It’s no secret that I’m passionate about local development and construction companies that are at the forefront of sustainable practices and eco-friendly innovation. When I entered Seattle’s sustainability community, Martha was already the “Queen of Green!” She was designing and building some of the top sustainable homes in Seattle through her namesake company, Martha Rose Construction. Martha is a remarkable professional who has been in the industry since 1972, and I am beyond excited to share more about what makes this company, and the individual behind it, so special.

Meet Martha Rose

Martha’s story is one of hard work, determination, and perseverance. Her breakthrough in an industry that has an overwhelmingly male demographic speaks to her commitment to carving out a space for women in the development sphere. For over 20 years, she has built her own projects, after working her way through the ranks, spending a part of her career as a Seattle building inspector, and working with and learning from other developers.

Going—and Staying—Green

Martha says she’s passionate about, “rainwater harvesting, low impact development and constructing with deep green building techniques, including resilience.” She is also a fan of the Passive House design, a set of design principles that aims to create energy-efficient buildings, which boast healthier air, quieter systems, and better temperature control. As the first Passive House verifier in Washington State, I’m always thrilled to see more talented developers adopt innovative design standards that create a better future.

One of the ways she prioritizes sustainable building features in her projects is through green stormwater infrastructure, which collects and treats rainwater, reducing the risk of flooding, keeping stormwater clean as it enters natural bodies of water, and improving air quality. She also prioritizes the inclusion of heat recovery ventilation in her high-performance homes and mixed-use buildings, which, as we know, goes a long way in conserving energy spent from trying to regulate temperature!

It should come as no surprise that she has a wall system named after her: “The Martha Wall!”

Project Highlight

The City Cabins at Abbott’s Alley, a collection of six mixed-use units in Skagit County, exemplify Martha’s work and ideology at its very best. In fact, this project was spotlighted by the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home program. From the high-performance insulation system to others that provide cleaner air and increased comfort, these units show the power of thoughtful design and how it can improve the quality and health of one’s life—not to mention smaller utility bills, which is always a huge plus. As fire season grows increasingly concerning in our state, Martha’s projects, which allow for smoke-free, clean air even during times of poor air quality caused by smoke, are more important now than ever.

Making Change

It’s no surprise—but no less impressive—that Martha has received numerous awards for her sustainable work over the past couple of decades, including winning the Built Green Hammer Award five times. When she learned about Built Green 21 years ago, it was like having everything she believed about sustainable building practices affirmed. Now she focuses on constructing high-performance homes that pass the Built Green certification. Her work and influence extend to the community, and she is a member of the Skagit and Island Counties Builders Association and serves as the Planning Commissioner on the Skagit County Planning Commission.

I’m happy to share just a small portion of Martha’s illustrious career. It was an honor to finally work with her on one of her last Seattle projects before she went up North to Sedro Wooley.

If you’d like to learn more about sustainable development in Seattle and beyond, please reach out to me. It’s a topic I can discuss to no end!