La Jolla-based Grunow Construction recognizes the importance of green building while committing itself to the community. Thomas Grunow started the company 27 years ago. His son, Dan, has worked with the company for 10 years. Grunow Construction has remodeled many recognizable buildings such as the Bonair Cottages, The Bishop’s School and Copley Library. “We try to take a reuse, recycle, green approach,” Dan said. The company purchased the familiar Bonair Cottages at the corner of Bonair Street and La Jolla Boulevard and began construction in June 2008. “We take a house and try to emphasize the unique details of it,” said Dan of remodel projects. The Bonair Cottages were all encompassing green remodeling projects. Original internal doors were refinished and reinstalled. Construction waste from the site of the two cottages was taken to Edco Recycling. Renewable products were used when possible. “They were in need of quite a bit of help,” Grunow said of the cottages. Construction was completed in April 2009. Dan Grunow believes that green construction will gradually become more economical and appealing to clients. “We’re all aware of how hard it is for homeowners to justify the costs,” said Dan of more environmentally-friendly building. “We want to offer these things to our clients in way that meets their needs,” he said. Dan said he expects the cost of electricity to continue to rise and he thinks gradually more clients will request green building to ensure lower bills in the future. “There are three aspects that create the umbrella of green building,” he said. First, installs such products such as Duro-Last roofing systems. Its higher reflectivity lends to lower energy costs for the cooling of a structure. The quick growth of bamboo makes it a popular renewable resource for use in floors and furniture and Grunow Construction attempts to restore existing doors whenever possible. “You’ve saved something from going to the landfill,” Dan said. The second aspect is maximizing the efficiency of space, he said. Installing solar panels on the roof of a home is one way to maintain a localized efficiency. “I feel like everyone can appreciate the third aspect the most,” Dan said. Maintaining clean interior air when working on a home or business is a priority for Grunow Construction. “We try and assist our clients by using tools that have vacuums,” he said. Workers maintain as clean a workspace as possible. “We make a special effort to cater to people’s needs,” Grunow said. Dan has found that working with designers and architects is advantageous, so the company can focus solely on the construction of the project, which is what works best for his clients. Grunow Construction likes to maintain the authenticity of the style of home while remodeling a project whenever possible. “Most of the time we try to stick with the design of the structure,” said Grunow. However, the company will accommodate their client’s needs. Avalon Capital Group purchased the Copley Library and Grunow Construction is converting the library into an office space, complete with a wine cellar. “We try and stay focused in La Jolla,” Dan said. Father and son want to ensure the company doesn’t outgrow itself and is able to maintain contact with local clients. “We have all those guys who are out on the job site swinging hammers and wearing our shirts,” Dan said. There are five employees who work in the office, 14 in the field, as well as some subcontractors. Dan and his father are hands-on from the start of the project to the end. “We want to walk away with a friend, not a client,” Dan said. He is in the process of becoming LEED certified, which is a specialized certification that will allow him to verify that buildings are environmentally responsible. Grunow Construction 7512 La Jolla Blvd. (858) 459-8742 www.grunowconstruction.com