reduce energy costs.

NS Builders

Led by founder Nick Schiffer, NS Builders emphasizes sustainability in its new builds and renovations across Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. The construction company uses eco-friendly building techniques and materials in each project, and has built several projects to Passive House standards, including the firm’s first development project in Wellesley, Massachusetts. NS Builders is also sensitive to its impact on the existing landscape, as evidenced by the care it took when building a new home around a 100-year-old sweet gum tree.

MatPel Builders

MatPel Builders has had a strong focus on sustainability since it was founded in 1986. The general contracting firm—which builds primary and secondary homes in the San Francisco Bay area and Wyoming—has decades of experience with sustainable materials, systems, and building practices, including assisting with LEED and Build It Green certifications. Recent projects have included features such as rammed earth walls, geothermal heat pumps, green roofs, and photovoltaic power, and the firm's work has received multiple awards from the AIA Committee on the Environment.

JGB Custom Homes

Led by founder Jake Badger, JGB Custom Homes has been crafting custom homes in the Austin area for almost 15 years. Whether it is remodeling a midcentury residence or building a new home, the company displays meticulous attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship. In addition to offering consultations on sustainable building practices, JGB Custom Homes has experience building to the five-star rating standards set by Austin Energy Green Building.

Mayfair Construction

Since 1990, Southampton-based Mayfair Construction has been building high-end custom homes for discerning clients in the Hamptons, Connecticut, Westchester, and Long Island’s North Shore. The family-owned boutique firm combines traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation and cutting-edge technology and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Mayfair Construction regularly collaborates with top architecture and design firms, including AD100 studios Redd Kahoi and Ken Fulk Inc., and Oliver Cope Architects.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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