Acknowledgements

It is all too easy to back away from addressing "green" issues by claiming that solutions are too expensive, too time consuming and too specialized. Regrettably, to specialize is to marginalize. If it is perceived that environmentally responsive building techniques are elitist and expensive, then our cause is lost.

The concept of "Off the Shelf" was developed to demonstrate that building responsibly is accessible to all people and to all projects, regardless of size or budget. Our mission was to encourage by example. By carefully researching building products and techniques that are readily available to the general public, our project Team was able to create an environmentally responsive building that remained on budget and on schedule. This book is a record of those achievements and a tribute to their dedication.

Building responsibly is not an "all or nothing" deal. While we recognize that the most "green" solution is not always achievable, we can each make a series of small commitments in our building projects that can add up to sizeable environmental response.

Our hope is that this project record will become a guide to empower and encourage every interested party toward building in a manner that is earth friendly. The tools and the techniques are available "off the shelf." We challenge you to add the commitment required to build projects that will set a responsive example for the next 100 years.

	David von Oeyen, Director of Design for Langdon Wilson, has over 20 years of experience designing various comercial, institutional and healthcare facilities. David holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Michigan. His key work has been honored with more than 15 design awards and has been published in numerous journals.
	Steve Arnold, Project Manager, is a talented and experienced Project Manager who has made major contributions to a broad spectrum of projects with emphasis in the areas of Project Management, Design Implementation and Construction Administration.