Published by Solutions For Green We also publish California Green Solutions and a series of blogs about healthy living solutions.
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Housing Design Ideas
DESIGN CONCEPTS TO EXPLORENatural materialsArchitectural salvage: Habitat for Humanity: Restore Stores (Orange Co, San Diego), Sante Fe, Junk yards, dumpster diving Must use new lumber for structural Bamboo for structure, and pinning -- strongest, wood is expensive now. Cupola and minimal, short ( less 2" from ceiling) interior walls for free flow of air, movement, less cost, large look Hip roof with overhang -- best roofing method Box Column method -- recommended by Joyce Coppinger Core Area of water/plumbing design (kitchen, bathroom) Don't put bathtub on strawbale outer wall -- danger of moisture leaks Greywater system (exit out of the Core Area, into a pool and garden area for irrigation) Closets used as room dividers Daytime spaces on South, bedrooms on north : passive solar Cob for thermal mass Outdoor living (veranda, outdoor shower) Clay floor, with decorative flagstone around perimeter (decor and thermal mass), throw rug in center of room Passive solar cooling and heating (ventilation, shaded windows, thermal mass) Passive solar greenhouse, sunroom Living roof Tree trunks for veranda posts Grape Arbor, Potting Shed (f Thatching?, or early storage) Carport (put photovoltaic system on roof) Appliances that use very little energy or cooking methods that reduce fuel consumption are recommended. (Convection oven / microwave combination?), Stove top, outdoor oven? Construction methods used have included straw-bale; compressed earth block, some with natural insulation, and others Recycled sand from industrial waste Structural insulated panels, steel frames and roofs Salvaged telephone poles, Composting toilets Natural lighting and natural ventilation Low-VOC materials used in homes for chemically sensitive people. Standard size walls to fit strawbales and standard construction materials (boards, drywall, etc) Fire prevention design (50-200 foot clearance, no curtains, water source, water sprinklers, etc.) LANDSCAPING, GARDEN, PRODUCTIVE HOMEGourdsBamboo (shoots, crafts, strawbale construction, futniture, biomass, wind break, fencing/gates) Grape Arbor Mulching and composting system Xeriscaping (the use of native plants and those that require less energy and water for upkeep) Planting for erosion control, Porous pavements that reduce and slow water run off, Planting shade trees to help reduce the temperature in the area, Earthen Floor Cob fireplace Cob half wall to provide thermal mass between sunroom and kitchen/dining area (built in benches are part of wall) For more articles about URBAN NATUREUrban Agriculture for Outdoor AdventureEarth's Most Successful Life Form Kudzu Grows a Foot per Day Meow How? Should I keep my cat indoors? Habitat on Your Balcony and Garden Patio Keeping ants in nature where they belong
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