Small Spaces

Hello, and welcome to another installment of the Holly Contracting blog. As this is my first entry, I would like to introduce myself. My name Jeremiah Fender, and I am currently Holly Contracting’s Senior Consultant and Project Manager. I have a background in Land Use and Project Management and am a Sustainable Building Advisor certified by NaSBAP (www.nasbap.org). My passion and love is sustainable building and community design. One thing I really enjoy is to troll through various internet sites looking for new and exciting ideas in sustainable design. One of my favorite sites is www.treehugger.com, which gives great information on a variety of topics related to sustainability. While looking over recently posted materials at Treehugger.com I came across an article about a European company called Ecospace (www.ecospacestudios.com). This company designs and builds small dwellings for use as home offices, studio apartments, art studios, and basically anything that an owner may need a small space for. The particular design I would like to discuss today is their WorkPod design.


The WorkPod, as described by the designer, “is a compact, ergonomically designed workspace for one person and is a contemporary, practical solution for home workers needing separate, but affordable year round workspace. With optional integral work station and storage systems, it creates a cost-effective and productive working environment.” Wow! This is a great idea as it will reduce commute times, thereby minimizing pollution discharges, and the user will have more time to enjoy doing the things they love (like snowboarding, YES!). The energy savings realized from having to heat/cool a smaller space for work will allow the thermostat to be set at an ecofriendly level, and the large windows will allow the space to be lit by natural means. There are many benefits to working in an accessory dwelling at your home rather than trying to work from within your home, notably fewer distractions. If you have ever tried to work from home you know what I am talking about. If not, then imagine all those little projects calling your name when you have a creativity block, or the refrigerator calling your name for the umpteenth time. These types of dwellings also offer cost savings to many business owners that need an office space but do not want to rent/lease a commercial unit. Recently there has been a movement in building smaller units for habitation, such as www.tumbleweedhouses.com


I believe that these types of structures can help us all by keeping our communities compact, affordable and attractive. What are your thoughts? Leave some comments as I would love to hear from you and discuss new possibilities and designs, and, remember, Holly Contracting can help you design and build any project of your dreams.

Jeremiah Fender

Shades of green...

A potentially daunting task facing any green builder is the interpretation of a client’s needs, and their perception of sustainability. There are many ways to build green, and everyone has their own opinion, their own “shade of green.”


Case in point is a topic that we’ve come across repeatedly, ICF construction. ICF stands for Insulated Concrete Forms which are forms for concrete, made out of foam and plastic, stacked like Legos, tied together with rebar, and poured with concrete in a succession of “lifts” in order to reach the desired wall height. They provide a highly durable, efficient, thermally and acoustically superior wall. The “pros” of ICF construction include durability, reduced acoustic infiltration, increased energy efficiency, and some recycled content in the plastic, foam and concrete. Conversely, a sustainable product by definition should reduce environmental impacts, something that cement manufacturing and petroleum based foam products generally don’t do. Some would argue that a sustainable product should come from renewable resources, such as FSC lumber, and some would argue that the efficiency of the ICF wall system offsets the initial impact on the environment. Wow, what a discussion that turns into!


I am not here to say what’s right or wrong, but to encourage a conversation! What is the best product for a particular client’s needs? What are the options, and the pro's and con's of each? The fact of the matter is we are excited to work with any smart sustainable building practice, exploring new options, and continuing to learn and improve.

Kitchen Remodel Phase 1

We've recently completed phase 1 of a remodel to a 1970's kitchen that was desperately in need of an update. The cabinetry was white washed pine, the counters sea-foam green laminate, and the appliances were considerably out-dated. The client opted to approach the project in 2 phases for budgeting purposes.


Phase 1 which has been completed includes:
-New Granite slab counter tops
-A full tiled backsplash with deco behind stove
-New cabinet components
-Refinished cabinet frames & faces with a rub through finish
-New lighting design including pendants at bar
-Addition of cabinet hardware
-New plumbing fixture and stainless sink
-New stainless fridge & diswasher
-New color selection of paint & trim throughout
-Update attached solarium

Phase 2 will include:
-New stainless slide in range with a microwave/range hood
-Refinish existing hardwood floor

This type of project can greatly increase the beauty & function of a home, while increasing it's value. If a project seams to much to handle all at once, there's often a way to break it down into phases, and still get to make those long awaited improvements to your home!

Welcome to Holly Contracting...

Welcome to Holly Contracting & Designs blog. We are an award winning builder based in Central Oregon, specializing in sustainable building & design, integrating energy efficiency, healthy indoor living, and appealing aesthetics into each of our projects.

Holly Contracting is a family owned and operated business. We were raised in Central Oregon and have enjoyed the lifestyle and all it has to offer over the last 37 years. We are excited to be a part of our community, promoting sustainable growth in the region we know and love. We bring a wide range of expertise to every project including sustainable building practices, product knowledge & interior design on everything from remodels to new construction, both on residential and commercial projects. We excel at problem solving, scheduling, budget and time management, and always offer reliable friendly customer relations. We understand that green building means something different to every client, and our flexibility and depth of knowledge allows us to facilitate a marriage between our clients needs and green building realities.