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TimJFowler · 03-03-09, 06:01 PM

Wow, how cool to have your own green-building project to experiment with. Here are a few thoughts in no particular order:

* Plan, plan, plan. What do you need/want to do in or with the structure today or in a few years? Try to plan for possible future changes in your needs for the building.

* Talk to local / regional sustainable architects to see if any are interested in taking on the project for your budget. An experienced, LEED accredited architect should be able to design a structure that is incredibly efficient, is appropriate for your site and climate, looks good and hopefully avoids the worst mistakes.

* Check out the free / open source Free Green Home Plans from FreeGreen.com and see what you like.

* Design and build to the Passive House standard - Passive house - Wikipedia. Can you build a structure that is carbon neutral (or carbon negative!) for operational power and HVAC needs?

* Can you recycle 100% of the existing structure (Habitat ReStore, FreeCycle, reuse parts in the new building, etc.)?

* Use rainwater catchment for use in the structure or the garden.

* Write about the whole process here!

Have fun,
Tim

03-03-09, 06:01 PM	#10
TimJFowler Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 184 Thanks: 9 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Wow, how cool to have your own green-building project to experiment with. Here are a few thoughts in no particular order: * Plan, plan, plan. What do you need/want to do in or with the structure today or in a few years? Try to plan for possible future changes in your needs for the building. * Talk to local / regional sustainable architects to see if any are interested in taking on the project for your budget. An experienced, LEED accredited architect should be able to design a structure that is incredibly efficient, is appropriate for your site and climate, looks good and hopefully avoids the worst mistakes. * Check out the free / open source Free Green Home Plans from FreeGreen.com and see what you like. * Design and build to the Passive House standard - Passive house - Wikipedia. Can you build a structure that is carbon neutral (or carbon negative!) for operational power and HVAC needs? * Can you recycle 100% of the existing structure (Habitat ReStore, FreeCycle, reuse parts in the new building, etc.)? * Use rainwater catchment for use in the structure or the garden. * Write about the whole process here! Have fun, Tim __________________ - DIY Adventures in Applied Sustainability - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by TimJFowler; 03-03-09 at 06:18 PM..