R2R day 9
January 25, 2010, 12:50 PM
Filed under: Buildings, Design, Energy, Green, Living, Ridge to Reef, Water
Filed under: Buildings, Design, Energy, Green, Living, Ridge to Reef, Water
This week we are looking at sustainable building, taught by Ben Jones, and how we can incorporate green, recycled, and sustainable materials into good, efficient design. The farm at VISFI has many such buildings that serve as examples of the type of home or community center you would want to build in its given climate (tropical), to serve its needs (shelter, water, and energy) and to make use of appropriate materials (local sustainably harvested wood).
Today we discussed the principles of green or sustainable building which are:
- use green recycled and sustainable materials
- build passive energy systems
- minimize energy use
- prevent all erosion
- disturb the smallest amount of land possible, and leave as much vegetation possible
- use local materials when possible
When then talked about the steps you would take when designing and implementing a building starting with the conceptual design (what is it that you want to design), the schematic design (how will you design it, construct it), design development (blueprint), and construction documents (permits, zoning requirements, etc.)
As for the implementation phase we discussed steps to follow:
- survey the site
- set up erosion control systems
- foundation work
- sub-floor/electrical, plumbing
- structure
- roof’
- skin (interior and exterior walls)
- windows and doors
- floors/porches
- interior/finish work
During this week our class will have the opportunity to work on several sustainable building projects here on the farm including, thatching a bohio (a traditional Taino hut made of wood posts and palm leaves), laying a wood floor down on a new cabana, and setting up the ground work for a living bamboo jungle gym. This is going to be fun.
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Toxic Waters
Just read a very alarming article about polluted drinking water in the US including a great deal of information on issues with its regulation. This NY Times article is scary and informative, but one thing they do not mention is how bottled water, the one resource one might turn to if they’re drinking water is toxic, is often unregulated and therefor is potentially polluted as well. NRDC has done a 4-year study on bottled water that speaks more to this.
So what’s safe to drink? I am a big fan of tap water and try to avoid bottled at all costs. My suggestion is to do research about the water in your area. If you find that its safe to drink drink as much as you need from the tap and stop buying bottled. To identify safe vs toxic water near you visit NY Time’s Toxic Waters page.
Here my fellow permaculture students are testing the water quality from a back up well on the ashram.
Urban Project #2
Conserve toilet water.
Around 40% of your water use comes from flushing the toilet. You have some choices: Set up a compost toilet system which uses no water, buy a water efficient toilet, or place a brick or jug of water in the bottom of the water tank of your toilet. The last option may be the easiest, cheapest and most comfortable for urbanites.
By placing a brick or plastic jug of water in your toilet you are displacing the amount of water you would normally use in each flush. This typically saves over 1 gallon of water a day if not more.
I love that I randomly took a picture of this toilet and how it’s come in so handy for this post.
Designing a Swale
A swale is a method for rainwater catchment or diversion that is used in permaculture designs. This is both useful in climates that get too much rain and those that receive very little. You create a swale by looking at the contour of your land and digging a ditch into the earth, pushing the soil aside and using this as a raised bed for a future vegetable or flower garden.
Use an a-frame to identify the contours in your land and plan your swale.
Digging the swale.
The swale will often times look like a winding snake, working its way along the contour of the land.
To complete the swale we sheet mulch both the path and soil bed for future planting.
Grey Water/ Rainwater Harvesting
