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Feb 4, 2010 3:00 PM PST

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First GreenPoint Rated Homes in L.A. County's South Bay Bring Recognition, Acclaim

Fred Koch, owner and principal of KOCH Development in Redondo Beach and a Certified Green Building Professional, recently finished the first GreenPoint Rated home in Torrance – a feat that earned him the “Green Pride in Torrance” award from the City Council, and the gratitude of the family of four enjoying their new energy efficient home.

Mr. Koch takes environmental responsibility seriously. As the need for new housing increases and more and more of our natural resources are being used up, he believes in the importance of building in a way that maximizes efficiency. While this speaks to Koch’s environmental sensibilities, there are many more reasons why it just makes sense to turn to green building. “It’s simply a smarter design concept that adds greater value, health, comfort and productivity,” says Koch. Ultimately, the downturn in the housing market was the catalyst KOCH Development needed to change its direction. Recognizing the value that home performance would be taking on in the new economic climate, Koch decided it was time to really go green.

Mr. Koch first learned about Build It Green while waiting in line for a plan check review at the City of Torrance. He saw an ad on a bulletin board for a Certified Green Building Professional training nearby and decided to attend. The rest, he says, is history. He is now a self-proclaimed advocate of Build It Green in Los Angeles County’s South Bay, working to establish a greater platform for green building in the Southern part of the state. Mr. Koch has given presentations outlining his green building philosophy to his local municipality and is currently developing a loan program for green construction. Koch believes that the “Green Community” is swiftly expanding, and, along with it, the need for loan programs that recognize the value of GreenPoint Rated homes.

In the end, it comes down to the comfort and well-being of the families living in the houses. “We work together with our customers to discuss the ‘payback’ of each green feature,” Koch says. The objectives of the homeowners are equally important as those of the company’s design philosophy. The Oey family, who purchased Koch’s GreenPoint Rated house in Torrance, are enjoying their well-built home and lowered utility bills. The whole family turned out for the Torrance Environmental Quality and Energy Saving Commission meeting where Koch received his award, to testify about the quality of Koch’s work. “You can be proud of this workmanship and the energy efficient house you built,” Mr. Oey says in a letter posted on the KOCH Development website. “To my family and I this means money saved in my monthly energy/utility cost, especially in today’s weak and troubled economic times.”

While many developers are struggling to find their way in the slow housing market, Fred Koch built some of the South Bay’s first green homes ever. We all know that survival depends on adaptability, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of Mr. Koch’s parting advice: “Remember, to be successful you must change.”

Do you have a story to tell about how Build It Green has helped your business? How are you succeeding by building greener, healthier, more energy efficient homes? Contact Annette@BuildItGreen.org and have your story posted to the Build It Green website, or in a future edition of Build It Green’s e-newsletter, The Green Post.

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Source: Build It Green

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