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Permaculture Basics

October 27, 2010 by Ron

The term permaculture was first coined by Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist, in 1978 as “a design system for creating sustainable human environments”. A contraction of “permanent agriculture”, the concept of permaculture started with a focus on ecological landscape design and food production systems, but also included focus on energy-efficient buildings, waste water treatment, recycling, land stewardship and other issues of environmental sustainability.

With  much of my focus on the green building end of things, I have watched permaculture and green building follow a similar evolutionary path over the past 30 years. As green building began with a focus on energy efficiency and evolved to more fully integrate resource conservation and healthy materials, permaculture has evolved to more fully integrate its environmental focus with the social and economic aspects of sustainability. Now often referred to as a contraction of “permanent culture”, permaculture more fully reflects its original foundational ethics of “care of the earth, care of people, and fair share”.

My own interest in permaculture has evolved as well. Although I have always appreciated permaculture landscape principles and integrate them in my work whenever possible, it is the holistic aspect that takes sustainability to its logical conclusion that excites me the most. Inherent in its full application, permaculture addresses the importance of a new paradigm for how we live together in cooperation and collaboration, and how we restructure our failing economy with a foundation of sustainability and justice.

Filed Under: Permaculture

The Makings of a Healthy Home

October 20, 2010 by Ron

The concept of a healthy home can bring up up a variety of images and questions. Does it have to do with the food we eat, the air we breathe, the relationships we have…? I think it is all of that and more – our homes are the environment that contain many of the aspects that encourage our health or lack of. Some time ago I heard someone refer to our homes as our “second skin” – a type of vital organ of its own, functioning on another level for nurturing, protection, and detoxification.

I have been intrigued with houses as long as I can remember – especially how I feel when I am inside. I didn’t understand at the time but, looking back, I can see how various homes stimulated a sense of welcome or anxiety, creativity or stagnation, joy or depression, etc. I also was intrigued by the construction itself and, together, these things drew me to my involvement in building and renovation – and my evolving interest in healthy homes.

I started my journey in building with a focus on creativity and energy efficiency in house design. As time went along, I became interested in holistic health and the effect our homes have on our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. I also became interested in how our social life and relationships are influenced by the environment we live in. Today I tend to look at many aspects when I consider the design or redesign of a healthy home.

I will detail these aspects in a future post

Filed Under: Healthy Homes

Ross Chapin

October 16, 2010 by Ron

Ross Chapin is an outstanding architectural designer, putting a contemporary flare to traditional cottage design. He focuses on creative small houses with quality green built features. His work is featured in the communities of The Cottage Company in Seattle. Take a look at his website for a sampling of great small house plans.

Filed Under: Small Houses

Oregon Garden Cottages

October 12, 2010 by Ron

These garden cottages are a fantastic example of creative and simple design for small houses. They were built in Portland, Oregon with a a focus on recycled materials in a design that fits their turn of the 20th century neighborhood. At only 364 sq. ft., these cottages are suited to Portland’s progressive environmentally sensitive zoning that allow small houses within greater urban density. Check out this article in the Oregonian for more information.

Filed Under: Small Houses

Fab Cab

October 7, 2010 by Ron

Fab Cab is a great example of the evolution of a systems built prefabricated house. This home kit combines universal design and quality green built features in well designed small house footprints. Visit the Fab Cab website for more information.

Filed Under: Small Houses, Universal Design

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