Comments on: GREEN BUILDING 101: Sustainable Sites http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/ Future-forward design for the world you inhabit Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:39:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Gradohttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-165651 Grado Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:27:04 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-165651 For Nina,You can build on piers to elevate the home and still be energy efficient. The solution is to have your walls extend all the way to the ground. You want your crawl space below to be enclosed and not be vented. You will want to put a moisture barrier down over the natural ground to keep moisture out. You will see how the space conditions itself to coexist with the home above. There will be no need to insulate the floor since you insulated the exterior walls down to grade. As previously mentioned, go to Building Science site and take a look at their builidng designs for pier and beam construction. For Nina,

You can build on piers to elevate the home and still be energy efficient. The solution is to have your walls extend all the way to the ground. You want your crawl space below to be enclosed and not be vented. You will want to put a moisture barrier down over the natural ground to keep moisture out. You will see how the space conditions itself to coexist with the home above. There will be no need to insulate the floor since you insulated the exterior walls down to grade. As previously mentioned, go to Building Science site and take a look at their builidng designs for pier and beam construction.

]]> By: Kim Dhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6177 Kim D Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:40:59 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-6177 David is absolutely right, Edward Abbey thought the same thing 40 years agobut we kept building. Europe knows all about "limited space" and handles it fairly well-- why do we always think we have to reinvent things, look around. There are places going in the right direction--Portland with its building boundaries. Have to give China and Bill McDonough credit for rethinking the city and moving all the green up one layer--if you have to build new. The Historic Preservation and Green movements are finally converging-to everyone's benefit. Recycle, Reuse and Respect what came before. Gentrification is a side-effect. Is it always bad? always good? no. but rebuilding what we have is better than building on farmland or habitats. David is absolutely right, Edward Abbey thought the same thing 40 years agobut we kept building. Europe knows all about “limited space” and handles it fairly well– why do we always think we have to reinvent things, look around. There are places going in the right direction–Portland with its building boundaries. Have to give China and Bill McDonough credit for rethinking the city and moving all the green up one layer–if you have to build new. The Historic Preservation and Green movements are finally converging-to everyone’s benefit. Recycle, Reuse and Respect what came before. Gentrification is a side-effect. Is it always bad? always good? no. but rebuilding what we have is better than building on farmland or habitats.

]]> By: Louisa Thompsonhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-5686 Louisa Thompson Thu, 31 Aug 2006 15:02:09 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-5686 For young architect Nina - Consider berming your house into the hillside, i.e., dig out a foundation and use the soil on the north or west side to serve as insulation. Also, if you decide to do a green roof, remember that sedums are not native and are potentially invasive. They make sense in cities but not necessarily in rural areas.David - I agree completely that we must stop developing previously undeveloped land - and especially undeveloped land that is not too far away from cities, because there is so little of it left. It should be regarded as a common good, and governments should buy it or should reimburse owners for the ecosystem services provided so that they have an economic alternative to developing it. This also applies to farmland near cities. As petroleum and water prices rise, it will once again become prohibitively expensive to transport staple foods thousands of miles.Louisa For young architect Nina –
Consider berming your house into the hillside, i.e., dig out a foundation and use the soil on the north or west side to serve as insulation. Also, if you decide to do a green roof, remember that sedums are not native and are potentially invasive. They make sense in cities but not necessarily in rural areas.

David – I agree completely that we must stop developing previously undeveloped land – and especially undeveloped land that is not too far away from cities, because there is so little of it left. It should be regarded as a common good, and governments should buy it or should reimburse owners for the ecosystem services provided so that they have an economic alternative to developing it. This also applies to farmland near cities. As petroleum and water prices rise, it will once again become prohibitively expensive to transport staple foods thousands of miles.

Louisa

]]> By: Jillhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-4910 Jill Mon, 14 Aug 2006 21:09:56 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-4910 Hi Sarah-I don't know if this helps, but check out some of the US Governments energy policy tax incentives for green renovations:http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-06-26.pdfhttp://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#chartHope that helps!-Jill Hi Sarah-

I don’t know if this helps, but check out some of the US Governments energy policy tax incentives for green renovations:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-06-26.pdf

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#chart

Hope that helps!

-Jill

]]> By: sarahhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-4803 sarah Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:43:21 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-4803 Just wondering if you guys have any leads on grants available to NYC homeowners who want to incorporate green and sustainable elements wherever possible in their remodel?? Any input would be much appreciated - we are about to close on a house in Brooklyn, and putting together a budget -- would love to do some "leading by example" (we are dismayed by all the crap that is going up in our quickly-gentrifying 'hood). Thanks, Sarah Just wondering if you guys have any leads on grants available to NYC homeowners who want to incorporate green and sustainable elements wherever possible in their remodel?? Any input would be much appreciated – we are about to close on a house in Brooklyn, and putting together a budget — would love to do some “leading by example” (we are dismayed by all the crap that is going up in our quickly-gentrifying ‘hood). Thanks,
Sarah

]]> By: David Eubankhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-4797 David Eubank Sat, 12 Aug 2006 15:59:22 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-4797 The problem as I see it is that we are still developing undevloped space. I think that has to STOP NOW if we are going to be able to address climate change and enrgy. Where is the movement to retrofit our exsisting houses to transition them to green efficent homes. I think it is time to tear out the grass and re-veg with natural vegetation, and get these structures more energy efficent. If that is not possible then we need to remove the old and replace them with green. But we have to stop development of the natural space we have left. Soon all of the open land will be gone, developed into green structures, that will not solve the problems we are facing. We need to work with in developed areas to make them sustainable. We need to rethink the whole deal before its to late. reclaim, recycle those old houses. Work with your community to establish new rules for development and URBAN Renewal. The problem as I see it is that we are still developing undevloped space. I think that has to STOP NOW if we are going to be able to address climate change and enrgy. Where is the movement to retrofit our exsisting houses to transition them to green efficent homes. I think it is time to tear out the grass and re-veg with natural vegetation, and get these structures more energy efficent. If that is not possible then we need to remove the old and replace them with green. But we have to stop development of the natural space we have left. Soon all of the open land will be gone, developed into green structures, that will not solve the problems we are facing. We need to work with in developed areas to make them sustainable. We need to rethink the whole deal before its to late. reclaim, recycle those old houses. Work with your community to establish new rules for development and URBAN Renewal.

]]> By: Inhabitat » Blog Archive » GREEN BUILDING 101: Materials and Resources, Part Ihttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-3090 Inhabitat » Blog Archive » GREEN BUILDING 101: Materials and Resources, Part I Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:11:54 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-3090 [...] This one relates back in large part to our discussion of sustainable sites. The conditions under and around your home determine the ability of the structure to withstand all sorts of potential challenges to its integrity, not least of those being moisture, wind and temperature fluctuations. This is also tied into considering the offerings of local resources, as the naturally-occuring materials in any given location are most likely to be durable within that region. A great article at GreenBiz talks covers durability in depth, addressing not only the weather-related issues, but also insects, function, and even style. [...] [...] This one relates back in large part to our discussion of sustainable sites. The conditions under and around your home determine the ability of the structure to withstand all sorts of potential challenges to its integrity, not least of those being moisture, wind and temperature fluctuations. This is also tied into considering the offerings of local resources, as the naturally-occuring materials in any given location are most likely to be durable within that region. A great article at GreenBiz talks covers durability in depth, addressing not only the weather-related issues, but also insects, function, and even style. [...]

]]> By: Inhabitat » Blog Archive » GREEN BUILDING 101: Water Efficiencyhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-2858 Inhabitat » Blog Archive » GREEN BUILDING 101: Water Efficiency Wed, 12 Jul 2006 04:57:33 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-2858 [...] As was pointed out in last week’s Green Building 101 installment on Sustainable Sites, it’s wise to choose landscaping elements that are appropriate to the climate and require minimal water. Because of their varying root systems, grass, trees, and flowers all have different water requirements. When you design your garden, consider the layout of the irrigation system, and try to arrange plants according to the amount of water they need. [...] [...] As was pointed out in last week’s Green Building 101 installment on Sustainable Sites, it’s wise to choose landscaping elements that are appropriate to the climate and require minimal water. Because of their varying root systems, grass, trees, and flowers all have different water requirements. When you design your garden, consider the layout of the irrigation system, and try to arrange plants according to the amount of water they need. [...]

]]> By: RThttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-2806 RT Mon, 10 Jul 2006 19:11:01 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-2806 N.: The previous posts/sources are all great. My own 2 cents: To not waste that precious "green" warmth you'll be sieving out of the ambient, you'll have even more need of top notch insulation, weatherizing and tempering. Harder to do in a cold area on stilts - but possible. Also: read about solar heat for midwesterners or non-Colorado/non-California types with Don Stephens' "Annualized GeoSolar" designs at http://www.greenershelter.com/index.php?pg=3 & look around for strategies used in zero energy designs for a northern locale. -from a techie not an architect N.:
The previous posts/sources are all great.
My own 2 cents: To not waste that precious “green” warmth you’ll be sieving out of the ambient, you’ll have even more need of top notch insulation, weatherizing and tempering.
Harder to do in a cold area on stilts – but possible.
Also: read about solar heat for midwesterners or non-Colorado/non-California types with Don Stephens’ “Annualized GeoSolar” designs at http://www.greenershelter.com/index.php?pg=3
& look around for strategies used in zero energy designs for a northern locale.
-from a techie not an architect

]]> By: David Phillipshttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-2804 David Phillips Mon, 10 Jul 2006 15:35:37 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-2804 I'm delighted to have found your site from http://www.architectureweek.com/. I look forward to the Green Building 101 series and other explorations at your site.May I suggest adding Table of Contents links to the Green Building pages, so that someone jumping into the middle of the series will be able to easily navigate to the start or wherever their interest takes them. --David I’m delighted to have found your site from http://www.architectureweek.com/. I look forward to the Green Building 101 series and other explorations at your site.

May I suggest adding Table of Contents links to the Green Building pages, so that someone jumping into the middle of the series will be able to easily navigate to the start or wherever their interest takes them.
–David

]]> By: Joshhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-2722 Josh Fri, 07 Jul 2006 17:35:47 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-2722 Like all green building deisgns, you need to draw a line in the sand, because no matter what you do, someone will critize you for it. As for your concern of the foundation you have three issues you must wrestle with. One is you want to tread lightly on the earth. Second is energy efficiency. Third is resale value and marketability. Now I am not sure where in up state NY this house will be. But growing up in Rochester with harsh winters, putting your house on post would not be your best option for energy efficiency. I would recomend looking at some foundation details at www.buildingscience.com. I have been working with this organization on a green home and they look at the home as one big unit to make it more energy effiecient and most importantly a healthy place to live. But you can still tread lightly on the earth by following one of Le Corbusier's 5 points of architecture and replace the earth you have desturbed on the ground an build a roof garden or green roof. There are many examples of residential green roofs. Like all green building deisgns, you need to draw a line in the sand, because no matter what you do, someone will critize you for it. As for your concern of the foundation you have three issues you must wrestle with. One is you want to tread lightly on the earth. Second is energy efficiency. Third is resale value and marketability. Now I am not sure where in up state NY this house will be. But growing up in Rochester with harsh winters, putting your house on post would not be your best option for energy efficiency. I would recomend looking at some foundation details at http://www.buildingscience.com. I have been working with this organization on a green home and they look at the home as one big unit to make it more energy effiecient and most importantly a healthy place to live. But you can still tread lightly on the earth by following one of Le Corbusier’s 5 points of architecture and replace the earth you have desturbed on the ground an build a roof garden or green roof. There are many examples of residential green roofs.

]]> By: matthttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-2699 matt Fri, 07 Jul 2006 06:19:03 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-2699 Dear nina,In response to the last post... Every site calls to different needs. Louis Kahn would say it is important to ask a brick , for example, what it wants to be... you may want one thing, but it insists on something else. Ask the site what it wants to be. Glen Mercutt's response to his site was to raise the building, and this was due to his consideration of the site's environment and the needs and desires of the people. The physical manifestation from his method is something that fits his particular site's context. I imagine your site's context is different, and thus the response you create architecturally will be different. Who knows, it might be similar, but whatever it is, the site and the context should help lead you to the generation of form. Methods of considering sustainability should be reflective of place and its essence. I believe this is a key point the "Green Building 101" series has been discussing.best, -matt Dear nina,

In response to the last post… Every site calls to different needs. Louis Kahn would say it is important to ask a brick , for example, what it wants to be… you may want one thing, but it insists on something else. Ask the site what it wants to be. Glen Mercutt’s response to his site was to raise the building, and this was due to his consideration of the site’s environment and the needs and desires of the people. The physical manifestation from his method is something that fits his particular site’s context. I imagine your site’s context is different, and thus the response you create architecturally will be different. Who knows, it might be similar, but whatever it is, the site and the context should help lead you to the generation of form. Methods of considering sustainability should be reflective of place and its essence. I believe this is a key point the “Green Building 101″ series has been discussing.

best,
-matt

]]> By: ninahttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-2676 nina Thu, 06 Jul 2006 17:25:01 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/07/05/green-building-101-sustainable-sites/#comment-2676 this information could not have come at a better time for me, a young architect who is about to build a free-standing house for the first time. (not much free-standing work in nyc!) i was wondering, though, how to resolve the foundation. the house is in upstate new york, and while i would love to "touch the earth lightly" by putting it on posts, i'm afraid that all the cold winter air traveling underneath the house would lead to increased energy usage (although we are going to use solar panels on the roof and geo-thermal heat). is it really so bad to cut a small foundation into the ground? any advice is welcome. this information could not have come at a better time for me, a young architect who is about to build a free-standing house for the first time. (not much free-standing work in nyc!) i was wondering, though, how to resolve the foundation. the house is in upstate new york, and while i would love to “touch the earth lightly” by putting it on posts, i’m afraid that all the cold winter air traveling underneath the house would lead to increased energy usage (although we are going to use solar panels on the roof and geo-thermal heat). is it really so bad to cut a small foundation into the ground? any advice is welcome.

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