Dan's Papers - July 4, 2008 - Hammer, Nails and a Green Thumb

Emil Braun, the executive director of green construction company Holistic Homes, approaches house design and construction like a scientist. "This house is my experiment," Braun said in reference to the house he is constructing at 1188 Scuttle Hole Road, Southampton. What is this mad scientist's basis experimentation? Braun believes in green.

Holistic Homes, a company that Braun developed last November, attempts to redefine the confines of the home. "The holistic feeling is about bringing the outdoors, indoors and the indoors, outdoors," said Braun. In order to stay true to this motto, Holistic Homes uses environmentally friendly wood and stone and recyclable materials in their construction. But just because Braun's houses are constructed from all natural, untreated materials, doesn't mean that they are some scrapped together tree houses. "We create luxury homes on par with any luxury home out here," said Braun, "But the difference is that our houses will be environmentally healthy and as green as can be."

What can you expect from a green house? With non-toxic oiled exterior wood and mold proof interior wood, a green house encourages a healthier lifestyle. Mold and toxic paint cause allergies, a malady easily cured when your house is coated in organic sealers. Radiant heat flooring prevents dust build-up and excess bacteria in the air. A pool house with a solar paneled roof uses solar energy to power the pool. An organic roof herb and vegetable garden will yield fresh produce. Gutters on the roof will collect rainwater and naturally irrigate the garden. The list goes on and on. And while Braun hunts the green construction market in search of the most efficient geo-thermal air conditioning and top of the line antimicrobial sheet rock, he also turns back to his lab to create his own organic concoctions. "Right now, we are working on making our own insulation," says Braun.

Along with custom made and organically treated materials, Braun uses a lot of recycled construction components. 300-year-old beams taken from a building on Canal and Greenwich in Manhattan support some of the house. Materials from houses built in the 1700s have been recycled and incorporated into the new structure. When asked about the company name, Braun replied, "Holistic is a combination of different pieces and parts that result in a desired end."

It appears that many Hampton residents desire Holistic Homes' end products. During the interview, a couple knocked on Braun's unfinished front door and asked to have a look around and learn more about building a green house. Marilyn Miglio is building a house in Southampton and would like to learn to eco-friendly approaches to home construction. "I've always been environmentally conscious," said Miglio, "I want to make my house as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible."

With Hamptons locals flaunting solar powered appliances instead of Range Rovers, there's proof that people feel good about going green. And what about the man behind it all? "I feel great about this company," says Braun, "This is a labor of love." Braun is no stranger to purposeful construction. After helping to clean up part of the World Trade Center after 9/11, Braun proved that his company's policy stretched far from construction to incorporate ethics.

Braun has been investing so much of his personal time and ideas into this house that he's considering making it his own. "The house is not currently on the market. But if someone makes me an offer that I can't refuse, then I'll have to reconsider," said Braun. For now, he plans to use the house as his showroom and expects to occupy the green abode around February or March of 2009.

In the meantime, Braun will continue to experiment with and test the green materials emerging in the construction market. With the right combination of components, this scientist can concoct the perfect environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing home for your family. Frankenstein never looked so good.