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In Humboldt County, the most significant strategies toward a green building are in building orientation, window placement (plenty on the south side), upgrades on insulation, good natural lighting to eliminate electrical use in the day time, location landscape or building elements to deflect the wind from outside garden and play areas, and southern sloping roofs to accept solar collectors. Almost all of these decisions are made in the first phase of the design process. Most are common sense, do not cost extra, and go a long ways toward creating a comfortable, energy-conserving environment. Joyce Plath has used most of these strategies in all of her buildings for over twenty-five years. Further strategies are worthwhile and can be look at as providing more beauty, pleasure and value over the long haul.
Behney/Vaughn House Fieldbrook, CA
Healthy Green Strategies
- Limit building envelope size
- Use recycled or renewable content materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, local FSC wood, natural linoleum, and carpet from wool or recycled materials, and formaldehyde free plywood
- Copper azole treated sill plates
- Natural lighting and good ventilation
- Low or no VOC paints and finishes for better air quality
- Efficient toilets, light bulbs, fans, fixtures and appliances
- On-demand water heaters
- Solar hot water and PV collectors
- Solariums to grow food year round and help heat the building
- Provide plumbing and space for grey water pond
Links About Green Building
View more of Joyce's completed buildings at her Gallery.
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Green Building