Conventional
uses the following regardless of context
|
Earthen Exposure
uses, explores, specs, strives for or advocates any of the
following, or combination within context of project
|
 |
|
Design
detached from the environment, obtrusive, impersonal, money
& prestige |
Design
melded in to each individual environment, personal, well being
& integrity |
Foundation
100% concrete
high embodied energy, polluting
manufacturing |
Foundation
rubble trench w/ bond beam of concrete, pumicecrete, Faswall
or Rastra ICFs; stone; recycled concrete
low embodied energy |
Floor Structure
laminated I-joist elevated above excavated area & covered
with tongue & groove plywood
formaldehyde
offgassing |
Floor Structure
gravel over earth |
Walls
wood or metal stud frame w/ OSB on ext & sheetrock on
int; SIP or ICF
high embodied energy, formaldehyde
offgassing, polluting manufacturing |
Walls
timber frame/strawbale; reclaimed wood frame; wattle &
daub; cob; earthbag; stone; rammed earth in tires; bottles/cans
low embodied energy, uses
easily obtainable local or onsite resorces |
Roof Structure
laminated I-joists or 2x trusses covered w/ OSB
formaldehyde
offgassing |
Roof Structure
solid rafters, timber frame or reclaimed trusses sheathed w/
solid wood or ext grade plywood |
Insulations
fiberglass, EPS
formaldehyde
offgassing, polluting manufacturing |
Insulations
cellulose, wool, straw, cotton, scoria |
Exterior Surfaces
synthetic or cement plasters or stuccos; brick; synthetic
rock; vinyl, metal and fiber cement sidings
high embodied energy, polluting
manufacturing, vapor impermeable trapping moisture |
Exterior Surfaces
earthen &/or lime plasters with integral coloring or lime
washes
low embodied energy, vapor
permeable |
Interior Finishes
oil or latex based primers/paints over gypsum texture/synthetic
plasters & sheet rock; oil stains/varnishes on wood
high vocs,
vapor impermeable trapping moisture
|
Interior Finishes
earthen & lime plasters w/ integral coloring or casien
washes, clay alises; natural oils & beeswax on wood
no vocs, vapor permeable |
Flooring
wall to wall carpeting
&/or minimal linoleum, tile or hardwood finished w/ urethane;
acid stained concrete
chemical
offgassing & trap for pollutants; harsh chemicals |
Flooring
area rugs over earthen floor sealed w/ natural oils and beeswax;
concrete slab w/ integral coloring &/or stained w/ ferrous
& copper sulphates
low embodied energy, no
vocs or harsh chemicals |
Cabinets
plywood &/or particle board
formaldehyde
offgassing |
Cabinets
solid wood &/or straw board |
Power
grid
dependence on ecologically
damaging & polluting sources |
Power
sun, wind &/or microhydro alone or w/ grid
independence & less
ecologically damaging & polluting |
Heating/Ventilation/AC
varying grid dependent mechanisms
high operating energy &
costs |
Heating/Ventilation/AC
sun w/ supplemental wood/cross/mass
low operating energy &
costs |
Water System
municipal or well |
Water System
municipal or well combined w/ rainwater collection |
Waste Treatment
municipal or septic tank/drainfield
100% waste, ecological
polluting |
Waste Treatment
graywater reuse;
composting toilets &/or evapotranspiration systems as
allowed
up to 100% reuse,
non-polluting |
| Landscaping
non-edible w/ introduced rocks, turf,
trees & shrubs irrigated w/ well or municipal water
limited functionality, obtrusive,
requires heavy watering, disease prone, maintenance intensive,
minimal to no food, works against nature |
Landscaping
edible w/ adaptable & indigenous
trees, grasses
& shrubs irrigated primarily w/ graywater & harvested
rainwater
multi-functional, inobtrusive,
requires less water, disease resistant, minimal maintenance,
food producing, works with nature |
