I compliment Richard Mintz for his wisdom in choosing Vashon for his home and for his good fortune in having the means to do so. (“Modular Goes Trendy,” March 21.)

Vashon has wonderful natural and human resources that make it a great place to live. But why live here yet spend one’s housing budget in Massachusetts? Is it because the efficiencies and qualities of a factory-built house are so superior that it is worthwhile to ship it all the way across the continent? I doubt it. Is it because a house so energy efficient and energy generating cannot be built on site here on Vashon? I know this is not true. For there is a house on Vashon that was built here and achieved a five-star Built Green standard, employing both passive solar design and photo-voltaic panels.

This owner also chose Vashon deliberately, purchased property, but then hired a neighbor to design the house, hired Island carpenters to build it, worked diligently to achieve Built Green standards, was able to participate in final design changes and worked with Vashon Forest Stewards so that the interior trim, the exposed and clear rafter tails, as well as the posts and beams of the porch structure were all milled by Vashon Forest Stewards from sustainably harvested Vashon Douglas fir. The house cost about the same per square foot as Mr. Mintz’s, and most of that money was spent on the Island.

I have not seen Mr. Mintz’s house, but I would bet that the experience of living in these two houses is comparable, as are their respective energy efficiencies. In cost, however, and in impact on the Vashon community, the two houses are vastly different — the advantage being entirely to the Vashon-built house and owner who, in addition to getting a house built in part with Island fir, got Island friends, and the satisfaction of contributing significantly to the Island economy.

— Jack Stewart