What is a Green Building?
High quality green buildings are less expensive to operate, healthier and more comfortable for inhabitants, and more durable. Careful planning and the selection of environmentally superior materials allow green buildings to work with the natural environment rather than against it.
Energy Efficient: Green buildings implement strategies such as air tight exteriors, increased insulation levels, shortened plumbing and duct runs, duct and plumbing insulation, high efficiency mechanical equipment, lighting and appliances, and high performance windows. Whenever possible, green building utilizes “renewable” energy from the sun, wind or ground heat.
Herons House has six inch and eight inch exterior walls with extra insulation. The use of tankless water heaters, low flow toilets, dishwashers and laundry (front loading) reduces water use. All windows and doors are dual glazed with low e glass. Herons House generates 100% of its own electricity with a 4.4 kwh solar photovoltaic array, as well as extra, enough for the 2007 Gem Electric Car. The wine cellar is mostly sub subterranean utilizing the natural cooling and constant temperature of the earth. Dimmable CFL's are the primary lighting source.
Environmentally-friendly Materials: Green buildings strive to select materials that reduce the strain on natural resources such as those that are rapidly renewable, made with recycled content, create less pollution to manufacture, are reused, or require replacing less often.
Careful attention was given to recycled content in all building materials selected. No grading of the lot was necessary as we utilize the topography of the lot in our building design. Natural stone as opposed to imitation veneered stone was used in all landscaping and ledger stone applications. All boulders are real rock not false sculpted fiberglass or concrete. Hey, they come with a lifetime warrantee :)
Durability: Built to last through the careful selection and assembly of materials, green buildings require less upkeep and are extremely resistant to moisture damage.
Herons House is built on a concrete foundation with a steel moment frame and 6 in exterior walls. The materials selected and the engineering and construction of the house, as well a temperate climate, ensure that Heron's House stands the test of time.
Healthy Indoor Environment: By selecting materials that are safer for inhabitants, balancing ventilation systems, properly venting stale air and combustion fumes, and protecting against soil gasses and moisture, indoor air contaminants can be minimized.
Heron's House has upgrade the existing FAU in the guest wing and use state of the art heating and ventilation equipment to improve interior air quality. An abundant use of wood and travertine floors and natural ventilation also help improve interior air quality. Existing low performance doors and windows were upgraded to dual glaze low e argon filled.
Site Orientation & Planning: Designing and planning a building to fit the site allows the home to take advantage of natural processes such as passive solar heating and effectively deal with wind patterns. Well planned landscaping can help shade summer sun and block north winds. Blending the building into the surrounding environment helps to reduce degradation to the site.
Herons house was "Solar Sited" on lot position, to provide both passive and active solar and eliminate the need for air conditioning. Its leeward hillside location acts as a natural buffer against the wind. The orientation and placement of the house ensures a southern exposure for the vineyard operations and enjoyment of the lagoon, ocean, and outside deck space. The wine cellar is 50% subterranean utilizing the stable earth temperature to reduce cost associated with storing cellar wines. The house and its landscaping take their cues form the surrounding lagoon and estuary. Heron's House will occupy 24% of the lot, a very small amount thereby ensuring that the house does not dominate or obliterate the land.
Water Efficiency: Low flow fixtures and toilets and Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers perform the same functions with considerably less water. In order to conserve drinking water, greywater recovery systems that collect water from sinks and showers and rainwater collection systems collect still usable water to be used in and around the home. Selecting drought resistant/native landscaping species and reducing the amount of turf lawn for the site minimizes irrigation needs.
Heron's house is landscaped with native plant species in its landscaping, This drought tolerant plant palette reduces the need for elaborate watering systems and will reduce our landscape water needs by 80% verses typical water intensive landscapes. Plantings also include dormant varieties such as grapes that require no watering six months out of the year. There will be no lawn or cut grass. All appliances are energy star rated.
Natural Lighting: Windows, skylights, and tubular skylights allow natural lighting to enter the building, reducing the need for electrical lighting and improving the living environment.
All glass wall systems open for cooling and close for heating are featured in Heron's House. Abundant natural lighting and access points to the outside reduce the need for electrical lighting and heating. The use of indoor/outdoor spaces under roof significantly improves the living environment of Heron's House.
Higher Value: Buildings that are less costly to operate, are safer for inhabitants, and are more durable are of higher value. Where would you like to live?
We Agree!