"A design that is both functional and beautiful."
Our office, which David designed and built, has 768 square feet and heats with 1/4 cord of wood a year - about 42 gallons of fuel oil or therms of natural gas.
Sarah designed, general-contracted, and owns this home, built at modest cost. Placed on an infill lot within walking distance to town, it's exceptionally energy efficient, comfortable, adaptable, and durable.
"What's the use of a fine house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?" ― Henry David Thoreau.
We passionately believe that solving environmental problems can improve people's quality of life. Our built environment can waste and pollute much less, while becoming healthier, friendlier, lovelier, more durable and more useful than it is now. We recognize that buildings have enormous environmental impacts ― from the materials and fuels they consume to the land they occupy ― and significant impacts on human health and well being. Happily, we've learned that making buildings better for people also makes them better for the environment. Comfort, Performance, Value and Sustainability are all linked. Designing buildings with spaces you'll really use ― and avoiding wasted space ― saves resources and lowers your construction budget. Energy efficiency saves money, while fostering comfort, health and durability. Careful siting avoids problems with drainage and topography, and can also preserve important habitat.
Environmental problems can seem daunting. Sometimes it's hard to believe that many significant solutions are personal and right under our noses ― but they are. They're often found when we search for true quality in our lives, living mindfully and paying attention to what is around us. A thriving environment and thriving humanity are linked. We have been putting that observation into practice since 1994.