At habitare design studio the quest for sustainability goes without question. However this is not to say that I don’t look forward to discussing how to make each project more sustainable. With the growing awareness global warming and climate change comes a growing understanding of how to address sustainability—solutions that might have worked five years ago can be laughable today yet some solutions may be timeless. It is my goal to help you weave your way through these discussions and come up with strategies that work for your specific needs.
Immediately, every project can be more sustainable with an efficient floor plan, i.e. less space equates to less heating and cooling. I will help you to determine what can be reasonable without compromising functionality and also how to make the most of what you may already have. Also, being wise with regard to orientation, exposure and daylighting can lead to less consumption of precious resources all without much extra cost to you.
The next consideration to make relates to your “thermal envelope.” Insulation and air-tightness are critical in lowering the energy required to heat and cool. But these decisions also influence how to ventilate your home so that you have healthy indoor air quality and no mold issues. Regardless that a well detailed envelope is now mandated by the federal government, thoughtful consideration of the envelope allows you to enjoy the biggest bang for your buck.
What you use to heat and cool your home also is an opportunity to go “green”. Consideration of up-front costs v. long term savings, preferences for forced air v. radiant systems, tax incentives and existing equipment all determine what is right for you. I can help you make these decisions based on previous projects, discussions with HVAC professionals and on my continual efforts to educate myself on new technologies.
Materials and fixture selections also play a huge role in sustainability. Exposed and polished concrete floors eliminate the need for tiling on top of a standard concrete slab and metal roofing can last a lifetime. These are but two example of how to finish your home in light of sustainability. I can point you in the direction of locally sourced, renewable or low embedded energy products and review your options to help determine what works for you.
Emerging technologies arise every year and I am open to any ideas you may bring to the table. If I have no experience or knowledge of a given technology I can find someone who does. Please challenge my understanding of what it means to be sustainable and allow me to challenge you—together we can make a difference for current and future inhabitants your house and the planet.
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