April 15, 2009, Columbia, MD– Columbia Builders will join in an Earth Day reception at Torrent Row House, a new "green" group home built by the firm and the first residence in Howard County to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED).

County Executive Ken Ulman and County Housing Director Stacy Spann will attend the April 22 event, which is open to the community. The home is located at 9359 Torrent Row in Columbia, Maryland.

The Oakland Mills house is being considered for a platinum rating, the highest residential designation awarded in the council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED).

"It's a really great house," said Jim Greenfield, Columbia Builders founder, of the single-story home that The Arc of Howard County will use to service four men with cognitive and development disabilities who require round-the-clock care.

"The entire experience was just amazing. I would do it again in a heartbeat," he said.

What began as a remodeling project in spring 2008 soon turned into a demolition job, as the original Supported Living-owned home was deemed not suitable for the special needs of its inhabitants. Greenfield, whose late son was served by The Arc, arranged for the home's subcontractors to donate a portion of their services.

The Oakland Mills home incorporates universal design, which makes its features suitable for elderly or physically-challenged residents, as well as many hidden components that make it environmentally friendly.

Some of the home's outstanding attributes are a rainwater recovery system, energy-efficient insulation and appliances, and drought-resistant landscaping, to name a few. It also was customized to suit the special needs of its inhabitants.

A PowerPoint presentation describing the house's visible and indiscernible features will run on a continuous loop on a 42-inch flat-screen monitor at the reception, and signs explaining various elements of the home's construction will be posted throughout its rooms for a self-guided tour.

Funding for the project was provided by the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development. Don Taylor, principal at D.W. Taylor Associates of Ellicott City, handled the architectural plans and development. Jay Raksin, facilities coordinator at The Arc, also played an active role in bringing the project to fruition.

For more information about the reception, which will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on April 22nd, contact Kari Ebeling at kebeling@archoward.org.

About Columbia Builders, Inc.
For nearly 35 years, Columbia Builders has been building homes and communities in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Columbia Builders has built more than 3,000 homes in more than 50 communities and is recognized for superior craftsmanship and innovation by national, regional and local industry associations. The company was the first homebuilder in Maryland to receive the prestigious Energy Value Award from the National Association of Home Builders.

About The Arc of Howard County
The Arc of Howard County was started by a group of parents in 1961 as an advocacy and support group. From its grassroots beginnings, it has grown to become a respected member of the nonprofit community and one of Howard County's largest employers. It provides housing, job placement, vocational training and a wide variety of individual and family support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.