Green Building Slam

Friday, December 13, 2024
5:30–9:00 PM @ the wild buffalo

Green Building Slam 2024
10 slides, 10 minutes, tons of fun!

The Green Building Slam has been a community favorite for years, and it’s back again this winter! Join us on December 13th at the Wild Buffalo. The Slam is a fast-paced presentation style event that is known for the incredible networking opportunities with local green building experts and enthusiasts.

The Slam attracts local architects, builders, homeowners, energy efficiency experts, real estate professionals, interior designers, and green building enthusiasts like yourself. No matter how involved and interested you are in the green building industry, this event will inspire, educate, and spark productive conversations about how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our communities.

Your ticket will include admission to the Slam, dinner, and the opportunity to network with presenters and other green building enthusiasts. Please note that all ticket holders must be at least 21 years old. Follow @SustainableConnections on Instagram to get all the latest updates on this event and more!

Use discount code SLAM5OFF for Early Bird pricing! Available until November 20!

Are you a member or sponsor? Email claracs@sustainableconnections.com for an extra discount code!

Martha Rose, Martha Rose Construction  

Martha’s specialty has been building high-performance homes for the speculative market. She enjoys the challenge of paying for those extras with simple design and basic finishes within the home. Voluntary simplicity is her mantra. It’s an important aspect of how we must build, and live our lives. After 51 years of immersion in the construction industry, she is now a consultant – offering a wide variety of construction services from building design, materials, and equipment suggestions, to low impact development strategies and implementation.

This is the story of a dream that came true after decades, despite numerous obstacles. She planted a seed so that her forever home can be a small community, serving several income levels and lifestyle choices. Truly a home for all ages.

Alex Wynstra, AJW Builders

Alex Wynstra, founder of AJW Builders, is a life-long Whatcom County resident who is passionate about the green building industry and supporting local businesses. For over 25 years, he has dedicated his career to building healthier, more efficient housing that is also affordable.  

In 2015, AJW Builders was awarded Built Green Builder of the Year by the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County (BIAWC) after partnering with Caitac USA where Alex and his team have been steadily working to build one of Washington’s largest green-built, solar powered communities: Larrabee Springs.  

A core principle of Alex’s philosophy is to hire as many local contractors and source as many local materials as possible. As such, you’ll find AJW Builders working with 56 or more contractors and vendors. Not only does supporting local help our economy and reduce the carbon footprint of Larrabee Springs, but it has resulted in the production of high-quality, affordable homes for Whatcom County residents.  

Suneeta Eisenberg M.Ed and Michael Toomes 

Suneeta Eisenberg M.Ed identifies as an “intersectional environmentalist.” She is founder, player & executive director of Whatcom Waves, a women’s empowerment organization. Their mission is to seek climate, racial & social justice through sports. Whatcom Waves’ “vision” created an educational platform for hempcrete building through a shared equity model in Washington state using a “just transition” framework, called “North West Living & Learning Community Collaborative (NWLLCC). Currently, Suneeta actively participates as the newest Planning Commissioner to Whatcom County, and teaches at WWU in the Human Service Department.

Michael Toomes has dual degrees in Electrical & Computer Engineering from NC State University.  He has worked various jobs in the construction industry in addition to being a brewer & operations manager for Chuckanut brewery. Michael is now focusing on regenerative agriculture & energy efficient carbon negative natural building. He received his Permaculture Design Certification in 2020 from Oregon State University and completed the Hemp Build School by the US Hemp Building Association this past year.

Together, Suneeta & Michael are honorable mention winners for their house build with TC Legend Homes for the U.S Department of Energy’s 2018 “Innovation” award for their affordable passive solar SIP house. Suneeta & Michael held a hempcrete building workshop constructing a passive solar greenhouse at their home in Bellingham this past summer. They are land stewards of an acre lot using regenerative & permaculture practices near Lummi traditional-unceded lands.

Can’t wait? Get excited by viewing last year’s Green Building Slam, courtesy of BTV.

The Wild Buffalo is an accessible venue. Please contact claracs@sustainableconnections.org if you have questions about these or other accommodations.

By attending a Sustainable Connections event, you are agreeing to our Events Code of Conduct.

Thank you to our Green Building Slam Sponsors!

Many Thanks To Our Energy & Green Building PROGRAM Funders and Sponsors!