by Charles Hendricks | Jun 2, 2014 | architecture, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect
Cohousing is a type of development where residents collaborate together on the design of their own neighborhood. The residents create the spaces that work best for the group.
Cohousing residents are committed to living as a community together. The physical design of the homes encourages both social contact and individual space.The homes in this type of development are traditional in features, but typically are smaller as the shared space/ community house offers needed expansion opportunities for those rare occasions it is needed for individual families. The exterior spaces of the community are frequently shared by the entire neighborhood, from playgrounds, courtyards, picnic areas to parking. For more information check out this website.
by Charles Hendricks | May 29, 2014 | architecture, Building Science, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect
Life Cycle Analysis is a system of reviewing the entire history of a product to account for the total impact on the environment. Also known as cradle-to-grave analysis, the process includes analysis of processing of raw materials, manufacturing process, and distribution process to bring a product to market. I also should include an account of the disposal of the product.
This analysis is especially important when selecting building materials for a sustainable structure. The embedded energy it takes to build a new building is incredibly high. A true green building design will look at ways to create a structure that will last 100+ years to offset the embedded energy it takes to create the structure. For instance, using a window that is made locally and is highly durable is much better for the environment than a window that is less money up front, but will begin to fail after only a few years and need to be replaced within 15.
by Charles Hendricks | May 19, 2014 | architecture, Building Science, green term defined
Conservation, to me, is the key to a more energy-efficient future for our built environment. It is the act of preserving, guarding, or protecting the resources we have available on this planet.
Building represent 38.9% of U.S. primary energy use (includes fuel input for production). Source: Environmental Information Administration (2008).
Buildings are one of the heaviest consumers of natural resources and account for a significant portion of the greenhouse gas emissions. Source: Energy Information Administration (2008).
Buildings Represent 72% of total U.S. consumption of energy. Source: Environmental Information Administration (2008).
With stats like these you can see how cutting energy use in existing buildings is a key to our efficiency future. We can do a lot with new buildings, but we have an aging building stock that needs lots of attention. 72% of buildings in the U.S. is over 20 years old. Conservation is the key to improving our building stock and cutting our annual energy use.
by Charles Hendricks | May 12, 2014 | architecture, Building Science, Green Building, green term defined
Those living in the Chesapeake Bay Water Shed are going to start hearing a LOT about stormwater over the next few months. Stormwater is water that comes from precipitation (rain, snow, sleet…) and does not soak into the ground. Stormwater runoff is the concern that is now being addressed in a proactive manner in our area. This surface runoff, which can flow directly into a stream or creek or through storm sewers and eventually becomes surface waters.
The two main concerns of stormwater are flooding and water pollution. We have found ways to battle the flooding issues over the years by building higher, channeling streams to avoid flooding in inhabited areas, and by building detention ponds. Now we are addressing the water pollution aspect of stormwater as we see the negative impacts on our fresh water resources. Runoff from impervious surfaces (roads, buildings, driveways, gravel parking lots) does not soak into the ground and collects chemicals such as oil, engine coolant, and degreasers which ends up in our surface water. Heavy rains on our front yards wash off the excess fertilizers and weed killers we use to keep the lawn green into our watershed. Agriculture uses heavy pesticides and fertilizers to amp up crop growth which also seeps into our streams. Erosion along stream edges and livestock being allowed into streams is also a major problem with our watershed issues. Of course industry has also played a part in the problem over the years as many businesses were developed along waterways to take advantage of the supply of fresh water.
Things that can be done in the building industry to protect our watershed include vegetative roofs, raingardens, cisterns, pervious pavement, and LID (low impact development). Charlottesville, Staunton, and Harrisonburg are MS4s. This requires the city to develop and implement and enforce a stormwater management program. This includes 6 minimum control measures:
1. public education and outreach
2. public participation and involvement
3. Illicit discharge detection and elimination
4. construction site stormwater runoff management
5. post construction stormwater management in new development and redevelopment on prior developed land
6. pollution prevention for municipal operations
by Charles Hendricks | May 5, 2014 | Building Science, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect
Stack Effect is the movement of air into and out of buildings, driven by air pressure, temperature differential, and moisture.
Buildings leak air through walls, interior and exterior, ceilings, crawl spaces, basements, and attics. This movement of air will result in warm air rising in a space forcing a higher air pressure at the highest points in your home. During the heating season, the warmer air riser through a building and escapes through attic access, recessed lights, ventilated attics, unsealed ducts, and top wall plates. The rising warm air pulls cooler air in behind it from outside – through crawl spaces, basement, rim board, bottom wall plate, windows, and doors. Air infiltration is a huge concern in a building as it contributes to comfort issues (drafts), moisture, and higher electric bills. On the other hand, using stack effect in a high performance home to your advantage can help cool your home in the summer months. Creating a solar chimney forms a nature powered air conditioner.
by Charles Hendricks | Apr 28, 2014 | architecture, Building Science, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect
Biophilic design is possibly the most exciting thing that has happened to building design in my lifetime. This term suggests there is an inherit need for humans to connect to other living systems. We hear it on every home design we do – “we want lots of light, connection to the outside, capture the views.”
Biophilic design is the premise that we can learn from nature to create better buildings and build better buildings by connecting to nature. The term “biophilia” means “love of life or living systems.” Biophilic design connects us to nature.If we design buildings that are inspired by nature, they will be healthy, durable, and energy efficient, they may also be biodegradable, non-toxic, and perhaps restorative. According to an article by Fernando Pages Ruiz on EcoBuilding Pulse there are six elements of biophilic design:
1. environmental features
2. natural shapes and forms
3. natural patterns and processes
4. light and space
5. place-based relationships
6. evolved human relationship to nature
The rising warm air pulls cooler air in behind it from outside – through crawl spaces, basement, rim board, bottom wall plate, windows, and doors. Air infiltration is a huge concern in a building as it contributes to comfort issues (drafts), moisture, and higher electric bills. On the other hand, using stack effect in a high performance home to your advantage can help cool your home in the summer months. Creating a solar chimney forms a nature powered air conditioner. 
