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Refuge Sustainable Building Center
Published
13 years agoon
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AdminMontana’s Green Building Resource Provides Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Building Supplies
By Kim Thielman-Ibes
Since she was young, Alexa Calio’s passion was to work in a field where she could make a positive impact on the environment. Armed with a degree in Wildlife Biology, Calio moved west to conduct research in Yellowstone Park. As it turned out, the first habitat she worked on was her own.
“I went into the wildlife field for several years and got sidelined building my log home,” says Calio. “We felled, peeled and set the logs. When it came to chinking, I did it all myself.”
After this experience, Calio started Roche Jaune, Inc., Chinking and Plaster Specialists, which she has owned and operated for twelve years. “When I found out Refuge was for sale, I saw it as an opportunity to tie my experience in construction with my degree in ecology. It’s a good segue between my education and experience.”
Calio bought the business from partners Dave Schaub and Steve Bruner. Schaub spent ten years as a teacher specializing in environmental education and was a do-it-yourself environmentally aware home remodeler. It was this background that propelled him to start Refuge in July 2004 after moving from Seattle to Bozeman. Old college roommates, Bruner and Schaub reconnected at a sustainability fair in Livingston. Bruner’s M.B.A., his laid back attitude and shared values made for the perfect partnership. Schaub’s family moved to Spokane, Washington and the partners decided to sell the business to Calio in 2010.
Calio closed on the business on June 1 and by June 14, Refuge was open in its new, 2400 square foot location at 1203 North Rouse. Calio moved the business from its original building on Mendenhall to increase exposure and thanks to the eco-friendly mindset of the developers, they’re in Bozeman’s green zone. Refuge is now surrounded by other environmentally friendly companies, creating a buzz and energy all their own.
Refuge focuses mostly on interior-based products that are on the leading edge of sustainability like American Clay (a natural earth plaster), Paperstone Countertops (a solid surface countertop produced from multiple layers of recycled papers), Deco-Paz (an inexpensive mock concrete resurfacing material), low VOC paints and sustainable flooring. They also carry recycled denim and recycled foam insulation, along with window packages from Sierra Pacific, a window manufacturer that manages the forests they use and in the process produce more energy than they consume.
“I think the biggest misperception we have is in terms of product availability and cost,” says Calio. Refuge’s goal is not to compete with building warehouse stores, but to provide a range of quality products produced through sustainable manufacturing at a reasonable cost. Under Calio’s leadership, the company also plans to grow their product line and explore expanding their retail locations beyond Bozeman.
Refuge is also an education depot for sustainable product knowledge and education. First Calio and her staff make it their business to develop their own knowledge through LEED green building certifications, the National Association of Home Builder’s green building program, and eco-friendly manufacturers’ product seminars.
“We all have a personal commitment to the environment, which motivates us to find the best products available and be knowledgeable about the industry.”
The retail store offers workshops on products and installation, including American Clay and Deco-Paz. They’re also involved in promoting eco-friendly products to the building and interior design communities through educational seminars.
“Refuge is a current member of SWMBIA, Southwest Montana’s Building Industry Association,” says Anders Lewendal, chair of its green building committee and owner of Sustainable Building Solutions, Inc. and Anders Lewendal Construction. Lewendal says Calio’s insights are valuable to the Association and to the green building committee.
Calio and her staff are earnest in their desire to help their customers know that they can make the right choice to use a product that is recycled, sustainably harvested or sourced locally, and that it doesn’t mean it has to cost more than a standard-quality building product.
Refuge Sustainable Building Center in Bozeman has changed ownership and location, but its commitment to the local green building industry is stronger than ever.
For more information of Refuge Sustainable Building Center call 406.585.9958 or visit refugebuilding.com
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd