Tours of Aitkin Home Attract More Than 100 Visitors

Tours Show Green Building and Local Green Building Products

Minneapolis, Minn. (3/8/07) – In one week, more than 100 people participated in two tours at a new home in Aitkin, Minnesota.   The home features green building practices such as passive solar heating and cooling, energy-efficient in-floor radiant heating, and locally harvested and locally produced materials.

“The response to the tours was great,” said Ross Wagner, Aitkin County Economic Development. “People came from all over to see the project and get some ideas for their own homes.”

One opportunity to visit the home was offered through a bus tour from the Twin Cities. Participants included architects, builders, and wood product companies who are interested in green building and responsible forest products.  

Aitkin County Commissioner Paul Bailey stopped by the house to greet the tour and show his support. “This project has been a real success for Aitkin. Thank you so much for coming to see the many types of wood that Aitkin's forest has to offer.”

“Come see the house, come see our county, then stay for a while,” Bailey joked.

Another tour and open house for the general public saw visitors in the house throughout the day, including the Aitkin County Forestry Advisory Committee, the Rotary Club, and individuals who drove more than 50 miles to see the home.

Many of the visitors were impressed with the beauty and diversity of the wood products in the home.   All of the finishing materials came from within eighty miles of the project.   Local wood products in the home include the flooring, cabinets, millwork, staircase, and exterior siding.   The home also has an energy-efficient in-floor heating system.

“The wood in the home is beautiful and the in-floor heat feels great,” said one of the tour participants.   “It's easy to see why it sold in less than three days!”

The home was a project of Dovetail Partners, a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis that works on issues related to sustainable forestry and responsible trade and consumption.

For further information:

Ross Wagner at the Aitkin County Economic Development Office 209 2nd St. NW  Aitkin, Mn. 56431 or 218-927-7305 or rwagner@co.aitkin.mn.us

For project photos, click here.