FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Heather West, ,

Faribault, Minn. -- A Minnesota residence could become one of the first and largest homes in the United States to earn Platinum Certification under the LEED® Green Building Rating System".

Designed by RKD Architects, Inc. of Edwards, Colo., the 6,500-square-foot dwelling has been dubbed “the Green Fin House.” From an aerial perspective, the home’s supporting beams resemble the bones of a fish, and viewed from the front, visitors note the structure’s architectural fin shape. Other notable elements include the curved, copper-clad and transparent glass exterior topped with a sweeping green roof.

Among its many green and energy-efficient features, the Green Fin House includes dynamically tintable window technology from SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. Homeowners Brad and Kristin (who have asked that their last names be omitted to protect their privacy,) say they are “very excited” to be integrating SageGlass windows into the south window wall of their home. “We feel it is the perfect way to mitigate the effects of the hot summer sun, while allowing us to enjoy our view and connection to the outdoors,” says Kristin.

With the push of a button, Green Fin House’s windows with SAGE’s electronically tintable glass (trademarked SageGlass®) will turn from clear to dark or from dark to clear. SageGlass products deliver the benefits of thermal and visual comfort as well as energy savings while consuming minimal power. In fact, it takes less electricity to operate 1,500-square-feet of SageGlass glazing than it does to power a 60-watt incandescent light bulb. In its tinted state, SageGlass glazing blocks 91% of solar energy penetration. In contrast, standard low-e windows block 70% or less of the sun’s energy, contributing to uncomfortable temperatures and increased cooling loads.

The Green Fin House’s owners were impressed not only with SageGlass products’ convenient control over unwanted solar heat and associated energy costs, but also their ability to mitigate glare. Instead of shutting blinds or curtains and sacrificing their view, the homeowners can tint the glass to block intense sunlight. In this darkened state, SageGlass products allow the residents to see through their windows without enduring distracting glare and reflections on their television and computer screens.

Helping extend the life of their carefully selected furnishings was of the utmost importance to the homeowners. Kristin says, “We’re also relieved to know that SageGlass [windows] will help protect our furniture and flooring materials from fading.” SageGlass products block 98% of the sun’s energy that causes fading, preventing premature replacement of furniture, carpets and wall coverings.

Kristin explains the decision to incorporate SAGE’s glass into their Green Fin House was both practical and values-based: “We feel that the windows are an important investment, not only for today, but for future generations as we look for ways to conserve energy and protect our precious natural resources.”

Helping meet these goals, SAGE’s products are GreenSpec®-listed, which means they are designated as environmentally preferable building products. In addition, many of the attributes associated with SageGlass products may benefit building projects where LEED certification is being pursued. In the case of Green Fin House, where Platinum certification is the goal, the building team will be reviewing SageGlass products’ potential in the following credit areas:
Optimized energy performance
Measurement and verification
Ventilation effectiveness
Controllability of systems
Thermal comfort
Daylight and views
Innovation in design

The design and construction of the Green Fin House is featured on “Blueprint for Green” www.blueprintforgreen.com, a national television program produced by Wall to Wall Media. The multi-segment program follows Kristin and Brad’s challenges and choices to create an upscale, contemporary home aligned with green design principles. Along with spotlighting SageGlass products, “Blueprint for Green” will highlight many of the home’s other sustainable elements such as recovered wood, solar panels and a green roof.


The Green Fin House Key Credits
Architect: RKD Architects, Inc. of Edwards, CO
General Contractor: Choice Wood Company of Minneapolis, MN
Window System Manufacturer: H Window Company, LLC
Glass Producer: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. of Faribault, MN
Consultant: Building Knowledge Inc., Bloomington, MN
Structural Engineer: KL & A, Inc. of Loveland, CO
Mechanical Engineer: Professional Engineering Consultants of St. Paul, MN

To learn more about SAGE and its products, please call , or visit sage-ec.com.
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Media Contact:
Heather West
Heather West Public Relations



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