Building for the Next Generation: Why Sustainability is Our Core Mission

At G. Christianson, we believe that true craftsmanship is defined by how a home performs for decades to come. As a second-generation company, we understand the importance of legacy. We know the work we do today is a small part of the world we leave behind for our children.

For Carl Christianson, our owner and president, this mission is deeply personal.

“I’m always looking toward the future,” Carl says. “I’ve got three kids, and we need to be intentional about building things that are sustainable today so that when they are grownups, they have the opportunities that we have.”

Shepherding the Environment

Historically, the construction industry hasn’t always prioritized sustainability. However, general contractors have a massive influence, from the materials we select to the home’s energy sources. We believe that influence comes with a responsibility to do better.

This philosophy is shared by our entire team. Many of our crew members have children of their own, and there is a collective desire to ensure the future is bright for the next generation. We are striving to be intentional about “shepherding the environment,” ensuring that we aren’t just taking up space but creating safe, healthy living places.

This starts with material selection. We help our clients choose materials that lower their environmental impact and improve indoor health. This means:

• Reducing the use of plastics in homes.
• Selecting non-toxic adhesives.
• Using finishes and paints that are low-VOC and less toxic.

Sustainability in Action: Our Fleet

Our commitment to the environment goes beyond the materials we install; it extends to how we operate every single day. We’ve transitioned to an electric fleet, meaning every mile spent driving to the lumber yard or commuting between job sites is powered by the sun. By charging our vans with the solar panels on our own shop roof, we eliminate tailpipe emissions and significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the construction process itself.

The Standard of Net Zero

Perhaps the most exciting shift in our industry is the transition away from fossil fuels toward electrification. We are moving our new builds away from natural gas and embracing heat pump technology, which allows homes to run entirely on electricity.

Taking our environmental stewardship to the next level, we’re now designing and building ‘Net Zero’ homes. Here is how Carl describes the impact of a recent build:

“We built this house as a Net Zero house, which means that we produce enough solar on the roof in the summertime to carry us through the winter. Our solar panels on this house generate all the electricity we need for the heating, the water heating, the cooling and all the appliances.”

By generating our own clean energy, these homes effectively have no negative impact on the planet’s energy resources.

The Benefit to You

While our commitment to sustainable building protects the future, the immediate benefits for our homeowners are even more compelling. Sustainable homes are simply better homes. They offer superior indoor air quality, consistent temperatures and incredible comfort.

We want to build homes that our clients are proud to own and that we are proud to put our name on. As Carl puts it, “We want things to be at least as nice as they are today for [our] children and the future generations that are coming.”

Let’s build a better future together. Whether you are looking for a Net Zero home or simply want a remodel done with care and non-toxic materials, our team is ready to help. Reach out to us to learn more about our sustainable building process.