Build It Green - Community Design

OK, our final component of a green home, Community Design, and then we can get back to microclimate and trees.  While improving the efficiency and health of a tract home in a large suburban sprawl development is a good thing, even better is good community design in the first place, or adaptation of less efficient community structure to concentrate services, improve pedestrian access and expand open space.

SFStreetsBlog

"Livable communities enhance the quality of life while reducing impact on the environment. Pedestrian and bicycle friendly neighborhoods provide opportunities for exercising and meeting neighbors.  High density areas where work, shopping and school are all close by allow for less time driving and fewer greenhouse gas emissions from cars." The "new urbanism" everyone's transforming old cities with these days is our 5th green home component. There are multiple benefits to human and environmental health, not to mention enhanced real estate values.

SafeRoutesToSchools

 One of the major attractions of Marin and San Francisco is the abundance of open space adjacent to wonderful walkable communities. While a Google search will turn up conflicting rankings of healthiest cities, our fair metropolis is often touted as the "most walkable".  Preservation efforts, both of wildlands and historic character, by many valiant individuals over the years, have enhanced the quality of life here immeasurably. Worthy organizations such as SPUR, the Marin and San Francisco Bicycle Coalitions, Safe Routes to Schools and many others, continue to work to improve our communities usability and quality of life.

Livablecities.org

Build It Green - Resource Conservation

Dreamstime

In part 4 of our series on what makes a green home green, according to Build It Green, we are going back to the 3R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, which all add up to Resource Conservation. 

TerraMai

Whether remodeling or building new, there are cost, waste and energy savings to be had through resourceful use of materials, smart construction and efficient design. Admittedly, it can cost a lot more in labor to save old materials during demolition, and re-use them, so it's often a judgement call whether materials are realistically salvageable. "Adaptive reuse has long been praised for being a sustainable form of development that reduces waste, uses less energy, and scales down on the consumption of building materials. However, beyond these environmental benefits, reuse projects may also have the ability to foster a greater sense of community and provide a springboard for the economic growth of a neighborhood."

HistoricPreservationBlog

Historic materials lend real heart and charm to new or reconstructed buildings, which can increase value enough to be worth the extra effort and cost required to salvage rather than start fresh. Wide plank floors are particularly beautiful, and many old structures in our area were built with amazing old growth redwood and fir, and of course all the crazy gorgeous millwork, and tin work etc. are absolutely worth saving.

FoundSF

The planters on the front deck of the beautifully remodeled 1566 Sanchez  for example, (Slide 16 of exteriors), are sheathed in lath from the original roof. This particular wonderful remodel was done by eco+historical aiming for LEED Platinum, so there are countless green features, no doubt they would prefer I highlight something less cosmetic then reuse of the lathe. For that I refer you back to the websites, as they are beautifully detailed there and there.

Next post we'll look at some more affordable expressions of Resource Conservation, for the DIY or thinner wallet set. Given that necessity is the mother of invention...

Build It Green - Water Conservation

Water Conservation Gardens Can Be So Beautiful

Continuing our 5 part series on the components of a green home, we come to the importance of water conservation. Given our winter that wasn't, it is easy to understand that we need to be mindful of our water consumption, since even in wet years, clean water is an increasingly precious resource.

Center for Sustainability

The good news is that conservation efforts can really make a difference.  Marin is fairly water conservation savvy, since they do not have San Francisco's  cheap for now water source.  That said, San Francisco is also working hard to increase water use efficiency. San Francisco real estate transactions can not go forward with out a mandatory water conservation inspection.  From the pie chart above you can see that if you make certain you have no leaks (well designed plumbing with good insulation is good too), and have an efficient washer, toilet and shower (not low flow but "high performance"), you have gone a long way towards minimizing your water use.

Regarding landscaping and gardening, in our Mediterranean climate, where we very rarely have rain between April and November, it makes sense to cluster plants that need more water, and ideally water them with grey water. The SFPUC is on board with water harvesting etc. as is the Marin Municipal Water District, which has a users guide  users guide to assessing your landscape with an eye to water use. There are many of sources of drought tolerant plants in the area. Here, here and here are a few, but a Google search will turn up lots more. The San Francisco Botanic Garden sales are another great source. Your favorite local nursery probably carries some as well, since water conservation is not a new story for our area.