National conference features housing partnership

By Army Hawaii Family Housing, News ReleaseAugust 26, 2010

National conference features housing partnership
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii - The Simpson Wisser neighborhood is part of a U.S. Green Building Council pilot program that is helping to set the first national ratings for green neighborhood development. The neighborhood was a featured topic at the Associati... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The Simpson Wisser community may be the most sustainable neighborhood on a U.S. military installation and was the focus of much attention at the annual Association of Defense Communities conference held earlier this month in San Francisco.

The Army Hawaii Family Housing partnership, led by Col. Douglas Mulbury, garrison commander, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, provided an overview of the Fort Shafter neighborhood that is among a select group of developments in the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, for Neighborhood Development pilot program.

The purpose of the pilot is to establish the first national ratings for sustainable neighborhood developments.

Also part of the panel were Lee Cranmer, Actus Lend Lease development manager; Mark Pasciuto, assistant construction manager; and Brian Larson, Town and Home, Inc.

The team provided a summary of project highlights, from development and design through construction and resident occupancy. Panel members discussed the process from concept to finish, including innovative, sustainable technologies and design, which resulted in bonus points from the Green Building Council, and lessons learned.

Among the most important lessons learned and shared with conference attendees was what has attributed to the partnership's success beyond the LEED project. Mulbury emphasized that establishing an agreed-upon and executed shared vision, developing a culture of mutual trust and transparency, and timely decision-making helped the team reach success.

He also emphasized partner education, the willingness of everyone involved to learn and the commitment leadership and team members must make to consistently and continuously focus on the shared vision, which is to do the right thing for Soldiers and their families.

Following the presentation, conference attendees had an opportunity to ask the panel questions about the LEED for Neighborhood Development project, the financial and business structure of the partnership, and other initiatives taking place at AHFH.

Related Links:

Army Hawaii Family Housing website