Sustainable Design

DC Chic

2007-05-18T21:08:00.000-04:00

The blog for "Hoopla Traders: a Washington, DC gift shop featuring hand made, fair trade, eco friendly art, clothing, jewelry, handbags, and home decor"

I don't even know if the store is still there. Upon quick consideration, the site seems nice. Hasn't been updated since January 2007 (as of today.)

Plants! Plants! Plants! (and their databases)

2007-05-16T21:38:00.001-04:00

Two wonderful websites about using native species in your landscape:

USDA - Natural Resources Conservations Service

and

American Beauties - Native Plants

The first website by the US Dept. of Agriculture is a bit more technical, with lots of scientific information (in case you're into that kind of thing). The second is a wonderful website for disseminating information as well as advertising to prospective buyers. Two nursery companies, respectively located in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, created a partnership to grow and distribute native species throughout the region. Every purchase from their participating nurseries results in a small donation to the National Wildlife Federation. How much more evidence can there be for an environmentally and socially responsible company that can still use the free market to advance itself successfully? I love it.

Green Rooftop

2007-02-07T09:36:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to "G-Sky", a green roofing manufacturer and contractor. We may do this on our rear add-on rooftop. The current roof is simple asphalt roll-paper, with some technical issues. The roofing paper itself is new, and under warranty, however according to our home inspector, it is an inappropriate design for the extremely flat pitch of the roof. However, that very same flat pitch is perfect for a green roof!

I like G-Sky's design system, as it seems ideal for residential applications. There are only a few layers to put down, and the soil system is thin and light. Seeing as how the house will be run completely on electric power, the added benefit of the green roof should help with energy costs.

There is also a plumbing junction right there in the upper story bathroom, so an irrigation outlet could be run straight from the bathroom.

We may have to build up an edge around the roof to contain the various underlayment and the soil, and I'm not sure who we'd have to contact about the current structural load-bearing capacities but we'll need those numbers to decide if the current roof will be strong enough to withstand the weight of the green roof.

Do-it-yourself would be nice. We also need to talk to the town hall to see what kind of permits are necessary... we might have to put the bid together for the side balcony with the rear green roof.

Trees & Landscaping

2007-01-07T21:10:00.000-05:00

In my quick search for native species trees & shrubs, I found these two links tonight: Fast-Growing Trees and a list from the Department of Natural Resources on native species.

The Fast-Growing Trees website is phenomenal -- it gives pictures and detailed explanations of each tree. Of course, it is a catalog for purchasing the trees from their website, but the prices seem pretty reasonable. I'd like to find local nurseries first though, and only use the delivery service if I can't find the specimens locally.

The DNR website is also great; they're a bit more specific about this area, and give habitat information for our little critters.

ICFs - Insulating Concrete Forms

2006-09-16T17:16:00.000-04:00

Here is a great article concerning the use and cost of utilizing insulating concrete forms. In certain applications, it may be necessary to use concrete -- though the life cycle cost of concrete is considerably high, other factors may make using it favorable.

For the construction of our home, we will require using concrete as a foundation. In our Zone 7a Plant Hardiness climate (minimum temps = 0-5 degrees), deeper foundations are necessary to combat frost upheaval ground forces that will push and pull on the structure. Additionally, this range in temperature will affect the comfortable living temperatures found within the home.

In order to combat extreme fluxes of living temperatures, the foundations should ideally be insulated from the surrounding earth. Also, the insulation is beneficial to the method of building with earth, in a cold environment. The insulation helps to trap solar heat passively, in order to release it back into the home when outside temperatures drop.

Insulating Concrete Forms make creating the foundation easy because the "forms" are put in place before the concrete is poured, and act as a mould for the concrete itself. We will be using these forms for the first structure we plan on building. Results will be posted as they happen.

First Source Online

2006-02-01T16:20:00.000-05:00

Here is an interesting article that takes the perspective of Interior Designers. I think it's fairly recognized that the "Green" or "Sustainable" movement is in the "up-and-coming" category, not "established". However, I think we, the individuals who comprise the movement, sometimes get a little far-sighted in the issue and don't readily accept that what's conventional is in fact conventional because it's so slow to change. I say this because as I was reading this article, I found myself slightly surprised to read that many Interior Designers feel:

that sustainable design and building is "still in the ghetto,''.... For many in a profession that revolves around sofas and armoires and marble bathrooms, "green'' still carries a whiff of hippie survivalism.

I've never really considered myself much of a hippie, yet I suppose many others who hear what my interests are may deem me pretty close to qualifying as one.

It's pretty refreshing to be challenged by these concepts, awakened to the fact that I forget that my beliefs are in actuality on the fringe of societal norms and not fully accepted by my fellows. I think it's specifically when someone says "What does sustainable mean?" and I'm astonished at his ignorance that I realize I've been resting on my laurels and that it's time to get moving forward again.

A Book Review, of sorts

2005-11-27T00:06:00.000-05:00

The International Residential Code is a starter book that every design/build professional needs, especially the owner/builder. Practically every town and state in the US begins with the IRC as basic code parameters and adds/subtracts specific regulations according to their local needs. Individuals interested in Green Building are especially encouraged to reference this book; if the Green movement in Residential constructions is to grow, it must maintain a strict safety code. Though we owner/builders may be satisfied with putting up (and living in) structures that are legally barns or sheds, I believe we have a responsibility that far exceeds that of the traditional field of construction. The best way to bring alternatives to the mainstream is to understand the widely held wisdoms of the mainstream first. Only then are we empowered with the knowledge to educate about alternatives from a strong footing.

Green Home Building

2005-11-20T00:39:00.000-05:00

The Green Home Building website is one of the first sites that I found during my initial green building research phase a few years ago. This is BY FAR the most inclusive website I have ever seen, to date. Not only is there extensive information for the entire gammut of green building, but the author gives each method careful examination. He does not favor any one method over another, and in doing so offers the rudiments of what I believe is the new construction era -- one that allows for creativity in combining various green construction methods without compromising safety standards.

So far, this site is still the best in my opinion!

Compressed Earth Block - Info Sheet

2005-11-20T00:04:00.000-05:00

Yet another informative webpage from the Fernco Metal Products website; Compressed Earth Block (CEP) thoroughly summarizes CEP details. Awesome source!

Website Design

2005-11-19T23:00:00.000-05:00

Another good design for website layout. This specific page outlines Down to Earth's past projects; an online portfolio. I like the large-ish photolinks (which lead to more photos) as visual representation, and the bulleted points for the quick description. The pictures are large enough to see details in the pictures, but not too large that it detracts from the text.

Nice bonus: every project on this page was legally permitted in the locale.

Beautiful Website

2005-11-19T22:43:00.000-05:00

Ecosensual.net at first glance has a very nice visual aesthetic. I like the square pictures used as a multifunctioning, eye-catching banner/navbar. The simple indented-within-category menu column on the lefthand side is also very kind to look at.

I'll come back to comment on the textual substance after I've read some pages...

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Okay, it seems as though the website is under development. All of the topics that are there currently have a minimal to moderate amount of information. I've seen other websites with much more detailed info. That said, I do like the *way* in which the under-developed site is displayed. Much like my own process of outlining my thoughts in list format -- the sections that can be beefed up are organizationally intact. Overall, it's a good "beginner's" site -- that is, good for those who are in the early stages of wanting to learn about Green Building. It's easy to navigate, pretty, and gives you a decent amount of information for starting out fresh.

Heat Transfer, Thermal Mass & Building Codes

2005-11-19T22:29:00.000-05:00

This page has very detailed information explaining the physical properties of heat transfer. The website itself is a little bit disorganized with many Google advertisements, but with some digging, there are a lot of good resources.

Near the middle of the page, there is some information about National Building Codes dealing specifically with Compressed Earth Blocks. There are also websites detailing U.S. codes as well.

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Also, this webpage is off of the Fernco Metal website and is a very detailed paper discerning the difference in physical qualities between earth walls and concrete. This company creates great construction materials for Green Building.

Natural Building Colloquium

2005-11-19T18:13:00.000-05:00

This Natural Building Colloquium website is a wonderful place FULL of information about Green Building. There are dozens of pages of well-written, technically-robust and instructional material. I am delighted about this site.

Introduction

2005-03-11T12:54:00.000-05:00

Sustainable. Ecological. Environmental. Green. What do these words mean? In the tempest of this capitolist economy, in what place do these words reside? And how do people respond to nature's strongest weapon - entropy? Do you fight back kicking and screaming? Do you build a fortress to shield yourself from dangers? Do you examine its effects, and gain from such knowledge? What can you do? Creativity is mankind's most valuable skill ranging in capabilities from problem solving to divine expressionism. To create -- to utilize materials you find beside you -- to change the conventional definition of an object -- to follow in any tradition of craftsmanship -- to imagine a new way of living and following through with it -- these are the ways we combat and embrace entropy.

But what about limitations? Through all the soaring visions and dreams, what are the attempts defined by? Skill level. Quantity of material. Social barriers. Economic constraints. Who has the means?

Confronted by this apparent inequity of means, what are we left with but shadows of hopes and ideals? And how, with a strong maintenance of motivation, can one supercede her lot and move beyond the naive imprints of heroic desire?