BASF cleans up at NJ energy leadership awards.

Jack Armstrong, director of building and construction for BASE accepted a New Jersey Clean Energy Leadership Awards for the BASF Better Home, Better Planet Initiative.

The company's Near-Zero Energy Home in Paterson N.J. is an energy-efficient demonstration home designed to highlight the broad portfolio of BASF products that are pivotal to creating high-performance, near-zero energy homes.

The awards ceremony recognized BASF along with a select group of New Jersey businesses and community leaders who have made significant contributions in the field of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies.

According to Armstrong, BASF and more than 150 strategic partners built the prototype home to inspire homeowners, builders and architects to learn more about sustainable, energy-efficient and disaster-resistant homes that are accessible to consumers at affordable prices. Regarding the award Armstrong says, "This is a great honor that must be shared with a host of dedicated community and civic leaders in Paterson and beyond who contributed countless hours to make this living classroom a reality."

When asked why BASF chose to build their national high-performance prototype home in New Jersey, Armstrong explains, "BASF's national headquarters are located in New Jersey and we wanted to give back to the community that has offered a receptive business climate for so many years. Building the BASF Better Home, Better Planet: Near-Zero Energy Home in New Jersey--a state that is way ahead of the pack when it comes to supporting energy-efficient, sustainable development--just made sense."

The project has achieved a 94.5 HERS ENERGY STAR[R] score and is a prototype for the U.S. Green Building Council's newly launched LEED[R] (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system for homes and is expected to receive the highest rating, Platinum, in early Fall of 2006. Additionally, The Near-Zero Energy Home-Paterson, N.J., has been the site for a number of seminars and tours to architects, builders, government officials, homeowners, realtors, financial institutions and other interested parties throughout the summer of 2006, offering a workshop environment where an interactive self-guided tour makes traditional building science a tangible experience.

Once the demonstration phases are completed, the home will be donated to St. Michael's Housing Corporation. This organization will then turn over the home to fifteen year old Richard Sosa, who is living with quadriplegic paralysis, and his family.

As such, the project, designed to accommodate Richard's special needs, also showcases elements of accessible design.

Strategic partners of the BASF Better Home, Better Planet Initiative: Near-Zero Energy Home--Paterson, N.J., include: Chrisner Group; City of Paterson; Environmental Design + Construction; GRAD Associates; Green Ideas[TM]; Insulspan; Rehau; KBI Contractors; MBDC; New Jersey Energy Star[R] Program; American Polysteel; St. Michael Housing Authority; Steven Winter and Associates; Sustainable Buildings Industry Council; New Jersey Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council; U.S. Housing and Urban Development's PATH Program and the U.S. Department of Energy.