Lakewood Ranch Goes Green

’ÄúIf builders want to build at Lakewood, they have to build ’Äògreen,’Äô’Äù says Bob Sisum, director of builder programs at Lakewood Ranch, an award-winning master-planned community straddling the Sarasota-Manatee county line.¬Ý Lakewood Ranch is the largest master-planned community in the state to obtain certification as a green development by the Florida Green Building Council.¬Ý Its home-building and landscaping requirements are an extension of that commitment. The objective is to build homes that are more cost-effective to own and maintain, healthier for occupants, and friendlier to the environment than traditional homes.¬Ý A Green Gallery inside Lakewood’Äôs information center has been totally transformed into a replica of a house ’Äì including attic (at right), insulation, flooring and appliances.¬Ý Out back is a Florida yard (at left) showcasing native plants and proper irrigation. ’ÄúThis is not a fad.¬Ý This is the way of the future.¬Ý Americans will demand that their homes be built to these specifications.’Äù