A sustainable development may have some apparent visual differences, but many of the solutions are no different than traditional methods, they are just executed with more craft, care and common sense.
Sustainable construction methods can be applied to any type of structure. A "green" house can look just like a "non-green" house, many of the differences are no longer visible once the structure is completed.Many aspects of the sustainable community are more perceptible by senses other than sight. How does one see a better, healthier quality of life? You might see it in lower monthly utility bills, or in the faces of your neighbors when you meet them on one of the many paths and trails designed to promote personal chance interaction. Every aspect of the development will be designed to improve the quality of life for its residents, and be more in harmony with nature. Following are a few of the techniques we intend to use.
Community:
- Homes built in well-designed clusters that offer privacy and full benefit from open space
- Interconnected walking paths and trails
- community gardens
- Community center
- Common space gathering Nodes
Landscaping:
- Native landscaping to minimize irrigation needs
- Rain gardens and bio-retention areas
- Biowales lining streets
- Re-create natural filtering systems through constructed plantings
- Capture and treat excess water runoff on site by natural means
- Irrigate with roof water captured in cisterns
- Tree preservation and planting program
Homes:
- High quality high performance homes
- Certified sustainable by a nationally accredited organization
- Lots designed for easy installation of geothermal systems
- Homes constructed with tight envelope
- Fresh air exchange and filtering systems
- Energy Star appliances
- Homes oriented to take advantage of passive solar gain
- Use of massing materials to capture solar energy in floors and walls
- Homes designed by builders and Architects that embrace the Not So Big House philosophy