Tag Archive for: green

Dasburg

University of Florida president, Dr. Kent Fuchs, and wife Linda graciously hosted an evening BBQ this past Wednesday, June 10th, in appreciation of all of the contractors and trades people who worked so diligently to complete the UF Dasburg president’s house. During the event, Dr. Fuchs thanked everyone for their hard work and effort. He also noted all of those companies that had made generous donations to the appointment of the Dasburg house. Goodwin was proud to be among the recognized businesses. Dr. Fuchs then announced that for the rest of the evening the Dasburg would be completely opened and that all were free to roam the house and admire their and other’s handiwork. What a great surprise!   We were able to capture some additional photos of the home and the flooring we provided. Enjoy!

 

Modern Antique 10

Remember this beauty?

Since we don’t come across logs of this magnitude very often, our marketing coordinator Jeffrey thought it might be neat to re-create a classic photo from the 1800s depicting loggers posing with a fresh cut giant cypress back in the day.

Jeffrey staged our staff around the log in the exact positions as the 1800s loggers.  We think it is a spectacular modern-day replica.  What do you think?

 

Our Newest “Gentle Giant” 9

giantcypresslog 001 (Medium)After nearly 40 years in the business, one would think we have seen it all. The truth is, each and every day is an exciting adventure that presents new opportunities. The logs we work with to create our River-Recovered® heart pine and heart cypress flooring, paneling and other wood products are simply majestic. Each has its own distinct character and personality. Logger Don McCallister recently pulled this Cypress beauty out of the northern Withlacoochee River.

giantcypresslog 005 (Medium)This “Gentle Giant “ is 30 feet long; 29″ in diameter at its top and an amazing six feet in diameter at its base.

giantcypresslog 006 (Medium)Just take a look at this incredible ax cut end.

The log was discovered while Goodwin’s Marketing Coordinator, Jeffrey Forbes, was on the Withlacoochee hosting a documentary video crew. It was the first log they saw. It was still submerged in the river and its head was resting on a sandy beach. The log served as the perfect “subject” for the documentary, which we will share when it is complete.

Here is a bit of background on river logging along Withlacoochee (for you history buffs):

This giant cypress log was recovered on the part of the Withlacoochee that flows south out of Georgia and meets up with the Suwannee River at Suwannee River State Park. There once was a sawmill owned by Governor George Drew (Florida’s first governor post reconstruction) at what is now Suwannee River State Park. This log likely once belonged to this mill before it was “lost”.

Goodwin will now saw this antique beauty into a series of benches for the expansion of the Bok Tower campus in Lake Wales. Stay tuned, as we will continue to update you on the progress of this Gentle Giant…

River-Recovered® Heart Cypress Contributes to the Allure of the New  Eleanor and Nicholas Chabraja Visitor’s Center at Naples Botanical Garden 5

Goodwin Company Provides Antique Wood Carefully Recovered from the Apalachicola River

(Naples, FL) – Goodwin Company, pioneers of River-Recovered® wood, announce their contribution to the Eleanor and Nicholas Chabraja Visitor’s Center at Naples Botanical Garden. The company meticulously sawed and precisely milled 20,000 linear feet of River-Recovered® Heart Cypress (virgin growth bald cypress; taxodium distichum) for siding and trim. The majority of the antique logs used for the project were carefully retrieved out of the Apalachicola River. The result is a magnificent, beautifully crafted complex adorned with antique wood that is not only breathtaking, but also tells an intriguing and fascinating story.

“Goodwin worked closely with the entire building design team to ensure the final product exceeded expectations,” explains Carol Goodwin, President of Goodwin Company. “We previously worked on a project with similar specs – the Menil Collection in Houston, Texas – which made us the perfect resource for this magnitude of a project.”

Architect Tenna Florian of the esteemed Lake/Flato Architects in San Antonio, Texas, specified the reclaimed cypress with vertical grain for the Visitor’s Center project. Lake/Flato Architects is a recognized leader in the use of sustainably sourced materials and consciously designed vernacular architecture. They were recognized as the 2004 American Institute of Architects (AIA) firm of the year.

“I take great pleasure in watching visitors arrive at Naples Botanical Garden and marvel at the beauty of the Goodwin’s River-Recovered® Heart Cypress that we used for siding the buildings,” says Brian Holley, Executive Director, Naples Botanical Garden.

“Using this wood is a real win-win-win for us, as through the wood we can tell the story of the forests of Florida – it will last a lifetime or more – and most importantly was salvaged, an important consideration in this LEED Gold project. On top of that the folks at Goodwin are a pleasure to work with.”

Goodwin Company has earned the indisputable reputation for producing antique River-Recovered® and reclaimed wood using the strictest grading standards of any company in the marketplace. Demand for Goodwin’s rich, high quality flooring continues to flourish and has become exceedingly coveted among architects, designers, celebrities, and high-end homeowners.

“Our founder, George Goodwin, still operates the saw to ensure each and every cut meets his high standards and expectations,” says Carol Goodwin. “We are one of the few manufacturers whose founder and owner is actively involved in the production process and personally inspects each and every order before it ships.”

About Goodwin Company

Founded in 1976, Goodwin Company is the building design industry’s trusted partner and preferred resource for fine antique reclaimed and River-Recovered® wood flooring. Esteemed architects, designers and builders specify Goodwin’s products for use in luxury residential homes, historical renovations and commercial projects including corporate office buildings, universities, libraries and high-end retail establishments.  Prominent work includes: This Old House corporate offices, private residences of Bob Villa, Paul McCartney, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ted Turner, Weyland Art Gallery, Brownwood at The Villages, the Charnley-Norwood House, Naples Botanical Garden and the Texas Governor’s Mansion.  For more information, visit www.heartpine.com.

Restoring History 20

Hard to believe it has been nine years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast. Lives, property and a huge piece of our history was lost in one fail swoop on that tragic August day. However, with every disaster, stories of triumph emerge. Goodwin was proud to be part of one of those triumphant “stories”.

The historic Charnley-Norwood house, designed by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, was literally torn apart by Hurricane Katrina. However, in 2013, the entire structure was restored to its original beauty. Architect Larry Albert specified Goodwin Company to supply antique wood for the restoration. We provided 800sf of River-Recovered® Curly Heart Pine T&G V-joint paneling, and 1000sf of 3-1/4″ Legacy (building reclaimed) heartpine T&G flooring.

We would like to share the short documentary, By the Hand of the Unseen Poet by Ellis Anderson.

Learn more at: http://www.savemyplacems.com/listing/charnley-norwood-house/

As an additional note, this project received a 2014 Heritage Award for Preservation Education. We were honored to be part of restoring this important piece of our nation’s history!

Installing Wood Floors - It's Not an Expense, It's an Investment!

We sometimes deal with potential customers who are debating between installing our wood flooring, or using an inferior product.  Sometimes the cost of our flooring is a bit higher than other options.  However, the durability, longevity, and alluring beauty of our woods cannot be ignored.  And, with proper upkeep (which amounts to regular sweeping and cleaning) our floors eventually pay for themselves:

  1. No need to replace our flooring in the future.  Unlike carpet, tile and vinyl, our species never go out of style and last forever.
  2. Wood floors add value to your home.  Don’t take our word for it…the National Wood Flooring Association and HGTV host Scott McGillivray seem to concur!
  3. Most wood floor owners will agree they are easier to maintain and keep clean because they do not accumulate a lot of dirt and dust.
  4. Reclaimed wood is durable and can withstand more wear and tear than other types of flooring.
  5. Our reclaimed flooring is not only green, but healthy, too!  Carpet fibers and tile grout lines are havens for pet dander, dust, pollen and allergens. Wood floors promote good air quality inside your home or office.

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Ten Reasons Why Reclaimed Wood Never Goes Out of Style

antique-wood-31[1]Still wondering whether or not reclaimed wood is right for you?  If so, I invite you to take a look at the top 10 reasons why reclaimed flooring is the product of choice for distinguished building design professionals and homeowners alike:

  1. There are a wide range of contractor prices from $4 a square foot and up.
  2. There isn’t a high markup as seen with commonly available wood floors that are put through distribution.
  3. Reclaimed wood adds more value to your home and office.
  4. You own a piece of history as this is the wood that grew right here in America and was harvested 1800s and early 1900s.
  5. How important is quality to you? Heartpine has a rich patina and tighter grain that adds to the beauty and quality of your home or office
  6. Have you ever walked into high-end new homes and felt like they all looked the same? Unlike these homes, your reclaimed wood floor will be unique in appearance and character.
  7. Heartpine is coined ‘the wood that built America.’ It is durable and stands the test of time. Mt Vernon’s floor is over 250 years old and, even though people walk on it every day, it retains the same alluring beauty as the day it was first installed.
  8. Heartpine is harder and more durable than most wood. In fact, is 29% more stable than red oak according to the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA).
  9.  You will leave a legacy. Many reclaimed wood floors have already lasted a hundred years or more, and yours is sure to outlast you and live on for generations.
  10.  It’s a natural choice for earth friendly space.

 

New Reclaimed Wood  Products

Reclaimed wood offers so many opportunities to make an architectural statement, as well as supporting the green lifestyle movement. We found these amazing wood panels by Architectural Systems, winner of the 2012 Best New Product at the GlobalShop Show held in Chicago.
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More Reclaimed Wood Furniture Ideas

For the Artist in All of Us What is so wonderful about reclaimed wood furniture is the uniqueness of each piece. These stools made from reclaimed wood  are a great find, handcrafted by designer Nicolai Czumaj-Bront, no two are alike. He calls them “pitch stools”.

Goodwin Company

More and more, homeowners as well as commercial builders are realizing that there is a virtual treasure trove of building materials already at hand, and using some creativity along with a generous amount of flexibility, one can create masterpieces with reclaimed materials. Gone are the days when only bargain-hunters are on the lookout for recycled building materials. In fact, some of the most unique and interesting interiors employ antique and reclaimed materials. One of my favorite coffee shops in Paris features ornate doors and window frames salvaged from local renovation projects as the interior decor, and the shop draws visitors from all over the city.

Here in the USA, there are salvage depots and warehouses in every locale, but three of them have gained a national reputation for those on the lookout for quality reclaimed materials.

Heritage Salvage

Heritage Salvage in Petaluma, CA has more than three acres of reclaimed building materials including everything from reclaimed old growth redwood lumber to bar tops and barn doors. In addition to salvaging and restoring building materials, Heritage also crafts custom furniture and other pieces from reclaimed wood. Heritage’s commitment to reducing waste through reclamation is not its only green initiatives. Many of the stacks of wood are protected from the Northern California drizzle by former billboards that owner Michael “Bug” Deakin buys in bulk for rain protection that is both durable and recycled. In addition to its huge collection of reclaimed building materials, the Heritage Salvage Yard is home to organic gardens and beehives. Deakin plans a water catchment system in the future.

ReNew Salvage

ReNew Salvage, based in Brattleboro, Vt, is a non-profit architectural salvage yard committed to reducing construction waste and help low income families build affordable yet high quality housing. Proceeds from the salvage yard support ReNew Salvage’s other programs, which include deconstruction services, community workshops on topics related to green building, and job training for at-risk youth.

Second Use

Founded in 1994 by a contractor and environmentalist who became frustrated after seeing the large amounts of waste produced during construction and demolition of buildings, Seattle-based Second Use remains committed to reclaiming and reusing building materials to reduce waste and create unique and beautiful eco-friendly buildings. In addition to the large salvage yard, Second Use offers demolition services and hosts free workshops for contractors, home owners, and others interested in building with reclaimed materials.

Thanks to Green Marketing (Original link: http://www.greenmarketing.tv/2010/07/19/how-to-start-an-eco-friendly-architectural-salvage-yard/)

Goodwin Company

From Earth911’s Alexis Petru: Planning a home improvement project this spring? For more tips on greening your home remodeling projects, visit nonprofit Build It Green’s website. There is no “one size fits all” test to determine if a product is sustainable, but you can assess a product’s eco-credentials by identifying what it’s made out of and how it will consume resources (water, energy, etc.) during its operation.

Recycled-content building materials make a great eco-friendly choice, like recycled plastic decking, recycled carpet or recycled glass countertops. Or choose rapidly renewable materials like cork or bamboo for counters, floors or other surfaces.

If you’ll be using wood, look for sustainably harvested products, preferably certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

And if you’ll be buying new appliances like a clothes washer or installing new cooling and heating systems such as a furnace, request models that conserve water and are energy efficient, certified by the EPA’s Energy Star program where applicable.
www.huffingtonpost.com

Green Building

Many floor covering products contribute points toward a LEED green building certification. Here are a few of the points you can look up under the standard for more information: MR 4.1 – post-consumer plus ½ pre-consumer for 10% or 20% of cost of project materials receives 1 or 2 points MR 5.1 or 5.2 – […]

Green Building Fortifies Floor Covering Futures

Green building involves health, water conservation, energy efficiency, disaster mitigation and, of course, sustainable floor coverings. A certified green building is intended to keep you

Reclaimed Wood Flooring is Green

Reclaimed Wood Flooring is Green

healthier, save you money and help ensure the building’s durability. There are several national certifications and over half of states have regional, state or city certification programs.

Builders generally believe that green building certification is not worth the expense and time. Those who do get certifications most often opt for Energy Star or just a HERS rating. There is an expectation that many builders who currently get Energy Star certifications will drop out of the program when Version 3 goes into effect in January 2012 due to added challenges for thermal enclosure and preventing water intrusion.

Builders need to explore the costs and benefits of certification and incorporate certification into their business’s marketing plan. Average certification costs, including the third party certifier and the fees to the certifying organization, for a building of 1,750 square feet or less range from $600+/- for a local program to $2,500+/- for one of the national programs, according to Dr. Jennifer Languell, Trifecta Construction Solutions, Ft. Myers, Florida.

The Appraisal Institute offers a green certification for appraisers. Recently they announced an addendum to the Fannie Mae Form 1004 that lets appraisers add the contributory value of a home’s green features. Some builders have seen an increase in appraisal values from 8% to 20% for green features if they spend time with the appraiser and give them a copy of the homeowner’s manual, case studies from the Green MLS Tool Kit and carefully walk them through the home.

Green building products entail an even more complex list of third party certifiers and a good deal of “greenwashing” as well. To have some fun do a search on the term ‘sins of green washing.’ A few of the certification bodies to know about that relate to floor coverings include: CRI’s Green Label Testing Program certifies low-emitting carpets, GreenGuard certifies a wide variety of floor covering products and Scientific Certification Systems have developed a broad range of product certification programs since 1984…stay tuned, to be continued!

The Secret of Antique Heart Pine

More than 100 years ago, harvested trees were shipped to mills via local rivers. Today, a number of companies have taken on the task of recovering those river logs and turning them into flooring. Goodwin Heart Pine Company is located in Micanopy, Florida, where the company was founded in 1976 and is a pioneer in […]

Goodwin Organizes Green Halloween in Gainesville Fl

Goodwin’s heart isn’t just in our pine. As a Board Member on the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Heart of Florida Chapter, Goodwin arranged for Green Halloween to join with Boo at the Zoo at Santa Fe College. Sustainable minded groups showcased their products (which included Goodwin’s antique reclaimed wood flooring) and services in one location for 4,500 kids of all ages. See the video or look at the photos on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goodwin-heart-pine/

A Breathtaking Display of Goodwin’s Various Wood Species 2

Goodwin Heart Pine was recently featured in a Triple Pundit article on sustainable business:

The great news is that this feature is growing as Gainesville’s business people and citizens start new green businesses, transform existing businesses to be more sustainable and embrace the advantages for our community created by buying local. One of my favorite examples is George and Carol Goodwin of Goodwin Heart Pine Company .”

Goodwin Heart Pine Company sells reclaimed wood flooring. Their pioneering innovation is to harvest old timbers out of their local river rather than cutting down perfectly good trees that are recycling CO2 into oxygen. Their company and antique pine/cypress-sourced products have been featured on The History Channel, PBS and HGTV. Their clients are located from coast to coast, north to south. They epitomize the potential for growing green revenues, green local jobs and an enhanced local environment.