Although his headquarters for Allen Associates is located in Santa Barbara, Allen himself has been a forerunner for preserving the natural beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley for over 20 years, building only top-end, low-impact homes that meet the highest standards of what we now know as sustainable, ÒgreenÓ development.

 

Thirty years ago, while seemingly everyone else in the construction field was seeking the quickest, cheapest way to construct homes, Allen not only swam against the flow, he picked an entirely different stream in which to spawn ideas about conservative building. The inspiration first came to him during the 1973 oil embargo.

ÒI was moving to Santa Barbara from Marin County. I remember arriving to Salinas in my U-haul with no gas; I waited two hours for a half tank. I realized then the clock is ticking, and this realization gradually expanded into something more comprehensive,Ó Allen said.

 

This is what spurred Allen to pursue an accreditation in an elite program called Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design. Only a few contractors and architects in the county have earned this distinction in a program that demands rigorous adherence to environmental standards in all aspects of construction.

ÒIt is the ultimate in responsible building,Ó Allen said. ÒThis means you pay attention to everything from how to turn an existing structure into a passive solar collector in the case of a remodel, or minimize waste on a construction site; and seek out materials that have minimal toxic out-gassing, creating a home with little or no carbon footprint,Ó he explained.

For Allen Associates, this entails a philosophy called Òcradle to cradle,Ó which involves modeling home building after nature itself. Allen explains it in terms of the natural setting where the output from one plant or animal becomes a resource for something else. A prime example in the home environment is the use of photovoltaic panels, which allows the home to literally bank electricity by feeding unused power generated during daylight hours into the grid, then withdrawing it at night to power the house for little or no cost.

 

This concept is not only becoming more popular and affordable, but it plays right into the priorities of valley residents who, for the most part, are very keen to preserve the natural setting. Therefore, after 20 years, Allen felt it was the right time to open an office in Los Olivos. Heading up the valley operation is John Mathews, an experienced contractor and valley resident for 10 years.

ÒWe had our open house a few weeks ago, and I was amazed at the turn out,Ó Matthews said. ÒWe are far from a new business here in the valley. Many people already know and respect Dennis and what Allen Associates has done here over the decades,Ó he said.

Public awareness is definitely up on the concept of green building. Mathews explained that perhaps the biggest challenge in helping homeowners chose green is the misconception that it is cost prohibitive. That was the case 30 years ago, but in the last decade the industry has absolutely exploded, bringing the cost of sustainable building materials within the price range of more conventional materials.

 

ÒThe great thing is that this is happening without government regulation. It is consumer driven, and thatÕs why it will stick. In five years my bet is that this will be industry standard,Ó Mathews said.

Allan recalls a time when using environmentally friendly systems and materials often involved personally designing and developing them himself.

ÒIf I couldnÕt find it, I would make it,Ó Allen said, Òbut now thereÕs more public awareness and demand; the market is responding quickly.Ó

 

Good news for all of us, especially here in the valley where growth is limited and quality, low-impact development is essential. According to Mathews a lot of people want to build green but donÕt know how to make it happen. Because the industry is changing so quickly, and construction is largely dictated by the bottom line, itÕs hard for the average home owner to determine the best resources for their money, and for the environment.

For this reason, Allen Associates is hosting a series of seminars designed for the homeowner who wants to learn more about the economic advantage of responsible building. They will focus not only on minimizing carbon footprint, but creating a design that actually pays dividends over the long term.

ÒMy hope is to make low-impact living accessible to everyone,Ó Allen said. ÒI want better air quality inside than there is outside; purer water; a house that processes its own waste; and a totally healthy environment from top to bottom.Ó

 

For more information on upcoming seminars or construction, contact:

 

Allen Associates

John Mathews

2445 Alamo Pintado Ave.,

Suite 104

Los Olivos

(805) 688-0777