guiding principles

As a leader in the sustainable home design field, we incorporate principles in all of our work that help us to make smart, yet beautiful and long-lasting choices creating healthy environements with efficient use of materials, energy and water.

I like to use the following "5 ecoPrinciples" when designing, but also making choices in my own everyday life:

  1. Smart Design
    • designing to use less (sculpting in light, glass walls to extend to the outdoors)
    • collaborating with the landscape
    • designing big, rather than building big
    • designing for longevity, flexibility, beauty and joy
    • Michelle's blog on Smart Design
  2. Eco Materials
    • materials that are renewable and recyclable
    • materials that are natural
    • materials that have low embodied energy
    • materials that are long-lasting with timeless design (if you want to replace it in 5 years, it is not that sustainable)
    • Michelle's blog on Eco Materials
  3. Energy Efficiency
    • efficient building envelopes (high-performance insulation and windows/doors)
    • high performance heating and cooling systems
    • on-demand water heaters
    • maximizing benefits with solar orientation to maximize natural light and breezes, while minimizing any unwanted heat gain (designing for different seasons and various climates)
    • energy star appliances
    • CFL and LED lighting
    • energy metering systems
    • alternative energy systems such as solar, wind generation and geo-thermal
    • Michelle's blog on Energy Efficiency
  4. Water Conservation
    • low-flow showerheads and faucets
    • dual-flush toilets
    • xeri-scaping landscaping
    • green "living" roof systems
    • bioswales
    • permeable walkways and driveways
    • rain-water harvesting
    • gray water systems (in jurisdictions that allow for it)
    • Michelle's blog on Water Conservation
  5. Healthy Environment
    • non-offgassing paints and other materials
    • air-filtration systems
    • foam insulation (for least probably of mold in walls)
    • hard floor surfaces (which can have removable, washable carpet tiles or rugs)
    • Michelle's blog on Healthy Environment