Services:

We utilize our experience, connections and aptitude to help homeowners, builders and communities with collaborative ecological building projects.

We offer contracting services, consultations and creative economics through homeowner participation/contracting and educational workshops.

Our Specialties:

Ecological building materials

  • Knowledge of a large breadth of materials and different shades of “green”

  • Special knowledge of using materials available onsite or in the neighborhood

  • Strong network of local, FSC certified and salvaged wood resources

Small Spaces

  • Micro-green Infill and Acessory Dwelling Units (ADU'S)

  • Special nooks and sculptural spaces

  • Garden structures and gathering spaces

Traditional earthen and lime building recipies, using clay and other local materials

  • Earthen plasters and clay/milk paints

  • Polished earthen floors

  • Walls--Cob, Wattle and Daub, Light Straw Clay, Light Woodchip Clay

  • Earthen Ovens, sculptural adobe

Wall Systems

  • Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) Specifically FasWall and Durisol

  • Advanced Wood Framing

  • Straw Bale Wall Systems

  • Lime Stuccoes, plasters and paints

Chemical sensitivities

  • Least-toxic materials

  • Minimizing EMFs (Electro Magnetic Fields)

  • Special Consultations and research

Holistic Site Management

  • Edible Forest Garden Site Design and Installation

  • Rainwater catchment and rain gardens

  • Grey water

Energy efficiency contracting:

• Remodels, additions & small projects
• Super insulated envelopes
• Advanced energy efficiency detailing
• Insulating window inserts
• Wastewater heat recovery
• Consulting and workshops

The Home EmPOWERment Project:

The Home EmPOWERment Project is a neighborhood based, do-it-yourself weatherization program designed to empower people, build community and reduce energy use through neighborhood weatherization work parties and do-it-yourself trainings.

We currently offer two types facilitation of two types of work parties:

1) Neighborhood Weatherization Work Parties

2) Insulating Window Inserts Work Parties

Contact us to find out more

Home Energy Ratings & HERS Indexes:

A home energy rating involves an analysis and modeling of a home’s construction and includes onsite inspections. Using an energy efficiency software package we perform an energy analysis of the home’s design. The rater conducts onsite inspections, typically including a blower door test (to test the leakiness of the house) and a duct test (to test the leakiness of the ducts).

Results of these tests, along with inputs derived from the plan review, are used to generate an energy use model for the home and analyze potential cost/savings benefits of various upgrades. This energy modeling also generates a HERS Index score for the home. The HERS index can be used for Energy Efficiency Mortgages and Federal Tax Credits for energy efficient homes.

Contact us to find out more