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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 31 A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / D E S I G N As of 2016 there was 1.1 million square feet of certifi ed Passive House construction in the U.S, according to the Passive House Institute. ere have been far more residen- tial projects than commercial ones in Maine, Corson says. His company, Ecocor, built its fi rst Passive House in 2012, shortly after G-O Logic built the fi rst one in the state. Corson's company has built 60 homes, not all in Maine, since then. Ecocor fabricates much of the building in its Searsmont plant, but the homes are custom-designed. In nearby Belfast, G-O Logic last year launched a prefabricated line with a choice of designs. While residential building is where most of the Passive House eff ort is, Corson says the commercial surge is what will drive the industry. "For there to be wide-scale adop- tion [of Passive House building] you need the commercial projects," Corson adds. 'What are you investing in?' Corson, who has been in the construc- tion and design industry for decades, didn't think Passive House construction would catch on when he fi rst started building that way a decade ago. "I didn't think there was ever going to be a market for us," he says. He was trained in engineering and technology and remains fascinated by them. He has always been environ- mentally conscious. When the stock market crashed in 200, he was ready for a change. "I don't want to say it changed my mind," he says. "But it changed my thought process." He started a design and construc- tion fi rm that only built to Passive House standards. At fi rst, there was a learning curve for clients. "It took a great degree of conver- sation and teaching clients," he says. But a lot of his fi rst clients had engi- neering or science backgrounds. " ey got it from the beginning," he says. e concept is simple, he says. It may cost 10% more to build the super- tight, highly insulated house, but the long-term energy savings and lack of environmental impact pay off . " e conversation with homeowners is, 'What are you investing in? Fit and fi nish and frills? Or components that are going to last the longest — windows, roofs" and energy savings, Corson says. ese days it's not the homeown- ers who need convincing, though, Meet Greg Dalton, Business Banker, Athlete, Mentor and Dad. www.bhbt.com • 888-853-7100 Greg knows the value of a good workout, a good example and good advice. As one of five siblings, dad of four boys, and scout leader,Greg has been around kids all his life, serving as a role model and building relationships. He is known for his patient ear and thoughtful counsel. Playing basketball, coaching tennis or waterskiing with his family, Greg understands the value of teamwork. Looking for a team member to help your business reach its full potential? Call Greg at 1-888-853-7100. Greg, Anne, and the Dalton boys. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »

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