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.
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.
Your energy bills depend on having a complete thermal envelope. This home owner added insulation to the attic stair which is a good thing. However, there are still problems. The type of insulation used behind the stair only works when it is not compressed and if it creates an air tight seal. Since it is smashed to fit behind the stairs it is not performing as intended and without other measures it is not air tight. There is no air sealing around the stair opening to prevent air leaks into the attic such as weather-stripping. The access itself does not fit tight to the opening when closed adding to the leak. All of these problems hurt the energy efficiency of your home and it impacts your indoor air quality. Make sure all the gaps and cracks in your thermal envelope are tight, complete, and well insulated for the best performance possible.
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:
Rainwater harvesting is the collection of water for reuse before it reaches the aquifer.
Uses include landscape irrigation, car washing, flushing toilets, drinking water, and/or washing clothes. Rainwater provides protection against short-term droughts for keeping your garden alive. It can also reduce the impact of runoff in neighborhood streams and ponds. A rainwater collection system can also be used in the event that public water supply becomes unusable or polluted.
Rain water harvesting systems are easy to set up. You need a collection system like a gutter and roof and a storage system like a barrel or cistern. Adding a filter can prolong the life of your storage system and reduce the first flush pollutants from getting into the system.
In some areas in the mid-west, it is illegal to collect rain water. Charlottesville now has a Storm water Fee based on your impervious surface on your property. This fee may be reduced by having a rainwater harvesting system on your property.
I was at Lowe’s to pick up a couple of new hard hats for the office and there at the end of the check-out counter – a book of plans. Many of our potential clients decide not to hire an architect when they compare paying us to buying a $12 magazine. To them, a new home can be found in a book and you don’t need design to make your dreams come true. A simple tweak here and there and it will be perfect. This will in fact get you a new home – but not a custom home by any definition.
Yesterday as I was driving home, I noticed a sign at the end of a new residential neighborhood – “new custom homes, call us today.” Looking down the street, there are four different homes, built 6-10 times each in this neighborhood. Could it really be that all these people have exactly the same taste, needs, goals, and family demographics. If not, they are simply new homes, and not custom homes.
Last week, a builder told me that he credits me with teaching him about building science. This builder only builds green homes – so I might imply from his statement that I made him better at his core mission. This week, he decided to hire a drafter to design a new home for his clients, because I charge more than drafters. Drafters have little concern for building science and, in many cases, little concern for functional design. Drafters are really good at delivering new homes, but not custom homes.
Good design is required to really have a custom home – a home that is designed for your specific family, way of life, and plans for the future. A home that can adapt to your ever-changing situations. A home that is functional, efficient, healthy, durable, and comfortable. Design costs can be paid for up front on paper or during construction with changes, over sized or poorly designed structural and mechanical systems, lack of efficiency on a monthly basis, and with an inability to stay in that home for a lifetime. Design does not cost more, but lack of design up front will cost a fortune.
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. 
