Sustainable Site seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
Sustainable Site principles include the ability to:
- optimize site potential;
- minimize non-renewable energy consumption;
- use environmentally preferable products;
- protect and conserve water;
- enhance indoor environmental quality; and
- optimize operational and maintenance practices.
Utilizing a sustainable Site philosophy encourages decisions at each phase of the design process that will reduce negative impacts on the environment and the health of the occupants, without compromising the bottom line. It is an integrated, holistic approach that encourages compromise and tradeoffs. Such an integrated approach positively impacts all phases of a building’s life-cycle, including design, construction, operation and decommissioning.
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[title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”single solid” sep_color=”#ffffff” class=”” id=””]Drought Tolerant & Native[/title]
Sustainable landscape practices improve the health and appearance of landscape while protecting and preserving natural resources.
By using native, drought tolerant and non-invasive plants we save time, money and the environment. We save time by landscaping with plants that require less care; we save money by eliminating unnecessary water and chemical use; and most importantly we protect the environment by conserving water, and maintaining a variety of plants, soil organisms, insects and animals to help keep most pests and diseases in check.
Plants
Non-Invasive plants: A plant native to the region. Invasive plants disrupt many natural habitats. It’s a matter of ecology. In some situations these non-native species cause serious ecological disturbances. Ultimately, invasive plants alter habitats and reduce biodiversity.
Native plants: A native plant is one that occurs naturally in the region or ecosystem. Many native plants produce beautiful flowers, fruits and seeds, brilliant foliage and is beneficial to wildlife.
Drought tolerant plants: A drought tolerant plant can survive in dry climates and endure not being watered often. Drought resistant landscaping or xeriscaping, uses minimal amounts of water and maintains healthy and beautiful plants.
Other Features
Reducing overall irrigation is achieved with the rainwater harvesting system, which captures and reuses rainwater. Permeable surfaces were used for the driveway and walkway to prevent run off.
73% vegetative landscape
27% permeable paving
No invasive plants were used. 48 % are drought tolerant plants:
Woody Material
Amelanchier
Magnolia virginiana
Oxydendrum
Vaccinium
Leucothoe
Itea
Ilex glabra
Hydrangea quercifolia
Thuja
Cornus sericea
Kalmia
Perennials:
Schizachyrium
Iris
Liatris
Lobelia
Oenothera
Penstemon
Phlox
Phlox
Aquilegia
Asarum
Aster
Baptisia
Cimicifuga
Coreopsis
Fern
Carex
Panicum
Rudbeckia
Tiarella
Dicentra
Asclepias
Mulch was used to minimize water use.
Rainwatering harvest installed for irrigation, Rainwater is healthier for the plants.
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If sustainability is important to you look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. It’s the best indicator, here in the U.S., that the wood used to make your cabinets, countertops, deck, and more was harvested sustainably.
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[title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”single solid” sep_color=”#ffffff” class=”” id=””]Sustainable ‘Modular’ Build[/title]
Because modular homes are built indoors they can be completed in a matter of a few weeks as opposed to months. These home constructions do not see the typical on-site delays that are predominantly caused by the weather. Modular homes must conform to specific rules, guidelines and building codes that often surpass those of traditional on-site homes.
Waste per square foot diverted from 81 Brent
House size: 3,380 sq. ft.
Pounds of Waste diverted: 17,472 lbs
Waste per sq ft diverted: 5.2 lbs /sq ft
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