2014 Open House

The Green Buildings Open House is one of the premier events of its kind in the country, showcasing over two dozen homes and businesses that feature both cutting-edge and traditional, time-honored green building methods, materials, and technologies.

Opening Reception, Green Doghouse Challenge
Friday, October 3, 7-9pm

This year, in conjunction with the SPCA of Tompkins County, the first animal shelter in the nation to receive LEED Silver certification, we’re bringing the green to our four-legged friends, with a challenge to build the ‘greenest’ doghouse in Tompkins County. Join us at the kick off event at the SPCA of Tompkins County where we will auction off the doghouses, hear from passionate leaders, tour the LEED Silver facility, and enjoy delicious local food and beverages. Admission to the opening party is by a suggested donation of $20, which includes a wristband for the Open House. Proceeds will benefit the SPCA and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. Read more about the Green Doghouse Challenge HERE.

GREEN BUILDINGS OPEN HOUSE
Saturday & Sunday, October 4 & 5, 10:00am-4:00pm

Visit 18 sites and over two dozen homes that use renewable energy and/or eco-friendly building practices. Homeowners and/or green building professionals will be on-site to answer your questions and describe their building's green features -- such as energy-efficient appliances, passive solar design, photovoltaics, wind power, salvaged and non-toxic building materials, local lumber, strawbale construction and much more! The tour takes place over two days, with half of the homes open on Saturday, and half on Sunday for self-guided tours. Visitors may view participating sites between 10:00am and 4:00pm each day. Please visit sites ONLY on the days that the owners have agreed to be open!

VIEW: SITES OPEN ON SATURDAY, 10/4
VIEW: SITES OPEN ON SUNDAY, 10/5

MAPS

FREE PRINTED MAPS (including a site matrix that lists all the sites and their green features) will be available the week before the tour at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, and at businesses throughout Tompkins County. See what sites are open each day and plan your itinerary! ( Google Map HERE)

WRISTBAND ADMISSION

To help make the Green Buildings Open House a self-sustaining event, visitors are asked to purchase a wristband for $5. Proceeds help cover event costs not met by advertising sales and grant funds. Wristbands are $5 and are good for admission to all sites over both days. Children under 18 are FREE and no one will be turned away, but we encourage you to support the event if you are able. Wristbands may be purchased in advance at Cooperative Extension (615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca) weekdays during business hours. Register and purchace your wristbands HERE.

VOLUNTEER!

Volunteers Are Needed! Some sites on our tour receive several hundred visitors during the course of the day. Volunteers can help by directing visitors to sign in, providing information about the site's features, or just giving the homeowners a break to eat lunch! Volunteers are stationed for 2 or more hours at a site. If you would like to get an intimate, first-hand look at some of the most inspiring green buildings in the area and help us promote green building principles, please contact Guillermo Metz at gm52@cornell.edu. There will be a meeting for volunteers Tuesday, September 22, 6-7p, at Cooperative Extension. If you're thinking of volunteering, please come to this meeting or contact Guillermo!

REGISTER AND PAY FOR MAPS, WRISTBANDS, T-SHIRTS, OPENING PARTY TICKETS, AND THE DOGHOUSE CHALLENGE HERE.