Principle 01: Smart Design
Smart design is what lays the foundation of successful green housing. In my work this means designing to use less, to collaborate with the landscape and designing for longevity, flexibility, and living a beautiful, joyful, sustainable life. Our homes are so smartly designed that you may never want to leave, but we hope you'll at least go out for a hike every once in a while.
Link to Michelle's EcoPrinciples Blog
EcoPrinciple 1: Smart Design
- Design to use less: We "design big" rather than "build big", meaning we design to make a space feel larger than it is. We design outdoor rooms as much as we design indoor rooms so that both become a part of the house. Use of roof space is maximized in our houses as they can be used as decks and/or gardens. We design for double function so that aspects of the homes can serve more than one purpose. Through the use of large and numerous windows we design to minimize the need to turn lights on during the day.
- Design to collaborate with the environment: We orient homes in the landscape to maximize both views and energy efficiencies and try to avoid extreme excavations or other highly invasive procedures.
- Design for longevity: Our houses are designed to last a long time; building them offsite in a factory with controlled conditions produces higher quality construction and higher quality houses.
- Design for flexibility: We build flexibility into our design so that our homes can adapt to changes in future use. We designed flexibility in controls.
- Design for beauty and joy and sustainable life: Our houses are thoughtfully crafted in a way that integrates some of the most beautiful elements of design with a keen understanding of the importance of sustainability.
