Design Banter

New Year, New Blog!

2011-01-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

Design.banter will now be featured on our website, www.dandastudio.com, under "blog."

This archive will still be available. Thank you so much for reading and we hope to see you over at our new site!

Movie Review: The Power of Community:How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

2010-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

The documentary The Power of Community:How Cuba Survived Peak Oil looks at how Cubans survived their "peak oil," i.e., when fuel oil imports were cut off after the fall of the Soviet Union.

With no imports of fuel oil, power cuts lasted up to 16 hours a day, and they had no choice but to abruptly change. Power for everyday necessities like water pumping for indoor plumbing and refrigeration was at best non reliable and at worst non existent. They had a food scarcity, and the average Cuban lost 20 lbs by 1994.

Here are some inspiring ways Cuba dealt with their "peak oil" experience.

Transportation:

The government imported bicycles, which were not a part of the culture, and citizens had to learn how to use them.
They developed mass transit service overnight with creative solutions like old trucks with covers acting as buses.
People in small towns turned to horses and mules for transportation.

Agriculture:

In the early days while in crisis mode, they had to have food distribution so the wealthy did not just hoard what was for sale, and relied on “survival agriculture” using no chemical inputs (which were not available).
There was a drastic effort to convert every inch of arable land to agriculture. Therefore, urban gardening flourished. It's a growing sector of economy, creating jobs (organic farming is more labor intensive, therefore there are more jobs).
Farmers now among the highest paid professionals
Many kiosks are located throughout city that sell food grown using urban agriculture
80-100% of food in smaller towns is provided by urban agriculture
Working against nature, in conventional agriculture, you have to use huge amounts of energy. They strive to create a “food forest”—self sustaining like a forest, and then you pick the produce as you would forage in the woods.

Energy:

In some rural areas, it is less expensive to use solar panels than to connect to grid. More than 2,000 rural schools have supplied with solar panels.
The use of solar hot water is an example of variety of small solutions used across the country.
Cuba imported fuel oil before the crisis, since the quality of their crude oil is poor. Now, crop waste like sugar is used to produce electricity. During harvest, 3-4 months out of the year, 30% of energy is from biomass sources.

The average Cuban consumes 1/8 of the energy of the average American, but their infant morality rate and lifespan are about equal. Obviously Cuba is very different from us, politically, geographically, culturally, and in the climate. But this movie provides great examples of baby steps and grassroots action, adding up and make a difference. Humans are extremely adaptable to change. Because of embargo, everything has to happen from the inside, making this a fascinating isolated, controlled experiment in how to survive peak oil, when it comes for the rest of us.

See our other blogs on urban agriculture and Seattle's regulations & incentives.

urban | design.banter:: All I Want for Christmas is to Replace Sprawl with Infill

2010-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

urban | design.banter
:: infill | re-knitting our urban fabric | cohousing | keeping small towns from becoming suburbs ::

why shouldn't where you live be somewhere you would want to visit?

Not a very simple request, is it? But it seems that every time I go home for the holidays, the new "it" retail center is located farther away, as the newest neighborhoods are built farther and and farther out. I am well aware of the hypocrisy of lamenting lost nature adjacent to the suburb where I grew up. My parent's house, built in the early 80's, was once in someone's prairie. There are still plenty of acreage around us, with cows, horses, and even some emu happily roaming. What upsets me is the skipping over of large plots of land not being used by happy animals (and not designated parks and greenbelts, which are essential with increased density), abandoned strip malls, and underused parking lots in lieu of greenfield development many miles from nowhere.

I know that I risk sounding like a "no-growth-er." I'm not a no-growth-er, just a smart growth-er. The term smart growth is used a lot, but here I'll look at implementing a few smart growth principals in my beloved hometown, or should I say, home Metroplex of Dallas/Fort Worth, and similar cities with many miles of suburbs. I believe we can maintain the positive quality of life aspects of suburbs that people love while reducing the aspects they don't love (namely traffic, long commutes and total dependence on a car).

Why not infill instead of sprawl?

"But, there will be so much more traffic." Yes, with any development comes more traffic. But building farther out decreases the density of an area, making everyone dependent on a car (or a ride from mom). In an already populated area, it may seem like the existing roads could not bear the traffic added by an infill development. But that is the point: transit, walking and biking are only more viable options when they are the easiest and most desirable. When you are stuck in traffic on the highway and watch six trains go by while you sit in the same place, that's when you will think about using transit. The more density in an area, the more efficient transit can become. More density can support more businesses per square mile, bringing things closer to you and therefore more walkable and bikeable.

"But, the city says we need all that parking." Maybe on the three nights before Christmas Eve. But most of the vast seas of parking lots are rarely full, and as density with transit, walking and biking become more viable options, less parking will be needed. Northgate Mall, a somewhat sad, smaller, older city mall in north Seattle, was given new life with a suburban style lifestyle center face lift. Now, the parking that is remaining is always full due to the popularity of the new stores and restaurants, but a revival of the whole area has occurred, with an improved transit center and new multifamily development. If the mall was not located along a freeway (as most malls are), providing parking in the middle and the new shops along the exterior (with zero lot lines along sidewalks) would have been a even better "smart growth" design. I am encouraged by cities realizing how detrimental so much surface parking is to the urban landscape, and making exceptions to require less parking.

The new lifestyle center exterior of Northgate Mall in Seattle. Photo Credit.

"But, we don't have the space we need for a proper development." Yes, master planned developments depend on economies of scale, and buyers have come to expect certain amenities. However, I believe that if subdivisions were not totally isolated, autonomous developments, residents wouldn't need these extra amenities. If new developments were built as infill, residents would already be close to schools, city parks with pools and sport fields, greenbelts, and places to walk and bike. Existing and new residents would not have to pay for the roads and infrastructure expansion (including new schools, as city schools are being closed due to under enrollment). Following smart growth principals, streets inside the developments can be thinner and more appropriate for low speeds (versus the freeway width curving streets found in new suburbs).

As we begin to pull out of the current state of the economy, I hope that the decreased value of homes in places of unchecked sprawl and the hours spent in traffic commuting farther away will serve as reminders that we cannot afford to keep up the current pace of suburban green field development. I believe that smart growth will bring suburban commuters a higher quality of life, and the happy horses and cows will thank us.

urban | design.banter:: Book Review - Sprawl Repair Manual

2010-12-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

Each Friday we bring you urban | design.banter
:: infill | re-knitting our urban fabric | cohousing | keeping small towns from becoming suburbs :: why shouldn't where you live be somewhere you would want to visit?

"The promise of suburbia has been eroding for decades, but reached a critical point with the mortgage meltdown of 2008."

This Promise of Suburbia is given new hope in "Sprawl Repair Manual," by Galina Tachieva, a partner at Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, an architecture and planning firm in the enviable position on the front lines of New Urbanism and suburban redevelopment.

Sprawl can be repaired by "building communities based on the neighborhood unit." Instead of building new developments in green fields (land that has never been built on), why not densify existing areas? Not only will this bring life and density to existing suburbs and create what the author refers to as "complete communities," new developments will be closer to existing infrastructure and transportation. Children can attend existing schools (which, if they are in the city, may be underutilized) and existing fire and police can be used and will benefit from the new influx of taxes. However, according to Tachieva, "Sprawl remains cheaper to plan, easier to finance, faster to permit, and less complicated to build."

The main problem with sprawl, in terms of cost to the government and citizens, health, community connectivity, and access is dependence on the car. Part of this is the use of outdated single use zone, which makes it illegal for dwelling units to be near everyday needs. Repairing sprawl and densifying existing neighborhoods would mean integrating commercial and civic buildings into residential areas, and adding dwelling units to commercial areas.

Reduction of dependence on a car is then created two ways: things are closer together, allowing for walking, and people live closer together, allowing for effective mass transit. It's a snowball effect from there: people can walk, bike or take transit to more places, cities can require less parking, with less parking lot area more density can happen, and so on. With less area to cover and more efficient delivery, infrastructure costs can be reduced. Tachieva hopes by repairing sprawl that a more connected, cohesive transportation network can be formed, and the open space provided in suburbs will be accessible.

The author presents specific methods of repair at different scales: regional, community, parking and roads, blocks, and individual buildings.The book contains a great mix of text, diagrams, drawings and before and after photos. This is a must read for anyone interested in sustainable communities.

More information: www.sprawlrepair.com

Holiday Cheer in Small Spaces

2010-12-13T12:37:00.000-08:00

There will no doubt be no shortage of "green" holiday tips this time of year. We're expanding on that with some tips on how to celebrate within your green lifestyle--namely, a small living space. Living small doesn't mean you need to miss out on holiday celebrations.

Eating-You don't have to miss out on hosting that holiday meal just because you have a small space. Use a table with leaves, and store them when not in use. Use folding chairs and card tables that can be stored in clever places. Tables, chairs, and linens can also be rented. Nice linens, candles, and center pieces can dress up any room. If your kitchen is too small for preparations, you can always go the potluck route.
Your local Goodwill or thrift store is usually a treasure trove of fun china, serving dishes, and seasonal linens. Save money and go green by buying these rarely used items, well, used.
Even in my modestly sized condo, I have to have a tree, but like many multifamily buildings, we do not have yard waste pick up. Lucky for those of us in Seattle, you can take your tree to the transfer station free of charge, usually for about two weeks after Christmas. Or, look for tree-recycling events in your city.
If you have a yard, another great option is a living tree, which is smaller (ranging in size from a potted plant to an actual tree). Since it's alive, you don't as much of that great smell, but you can replant it in your yard, so after a few years you have your own little tree farm.
No room to decorate at all? Enjoy others decorations by visiting department stores, wineries, and hotel lobbies.
There's no need for a permanent guest bedroom. Blow up queen sized air mattresses are a great alternative to a guest bedroom, and take up very little space when not in use. Consolidate kids in one space with a tent or sleeping bags for a fun slumber party. A sofa that folds down into a bed is a great modern alternative to the clunky sofa bed. Don't let the word "futon" give you a college apartment flashback--the fold down sofas available now are much classier.
As much as I love having everyone in one house, paying a higher mortgage or extra rent to have a guest bedroom can be much more expensive than a hotel room a few nights a year for your guests.
Short on storage space? Use those flat gift boxes to store lights and decorations in small spaces. Store seasonal items in matching bins above your cabinets or under furniture the rest of the year.
This is more along the lines of just a plain old green holiday tip, but I must admit that I am one of those picky people who saves wrapping and tissue paper, ribbons, and gift bags. I even reuse tinsel year after year (I like the old fashioned silver stringy kind, and you have to pick out every bit anyway if you are taking a tree to be recycled). It doesn't take much space to store these things, and it saves money and helps curb holiday waste.
To help others with small spaces, think twice before buying someone a holiday trinket. As the daughter of a preschool teacher, I have seen how many stuffed Santa's and wooden snowmen my mom gets each year. As thoughtful as they are, these items can be wasteful, have to be stored, and can just turn into clutter, especially if they are not someone's style. Opt for something like a gift card to a book store, spa or restaurant instead.
It's a busy time of year for most, but do some last minute purging now, ahead of spring cleaning. Look for charities that need gently used items, or recycle your computer with a program like InterConnection in Seattle, and you can deduct those from your 2010 taxes if you itemize.

urban | design.banter :: More Guidelines for ADU's-North Puget Sound

2010-12-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

In this series, we are giving you a brief overview of what some jurisdictions allow. Not all of them allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) in single family zones. If you would like to build one, or just advocate for the cause of affordable housing, mixed income neighborhoods, density, accountable tenant-landlord relationships (landlord lives in the house, so he is not absentee, renter lives right there, so is held accountable), and allowing families to provide shelter for other family members on their land, talk to your local government. Many jurisdictions are realizing that allowing ADU's can help us reach many of the goals mentioned above and are changing their zoning codes to allow them. Here are some results of a questionnaire for the City of Seattle from our first article on ADU's:

Among those aware of a backyard cottage in their neighborhood:
• 71% said that the backyard cottage in their neighborhood fit in with the surrounding homes.
• 84% noticed no impacts on parking or traffic directly related to the backyard cottage.
• 83% were supportive or strongly supportive of backyard cottage policy.

Anacortes

Medium Density Residential zones: "caretaker's cottage" up to 140 SF. May need to fight for ADU. Attached ADU would be no problem in this zone as duplexes are allowed.

Single Family Residential zones: No ADU's allowed currently

Bellingham

The city allows attached ADUs only (for instance, in a basement, as a flat on the second floor, or in addition), unless you want to renovate and existing detached unit. Here are some of their guidelines:

The floor area of ADU must not exceed 40% of the area of the primary residence, with a maximum area of 800 square feet (for both attached and detached), two bedrooms, three people
Only one entrance can be visible from the street, and any off street parking displaced by the new building must be replaced. Parking for the ADU should preferably be off the alley, if possible.
One of the building must be owner occupied.
More information here
Here is some information on the code requirements in regard to construction, including creating a one hour fire separation between the units

Island County (Oak Harbor, Camano, Whidbey Island)

ADU's (in this code referred to as detached accessory Dwelling Unit or Guest Cottage) are allowed in most zones (Rural Residential zones must have a lot size of at least 1 acre).
Must not exceed 1,000 square feet or 20% of floor area of the primary residence, whichever is larger (Max 2,500 square feet)
ADU and primary residence must share a driveway
Thirty five ADU's may be permitted each year in the county

Let us know if you are curious about ADU's and your city or county has not been covered.

Other blog entries about ADU's: ADU 101 with rules for Seattle/King County and San Juan Islands

LEED in trouble?

2010-12-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

Henry Gifford of Gifford Fuel Saving Inc filed a federal lawsuit against the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Here is a summary of the complaint from AnnArbor.com and Harvey Berman's article, "Federal lawsuit attacks LEED building rating system"

"At the heart of the 24-page complaint are claims by Gifford that the USGBC has deceived consumers and others by misrepresenting the benefits of LEED certification relating to energy efficiency and savings and attributes of the LEED rating system.

Some of Gifford’s criticisms of LEED include that it:

• is not based on objective scientific criteria.
• is not based on actual building performance data but rather on projected energy use.
• does not require verification of data submitted in certification applications and does not require actual energy use data.
• is not based on actual measurements but rather computer modeling of anticipated energy use levels."

The $100-million lawsuit alleges fraud, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, and false advertising, among other things, reports TreeHugger.

The [alleged] problems with LEED wouldn't be such an issue if the program was totally voluntary. In the marketplace, problems would be identified, and other programs would be developed to compete, which is what has happened in the residential market. But many cities require civic buildings to earn LEED certification. See a brief list here [PDF]. This means that taxpayers are being forced to pay a specific third party--as opposed to say, a contractor or consultant, who have to present bids and proposals, and the most qualified candidate and/or lowest bid is chosen.

There is an argument that sustainable building should be codified (so that it is required just like life safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and fire protection). Sustainability and green building could be seen as just as important as life safety, considering the impact of building on the environment and the damage to natural resources, pollution of air and water, production and release of carcinogens in the manufacture of products. From experience, a project can have the best green intentions, but the numbers just don't work. The more green building flourishes (or, in the case of this argument, is required) more products and competition could bring down the cost.

But codifying green building is a slippery slope, as present day conventional wisdom is often later proved incorrect or incomplete. For instance, there is legislation to eventually outlaw incandescent light bulbs. As I noted in an earlier blog post, there is research out there that suggests that Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL's) contribute to the carcinogenic "electro smog." I don't think there is enough research out there on the effects of CFL's to completely outlaw incandescent lights. I may be one of those crazy people loading up on incandescents like it's Y2K before they are outlawed, though there is hope with other technologies, like Light Emitting Diode (LED).

The business of certification of green buildings is in its infancy, relatively speaking, and no organization can expect to get it all right in the first few rounds. This is especially the case in post-construction building performance, which will naturally take time to test and allow for trial and error. Hopefully, this lawsuit and the attention surrounding it will serve to improve existing guidelines, and perhaps open the door for other nonresidential certifications to compete with LEED.

Full disclosure: I am LEED certified, but we have never worked on a LEED certified building. I would venture to guess that this is mainly about the cost of certification, not a lack of interest in green building. We have certified a Built Green home, and are currently working on Built Green, Energy Star, NAHB Green and Builder's Challenge certifications.

urban | design.banter :: More Guidelines for ADU's

2010-12-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

This summer we posted a summary on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's): a brief explanation, some benefits, and regulations for Seattle and King County. Below we will outline the regulations for the San Juan Islands.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) have become more popular and acceptable in the past few years. The City of Seattle began allowing for ADU's in all residential zones (it had previously been only some south Seattle neighborhoods) in 2009. San Juan County allows for a limited number of permits for ADU's each year.

An ADU can be attached, as in a basement apartment, or detached, as in a backyard cottage, carriage house, or alley flat. The implementation of ADU's can fulfill many goals of sustainable development, including density, affordable housing, and smaller house sizes. As our urban fabric is "re-knit", neighborhoods can become more dense, creating more demand for services, therefore creating more opportunities for walkable neighborhoods and less dependence on a car.

Truly sustainable development also includes social goals, many of which are also met by integrating ADU's: a way for homeowners to have a separate income stream, a mix of income and ages; the ability to stay in one neighborhood through varying phases of life, therefore creating lasting community: kids can live in a backyard cottage as they start on their career path, elderly parents or relatives can live in smaller spaces that require less upkeep and be close to their children and grandchildren. The term "mixed income" may be worrisome, but from a social standpoint, renting out an ADU can more successful than an absentee landlord renting a house, in that owners are close to the rental unit, tenants are close to their landlord, so each keeps an eye on each other. The Kentlands Development in Maryland (designed by New Urbanism pioneers DPZ) is a neighborhood that has successfully integrated market rate, large suburban housing with backyard rental units. An often cited example is of a woman who lived in her ADU and rented out her large house in order to save money and pay off her mortgage.

Anna spoke to BUILDERnews magazine about the benefits of building an ADU or guest apartment. See the article, including photos of two of our projects that include these structures here.

Hare House in Friday Harbor, Second Floor Plan: an apartment over an office and garage can be used for family, or rented out for extra income.

San Juan County:

San Juan County defines an ADU as "a living area that is accessory to the principal residence, located on the same lot, and that provides for sleeping quarters, kitchen, and sanitation facilities. An ADU may be internal, attached or detached."

The distinguishing characteristic signifying an ADU for the county is a kitchen, even without an oven or stove. A guest or mother in law suite with just a bedroom and bathroom may not be subject to the same restrictions.
An ADU must not exceed 1,000 square feet
There is a limit on the number of ADU permits available, so check with county before moving ahead. The number of detached ADU permits in any calendar year shall not exceed 12 percent of the total number of building permits for new principal residences issued for the previous calendar year.
In order to reduce impact, ADU's must be located within 100 feet of the principal residence.
Urban Growth Areas and Activities centers generally allow ADU's with less restrictions than rural zones
A detached ADU is not permitted on parcels less than five acres in size in any rural district, 10 acres in size in the agricultural district, and 20 acres in size in the forest district. Visit the Assessor's Site to find out what zone you are in.
Within the Town of Friday Harbor, a detached guesthouse is not a permitted
accessory structure in Single Family Zones. The Hare House, which is in town and includes a guest house, is in a Multifamily Zone.

Example home plan, the Pearl Cottage, under 1,000 square feet

Our Home Plan Collection has some great floor plans and designs under 1,000 square feet. View the collection for ideas and inspiration-plans can be customized to meet your needs.

Next Friday, we'll look at regulations for Bellingham, Anacortes, and Island County.

New Guidance on Cradle to Cradle

2010-11-29T10:27:00.000-08:00

There is now a booklet to follow up the popular book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way we Make Things, by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. Cradle to Cradle: Criteria for the Built Environment is available as a booklet and an eBook.

Cradle to Cradle is a process developed by the authors, an architect and a chemist, in the 1990's. It is, of course, a twist on the 'Cradle to Grave' status quo. If you haven't read the book, published in 2002, I would definitely recommend it. I read a lot of "pop ecology" books, and this one is different in that it presents a positive, can-do outlook for the future, and spends more time presenting solutions to a problem than complaining about the problem. You will leave this book believing that our innovative thinking can get us out of our environmental crisis, just like it got us into it. Even the book itself is an experience and a testament. The pages are printing on waterproof, recyclable plastic resin and organic fillers, which are smooth to the touch. The booklet is a follow up providing more specific detail in how to achieve Cradle to Cradle. The original book, though inspiring, does not include many specific how-to's.

Here is William McDonough speaking about Cradle to Cradle:

EcoHome magazine article.

10 Surprising Ways a Small Home Saves You Money

2010-11-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

This article has some great insight into "the surprising ways a small house saves you money". I think its quite helpful for anyone looking to design a new home, trade in their large home for a smaller one or looking to simplify. From energy savings, cleaning costs and medical bills, the following link provides a new perspective for building smaller.

10 Surprising Ways a Small Home Saves You Money

Top-10 Green Products

2010-11-26T17:00:00.000-08:00

Building Green has announced its annual top 10 list of Green Products.

I am describing the 3 products that caught my eye, but please follow the links for more information and the complete listing of all 10 products.

1. First on the list is Nylodeck: a moisture, mold and termite proof decking material that is made from 100% recycled carpet fibers with a 30 year warranty. I have not personally used this material but am very interested in how it prices out compared to traditional wood decking. I will keep you informed.

2. Foamglas Closed Cell Board Insulation eliminates the concept of swelling and moisture problems typical of building insulation. It is non-combusible, impervious to water vapor, no warping or buckling of the insulation boards and it is easy to cut and shape.

3. Bensonwood OB Plus Wall System: This 12-3/4" thick superinsulated wall system allows your house to achieve near net zero performance. They are marketed at a "fraction of the cost of a conventionally built home" and I am anxious for more specific pricing information. They sell standard wall systems as well as custom wall panels for any home design. I don't know the system details such as the air barrier system and construction integration, but I will post more as I learn.

Some things we are thankful for....

2010-11-25T11:01:00.000-08:00

A few things we are thankful for here at D+A Studio

Great clients. Period.
The fact that our already great clients are interested in things that really excite us, like ruthlessly seeking the most sustainable solution. These include shopping for salvaged mill work at Second Use and working with us to balance natural materials with energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Stores like Second Use, the REstore, and of course Craigslist for satisfying the bargain hunter in all of us, while helping do our little part to create less waste.
That the interior finishes are coming together on the Hare House in Friday Harbor, which we designed and are building.
Great partners in the building industry: consultants like PAO Structural, contractors like KDL Builders and On-Site Builders, green building partners like Green Dog Enterprises, and suppliers like Island Glass Services in Friday Harbor.
That our subcontractors (Guard Electric, Gordon Elliot, KDL Builders and MEM Enterprise) still show up in 20 degree weather with snow on the ground.
That Dan Brown hooked up the in-floor heat in the Hare House a week before the freezing weather.
The fact that though Dr. Hacker (yes, that's really what he calls himself) may have temporarily crippled our website, we can still design.banter. Thank you to our readers!
And, last but certainly not least, that each of our teams are in the top 25 this year, at least until our big Thanksgiving holiday games.

Happy Thanksgiving from D+A Studio!

Green Building of The Week 11.24.2010

2010-11-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

Truro Residence by Zero Energy Design and Silvia and Silvia Builders

[photo credits: Eric Roth]

This residence, located in Massachusetts, bears the same mindset and desire of many of our San Juan Island projects: an urban dwelling, professional couple with grown children that wants to create a comfortable, inviting atmosphere for the entire family to gather during extended holidays. This programmatic need brings many environmental challenges to the table, such as energy efficiency while vacant, flexible use of space and low maintenance materials. The waterfront location also brings an environmentally sensitive site to the forefront of the design process.

The programmatic needs combined with the desire for sustainability created two wings for the structure; a main living wing with the dining, living and master suite and a sleeping wing for visitors which can be shut down for most of the year and limit the house’s energy consumption. The open, light-filled house was built from two narrow wings allowing for shorter joists/rafters thus keeping the lumber sizes to a minimum. I continually admire well designed, narrow buildings that achieve grand spaces where ventilation is better, light fully penetrates the house, heating is easier, spans are shorter and wasted space as hallways disappear completely.

The Truro residence is by no means a small house, at nearly 6400 square feet, it misses the simplest method of green design: less square feet. However, given the neighboring mansions of Cape Cod, the designers created a well zoned, energy efficient and flexible vacation home that pays back the energy usage it consumes.

Green Techniques:

Durable Materials. Metal Roofing, Concrete Slab Floors, Slate Floors, Solid cabinetry, hardwood decking and a structural system built to withstand hurricane force winds .
Natural Light and Ventilation. High clerestory windows allow soft natural light in the bathrooms and bedrooms lessening the need for artificial lights.
Zoning of Spaces. Isolation of limited use guest rooms from high functioning living spaces minimizes wasteful heating and energy usage.
HVAC. A Geothermal system (six 300 ft. deep wells) coupled with in-floor hydronic heat reduces energy use by up to 50% and improves indoor air quality by eliminating ductwork that attracts dust.
Alternative Energy. 11.7 KW photovoltaic system placed on the roof to offset energy consumption and create net metering. The panels are connected to a gas generator to keep the house functioning in the event of a power outage.
No Carpet. Minimizes the settling of dust thus improving the indoor air quality. Flooring was limited to slate, bamboo and polished concrete eliminated the use of toxic finishes.
Super Insulation. Icynene open cell insulation was sprayed into the wall and roof cavities. It is supplemented with rigid and closed cell insulation to create a “super insulated” building.
Certifications. Energy Star Certified.

Save the Windows

2010-11-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

The virtues of replacement windows are reinforced all around us--in the building codes, in commercials, by the IRS and the federal tax credit. But if you live in a pre-war house, the saying really is true: "They just don't make them like they used to." Save the Windows, brought to you by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, wants to get the word out that making some upgrades to your existing windows can also be energy efficient.

By keeping and maintaining original windows, you are preserving a time when building was not just about efficiency. The greenest house is an existing house, and although new replacement windows may keep your house warm, most of these are vinyl, which are extremely toxic to manufacture and are not recyclable (unfortunately, most storm windows are also vinyl). My husband has argued with me many times that most people don't notice the materials of windows, and that I am just being an architecture snob. But I challenge anyone not to appreciate original wood windows in a historic house, especially when compared with vinyl windows.

Historic wood windows with true divided lites. Photo credit.

Here are some tips from Save the Windows:

Learn how to fix your windows yourself! With just a little guidance and a few small tools, you can make repairs and retrofit your windows on your own. Look through our list of workshops nationwide and our online training videos.
Improve the performance of your existing windows,
- Caulk around window openings on the exterior to stop air from coming in.
- Caulk around the window trim on the inside to block drafts.
- Add weather stripping to the window sash. There are many types of weather stripping to suit various window types, budgets, and needs, from simple "rope" caulk to bronze.
- Use a storm window or thermal panel. These can be placed on the interior or exterior and are available in a variety of styles. They may also qualify for a tax credit.
- Install insulated shades or blinds—some of these qualify for tax credits.
- Use insulated curtains or drapes to block cold air and to keep the hot sun out.
- For more information, visit our windows page on PreservationNation.
Find the right contractor to fix your windows for you. We'll help you find a dependable and qualified contractor in your local community. Check out our contractor guide today.

Storm windows can be added each winter. Operable storm windows, like double hung, can be permanently installed and can be opened to not interfere with operations of the original window.

More References:

Whole Building Design Guide: Sustainable Historic Preservation

Here is a "Preservation Brief" from the National Park Service: "The Repair of Historic Wood Windows."

urban | design.banter :: Respecting Historical Guidelines Means Designing for the Pedestrian

2010-11-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Historic Friday Harbor website (http://www.historicfridayharbor.org/) is currently being updated to show more of the recent new construction in downtown that follows the
Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) Guidelines. This recent construction includes our Churchill Corner Building, completed in 2008.

View of Churchill Corner from the approaching ferry.

Our Churchill Corner Project, perched atop the ferry parking lot in downtown Friday Harbor, was completed two years ago. Though not required for its exact location, the owner chose to be mandated by the HPRB Guidelines, in order to gain certain siting advantages, like fewer parking spaces. This is a personal bone of contention with me--cities talk about wanting to be more pedestrian friendly, they want businesses to flourish, they want their downtown centers to be alive and vibrant--but then they require insane amounts of parking, which either destroys the downtown village feel they are trying to create if it's on the surface, or is prohibitively expensive.

In the case of Churchill Corner, we did provide an underground parking garage with spaces for the homeowners which is essential, in addition to spots for each commercial space. But less spaces were required because of the historic district. To me, this makes sense for the remaining eight commercial spaces, since two hour free parking abounds, and time-limit-free free parking is also in abundance in the adjacent residential neighborhoods.

A goal of fitting into any historic guidelines is to do justice to the historic character of a town without looking too themed, like Main Street in Disneyland. One of the ways this can be accomplished is to look at the design intent, not just copy the look of a facade. Turn of the century buildings were designed for the pedestrian experience, not the car (window shopping as opposed to the biggest signs competing for the driver's attention, while a large parking lot separates said building from the street).

One of the most important design and historic preservation aspects of the Churchill Corner Building is the deference to the pedestrian, demonstrated in the interior pedestrian street, providing access to commercial spaces from two levels, the zero lot lines, and the unobtrusive underground parking.

The importance of keeping a human scale is also demonstrated in the variable massing of the 26,000 square foot building. The facade is broken up into manageable lengths, with recessed entries, varied materials, and abundant storefront windows, so that a passerby may feel like they are experiencing different buildings.

Pedestrians may feel like they are passing multiple buildings as they stroll past the various storefronts. Signage for the commercial spaces also has to meet HPRB guidelines.

The gabled roofs and yellow siding of the residences at the top pay tribute to the original Churchill House, which was preserved and relocated to another site in town. Roof deck and flat roof areas feature a distinct, continuous cornice. The five residences on top of the two floors of commercial spaces reflect the historic tradition of apartments above storefronts in downtown areas.

The gable roof lines and yellow siding pay tribute to the Churchill House, relocated to another site intact.

The Preservation Guidelines has great illustrations, maps, and references for new construction.

Green Building of The Week

2010-11-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Virgina Residence

by Hays+Ewing Architects

Completed in 1999, this house was what most would say, ahead of its time through its use of green design techniques. However, the passive solar design, rain water collection and material re-use are age-old historic practices of vernacular design. Once again, America is returning to the correct and historic design methods of optimum site orientation to make use of the sun for heat and wind for cooling. Rather than simply adding a large and commonly oversized HVAC system, designers and homeowners are rethinking where to spend the money. In this home, the home owners splurged on high operable windows to allow the collected heat to naturally exhaust the house rather than beefing up the air conditioning system and energy cost. 10 years later, they are still happy with this decision.

Along with natural ventilation, the floor of the house was treated as a large thermal mass to collect heat throughout the day which releases during the cool night. Structural Insulated Panels replaced typical wood framing techniques and improve the air sealing of the house tremendously. SIPS panels can reduce energy consumption up to 50%, according to Energy Star.

[photo credits]

Green Techniques:

Durable Materials. Fiber Cement Siding (30 yr warranty)
Less and Better Wood Use. The use of SIPS panels reduce the amount of lumber and increase the area of insulation. Framing lumber was sustainably harvested by the FSC.
Natural Light and Ventilation. Hlgh Operable windows allow captured heat, in the vaulted ceiling, to escape the house naturally.
Zoning of Spaces. Mechanical rooms, Utility, Bath and Service rooms were gathered to the street side of the house, allowing bedrooms and common areas to capture the warmth and daylight of the South Sun.
Water Collection. Roof water is collected for irrigation.
Recycled Materials. Reclaimed Decking.
Indoor Air Quality. No VOC Paint used throughout the interior of the residence to reduce off-gassing. www.benjaminmoore.com www.afmsafecoat.com

NEED TO KNOW | Living large: A look inside the tiny house movement | PBS

2010-11-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

Temporary Portfolio on Facebook

2010-11-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

We are working to repair our website after we were hacked this weekend. To view our portfolio and learn more about us, please visit our Facebook Page.

Our Website was Hacked

2010-11-14T23:00:00.001-08:00

We apologize for any confusion. Our website, www.dandastudio.com, has been hacked. We are working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

urban | design.banter :: Lessons in Density: Silver Lake, LA, CA

2010-11-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

Each Friday we bring you
urban | design.banter
:: infill | re-knitting our urban fabric | cohousing | keeping small towns from becoming suburbs :: why shouldn't where you live be somewhere you would want to visit?

My favorite tourist activity in any city is exploring neighborhoods. I have been to LA a hand full of times, but had only explored the more glamorous neighborhoods. Not that Silver Lake isn't glamorous (ask your Realtor), but I'm not sure how well known it is outside of the Dwell Magazine crowd, compared to say, Beverly Hills. It's a very hip neighborhood between downtown and Hollywood, snaking up in to the hills, known for its modern architecture (see Barbara Bestor's Bohemian Modern: Living in Silver Lake).

Silver Lake's residential areas have everything that I find interesting in neighborhoods: density, controlled chaos, nooks and crannies, diversity in housing types, abundant and varied landscaping. Silver Lake was designed for the house and the person, not the fire truck. I'm not trying to dismiss the importance of the fire department, I just think the fire truck should be designed for the neighborhood (i.e., smaller trucks), not the other way around, which is typical and one of the reasons for many of our freeway-width suburban streets.

Density

Outdoor space is programmed. No space is wasted or taken for granted. There is no room for rarely if ever used lawn-and because of the area, drought tolerant native plants must be used.

Driveway, yard, entry, fence--all in less space than the average great room

Privacy is created not by shear space but by creative landscaping, fencing, focusing on views, and placing living areas on upper floors.

The zero lot lines, Feng Shui appropriate tucked entries, and creative jumble of small houses reminded me of homes in Tokyo, though it is relatively flat there.

Cars can park on the street. The world will not end if a car has to wait 10 seconds for a car coming the opposite way to pass. This is also common in many dense Seattle neighborhoods: short blocks punctuated by roundabouts, two-way streets with cars parked on both sides leaving room for only one car to pass through.

Refreshing: treating cars as second class citizens, almost an afterthought to the design of the house and neighborhood.

The road can be the driveway and the alley. We even saw someone with all of their wood working tools set out in their barely 100 square foot driveway, less than a foot from the road.

All of this is a cause and a result of cars driving slower. The zero lot lines and street enclosure that is therefore formed, thin streets, and cars parked on the streets create an atmosphere where motorists slow down and are very aware of their surroundings...no texting while driving here. The non-gridded streets add to this: streets twist and turn with the natural topography.

We should not fear density, though so many do. On paper, the stats of Silver Lake might be scary to those who see density as a four letter word: no driveways? No lawns? Thin, old streets? Houses practically stacked on top of each other? But the most dense neighborhoods in this country are consistently the most desirable. One look at housing pricing in the area show that we need more neighborhoods like this.

In the City or Off the Grid: Which is Greener?

2010-11-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is a great debate on www.treehugger.com, available on the website or a podcast. Lloyd Alter and Nick Rosen debate which is greener: living in a dense city, or living off of the grid.

We probably won't ever solve this debate, if only because there will always be people who want/need to live in the city or the country. Even if one was found to be infinitely more environmentally friendly, people would most likely stay put, because of personal preference, where their family is, not to mention the fact that there will always be economic opportunities that are unique to both.

Depressing but interesting: how we stack up. From Treehugger.

Of course, the way to make living off the grid the most green is to not drive (or have deliveries made), and not have any infrastructure running to your house, which may be nearly impossible and not appealing to most people. I touched on this subject earlier this year in my review of David Owen's Green Metropolis, which is mentioned in the article.

For me, the takeaway from this debate comes from this statement from Nick:

"To say that it's more ecological to live in the city is telling urban dwellers what they want to hear, which is that it's okay. They can feel good about living in the city if they just compost a little bit and walk a little bit. In fact, by living in the city, you're subscribing to the great consumer society. The idea that you can somehow subscribe to part of it and not all of it and not be blamed for the vast, embodied energy and the huge transport system and the vast number of roads is trying to make yourself feel good, and no more than that."

The statement "if they just compost a little bit and walk a little bit" can be applied widely over every lifestyle. Just because we are doing one thing well does not mean we should not be going all things well. We may not ever, but we can strive towards it. On positive note, which I think is always needed in debates like these, I am so inspired by how we have taken green living into our own hands--because it makes sense, because it is the right thing to do, and in spite of the infrastructure that has set us up to fail--not because of a mandate, the lack of which the US has received plenty of heat for internationally.

Nick's Website: http://offgrid.com/

Nick's Book: Off The Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government and True Independence in Modern America

Understanding the Passivhaus Standard

2010-11-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

GreenBuildingAdvisor.Com recently posted an interview with Passivhaus founder Dr. Wolfgang Feist. In Musings of an Energy Nerd, writer Martin Holladay conducts a long, in-depth interview.

The 2010 Passive House Conference starts today in Portland and runs through the 7th.

Dr. Feist said that there are five basic elements of Passivhaus, including:

● High levels of insulation
● Reduction of thermal bridges
● Attention to airtightness
● The use of “energy-gain” windows
● Heat-recovery ventilation

There has been debate about whether or not the standard can become standard in North America, due to our climate. There are great examples of passive solar houses in places like Colorado, but there is no doubt that these are passive solar homes, as the form definitely follows function. There is a beauty in this, but the large bank of sloped southern windows, lack of windows on other sides, stone floor and solar mass walls may not be a very pleasing aesthetic to all. There are variations, though this is probably the most efficient way to build a passive solar house. The owners aesthetic might dictate that some of the elements be left out--this would just mean that they may need to depend on back-up heat more.

TheNaturalHome.com is packed with photos and information about passive solar. Here is a typical passive solar home under construction.

To build a Passivhaus, you first must purchase the software for $225. A trial version can be viewed here. In the software you calculate u-values, shading, energy demand, ground characteristics, etc. It's similar to the Washington State Energy Code sheets we are currently using, but much more in depth. It's a very scientific way to design a home, literally designing around the climate and elements of the site, so the design of the house grows from inside out (which is very exciting for us design nerds).

This may result in more front-end costs for the homeowner, but the environmental benefits help us all. Usually a spec home has absolutely no context to the site or the climate, and styles are borrowed from another vernacular that make no sense in a different place. For instance, charming steep-pitched roofs in the south. The purpose of a steep pitched roof is to shed snow, and the extra heat gain from the surface area makes sense in a cooler climate. They may look great, but in a warm climate the cost (environmentally and on a utility bill) of reducing the heat gain in all those cubic feet of attic under dark shingles is ridiculous.

Not everyone can build their very own custom Passivhaus. But even small tweaks to a design to respond the climate and direction can make a big difference for the environment and your utility bill. For example, spec home developers could have different plans for different street orientations.

Last week we discussed the Living Building Challenge, a very different type of certification.

UniversalDesignResources.com

2010-11-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

We are now listed on the Universal Design Resources Website, which exists to promote and support Universal Design in the U.S. Universal Design simply means designing for all ages, sizes, and abilities.

The website is run by advocate and author Konrad Kaletsch. Click here to view articles by Konrad on Universal Design.

We try to bring attention to aging in place and universal design issues at the beginning stage of each project. We provide clients with the Universal Design Checklist, and we also have a comprehensive client questionnaire which addresses aging in place issues, health problems, and special considerations.

Many of our projects are retirement homes and considerations have included main floor master bedrooms, flat thresholds, pocket doors, attached garages, off the floor toilets, roll-in showers, central vacuum, and an elevator; and for a few of the houses on hillsides, accessible entries to both floors.

We hope to keep incorporating more of these principals into our projects, in hopes that they will become ubiquitous, as trends in custom homes tend to filter down to speculative developments, so that all homes will be ready at completion or resale for all people, or for an unexpected injury or disability of the current homeowner.

Past blogs on Universal Design:

Lesson's Learned, Part 1: Universal Design is actually Universal

Universal Design for the Rest of Us

Universal Design Checklist

Living Building Challenge

2010-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

The International Living Building Institute (ILBI) was launched here in the Pacific Northwest, by the Cascadia Green Building Council, in 2009 (The Living Building Challenge (LBC) was launched in 2006). The mission is "to encourage the creation of Living Buildings, Sites and Communities in countries around the world while inspiring, educating and motivating a global audience about the need for fundamental and transformative change."

The LBC seeks to bridge the gap between the ideal solution and the current solutions (aka "limits"). While other certification programs focus mostly on just the building itself, the LBC attempts to pull together the worlds of architecture, urban planning, social justice, and policy. Another thing that makes the LBC unique is that the ratings are based on actual outcomes, therefore, a building cannot be evaluated until it has been operational for a year.

One of the first certified projects, Ther Omega Center for Sustainable Living, Rhinebeck, New York

There are four typologies for certification:

Renovation
Landscape/Infrastructure
Building
Neighborhood

These are further broken down into Living Transcet Catergories, also based on F.A.R.:
L1. Natural Habitat Preserve (Greenfield sites)
L2. Rural Agriculture Zone
L3. Village or Campus Zone
L4. General Urban Zone
L5. Urban Center Zone:
L6. Urban Core Zone

The guidelines of the LBC include seven elements, or "petals:"
Site
Water
Energy
Health
Materials
Equity
Beauty

View the complete guidelines here (warning: PDF).Click here to view all projects recently certified under the LBC: http://ilbi.org/lbc/certified

The LBC is not for the faint of heart. All imperatives for each of the seven petals are mandatory. It asks you to not just complete a checklist (not that this is simple, either) but to consider many factors, from macro and subjective (beauty) and to micro and specific (urban agriculture). The verbaige of the guidelines may be too touchy-feely for some, but the actual manifestation of those guidelines-a human-scaled, accessible, and healthy space-will be enjoyed by everyone.

Product Review: EcoTop Countertops

2010-10-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Featured Product: EcoTop Countertops by KlipTech

Looking for an alternative to granite? EcoTop counter tops are a sustainable choice for solid surface counter tops, and if you live in the Seattle area, are a great local product. The counter tops are manufactured in Tacoma, WA, and were a Sustainable Industries Top 10 Green Building Product in 2008. John Klippert, the creator of Paperstone, set out to make a "more durable and more aesthetically pleasing counter top that aims to achieve higher wood fiber and resign standards." The product took first place at ASID and Interiors & Sources’ Bloom Awards in 2009-“the first composite material product to combine rapidly renewable bamboo with proprietary, clean, water-based resin.” The counter tops are made from demolition wood fiber, recycled paper fiber, and bamboo.

EcoTop was used in the bathrooms and kitchen of the award-winning San Juan Channel House. All photos by John Sinclair, Concepia.

Here is Anna's Homeowner Review of the counter tops:

"We installed EcoTop throughout our new house and still love it. The material is easy to work with and allowed us to create thin counter top edges that appear to float above the bamboo cabinets. The cost was half of the estimate for Granite counter tops, but that was an opening special from EcoTop. My only dislike of the material is the color change in the kitchen. A simple glass of water leaves a ring. For the first month of use, I constantly oiled the counters to make it shine. I have now settled into the idea that EcoTop is similar to Concrete and does not stay a true black in a kitchen. The counters in our bathrooms are just fine since we are not placing food and cups on them. This may not happen with other color choices, but the Black does not stay as Jet Black as the product photos. When entertaining, I always oil the EcoTop and buff it with a rag. EcoTop has proven to be very resistant to heat, scratching and crazy toddlers."

More information about EcoTop:

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/5787/paper-countertops-look-and-feel-like-stone

http://www.getwithgreen.com/2007/10/19/countertops-first-there-was-paperstone-now-there-is-ecotop/

Video of how EcoTop is made from Planet Green:

Architects should lead design/build projects

2010-10-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

The current edition of Residential Design+Build Magazine offers an insight to the reasons we should move away from the standard design-bid-build methodology of projects and return to the age old ways of master builder, the design-build process with a designer taking the lead role. Please click on the link below to read the article:

Architects should lead design/build projects

Redesign without the Remodel: Future Wealth Creation and Sustainable Living Arrangements

2010-10-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

Although the bread and butter of our residential work is working with homeowners who are building or remodeling, our design expertise applies just as much to thinking about your space as it does to laying out floor plans. In September and October, each Monday design.banter will feature "Redesign without the Remodel, " since the vast majority of us are not currently remodeling our homes or building a new one. It also goes without staying that the greenest design is adapting your current home to your changing needs. Need some personalized advice? We are always available for consulting on an hourly basis.

During our series Redesign without the Remodel, we have been looking at how to think outsider of the drywall box, so to say, about the rooms in your house. Who says you have to use the rooms in conventional ways, if that's not what works best for you? Here's a summary of different ways rooms can be used:

Have only one dining area
If you use the breakfast nook as your only dining area, just add a table cloth, candles, and dim the lights for when you want a formal feel
If you use the formal dining area as your main area, use a table cloth to protect a nice table for everyday meals
A breakfast nook can make a great office: it's adjacent to the hub of the home, and parents can monitor homework and computer use while cooking. Bills and other clutter can stop at the kitchen/office and never make it into the other parts of the house that are used for relaxing, not working.
A formal dining area can also be used as a library. Add a few nice chairs and a small table to create a formal parlor area.
Switch your formal dining and family room areas. Make the formal dining room, usually the smaller room, into a more intimate TV watching area. Formal dining areas are usually more closed off from the kitchen than family areas-no more turning up the TV over cooking and dishwasher noises. Family areas are usually larger and may have taller ceilings, making them ideal for a combination formal dining area/library/parlor area.
Designate just one corner or wall of a room as office space, and allow it to be closed off with a curtain or desk with doors. Office areas can also be carved out under a staircase or in a closet.
Let your cars live outside and use the extra 400 square feet for active space. An inexpensive shed can house tools and outdoor and sporting equipment.
Think of ways an existing house can generate income or provide a community resource. Create a shared home office in the garage or rarely used formal areas. Identify areas that can be rented out.

During the presentation of our project for the AIA Seattle 2009 What Makes it Green Awards, the judges were most interested in this graphic, illustrating the built-in flexibility of the San Juan Channel House.

The layout of the house and garage apartment allow for future wealth creation and sustainable living arrangements for the family, through rental of different areas of the house, cohousing with another family or allowing adult children a place to live while they find their way financially or take care of aging parents. There are also options for creating a home office, for the owner or for rent to others. So far, the garage apartment has proved its flexibility by acting as a temporary apartment for friends in transition, space for a temporary live-in nanny, and a home office.

In tough economic times, or just in looking towards a more sustainable future, we may need to use our space in different ways, whether that be working from home, adding a rental unit, or sharing what was once a single family home. New homes should be designed with this in mind, but more realistically existing homes can be retrofitted to adjust to our future needs.

Inside the Smith Tower Penthouse

2010-10-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

Great article from the New York Times...at least for us voyeuristic Seattlelittes!

"Who Lives Here: The Pyramid Atop Seattle's Smith Tower."

Article by Michael Tortorello

Slideshow

Existing Home Energy Analysis

2010-10-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

We are currently designing a remodel on the west side of San Juan Island. The owner is very interested in sustainability and balancing the energy efficiency of the finished product with the desire to keep as much as possible of the existing house (and of course keep the cost as low as possible). The fact that the clients purchased a home to remodel instead of tearing it down or building new is the first step in having the most sustainable home possible. To make sure they are happy with this decision, we must complete an accurate energy analysis to ensure that they are comfortable in the home and with their energy bills, while keeping the budget intact.

The existing house has 2x4 walls, which means that the space in the wall cavities does not allow for the thickness of insulation needed for the prescriptive requirements of the Washington State Energy Code (WSEC). If a building does not meet prescriptive requirements, performance requirements must be met, which in the case of the WSEC requires component analysis for existing buildings, using their Component Performance Worksheet. This entails evaluating the existing components: the types of windows and doors, existing insulation, area of existing glazing vs. wall area. It is time consuming, but a great tool for evaluating an existing building.

The Component Performance Worksheet is available here.

The use of this system is great for greening existing homes. There are so many new green products and so many different choices, it can be overwhelming. You may think, oh my gosh, to make my house energy efficient, I have to take out all of the insulation, get all new windows, get a new HVAC system, etc. But you may not have to do it all to get your home up to the current standards of the energy code.

A high efficiency heat pump (here connected to radiant floor heat with an insulated slab) can go a long way in improving your total UA

This worksheet automatically tallies your UA (sum of the U-factor times the area) versus the Target UA based on the area and volume of the house and the climate zone. (The definition of u-factor is here. It's really technical and boring, but basically the lower the number, the better. For example, in Seattle our windows have to have a u-factor of below 0.35, while in Georgia they just need to be below 0.75). So, you can play with things until you get the number you need. For this house, it may mean that not ALL of the walls need to be upgraded to 2x6 if I choose the most efficient HVAC system and house that HVAC system within the building thermal envelope. Of course, we want to do all we can to make it as efficient as possible, but most of the time that's just not feasible, especially considering the unknown costs and potential surprises inherent in a remodel.

Still mystified by how to green your existing home? Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Redesign without the Remodel: Formal Area Conversion

2010-10-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

Although the bread and butter of our residential work is working with homeowners who are building or remodeling, our design expertise applies just as much to arranging spaces as it does to laying out floor plans. In September and October, each Monday design.banter will feature "Redesign without the Remodel", with tips on how to "remodel" your home using furniture and items you may already own. Your home can have a brand new feel without ever lifting a hammer (well, except to hang a picture), since the vast majority of us are not currently remodeling our homes or building a new one. It also goes without staying that the greenest design is adapting your current home to your changing needs. Need some personalized advice? We are always available for consulting on an hourly basis.

OK, so I'm cheating a little on this one. This may require a little remodeling. Or it can just be treated as a room switch. This series has been about rethinking how we use our spaces and how they can used in nontraditional ways, in ways that work for the way you really live.

Why not make your breakfast nook the one dining area? Do you really need 2 eating tables? Not only are you paying for the extra furniture, but a mortgage on that space too. If your mortgage is $2000 per month on a 2,000 sq foot house, and your dining room is 168 SF, you are paying over $2,000 per year for a room you may only use for major holidays and birthdays.

One idea is to have the nice table in the breakfast nook. For everyday dining, use a table cloth (and table protector if you have young kiddos). Then, when you want to create a special dining experience, take off the table cloth, light some candles and turn down the lights. You won't even notice that you're in the breakfast nook that you use every day!

If you have a breakfast bar or an area to place stools, this can serve as your casual dining area.

The formal dining room is usually the perfect size for an extra bedroom or a guest room. Instead of moving to accommodate another child or because of the lack of a guest room, you can use the rarely used formal dining room. If you don't want to get too much into the details, you can add some sliding doors, like those available from Raydoor or the Sliding Door Company, or DIY barn door sliders (where a track can be installed over the existing opening, so there is minimum disturbance).

A sliding barn door is a great way to partition off a room (with an opening too big for a traditional door) without creating remodeling dust. Photo credit.

Now to the possible remodeling part. The formal dining area is flexible because of its location at the front of the house, which opens up many possibilities for casual cohousing or house sharing. The formal area of a home can be turned into a separate room for an adult child or elderly parent. If the laundry room or a powder room are adjacent to the dining room, this opens up the opportunity to add a full bathroom. A separate entrance can be added to the front for renting out the room to a student. There is an opportunity for privacy in that the formal areas are usually separate from the other bedrooms.

Use sliding doors to close off a home office or home office + foyer from the rest of the house. That way, the foyer can serve as an entrance for the office and the home. Photo: The Sliding Door Company.

The location at the front of the house also makes it ideal for a home office. It can be closed off from the rest of the house. A separate entry can be added, or if the dining room is off of the foyer, sliding doors can be added to close off the foyer for when clients or business associates visit. If you have employees, the can make them more comfortable in that they will have some separation from your house. In many homes, the most common entry is the one adjacent to the garage or driveway, so the front door is not often used. Extra income can be added (not to mention company during the day) if the home office is turned into a community office for other work-from-homers in the neighborhood. (See last week's entry on sharing a community home office).

GREEN THINKER NETWORK - VIRAL VIDEO

2010-10-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

Redesign without the Remodel: Setting up for Sharing Space-Garage

2010-10-11T12:07:00.000-07:00

One of the things I'm most passionate about in design and in my own reading and writing is sharing spaces and items. A great summary and update of the sharing "movement" can be found here (warning, it's a PDF, but well worth opening), from the online magazine Shareable: Sharing by Design.

Redesign without the Remodel has been about thinking of your space in a different way and utilizing it the way that works best for you, not just how the rooms are labeled on a floor plan. Simplifying your home to include only what you need can open up space and possibilities.

One room with so much possibility for sharing is a garage. Unless you live in place with very harsh winters, do your cars really need a bigger room than your bedroom? The area of a two car garage can be 25% of the average home.

Along with ear plugs and headphones, one of the cheapest ways to "remodel" your house is to purchase a remote keyless entry, which you can do for under $50, to start your car from inside the house on a cold day. For under $200, you can purchase a storage shed for the backyard to hold outdoor and sports gear.

A garage is an ideal place for a shared community office. It's private and separated from the rest of the house, usually with its own entry. The ideal situation would be to have a powder room close by in the house. No one can agree on the temperature in an office anyway, so personal fans and space heaters can be used in lieu of central heat and air.

Getting a garage in shape for an office will take some work, but not a full on remodel-some insulation in the walls, drywall and paint. Add sweat equity from those who will be sharing the office, and you can do it in a weekend (and as soon as a phone line can be hooked up).

More and more people are working from home, and having a shared community office offers many of the advantages of working from home without many of the disadvantages, the main one (in my opinion) being isolation. Internet connection, phone lines (a business line can be a huge expense for small businesses), printers, scanner, fax machine and office supplies (ordering in bulk cheaply), and conference table can all be shared. Also, very small businesses can share an admin person that they may not otherwise be able to afford. The advantages of working from home are in tact: no commute (except a walk to the neighbor's house), casual working environment, flexibility, saving money on commercial rent.

As with most sharing solutions, there are many possibilities of how to handle the financial aspect. This could be a great way for the homeowner to earn some extra income from rent, and it would still be more affordable than standard office space for the other participants. A co-op could be formed among members, and one person could offer their garage as neighborhood storage for shared items such as tools, or as a neighborhood workshop.

These ideas can of course be applied to other rooms besides the garage, the most ideal being a rarely-used formal living or dining space, usually ideally located at the front of the house by the entry way.

More ideas for sharing space next week.

Flashback Friday: "Green" is the New "Standard"?

2010-10-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

Originally posted October 12, 2009

A few weeks ago, we presented at the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild's 2009 annual green building slam. There was a good turn out and great projects were presented. But I had to wonder: is this just a self-congratulatory meeting of like minds? Or can we hope that it is something more?

We spend a lot of time touting our green projects. This is not without good reason, as they are "green", compared to standard building practices. But this "standard" has only been around a short time. There was a time, not too long ago, when buildings were naturally cooled, did not depend on fossil fuels for heating, no chemicals were used anywhere and all materials were local. I am not proposing that we go back to the 19th century and I do not mean to negate all of the progress we have made in life safety, sanitation and building technology. I am very thankful for my fire detector, elevator and dishwasher. But looking back at a longer, broader view of history, we are just trying to play catch up.

It may just be a matter of semantics. For instance, all food was "organic" a handful of decades ago. Now, somehow, chemical treatment is "conventional" agriculture, and agriculture as it has been practiced for generations, without chemicals, is relegated to the margins.

So, "standard" building techniques are just what we have ended up with through specialization, standardization and chemical inputs. My point is that, as individual designers and builders, it's OK to be a little bit proud of our green accomplishments, when viewed in the context of the relative price of materials and the convention of standard building practices. But in a larger context, we are just trying to fix the mistakes that we (the building profession, industry, society, etc) have made.

Designing an Affordable Custom Home

2010-10-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

A custom home for under $200,000? Impossible, you might say. A San Juan Island couple is making it happen.

Here are some steps that each of us are taking early in the design process:

Keep it small and maximize outdoor programmed space (this home is 1,250 square feet, with a 158 balcony and 134 square foot crows nest)
Design using standard dimensions to minimize waste
Use a square footprint, the most efficient shape, with clean modern lines to keep labor and material costs low (one plane shed roof)
Use prescriptive structural design. This house is designed to use standard shear wall design with wood (no steel structural frame needed, which is often the case in those modern homes you see with walls of windows) and dimensional lumber for all beams (no large manufactured beams needed). Our goal is to show how a creative, modern design can be accomplished while employing affordable prescriptive structural design.
Hunt for salvaged materials. As we design, the client is searching the websites of such stores as Second Use, which sells salvaged building materials. Built-ins can be key to making a small space work, and if you start looking for salvaged items early in the design process, we can tailor the design to the pieces you find, instead of the other way around. (Our San Juan Channel House, an award winning custom home built for under $190 a square foot, employed many salvaged materials).
Prioritize your needs. We have an extensive client survey that we hand out at the beginning of any project. It asks about a typical day, dining habits, and storage needs. This allows us and the clients to focus on how they spend their time and what is most important to them. In this home, ample space is provided for cooking, canning, and drying of food.

We are excited about this home and are really enjoying the design process of making all of the client's requirements work in the space.

Redesign without the Remodel: Space for a Home Office

2010-10-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

Although the bread and butter of our residential work is working with homeowners who are building or remodeling, our design expertise applies just as much to arranging furniture as it does to laying out floor plans. In September and October, each Monday design.banter will feature "Redesign without the Remodel", with tips on how to "remodel" your home using furniture and items you may already own. Your home can have a brand new feel without ever lifting a hammer (well, except to hang a picture), since the vast majority of us are not currently remodeling our homes or building a new one. It also goes without staying that the greenest design is adapting your current home to your changing needs. Need some personalized advice? We are always available for consulting on an hourly basis.

More and more people are working from home. Even if no one in your house works from home, chances are you need a space to pay bills, check the internet, and store records. Thinking of an office as a space rather than a room save you from designating an entire bedroom or using your extra living area as an office. Below are some ideas to fit an office into an existing space.

Office under the stairs: This space may currently be an awkward closet or storage area, but it can be a great space to squeeze in an office. It can be open or closed. Below is an option for a closed office (the door will open outward and a little bit of the staircase will be exposed).

Office under a staircase in a home with typical 8' ceilings. There is room for a bookshelf and a simple desk (use an old door or plywood, cut to fit the 3' clear space, support with 2x4's attached to studs). Use the space under the desk for extra storage (boxes holding records can double as a footrest) or for the hard drive for a desktop. Paint the walls a pleasant color, and add a mirror to the wall to make the space seem larger.

Guidance from the DIY network: How to Build an Office Under the Stairs

Office at the end of a room: This idea only takes up 2'-3' of space at the end of a room. In a 12' room, that's just 24-36 square feet. You can use a reclaimed hollow core or smooth door, salvaged counter top (my desk growing up was an 8' section of laminate counter top held up by kitchen table legs), or a few layers of plywood. Short file cabinets can prop up the desk. Run a curtain rod or wire along the edge and use a curtain to hide whatever is going on underneath. Shelves on either end can extend to the ceiling and provide storage for all of the books and DVD's in the house. A closed cabinet or glass-door bookcase can be used to hide ugly binders or paperwork.

Utilize the end of a room for a desk and floor to ceiling storage. If there is no window, a wire or rod can be hung and large curtain can disguise the area when not in use.

Office in a closet: If you have a guest room or spare room, you can fit a desk in the closet to create an office that can be closed off when guests come or when the room is being utilized otherwise. If you work from home but also have kids to watch, you can put the office in the kids play area and put a mirror behind the computer monitor to keep an eye on them while you work. A deadbolt placed at the top of the drawers will keep them out. The space can then also be used for art projects and craft supplies.

Even a small closet can be plenty of room for a computer and shelving. Photo credit.

If you live in a small space, your headphones or earplugs can add virtual square footage to your home. Clever design can allow you to have a fully functional office in a small space that can be closed off when you don't want to be reminded of work.

Flashback Friday: Universal Design for the Rest of Us & Universal Design Checklist

2010-10-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Originally posted October 9, 2009

Anna's recent experience being a captive on the first floor of her home has us both thinking more about Universal Design. Earlier this year, I picked a up a great book by Wendy A. Jordan, Universal Design for the Home, which shows many examples of simple moves to achieve UD. Using elements from this book, I compiled a checklist for clients to consider many Universal Design features and mark it as "necessity; would be nice, if cost allows; allow for future implementation in plan, need more information, and not interested." From here we can prioritize and gauge what UD features are important to our clients.

Hare House Phase II, now under construction, includes some UD features, including outdoor spaces on each floor and an elevator. Although the elevator is a large upfront cost, it allows for aging in place and for the clients to stay in the house as long as possible. The house is then ready should anyone be injured (or have their 5th knee surgery).

Not everyone wants to or can afford to go so far as build an elevator in their home. A space can be designated for an elevator that can be installed in the future, or just think about where an elevator could be during the planning phase. I am mentally remodeling my grandparents 2-story home (laundry in the basement) every time I am there.

Everyone home doesn't have to be a showcase for the latest UD feature, but these ideas should be kept in mind as we are designing a home. It should be another layer of the process, just as we think about daylighting, durability, daily use patterns, etc. Good design should be universal, the concepts should not be mutually exclusive; just as many may consider now that all good design must be sustainable design.

Many are familiar with the story of Architect Michael Graves: a much more serious situation, but one that really illuminates the importance of UD: (Metropolis, Fast Company).

My favorite Universal Design feature, the washer and dryer in the master closet (photo: Point2 Homes)

D+A Studio Universal Design Checklist

Redesign without the Remodel: Programming Outdoor Space

2010-09-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Speaking as someone who doesn't have a yard (and would love the extra space), most yards I see are underutilized. Most people have this expanse of space behind their house that can be used much of the year. By programming outdoor space, we add to the amount of square footage of living area we can enjoy.

The most obvious and ideal solution is to create a glassed-in porch on an existing slab or under an existing roof (bonus is it's on the south side of the house, in an area like ours). Many activities can spill over to this room. A great solution is to use a sun porch as a combination play room/reading nook/guest room. Yes, guest room. Most of the year, Seattle weather is ideal for sleeping, and the coldest of nights can be aided by an inexpensive space heater. A day bed is ideal for reading or homework during the day and guests at night.

A day bed can function as a guest bed and reading couch. Next to a dining or card table, it also serves as seating for little ones. Hillsdale House Redding Day Bed and Trundle.

One way to spend more time outside is to install a hot tub. Hot tubs can be intimidating because of the maintenance cost, but in climates like ours, this can be worth it, especially considering that they can be used all year long. A hot tub can be a great social draw and a way to get to know neighbors.

A great outdoor space can be enhanced by a hot tub. Prodigy by the Olympic Hot Tub Company. Read about their commitment to Energy Efficiency.Greg Kossow, a carpenter based in Port Townsend, WA, recently published an article in Mother Earth News on How to Build a Hot Tub for less than $1,000.

If you don't have an existing space to make into a glassed in porch, enclose a space as much as possible to hold in heat, protect from weather, contain noise, and maximize privacy (be sure to comply with any relevant setbacks for your yard, if it's something permanent). Line the space with a grill, outdoor seating, outdoor furniture, and container plants. Place an outdoor fireplace in the middle. Also, a very simple and inexpensive touch is to add small white Christmas lights. There is something about those little white lights that dress up and define a space, and make any time you spend in your outdoor space feel special. Chili pepper lights also work for a more festive setup.

Create an outdoor room without an addition: start with a simple shelving unit like the Ikea Expedit. Fill in the shelves with ornamental plants and herbs in pots, baskets of garden supplies and outdoor toys, and large candles.(OK, I know I seem like a paid spokesperson for the Expedit since I feature it so much in the blog. It's just a very versatile and simple solution that I find works for many situations)

In my opinion, the biggest waste of space in our suburban neighborhoods is the front yard. Most of us don't spend much time there, except when we are working on it. You can get more out of your outdoor square footage by maximizing the outdoor room potential and programmed space in your backyard, and moving the garden to the front yard. Many think that vegetable gardens are not attractive, but they can be easily lined with a rockery, railroad ties, ornamental plants, or containers. If your front yard is small, pots or a rockery will keep passing dogs away from your edibles.

A cute hutch like this one from JCP Home (Lindale Buffet and Hutch) would be just as comfortable on a porch as a home for garden supplies.

If you have an outdoor covered porch, why not take advantage of the space for extra storage? You don't have to look like a hillbilly to do this. Choose attractive cabinets or wardrobes. Look for well built used furniture on Craigslist or used furniture stores. A buffet, credenza, hutch, or china cabinet can be painted bright colors and used to store gardening supplies, camping or other outdoor equipment, sporting goods, or as an outdoor wine cellar. Place ornamental plants on any surfaces and surround the furniture with container plants, so it looks at home in the outdoors.

Programming outdoor space has the added bonus of taking away the inefficient lawn, eliminating the need for watering, mowing and weed control.

Next week: creating a home office in a small space.

Flashback Friday: The Importance of a Feasibility Study

2010-09-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

When purchasing property to develop or build on, it's important to know the legal parameters of the property. This also applies to adding on to an existing structure. Some of these are not readily available without a deeper look into the city or county code. This is also known as a code or zoning review. We regularly provide these services at the beginning of each project. Some things to look for when considering a property:

Setback Lines: how far back from the property line can you build on the front, rear and sides?
Are there limits on impervious surface? What controls are required for the amount of impervious surface you would like to add?
Height limits: how high can you build, and how is the height determined? Are there any incentives that allow for extra height (for example, a steeper roof pitch)?
Is your property located in any overlay zones that may affect your development, like a Historic zone?
Are you in a zone that will require more extensive review or more restrictive setbacks, such as an environmentally critical zone or shoreline? Is there a wetland on your property, or a bald eagle's nest nearby?
Can you include a guest house or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your property? With the call for greater density and more options for smaller and affordable housing, cities are continually updating their codes to keep pace with the public sentiment. An ADU or guest area can provide flexibility and income generation through rental, if the jurisdiction allows.
Are there restrictions on the size or style of building? For example, some home owners associations require minimum areas (to maintain values in a neighborhood), certain materials, or layout restrictions (such as whether or not the garage door can face the street).

Don't make assumptions about what you can do on a property based on what you see on neighboring properties. Zoning restrictions change over time and new development may be subject to more restrictive regulations than existing development, even though they are in the same zone or even next door to each other. Considering these factors along with considering the price and location of a property will eliminate unwelcome surprises down the line.

Visit our website for more information on feasibility services.

D+A Gallery on Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Website

2010-09-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

Check out our new gallery on the Seattle Homes and Lifestyles Website!

Redesign without the Remodel: Adding Kid's Bedrooms

2010-09-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Until I was nine years old, we lived in a small cape cod that was originally two bedrooms with an attic. My parents converted the second bedroom on the first floor to a dining room, and converted the attic into two bedrooms. This meant that the stairs led directly to my little brother's room, and I had to walk through his room to get to my bedroom. Also, I shared a bedroom all through college. Thus began my bias of thinking, do all kids need their own rooms, especially considering that the grown-ups share a bedroom? I know, I know, it's easy for me to say this now, I am not a teenage girl or someone who all they wanted growing up was a room of their own. But when considering the cost of buying a new home or adding on just for sleeping space, the parent's budget may just have to override a kid's desire for their own room...or should I say, their own drywall box. There are many ways to ensure that kids have privacy, even if they have to share sleeping space.

Bunk bed with storage under (Ginger Twin Full bunk bed) from Platformbeds.com

One solution is to turn with largest bedroom into the sleeping space. If you have 3 bedrooms and 4 young kids, you can fit two bunk beds into one bedroom. The other bedroom can house wardrobes for extra storage and clothing, desk for computers and serve as the play area. As the kids get older, the rooms can then be divided by age. Curtains and sliding doors can be added to bunk beds to allow for privacy. Loft beds can house a mini room underneath, with a chair and bookshelf, also made private by curtains or sliding doors (and headphones).

A loft bed like the Ikea Tromso provides space for a desk, chair, bookshelf and or dresser below. The space can be made private by adding a heavy curtain or closing out the bottom with painted plywood and sliding doors.

Coaster Contemporary Black Finish Metal Full Size Loft Bed & Workstation

Lea Kids The Getaway Complete Loft Bed

Kids still need their private space. Consider creating some outdoor sanctuaries if your house is feeling cramped. A tree house is of course a classic example for younger kids. Cluster a few chairs under a canopy or in a gazebo, away from but facing the house, to give kids a place to read, talk on the phone or work on a lap top. Texture the yard with gardens, rockeries, or an outdoor water feature to provide noise buffers and privacy. Add an outdoor fireplace and instantly create another space that can be used most of the year.

An outdoor fireplace can define an outdoor room or space and give you another room without adding square footage to your house. Coleman 5071-700 Ambient Firelight Propane Fireplace and Table.

Rooms can also be divided with sliding doors, available from Raydoor or the Sliding Door Company. This route is pricier, but still less expensive than adding a room or relocating.

What else do you need in a bedroom? An example of a bed-sized bedroom from Raydoor.

Create a bedroom or media area in the corner of a too-large living area, like this example from the Sliding Door Company.

With a little creativity, you can avoid a relocation or a remodel for those few years when you need extra bedrooms, particularly when all the kids are living at home. This season of life may only be a small percentage of the time you spend in your home, and then you are left with empty bedrooms that are likely to end up being musty, rarely used guest rooms that you are paying to heat, cool, and furnish. Making a smaller house with less bedrooms work has financial rewards now and in the future.

Next week: more ideas for programming outdoor space.

Happy Park(ing) Day!

2010-09-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Park(ing) day in Seattle! Feet First reports that "nearly 70 on-street parking spaces across Seattle will be occupied by public parks for the day between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m."

"PARK(ing) Day is an annual, worldwide event that inspires city dwellers everywhere to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for the public good." -www.parkingday.org

A common site on Park(ing) Day: a mini "park" in a parallel spot. Photo credit.

More information about Park(ing) Day in Seattle from Feet First.

Hare House Phase 2 Construction Photos

2010-09-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

New Hare House Phase 2 Construction Photos recently taken on a beautiful day in Friday Harbor. We are both designer and general contractor for the main house.

View from Harrison Street. The entry bridge provides access to the folly. The folly is clad with corten steel and clear cedar siding.

The cantilevered balcony bring the living area outside, into the trees and suspended above the street. A full wall of glass offers views of the harbor and Mount Baker.

See more photos and track the progress of the Hare House: Phase 2 on Facebook.

The Hare House cluster includes a Guest House with separate office, Main House and Folly structure on a challenging site in Friday Harbor. Driving forces of the design included the incredible views of Mount Baker and the desire to create a sustainable space for a couple permanently relocating to the island.

The clients want a flexible home that is cozy for the two of them yet opens to accommodate the extended family. Features of both the Main and Guest House include in-floor hydronic heat, advanced framing, rainscreen siding applications, permeable pavers, grasscrete parking areas, Watersense certified plumbing fixtures, Energy Star appliances and an elevator for aging in place. The house is in the process of several sustainable third party certifications such as Built Green, Watersense, Builders Challenge and Energy Star.

Energy Sources: Which is the Lesser Evil?

2010-09-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Fascinating article from the Next Big Future: Deaths per TWh for all Energy Sources: Rooftop Solar is Actually More Dangerous than Chernobyl.

The chart below from the article shows the energy source and the death rate per TWh (TWh=getting power at a capacity of 1 terawatt (10^12 watts) for one hour)

Coal – world average          161 (26% of world energy (WE), 50% of electricity)
Coal – China                  278
Coal – USA                    15
Oil                           36  (36% of WE)
Natural Gas                    4  (21% of WE)
Biofuel/Biomass               12
Peat                          12
Solar (rooftop)               0.44 (less than 0.1% of WE)
Wind                          0.15 (less than 1% of WE)
Hydro                         0.10 (europe death rate, 2.2% of WE)
Hydro-world including Banqiao)1.4 (about 2500 TWh/yr and

                                   171,000 Banqiao dead)
Nuclear                       0.04 (5.9% of WE)

It is hard to quantify the deaths from air pollution from coal and oil. Next Big Future estimates 30,000 deaths in the US and 500,000 in China from coal air pollution. Solar, wind and hydro deaths seem easier to quantify since these would tend to be recorded accidents. There may not be as many accidents with nuclear, but again it is hard to quantify how nuclear waste affects those who live in proximity to those facilities.

There is already so much to consider when determining energy policy and your source of energy. For me, this just serves as a reminder that nothing is perfect, and everything comes with risks, so we can't be too smug about our choices or too quick to dismiss a certain technology based on the current conventional wisdom.

Since we have not found a silver bullet or perfect energy solution, conservation, smart appliances and common sense are still the most sustainable practice. Being mindful about daily energy use and designing homes that work with nature (passive solar, mindful window placement, appropriate shading) go a long way in conserving energy.

Some simple, but worth repeating ways, to conserve energy at home include:

Don't just turn up the thermostat in winter: close the blinds and curtains (except when window are exposed to direct sun), dress warmly inside, and take advantage of your fireplace as much as possible.
If you don't have double pane windows, consider installing storm windows or sealing with plastic in the winter (a product like Duck 1299529 Indoor 5-Window Shrink Film Kit is easy and dirt cheap) for the winter.
Unless your home is at risk for mold, close off rooms that are not being used (and use a draft stopper under the door) if you don't have zoned heating.
In the summer, close the windows, blinds, and curtains when the sun is out, and then open everything up at night, with a box fan facing out the window for ventilation.
Use task lighting when possible, a small reading light instead of lamps, and of course turn off lights when not in use. Maximize daylighting whenever possible by placing task-intensive activities near windows.