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V O L . X X I V N O. V I I I A P R I L 1 6 , 2 0 1 8 32 but appraisers and banks, which don't always see the added value of a Passive House, he says. When Ecocor began building certifi ed Passive House components in 2013, it was the fi rst manufacturer in the nation to do so, Corson says. Five years later, business is good enough that the company is moving out of its leased 1,000 square feet nestled behind Searsmont's town center into 20,000 square feet in neighboring Belmont. Corson says, aside from business increasing, the company, which employs about 20, needs more offi ce space. A lot of the work is done on com- puters. e design evolves with thou- sands of components into a 3D model before the parts are built. While the design takes about six months, the parts are fabricated in about 30 days, and builders are on site for seven to 10 days. Checking the boxes Corson says building homes isn't going to get less expensive, and while Passive House construction is consid- ered by many "boutique," it will move toward the norm. "Regardless of political persuasion, I think Passive House checks all the boxes," he says. "Even if one were to assert global warming doesn't exist … it still checks off fi scal responsibility, health, air quality." At Waynfl ete — where every- one from the builders and designers to school offi cials and students are excited enough about the construction that Ardell and Nadeau do a monthly progress video — that future is here. "In general it's gaining a lot of momentum in the U.S." says Mark Bourgeois of Wright-Ryan. He says the availability of the products and understanding of the building prac- tices is helping. While the $12 million project (which includes the renovation to the older building) is initially more expensive than standard construction, Ardell says, the long-term benefi ts exceed the cost. Aside from the Passive House savings, the project checks off other important boxes for the school. "Our principles are take care of yourself, take care of others and take care of the environment," Ardell says. " is building is doing that." M M, Mainebiz sta writer, can be reached at @ . Building an economy that works for everyone Join CEI at our 40th Anniversary Celebration Register Today www.ceimaine.org April 25, 2018 | 5pm - 8pm Brick South, Thompson's Point, Portland CEI is shining a spotlight on the business owners, project developers, community partners, investors, and funders that have helped us grow good jobs, environmentally sustainable enterprises, and shared prosperity in Maine and rural regions throughout the U.S. for over 40 years. Serving Maine and New England Since 1974. 207-725-4304 P O U L I N C O N S T R U C T I O N M E . C O M C O N V E N I E N C E S T O R E S R E S TA U R A N T C O M M E R C I A L / P U B L I C R E TA I L F O C U S » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N Chris Corson of Ecocor says a decade ago he had to educate clients about Passive House concepts. Today, the company has had to double its space to keep up with demand.

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