"Changing the Health of Buildings to Save Our Lives"

Everything old is new again! The pioneers used straw bale construction for their homes in the Great Plains. Now this technique has been updated for the 21st century.

Straw bales are made from the waste of the agricultural industry. It is a substitute for lumber and still sequesters carbon. Just be aware that the walls will be thicker than a conventional stick frame home. These thick well insulated walls offer a very high R Value. Contrary to what you might believe, straw bale homes are resistant to fire and can match your favorite aesthetic. 

Earth construction is one of the oldest durable techniques for building structures. Think Great Wall of China! These days, it can be seen in luxury homes creating dramatic and durable walls which resemble sedimentary rock. 

Rammed earth walls (or even floors) can be used as thermal storage, allowing the sun to warm them in the day and then slowly release the warmth in the cool evenings

A study published by the National Research Council of Canada showed that in the summer months, a green roof will reduce cool air loss by 70-90%, greatly reducing the demand for air conditioning. The GSA found similar efficiency figures, stating that green roofs can act as an insulating layer and reduce heat flux (transfer of heat through a building’s roof) by up to 72%.

Bamboo just might be the perfect sustainable alternative to wood. Although it resembles wood aesthetically, bamboo is actually a member of the grass family — meaning bamboo regenerates extremely quickly as compared to trees.  In fact, bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet — depending on the type of bamboo and the region, sometimes up to 3 feet per day! 

Shipping containers are a great example of some truly high-quality waste in our society. There are millions of containers around the world, and they’re typically only used for shipping for about 20 years; at that point they’re often retired and disposed of, even though they’re still in great condition. Not only are the containers plentiful — they’re inherently durable, relatively inexpensive, and eco-friendly (since they’re reclaimed material). It comes as no surprise that these highly durable containers are making their way into the green building scene.

ECOS Paints are not only no-VOC paints, free of that “new paint” odor (polyurethane) that can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues, their Atmosphere Purifying Paint has advanced VOC-filtering technology which absorbs and neutralizes chemicals, pollutants, solvents, and VOCs for improved indoor air quality.