Seattle has spent years debating how to build more housing. But there is another question that deserves just as much attention:

Who gets to own the city we are building—and participate in the wealth created as Seattle grows?

That question sits at the center of a new 10-home affordable ownership project near the Mt. Baker light rail station in South Seattle.

The project is being developed by Africatown Community Land Trust, with partnership from HomeSight and its Field Order 15 Fund, designed by b9 Architects, and supported by Green Canopy NODE as development manager and builder.

What makes this project exciting to us isn't simply the number of homes. It is the ecosystem of organizations coming together to make those homes—and the ownership opportunities they represent—possible.

Community ownership as an anti-displacement strategy

Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) was created around a powerful idea: communities facing displacement should have the ability to own land and shape their own future.

ACLT works to halt Black displacement, preserve Black presence, create permanently affordable housing and build pathways to ownership. Its projects demonstrate that development doesn't have to be synonymous with displacement. It can be a tool for stability, ownership and long-term community wealth.

Affordable rental housing is critically important because it addresses what a household pays to live somewhere today. Affordable homeownership adds another dimension: the opportunity to build equity and participate in the long-term appreciation of the community around you.

HomeSight describes homeownership as a foundation for generational wealth, resilient families and strong communities. But developing affordable homes for purchase can be extraordinarily difficult.

Long before a shovel goes into the ground, a project needs capital for surveys, architecture, engineering, legal costs, estimating and countless rounds of affordable funding applications. Traditional affordable development capital isn't structured particularly well for homeownership projects, let alone affordable for-sale housing.

That is one reason HomeSight's Field Order 15 Fund is so interesting.

Created by HomeSight in partnership with the Black Home Initiative, Field Order 15 works farther upstream: helping BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) developers get affordable for-sale projects off the ground.

The program provides feasibility grants, technical support and access to predevelopment financing, including feasibility funding of up to $35,000 and predevelopment loans of up to $1 million.

The name carries important history. Field Order 15 refers to the 1865 Special Field Order associated with the promise of “40 acres and a mule”—an effort to provide land to formerly enslaved families that was subsequently reversed. HomeSight connects that history with generations of exclusion from property ownership and development capital that followed.

Today, Field Order 15 is addressing the homeownership gap not only by helping buyers purchase homes, but by helping mission-driven developers create the homes that can be purchased in the first place.

The affordable homeownership challenge won't be solved by one organization—or by simply doing conventional development a bit more efficiently. It requires multiple organizations willing to think outside the box.

Affordable doesn't have to mean stripped down

The Mt. Baker project reflects another idea we believe is important: affordable homeownership should still feel like homeownership.

Designed by b9 Architects, the project includes 10 townhomes with features including garages, rooftop decks, generous bedrooms and two townhomes with ADU's.

The ADUs add flexibility for multigenerational households, in-home care or potential income-generating opportunities for homeowners.

And with proximity to the Mt. Baker Link light rail station, affordability isn't limited to the purchase price. Transit connects residents with employment, education and neighborhoods throughout the region while reducing dependence on a car.

Partnerships like this are how difficult problems get solved

Housing affordability can feel like one of the most intractable problems facing growing American cities. Organizations like Africatown Community Land Trust and HomeSight demonstrate that we don't have to accept existing development and financing systems as fixed constraints.

We can design better systems.

We can create new capital tools.

We can build homes our community members are proud to own.

And we can ask a better question than simply how many housing units Seattle produces:

Who gets the opportunity to own them?

I've built enough pro formas over the years to know they eventually begin to look remarkably similar.

Different addresses.

Different construction budgets.

Different financing assumptions.

But they're still spreadsheets.

Homes are something entirely different.

A home is where children grow up. 

When my twin daughters were born, we brought them home to a house I had built. Looking back, I don't remember the details of the construction schedule, the budget, or the countless decisions that went into the project. Though, I do remember there were missing guard rails up the stairs, but after noticing my wife's twin sized belly the city inspector begrudgingly looked the other way and signed off. 

This summer my daughters turned 18 and I look around at this space and remember that a home is where life's most meaningful moments unfold. 

It's where families celebrate birthdays.

It's where people recover from illness, work from home, welcome new babies, care for aging parents, and build friendships.

Housing isn't simply another investment class.

It's the physical setting where life unfolds.

That's one of the reasons I've remained passionate about residential development despite the market cycles, financing challenges, permitting delays, and construction complexities that every developer eventually encounters. And frankly, that passion helps keep the momentum up through tough times. 

Real estate certainly has the potential to create long-term wealth. 

But I believe its greatest return is something much harder to measure.

As developers, architects, builders, engineers, and investors, we have the opportunity to shape neighborhoods that may serve families for generations. Every decision - from site planning to daylight, healthy materials, energy efficiency, durability, and thoughtful design - leaves an imprint that lasts longer than us - which is why every professional I know who is involved with building homes eventually begins talking less about returns and more about legacy.

When people ask why I continue building housing in markets that sometimes seem extraordinarily difficult, my answer isn't found in a spreadsheet.

The financial returns make great projects possible.

The human impact is what makes them worthwhile.

If the last article was about today's market, this is about why many experienced investors continue developing today - particularly smaller size multi-family residential. 

When people compare real estate to stocks, they often focus solely on appreciation. 

But what makes well-executed real estate investing unique is that multiple forces are working in your favor simultaneously.

The James Apartments (St. Johns neighborhood-Portland, OR)

The first is prudent leverage.

Imagine investing $500,000 in the stock market. You own $500,000 worth of assets that you can't see, feel or touch. 

Now imagine using that same $500,000 as a 20% down payment on a $2.5 million multi-family asset. Assuming the property generates sufficient cash flow to appropriately service the debt, you've gained control of a much larger asset with the same amount of equity. 

The second advantage is inflation.

Most people think of inflation as something to fight. Owners of well-performing real estate often experience the opposite. Replacement costs increase, land becomes scarcer, rents generally rise over long periods, while a fixed-rate mortgage payment stays remarkably consistent. Over time, inflation quietly reduces the real burden of yesterday's debt. 

The third advantage is that real estate produces several return engines at once.

Instead of relying primarily on appreciation, owners may benefit from:

• Monthly cash flow

• Loan principal paid down by tenants

• Long-term appreciation

• Rent growth

• Tax advantages such as depreciation

These forces reinforce one another over time. Rising rents strengthen income. Income can increase value. Equity grows through appreciation and loan amortization. That equity creates opportunities to refinance or invest in the next project.

This is why time matters so much.

None of these advantages compound over twelve months.

They compound over decades.

Of course, there's one critical condition.

You have to be able to hold the asset. If you're forced to sell - time becomes your bully. 

That means buying wisely, managing risk carefully, and creating enough resilience in the deal structure to avoid becoming a forced seller during difficult markets. 

In the next blog, I'd like to share why, after all these years, I still believe ​housing is one of the most meaningful endeavors anyone can dedicate their career to.

One of the oldest sayings in real estate is that time is your greatest ally.

For decades, that has proven true. Buy quality real estate, hold it long enough, and time quietly does much of the heavy lifting. And for shorter term projects focused on high yield IRR, we often start a project underwritten to zero asset growth assumptions...but after a year of design and 18 months of construction, the value of those homes have gone up - and so has the return for our developer client. 

But if you're trying to develop housing today, that advice can feel disconnected from reality.

Compared to just a few years ago, interest rates are significantly higher. Construction costs have risen dramatically over the past several years. Vacancy has softened in many markets, while rent growth has slowed. Put all of those together and it's easy to look at a new development pro forma and wonder whether anything still works.

Photo: John Tyson/Unsplash

I've had more conversations over the past year that begin with the same question:

"Can this project still pencil?"

It's a fair question.

Some projects simply don't work in today's market, and forcing them rarely ends well. But I've also noticed something interesting. While many people have stepped to the sidelines waiting for the "perfect" market to return, experienced developers are still finding ways to move projects forward.

The difference isn't that they're ignoring today's challenges.

It's that they're looking beyond today's market.

They understand something that can be easy to forget when every assumption in a spreadsheet is under pressure:

Real estate has always been optimal as a long-term strategy. 

For that reason, we have the privilege of working with smart owner/investors on multi-family portfolio projects in design and under-construction who plan to keep these buildings in their long-term portfolio. This handsome project is located in the St John's neighborhood of Portland. 

That doesn't mean every project is a winner. It means being disciplined enough to walk away from deals that don't work while having the conviction to pursue the ones that still create lasting value. 

In the next blog, I'll share why I still believe real estate remains one of the most powerful wealth-building investments available - not because of any single factor, but because several independent forces begin working together over time.

The spreadsheets matter.

But they're only the beginning of the story.

Despite one of the most difficult economic periods for real estate in recent history, Green Canopy NODE currently has the largest work-in-progress (WIP) pipeline in its history. While every project presents challenges, the lessons learned through this market cycle have been invaluable.

Whether you're a developer, general contractor, investor, or involved in building homes, I hope the insights in this series help you navigate your next project with greater confidence and success.

The Importance of Looking Three Turns Ahead

In the Pacific Northwest, many of us enjoy skiing and snowboarding. One of the early lessons you learn on the mountain is to anticipate two or three turns ahead instead of reacting to every bump and obstacle as it appears. Looking behind you can be even worse - you check on your friends, catch an edge, and suddenly find yourself face-first in the snow.

The same principle applies to real estate development and sustainable housing projects.

Successful developers don't just focus on current market conditions. They plan for what they can reasonably see coming while remaining grounded in today's realities.

Innovation doesn't get funded simply because it's visionary. It gets funded because you can prove that today's market supports tomorrow's idea.

Look Ahead…But Keep it Tight

As a licensed and certified appraiser, I've seen countless project plans that were five or six turns ahead of the market. Developers were anticipating economic conditions that had not yet materialized and could not be supported by current market data.

The challenge is simple: there are no comparable sales.

Photo: Philipp Kämmerer

Unless you're financing a multimillion dollar project entirely with cash, lenders will base decisions on existing market evidence, not future predictions. Even when leading indicators suggest favorable conditions ahead, banks and investors typically require proof of concept that similar products have already succeeded.

In other words, lenders don't finance forecasts. They finance evidence.

Offsite Construction and Modular Communities

If you're planning an offsite construction project, such as a volumetric modular cottage community, there should be evidence that buyers are already purchasing similar cottage communities built through traditional methods.

The construction method may be different, but the marketable characteristics - size, location, amenities, and buyer appeal - should be supported by existing sales data.

When it comes to building homes, lenders care less about how the home is built and more about whether buyers are willing to pay for it.

Sustainable Housing and Zero Energy Homes

If you're developing sustainable homes or a community of zero energy homes, there should be evidence that buyers in your market value premium-quality housing.

Even if there are no direct comparable sales for zero energy homes, you may be able to demonstrate demand through high-performing housing developments with similar pricing, quality, and buyer demographics.

The goal is to prove that the market has both the purchasing power and demand to support a higher-performing product.

Innovative Housing Designs

Suppose you're introducing condominiums into a market that has historically consisted of single-family homes. Direct comparables may not exist.

However, smaller fee-simple cottages with similar utility, combined with evidence from comparable condo projects in neighboring markets, can help demonstrate viability.

Every developer wants to be first. Most lenders want proof that someone else was first.

Don't Spend Too Much Time Looking Back

One of the greatest risks in real estate is relying too heavily on historical data while missing the economic trends that could impact your project nine to twelve months from now.

Photo: Mads Schmidt Rasmussen

Just as a skier constantly evaluates the snow conditions, developers must continuously assess changing market conditions and adjust their strategy accordingly.

This is especially true in today's rapidly evolving market, where construction costs, interest rates, buyer preferences, and demand for sustainable homes can shift quickly.

The most successful developers balance historical evidence with future awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Innovative Development Projects

• Q: What happens if I bought land at a great price and the project economics work, but there are no comparable sales?

  A: This is a common challenge, particularly for innovative projects involving sustainable housing, zero energy homes, or offsite construction. Appraisers cannot create comparable sales that don't exist. However, they can expand their search area and analyze proxy markets where similar projects have been successfully completed.If your project is truly unique, the appraiser may need to look farther afield to find evidence of comparable assets performing in the marketplace.

  The good news is that some of the most successful developments started in markets where no direct comparables existed. The challenge is that you'll likely face additional scrutiny during construction financing, permanent lending, and stabilization.

• Q: Do lenders make new developments look the same as every other project?

  A: Yes and no. The lending system is designed to minimize risk, which naturally encourages consistency and proven product types. Most developers and builders are visionaries by nature. They want to create better communities, more sustainable homes, and new approaches to house building. However, financing requirements can make innovation more difficult.

  That said, there are countless examples of developers who have successfully introduced new concepts to the market. It typically requires strong financial backing, excellent execution, and the courage to challenge conventional thinking.

• Q: What if there are many active listings but no recent sales?

  A: Active listings can support an underwriting narrative, but they generally cannot serve as primary market evidence. Lenders and appraisers prefer closed sales because they represent actual buyer behavior rather than seller expectations.

  If your project exceeds the quality or features of available comparables, you'll need evidence from both inferior and superior properties to establish a reasonable value range. This is called comp bracketing. Bracketing is particularly important for sustainable building projects that include features such as energy efficiency, construction timber innovations, or zero energy performance.

• Q: If the market is moving up or down rapidly, doesn't that make historical data unreliable?

  A: In some ways, yes. One of the most common criticisms of the lending and appraisal process is that it relies heavily on past performance while markets can change quickly.

  When prices are rising, underwriters still require evidence from completed transactions. When prices are falling, appraisers may be asked to apply downward adjustments to reflect current market conditions. This conservative approach is why lenders often describe assets as "bankable." Their goal is not to predict the future but to minimize risk based on verifiable evidence.

  For developers focused on sustainable housing, timber for construction, or innovative building homes strategies, understanding this reality is critical. Success often comes from combining visionary thinking with enough market evidence to bring lenders along for the journey.

Seattle’s lower income communities, particularly in the Central District and Rainier Valley, have endured decades of displacement. Redlining, housing and employment discrimination, and predatory real estate practices have systematically denied many the opportunity to own homes and build wealth. Since the 1970s, families that once thrived in these neighborhoods have been pushed out, losing their homes and the generational wealth that could have provided future stability.

Corvidae Co-op directly addresses these disparities by offering affordable, sustainable homeownership, welcoming back those who have been displaced.

An Innovative Solution for Affordable, Sustainable Living

Corvidae Co-op introduces a new model of shared-equity housing that balances individual and collective ownership. By creatively navigating housing and land use policies, the project consists of 10 co-op residences on two lots within single-family zoning guidelines. In an area where the median home price exceeds $875,000, and single-family homes often surpass $1 million, Corvidae stands out by offering more attainable housing. Instead of constructing two multi-million-dollar homes, the project delivers 10 residences, including four subsidized by the Seattle Office of Housing, with prices starting at $170,000. This model not only keeps purchase prices and living expenses low, but also allows residents to build individual equity while maintaining shared amenities, fostering both personal and community sustainability.

Located in Rainier Valley, just a short walk from the Mount Baker Light Rail Station, Corvidae is 4-Star Built Green certified and designed with sustainability at its core. The project features ten 2-bedroom, 1-bedroom, and studio residences: 6 suites and 4 independent units, averaging 600 square feet each. The co-op design fosters a balance of shared and private spaces to allow for gatherings and shared experiences when desired.

Partnerships Rooted in Equity and Vision

Corvidae is a collaborative effort between Allied8, Frolic, and Green Canopy NODE.

"This project wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of our partners," said Leah from Allied8. "I knew I had a committed team behind me, and that was invaluable. Purpose is what drives buy-in, and every partner brought their passion and expertise to ensure Corvidae Co-op could offer a sustainable, affordable pathway to homeownership."

• Allied8, the architect and co-developer and original visionary investor behind Corvidae, led the design of the project, balancing the needs of individual residents with the collective good. The thoughtful layout of the homes and shared spaces reflects their deep understanding of how architecture can foster community and support equitable living.

• Frolic, co-developer alongside Allied8, brought a unique perspective to the project, ensuring that the co-op model remains financially accessible and replicable across other sites in Seattle. Their co-op model aligned with the project’s goal of creating long-term affordability for future generations.

• Green Canopy NODE, serving as both financial consultant and builder, brought expertise in sustainable development and affordable housing. With a strong commitment to equity and community, Green Canopy NODE ensured that Corvidae was not only financially viable but also met the highest standards of environmental sustainability and social impact.

Other key partners include Urban Black, 1st Security Bank, and Rainier Valley Community Development Fund.

A Replicable Model for the Future of Seattle

Corvidae goes beyond being a standalone project, demonstrating how single-family zoning can be reimagined to create equitable and multigenerational housing across the city. With its shared-equity structure and focus on affordability, Corvidae offers a scalable solution to Seattle’s housing challenges.

"Corvidae Co-op represents everything Green Canopy NODE stands for: sustainability, equity, and community. We’re grateful to have played a role in making this vision a reality, and it’s truly rewarding to see the positive impact it will have on future generations," shared Sam Lai, co-founder of Green Canopy NODE.

---

Learn more about Corvidae: https://corvidaeco-op.com/
Partner with Green Canopy NODE on your next project: https://www.greencanopynode.com/development-services

Green Canopy NODE was featured in a Green Building Advisor article highlighting our innovative approach to prefabrication.

The article highlights our Utility Kit system, which integrates mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems for offsite construction, helping streamline installation.

Photo Credit: Fernando Pages Ruiz

Additionally, the author visited The Trillium at Grow Community on Bainbridge Island, Washington where our team installed our Utility Kits into six homes.

The article also explores a growing shift in the modular construction industry: focusing on high-value building components rather than entire structures. This approach addresses challenges like transportation costs and labor shortages, improving efficiency without sacrificing quality.

SEATTLE, Washington (August 13, 2024) - Green Canopy NODE, a leading full-service development partner specializing in sustainable housing, is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Dawson to its Board of Directors. With this addition, the board now consists of six members.

Emily Dawson, a licensed architect and mass timber expert, leads the way in bio-based structural solutions, aiming to transform buildings to behave more like plants and industries like forests. Since designing Oregon's first Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) structure in 2013, she has been a prominent advocate for mass timber. With extensive experience in European mass timber, modular, and industrialized construction, Emily integrates off-site fabrication approaches into her work.

In 2022, she founded Single Widget to focus on low-carbon structural advancements through product development and built work. Her consulting firm Field Edge was established in 2024 to connect natural resources and regenerative industry-scale projects. She received her degree in Architecture from Cornell University in 2003.

"We are thrilled to welcome Emily to our Board of Directors," said Bec Wilder, CEO of Green Canopy NODE. "Her extensive experience and innovative approach to sustainable construction align perfectly with our goals to deliver carbon-negative, prefabricated building components and to transform traditional construction into a streamlined assembly process. Emily’s mass timber expertise will be invaluable as we continue to scale our operations and push the boundaries of sustainable development."

With over 300 deep green urban infill projects since 2010 with a third of those being Net Zero Energy and Net Zero Ready homes, Green Canopy NODE is scaling construction-tech systems to build sustainable homes faster. With support from investors and grants from the Department of Energy and the US Forest Service, Green Canopy NODE is committed to bringing the power of manufacturing to construction and leading the way in sustainable housing solutions.

###

About Green Canopy NODE:

Green Canopy NODE is a full-service development partner leveraging industry expertise and cutting-edge construction technology to deliver sustainable housing. The company provides integrated development services, including pre-development consulting, feasibility, architectural design & permitting, prefabrication, general contracting, and sales support for multi-family projects. Green Canopy NODE’s mission is to scale construction-tech systems to build sustainable homes faster and more efficiently, turning traditional construction into a streamlined assembly process.

Green Canopy NODE had the honor of exhibiting US HUD Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall. Supported by the US Forest Service, American Wood Council, US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and Mercer Mass Timber, our exhibit showcased how mass timber and prefabricated, integrated systems can revolutionize offsite construction for faster, more affordable housing.

Aimed at raising awareness of new and affordable housing solutions, the HUD Showcase is a public event that focuses on increasing affordable housing, reducing construction costs, improving energy efficiency, and lowering housing expenses for both homeowners and renters.

Green Canopy NODE’s exhibit featured a showcase of our prefabricated, modular mass timber building system, including our proprietary utility wall. Visitors had the opportunity to explore a volumetric module and interact with various layers of a mass timber home, including the rainscreen siding, timber fiber insulation, and weather barrier.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Highlights from our exhibit:

The key benefits of our mass timber building system include:

• Sustainability: Mass timber homes are exceptional in carbon sequestration, storing the carbon absorbed by trees throughout their growth, which remains locked in the timber for the life of the building. This results in a significant environmental impact, with mass timber homes storing 6.6 times more carbon than comparable traditional stick-frame homes.

• Speed: The prefabricated components of mass timber enable quicker on-site assembly, significantly shortening construction times. Our approach is 44% faster than traditional construction methods, leading to substantial savings in time and cost.

• Strength: Mass timber offers durability and strength comparable to traditional construction materials, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the structures.

• Waste Reduction: 29% of landfill waste comes from construction and demolition - prefabricated mass timber can reach 95% efficiency with the potential to downcycle into other materials.

Our proprietary utility system combines mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services into pre-engineered units to maximize efficiency. Key benefits include:

• Efficiency and Speed: Our prefabricated utility kits significantly reduce the time required for traditional mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations by 50%, eliminating many of the inefficiencies and potential callbacks associated with conventional methods.

• Architectural Coordination: Our systems are meticulously designed to integrate seamlessly with the designated layouts of kitchens and bathrooms, and are optimized for use across multiple floors, ensuring a cohesive and functional design.

• Seamless Installation: Preconstructed in an off-site factory during the site work phase, our utility kits are ready for a smooth and seamless installation process during the framing phase, enhancing overall project efficiency.

Our team had a wonderful time connecting with other industry leaders at the showcase, and the event underscored the critical role of innovation in addressing the pressing challenges of climate and housing. Engaging with forward-thinking organizations reinforced our commitment to pioneering solutions that not only meet current needs but help shape a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

Integrate our building systems into your next project – learn how you can partner with our Development Services.

Green Canopy NODE is honored to have received the 2024 National Institute of Building Sciences Innovator Award! The NIBS Innovator Award recognizes an individual, organization, or project that has made groundbreaking advances and significant technological contributions to the built environment.

Prefabricated construction holds immense potential, promising to mitigate risks, reduce costs, and minimize waste, while accelerating construction timelines by up to 50%. However, in the United States, the adoption of permanent modular construction remains largely untapped, representing only a fraction of the vast construction market.

With a critical shortage of housing units exacerbating societal challenges, fostering growth in the prefabricated construction sector has become imperative. The primary obstacle lies in the misalignment between prefabricated production systems and traditional construction business models, necessitating transformative solutions to reconcile these differences.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, Green Canopy NODE has emerged as a trailblazer, reshaping the landscape of construction through innovative approaches that address industry challenges and drive unparalleled progress. 

Over the past five years, Green Canopy NODE has spearheaded a paradigm shift within the construction industry by reimagining the conventional business model. As a vertically integrated full-service development company encompassing construction, design, and research and development (R&D), Green Canopy NODE approaches the entire value chain as a dynamic product in need of continuous innovation.

Innovation is the cornerstone of progress, and Green Canopy NODE exemplifies the transformative power of visionary leadership and bold experimentation. By challenging conventions, embracing technological advancements, and fostering collaboration across sectors, Green Canopy NODE is reshaping the built environment and paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future. 

Green Canopy NODE is honored to be included in TIME and Statista's ranking of America's Top GreenTech Companies of 2024. This recognition underscores Green Canopy NODE's commitment to leveraging innovation and cutting-edge construction technology to address pressing environmental challenges.

As TIME stated in its ranking, the green-technology sector has emerged as a vital force for positive change, with predictions indicating its potential to grow to $9.5 trillion by 2030. In acknowledgment of this, TIME, in collaboration with Statista, conducted a comprehensive statistical ranking of 250 sustainability-focused companies in America. The ranking criteria encompassed factors such as environmental impact, financial strength, and innovation, highlighting those companies making significant strides in curbing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability.

Green Canopy NODE‘s dedication to sustainability and innovative approach to construction. Through integrated development services, including pre-development consulting, architectural design, prefabrication, and general contracting, the company delivers carbon-negative housing solutions that redefine traditional construction methods.

Supported by investors and grants from esteemed institutions like the Department of Energy and the US Forest Service, Green Canopy NODE is at the forefront of revolutionizing the construction industry. Our prefabricated building components not only streamline the construction process but also contribute to reducing carbon emissions, making a positive impact on the environment.

By prioritizing environmental responsibility and embracing innovation, Green Canopy NODE is not only reshaping the industry but also paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

Green Canopy NODE’s Work Beta Testing Autodesk’s New Industry Transformative Software 

For the longest time, the building industry has remained siloed from the manufacturing industry. Yet, it’s at the intersection of these two industries that we can find solutions to quickly build housing and drastically reduce its carbon footprint. 

At Green Canopy NODE, we are dedicated to bringing Industrialized Construction to the world of sustainable housing. Recognizing a significant data transfer gap in preparing 3D architectural models for manufacturing, our team members Abby Willets and Benjamin Hall seized an opportunity to serve as beta testers for Autodesk's cutting-edge software, Informed Design. 

“Informed Design for Inventor is the master planner,” said Abby, R&D engineer. “It really lets me set up the parameters and the boundaries which the architect can take and configure to fit their design, all while knowing it’s manufacturable.” 

As a beta tester, Abby transformed our MEP Utility Kit into a dynamic, configurable Revit family, enabling architects to tailor features and dimensions effortlessly. Gone are the days of laborious coordination for every tweak – with this software, we can envision a future free of shop drawings while streamlining our processes and workflows. 

With an architectural background, Benjamin sees productized building components not as design inhibitors but as enablers of mass-produced quality. 

“Autodesk Informed Design has shown that there’s a way to bring customized details, good aesthetics, and quality engineering into a product that can be mass-produced,” said Benjamin Hall, senior product manager. “Designing with constraints doesn’t curb my creativity – it gives me choices I know will work. And that is good for the planet, the building’s inhabitants, and the building industry.”   

While challenges undoubtedly lie ahead on our journey to affordable, sustainable housing, we see Autodesk’s Informed Design as one of many tools in helping us get there. We extend our gratitude to the Informed Design team, with a special mention to Ryan McMahon, for granting us early access to this transformative software. We eagerly anticipate delving deeper into the full-release version and leveraging its capabilities to their fullest extent. 

• Learn more about Autodesk Informed Design

• Learn more about Abby and Benjamin’s work as beta testers

Green Canopy NODE is pleased to share we have been selected as a Top Impact Company by Real Leaders for 2024.Our commitment to advancing sustainable building practices through innovative approaches like Mass Timber and the power of manufacturing has played a key role in receiving this award for a fifth year. Many thanks to our clients, partners, and team for your unwavering support in our work to make fast, sustainable, and cost-effective home assembly a reality 🏘️

📰 Read more about the Impact Awards and find us on page 28 in Real Leaders Magazine: https://real-leaders.com/top-impact-companies

Learn more about Green Canopy NODE’s impact and work to revolutionize the built environment through innovative construction-tech systems to build sustainable homes faster.    

About Green Canopy NODE 

Green Canopy NODE is an integrated construction technology and real estate development company. Over its history, it has sought to embrace the innovation required to change the current paradigm of housing development and deliver on its commitment to help regenerate communities and environments. The company works with its clients and investors to develop high-performing, deep green, all-electric, and healthy housing.  

About Real Leaders 

Real Leaders is a membership community for impact leaders with a global media platform dedicated to driving positive change. It’s on a mission to unite farsighted leaders to transform our shortsighted world. Founded in 2010, Real Leaders recognized early on that businesses bore a responsibility to be as cognizant of their impact on employees, society, and the planet as they are on their bottom line. Real Leaders is a B Corporation, member of the UN Global Compact, and is independently owned. 

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

2023 was a year defined by innovation for Green Canopy NODE. From certified-green all-electric homes to our game-changing mass timber integrated building kits, we’re on a path to revolutionizing construction.

Let's take a closer look at some of the standout highlights from this year:

📰 Article – Revolutionizing Construction: Energy-Efficient CLT Modules Featured in Offsite Builder Mag

🏆 Award – Built Green Hammer Award For Outstanding Builders and Advocates

📝 Case study – A Mass Timber Housing Kit That’s 44% Faster Than Traditional Construction

✍️ Blog – How to Spark Purpose & Passion in Your Team

🎥 Video – Mass Timber Home Assembly in 48 Hours (in a blizzard!)

🏡 Project – Net Zero Neighborhood Just a Ferry Ride from Seattle

To our team, clients, and partners, we appreciate your collaboration and steadfast support on this journey. Cheers to ongoing growth, innovation, shared accomplishments, and envisioning a sustainable & healthy future in 2024 and beyond!

Our in-house architecture team is on a mission to redefine the way we approach design. In an industry saturated with digital models and blueprints, we believe that there's no substitute for experiencing a project firsthand. Andrew Tsuei and Kyle Kutz, two of our in-house architecture team members, weighed in on the insights gained from the design team’s regular field trips to construction sites.

 “These trips are key because you can’t understand a project just from a digital model,” said Andrew, Architectural Designer at Green Canopy NODE. This sentiment underlines our core philosophy – that to truly comprehend a design, the designer must go beyond the confines of a screen. Is that room too tight? How does the ceiling height affect the overall feel? How will users navigate through the space? These are questions that can only be answered by immersing yourself in the project as its user.

Site visits provide insights that extend beyond theory, allowing the design team to understand the project in the context of its surroundings. "You get to feel the materials of neighboring buildings, see what the neighbors are like, eat fruit off the bushes," said Andrew.  Inside the home, the team discusses the full process of building a home – from air sealing details to lighting layouts.

In addition to these real-life insights, our team takes a holistic approach to these visits, engaging other members of Green Canopy NODE’s integrated team such as sales and construction team members. What truly sets the Green Canopy NODE architecture team approach apart, emphasized by Kyle, Architect and Senior Design Project Manager, is this integration. For example, "being part of an integrated team with the construction managers allows for more open and honest conversations. We can see what they’re seeing, and they can see what we’re seeing. Egos are set aside, and everyone shares a common goal: build better housing,” Kyle said.

This seamless integration and collaboration not only enhance our projects but also addresses a critical industry challenge. Design changes are a major cause of cost overruns and project delays, often due to communication issues. However, by increasing communication among all stakeholders in a project, we are better equipped to deliver projects on time and on budget.

Ready to explore the possibilities of designing and building with us? Contact our team to bring your vision to life. Learn more about our integrated development services.

Green Canopy NODE featured in KXLY article: Spokane Valley Mass Timber pitches eco-friendly, easy-to-build townhomes.

---

Green Canopy NODE was honored to host Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Commissioner of Public Lands Hillary Franz at our Mass Timber Model Home in Spokane, alongside our partner Mercer Mass Timber.

Mass Timber represents an opportunity to revolutionize home construction, providing faster, more affordable, and environmentally friendly housing solutions. Beyond that, mass timber structures serve as carbon sinks, effectively addressing issues related to both forest health and the housing crisis.

In an article about Commissioner Franz’s visit, KXLY noted, “Developers say there is no one solution to the current housing crisis, but they hope this can be a step in the right direction.

‘If you think about all the wood that is in this building, it's like a carbon battery. We are taking it out of the environment and storing it so that it's not burnt, not wasted, not rotting and releasing methane and we are designing these buildings to last over 100 years. 150 years is our target,’ said developer Darrin Griechen.”

Mass timber is revolutionizing construction as a climate-friendly alternative to concrete and steel, with the carbon footprint of mass timber buildings being 40% less than traditional materials. This innovative approach is reshaping the construction industry and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

The article, Fire resistant, quake safe, climate friendly: Mass timber is on the rise as a construction alternative by Lisa Stiffler, contributor to GeekWire, explores several types of Mass Timber projects, including Green Canopy NODE’s Mass Timber Model Home. Read the article to learn how mass timber is revolutionizing construction, and don’t miss the insights from Green Canopy NODE’s co-CEO Bec Wilder.

Each year, Built Green recognizes outstanding builders and advocates in the sustainable building community during the Built Green Hammer Award ceremony. This year, we at Green Canopy NODE are honored to have received an award in the Builder, Small Production homes category for our sustainable all-electric, and healthy homes across Seattle.

Green Canopy NODE played an active role in two enlightening sessions at the conference: "Completing the Grow Community: Built Green 5-Star" and "Conquering Embodied Carbon Emissions for a Greener Future."

Completing the Grow Community covered the final phase of the Grow Community on Bainbridge Island, which will be a Built Green 5-Star development. Architect Jonathan Davis, Green Canopy NODE’s Lead Mechanical Engineer Eliot Siegel, and sustainability expert Cybil Tribie discussed the architecture, new and innovative construction methods, and the sustainable design features of the project. Learn more about Grow here!

Eliot Siegel, Lead Mechanical Engineer at Green Canopy NODE, discussing the construction technologies embedded in the Grow Community, including the Utility Kit designed to reduce overall MEP installation times.

Sadie Carlson, Building Scientist at Green Canopy NODE, discussing a housing solution that leverages innovative construction techniques to optimize for embodied carbon, operational carbon, and cost.

Conquering Embodied Carbon Emissions for a Greener Future covered the rising importance of addressing embodied carbon emissions from building products, including discussions on building code proposals, permit incentives, and case studies on innovative construction techniques. Green Canopy NODE’s Building Scientist Sadie Carlson was a panel member, alongside Liepa Braciulyte from New Buildings Institute, Jess Harris from the City of Seattle, and Jessica Martinez from DCI Engineers.

Read more from Built Green on the 2023 Award winners and conference and view our current available sustainable homes for sale here. Interested in building your next residential real estate project with Green Canopy NODE? Learn more about our Integrated Development Solutions.

We are pleased to share our 2022 Impact Report!

I deeply believe that as a society we are going to make the transition to a resilient future. That said, the path to get there may not be smooth or pretty. However, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that when faced with crisis, we can adapt and rise to the occasion.

At Green Canopy NODE, we stand at the forefront of this movement, fully aware of the magnitude of the problem and the immense potential for positive change. Through our commitment to building carbon-negative, healthy homes, we strive to regenerate communities and environments, demonstrating that housing can be a catalyst for transformation.

We are a deeply committed community of teammates, board members, shareholders, impact investors, institutional investors, homeowners, landowners, developers, affordable housing groups, architects, real estate agents, and sub-contractors.

Together we are building the future of housing!

I invite you to join us on this journey. Please feel free to start by sharing with me your insights and reflections on this report.

 With deep gratitude,

Susan Fairchild
Chief Marketing & Impact Officer

Construction Project Manager, Mark Grismer, was interviewed by Offsite Builder Magazine in the article High-Efficiency, CLT Modular Homes. Learn more about our prefabricated Building Kits and how they offer energy-efficient and fast-to-assemble solutions for multifamily residential buildings.

“When you walk into the prototype home, it feels like you’re in nature,” says Mark Grismer, Construction Project Manager. “And eliminating the steps of screwing on drywall and painting over it significantly reduces the on-site construction timeline. It also eliminates the on-site waste typically generated by drywall installation.” - Mark Grismer