84 Days Later:
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, the Conduit team and countless supporters accomplished a SUCCESSFUL hand-off to . . .
Former President Jimmy Carter, wife Rosalynn a n d . . . 7,000 volunteers from around the globe to kick off the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007.
Here are just a few statistics to give you a better idea of the ‘rough’ construction work involved from previous weeks:
In the San Pedro site:
350 yards of Foundation & Slab Concrete
27,520 sq/ft of Framing
137,600 sq/ft of Drywall
55,000 sq/ft of Insulation
34,000 sq/ft of Building Wrap and Foam
In the Vermont Site:
186 yards of Foundation & Slab Concrete
14,850 sq/ft of Framing
71,700 sq/ft of Drywall
33,600 sq/ft of Insulation
11,570 sq/ft Stucco
9,900 sq/ft of Roofing . . . just to name a few . . .
A N D the first LEED Certified Build-Out for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and Jimmy Carter Work Project !
To get a better visual idea just click on the pictures below. And if these pictures begin to strike a cord in your soul go to www.habitatla.org and get involved.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, Habitat of Greater Los Angeles has built more than 200 homes, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. In the Spring of 2007, Habitat of Greater Los Angeles kicked off its three-year “Building a Greater Los Angeles” campaign to build or rehabilitate 250 homes in Los Angeles County. They need your help to make this happen. Go to www.habitatla.org to get involved and make the difference.
Today SimonSays . . . Anything Is Possible with clear Vision, Commitment and Faith.
My Personal Epiphany:
On August 6, 2007 Conduit signed on with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to do what was seemingly the impossible . . .
The mission was simple: To construct 30 homes in 84 Days from foundation to drywall and paint-ready and hand off to former President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn Carter and 7,000 volunteers from around the globe to finish the job for the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007.
Although I had the confidence to complete our part of the mission it was not until the 3rd week into the project that I personally met one of the new residents. As I walked into one of the units during it’s rough framing stage, I said hello to a woman that was sweeping fallen sawdust from the ground and I noticed she was pregnant. I also noticed she had both a twinkle and a tear in her eye. I was immediately concerned and asked if there was anything wrong. With a glowing smile she turned to me and said she was so happy because this was going to be her new home for her new baby. She was overjoyed because she was going to have a safe place for her baby to live. She said it had always been her dream to own a home.
At that very instant I realized this project was far greater than just building another structure. I had my epiphany. And from this point forward the mission took on a life-force of it’s own. I realized Conduit was brought into this circle not only to aide in the construction of the buildings but to facilitate and be the conduit for people to realize their individual dream of homeownership.
This experience has been a collaborative effort from countless committed people working shoulder to shoulder through the smooth and rough times with, “NO Plan B”. We had vision, we had leadership and most of all we had faith. We are headed down the home stretch (no pun intended). We have 3 Days to go and yesterday, at the 11th hour, we passed the final inspections that would have kept the mission from moving forward. From here it looks like we’re going to make it. 45,000 feet of drywall to go and on the 28th of October, Jimmy Carter and his team will takeover the tool box to finish the job.
In my 34 years of working in the construction industry this has been the single most awesome professional experience in my career and I must confess, a life changing event.
In less than 84 days two independent sites (San Pedro & Vermont) went from vacant lots and piles of dirt to LEED Accredited Residence that will soon be a home to 30 hard working deserving families. All homes have been constructed keeping green building practices at the forefront in keeping with California’s mission of building a sustainable earth-friendly future. The Green Building Elements for JCWP 2007 includes:
ENERGY EFFICIENT DESIGN
• Meets or exceeds by 10% the California Title 24 energy efficiency requirements
• Dual-glazed low-emissivity windows
• Increased building insulation values in walls and roof
• Insulation of hot water lines
• Solar Panel Energy
• Tankless or high-efficiency water heaters which use less energy than conventional water heaters
• Lighting with greater than 40 Lumens per Watt
RECYCLED OR RECYCLABLE BUILDING MATERIALS
• Carpet and carpet padding made from recycled content
• Building insulation made from recycled content
• Fly-ash in concrete to reduce cement usage and to recycle coal byproducts
POLLUTION REDUCTION
• Filtered and/or clarified water runoff from parking areas prior to entering storm drain
• Air filtration system for improved indoor air quality
• Recycling of construction waste at approved recycling facilities
• Storm Water Protection Plan to minimize construction debris entering storm drains
• “Grasscrete” driveway surface
WATER USAGE EFFICIENCY
• Ultra low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets
• Low-water usage plants
• Water-efficient irrigation
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING
• Native habitat
- Drought-resistant plants
- Native plant species, procured locally, that support native wildlife (such as native birds, butterflies…)
- (National Wildlife Federation certification as “Neighborhood Habitat” which provides adequate native food, water,
cover and places for raising young for native wildlife)
• Tree Population
- Protection of existing mature trees
- Planting of new trees
Thank you Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007 for collaborating with Conduit Development and allowing us to be part of the solution of providing decent and safe living conditions for families in the effort of ending the overwhelming need for housing in Los Angeles County.
Vermont work site – Weeks 1-10. Double click to enlarge images:
If you too would like to be a part of this solution please go to www.habitatla.org to learn more.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PARTNERS WITH CONDUIT DEVELOPMENT TO MIX SWEAT, SMILES AND DREAMS
FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DURING JIMMY CARTER WORK PROJECT 2007
Former President Carter to join dignitaries, celebrities and volunteers from around the world
~ Volunteer Event Kicks Off Three-Year Commitment to Los Angeles and
Shines Spotlight on Affordable Housing Needs
Los Angeles, California, October 15, 2007—Conduit Development, a leading Long Beach-based, sustainable builder and developer, was hand-picked by Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles to help focus worldwide attention on the need for decent, affordable housing. With the help and assistance of Habitat for Humanity volunteers, Conduit is serving as a general contractor and has been working tirelessly in preparation for the weeklong Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007 (JCWP), to be held in Los Angeles October 28-November 2.
As a key participant in this global event, Conduit is charged with overseeing the construction of new, affordable town homes in South Central Los Angeles. The Conduit team, along with thousands of volunteers from around the world—including the sweat-equity of new homeowners, is working around-the-clock to make sure the homes are ready for completion during JCWP 2007.
“We welcome the opportunity to be a key player in this much larger movement to create safe, decent and affordable housing for residents of Los Angeles,” says Denise C. Gonzales, CEO of Conduit Development. “Chosen from among thousands of builders in Southern California, the Conduit team is honored to have been selected for this worthy mission, and the chance to work with such a dedicated, volunteer workforce.”
On October 28, Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will join city and state officials, Habitat for Humanity leadership and thousands of volunteers from around the world to help low-income families realize the dream of homeownership in South Los Angeles and San Pedro. In total, more than 100 affordable homes will be rehabilitated or newly constructed during JCWP 2007.
In keeping with Conduit’s already established sustainable building practices, this year’s event also marks the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited project for Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles. The LEED rating system is designed to reinforce and embody sustainable design and building principles. For more information, log on to www.usgbc.org.
Los Angeles was chosen as this year’s host city to raise awareness about the area’s need for affordable housing. Los Angeles’ housing crisis is among the most critical in the country, with the median cost of a home far exceeding the majority of the population’s reach. Overcrowding and compromised health are some of the most serious problems experienced by families living in substandard housing.
WHO: President Jimmy Carter and wife, Rosalynn
Los Angeles families partnering with Habitat & Conduit to help build or refurbish their homes
Celebrity attendance is expected
Additionally the following elected officials have been invited to participate:
• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger • Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
• First Lady Maria Shriver • Congresswoman Jane Harman
• Congresswoman Maxine Waters • Councilwoman Janice Hahn
WHEN: Sunday, October 28 through Friday, November 2, 2007; Daily Events:
Sunday, Oct. 28 (Port of Los Angeles) • Habitat Festival opens,11 a.m.Opening Ceremonies, 6 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 29 (San Pedro) • Building begins, 8 a.m. • Press conference with President Carter, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 30 (San Pedro) • All-day build, begins at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 31 (Vermont) • President Carter visits renovation site and Watts site, location of 1995 JCWP in Los
Angeles, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 1 (Port of Los Angeles) • Closing Ceremonies and announcement of 2008 JCWP location, 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 2 (San Pedro) • House dedications with President Carter and Habitat partner families, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Port of Los Angeles: Berth 87, San Pedro, CA, 90731
San Pedro work site: 308 N. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731
Vermont work site: 11130 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S JIMMY CARTER WORK PROJECT is an annual, internationally recognized event in which the former U.S. president and his wife join Habitat volunteers to build simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with people in need of both housing and hope. President Carter has been personally involved in the construction of Habitat homes around the world that provide shelter to more than 10,000 people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org/how/carter.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built more than 200 homes, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. For more information, visit www.habitatla.org.
CONDUIT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION based in Long Beach, California is a commercial and residential development firm specializing in sustainable building practices using Insulated Concrete Form Construction (ICF). Conduit is the Southern California representative for Amvic Building Systems. Under the leadership of CEO Denise C. Gonzales and COO Simon Gonzales, an industry veteran with more than 30 years of construction experience, Conduit approaches every project with only the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and eye for quality. As expert project managers who closely manage predetermined budgets, Conduit is adept and completing large projects under tight deadlines according to the highest expectations. For more information please visit: www.conduitdevelopment.com.
