2008 Women Build: HabiJax and Breaking Ground

Breaking Ground Contracting Company, in partnership with HabiJax, is pleased to announce the 2008 Women Build!

This innovative initiative was introduced in order to encourage women to participate in the construction process in a less intimidating environment and, at the same time, enrich the life of a deserving family through the rewards and responsibilities of home ownership.

We are especially proud that Mary Tappouni, President of Breaking Ground Contracting, is leading this effort as Project Manager and will bring her years of construction expertise and commitment to the community through this worthwhile project. As many of you already know, Mary’s dedication is evidenced by the time and resources she and her employees give the community through organizations such as Child Guidance Center, YMCA, ACE Mentoring, Junior Achievement, JaxPride, St. John’s Riverkeeper and professional organizations such as Associated Builders and Contractors, ABC Women’s Council, US Green Building Council, SMPS, CREW, Urban Land Institute and NAIOP. HabiJax and Breaking Ground will be reaching out to the many women’s associations and groups, as well as women business owners to act as construction volunteers and supporters.

What will make this year’s Women Build especially noteworthy is that we (of course) will be focusing on “building green”. We are excited to learn that HabiJax has used green practices in the construction of their homes for years. For example, HabiJax uses Energy Star appliances, eliminates waste through pre-planning and measuring of building components, and recycles and reuses construction debris when possible. Also, their revitalization of urban neighborhoods supports green efforts to develop sites appropriately. We will highlight and share those green practices during the build, but also seek to attain LEED for Homes certification on the Women Build house. Having a LEED-certified home ensures that we will exceed certain thresholds for energy efficiency, water conservation, responsible use of materials and resources, and high standards for indoor air quality.

If you are a local reader, then you are probably very familiar with HabiJax. For those that are unfamiliar, HabiJax was founded locally in 1988 and is the largest Habitat for Humanity affiliate in North America. In June of 2007, they celebrated the construction of their 1500th house and each week construction begins on two new HabiJax homes. It takes approximately 3-4 months to build a home and volunteers are typically working on houses Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00am to 3:30pm. The average HabiJax home is 1100-1200 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths (but they have floor plans to meet the needs of all their families!). Since its creation in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built or rehabilitated more than 225,000 homes worldwide and Breaking Ground is thrilled to do their part on this one in Jacksonville.

Breaking Ground Contracting Company is a commercial and institutional general contractor with an award-winning, ten-year history in North Florida. Founded by company president, Mary Tappouni in 1997, Breaking Ground has been redefining construction on a diverse portfolio of projects such as new construction, tenant build outs, renovations and additions. By incorporating sustainable building practices into our business philosophy, we are proud to say we are providing an environmentally responsible, economically profitable, and healthy place to work with each project.

Keep an eye out for updates and more details on the 2008 Women Build. We are proud and honored to lead this effort and look forward to working with many of you to make this the most successful Women Build ever!

Please contact me at 904.388.1350 or e-mail to learn how you or your company can become a sponsor, provide in-kind donations, or volunteer and keep an eye here for updates on our progress.

-Ellen Reed