Building Green since 1997.

In our experience, every project is an opportunity to "build green" or promote a healthier environment. Fusion's green practices begin with awareness, incorporate experience with a variety of materials and culminate in beautiful results.

The best green project begins with design. For new construction, green practices are ideally incorporated into the project from the beginning utilizing site orientation and energy-efficient building techniques. Renovations and remodels can incorporate green design elements through sustainable systems such as photovoltaic panels, energy-efficient appliances, reuse of existing materials as well as new green materials and healthy finishes.

From foundation to finish, Fusion carefully manages the construction process and builds your project using well established home building practices, durable products and the highest quality workmanship and materials. We've been building green since 1997.

See some of the ways we've built green for our clients:

  • The Cheatham/Schmidt Residence utilized excellent southwestern site orientation and passive solar design to maximize solar heating and lighting.
  • The Harris Residence renovation minimized demolition to the existing structure and utilized existing masonry walls.
  • The Miner Residence renovation took advantage of excellent southern exposure by adding both a roof-top pv solar electric and solar hot water boost system.
  • The Roberts/Kolderup Residence included a very small addition to improve kitchen and living space functionality.
  • recycling
    • Fusion recycles cardboard, metal, paper and wood for every project we build.
    • Saw dust is composted on-site where feasible.
  • reusing
    • Carpeting removed from the Harris Residence was reused in tents at Burning Man.
    • Exterior decking from the Miner Residence was removed and reused at Cheatham/Schmidt Residence.
    • Foundation forms from the Harris Residence were re-used at Roberts/Kolderup Residence for framing and concrete forms.
    • All usable interior items such as cabinetry, electrical and plumbing fixtures, towel bars and hardware are donated to Building REsources for reuse.
    • All usable exterior items such as doors, windows and hardware are donated to Building REsources for reuse.
  • salvaging
    • Existing patio slab from the Harris Residence was broken up and reused for pathway at the Cunha Residence.
    • Sand excavated from the Miner Residence was used as fill for other project.
    • Front door, windows and exterior trim at the Nathan/Weiss Residence were custom made with salvaged old-growth redwood.
  • Foundation concrete for our projects always contains some percentage of fly ash.
  • Almost all framing material Fusion uses is FSC-certified or reclaimed lumber.
  • Exterior doors and windows for the Calanchini/Miller Residence were fabricated from reclaimed lumber.
  • Master bath cabinetry and window trim for the Harris Residence made from salvaged Eucalyptus with water-based low-VOC finish.
  • Bamboo flooring was used at the Harris Residence and the Miner Residence.
  • The Miner Residence added a 4.5 KW roof-top photovoltaic solar electric and solar hot water boost system for pool heating and domestic hot water supply.
  • A super-insulated roof structure (R-30 plus R-11 radiant foil barrier) was built above the living room and garage area in the Harris Residence.
  • The Harris Residence installed a radiant heat system with gyp-crete slab for high-efficiency heating and adjustable solar shades to reduce direct solar gain.
  • New high-efficiency ENERGY STAR appliances were installed at the Calanchini/Miller Residence and Nathan/Weiss Residence.
  • The Roberts/Kolderup Residence renovation utilized daylighting design, an insulated panel skylight and fluorescent lighting to reduce energy use.
  • Fusion uses healthy insulation — UltraTouch cotton batting or bio-based spray foam — in every project.
  • The Roberts/Kolderup Residence used zero-VOC AFM interior paint and primer.
  • Bedrooms in the Harris Residence were carpeted with Interface Flooring carpet squares.
  • Fusion uses only non-toxic adhesives, sealants, & mastics.
  • Fusion sources low-VOC water-based wood finishes (e.g. Bioshield) as well as zero- or low-VOC finishes & paints for our client's homes.

Call us at 415.868.0647 to discuss how we can fuse quality with sustainability in your project.

Green Applications

Discover the possibilities for making your projects green:

  • site orientation
  • passive solar design
  • native plant landscaping
  • permaculture design & systems
  • recycle
    • cardboard & paper products
    • carpeting
    • glass
    • metal
    • wood
    • soil & compost
  • reuse
    • cabinetry
    • countertops
    • decking
    • doors & windows
    • hardware
    • wood trim & framing lumber
  • salvage
    • concrete
    • exterior siding & trim
    • lumber including studs, beams, flooring & trim
    • masonry including brick, stone & tile
  • FSC-certified lumber (sustainably harvested)
  • reclaimed & salvaged lumber for framing
  • reclaimed & salvaged lumber for interior finishes
  • reclaimed & salvaged lumber for exterior finishes
  • concrete with flyash content
  • cotton & bio-based spray foam insulation
  • bamboo flooring & architectural panels
  • FSC-certified & post-consumer content decking, siding & trim
  • countertops & tile with recycled content (crushed glass, paper, reclaimed wood)
  • non-toxic alternatives to drywall (Strong-Enviro Board, Dragonboard)
  • doors & windows from FSC-certified material
  • advanced insulation & radiant barriers
  • solar electric pv systems
  • solar hot water heating systems
  • energy-efficient appliances (ENERGY STAR)
  • high-efficiency HVAC systems
  • high-efficiency lighting
  • high-quality door & windows with advanced low-e coatings
  • best installation practices to insure quality performance surpassing building code (insulation & HVAC ducting)
  • healthy insulation (cotton batting & bio-based spray foam)
  • non-toxic adhesives, sealants, & mastics
  • low-VOC water-based wood finishes
  • zero-VOC finishes & paints
  • clay paints & plaster finishes
  • healthy carpeting
  • non-toxic flooring (natural linoleum, cork & solid wood)
  • advanced framing techniques
  • durable products (e.g. roofing materials with 40- or 50-year warranties)
  • engineered lumber & wood products
  • high-efficiency irrigation systems
  • high-efficiency toilets
  • landscape water management systems
  • recycled content decking
  • water catchment systems

Look for Fusion's work in Jennifer Roberts' Good Green Kitchens.