2008 Woodie Awards
Ecological-themed house takes root on language row
From the outside, it's not particularly unique. It appears to be just another regular home next to Macalester's language houses. Even the inside of the house is unremarkable. In fact, the only two things that may reveal its purpose are two black panels on
By: Peter Wright
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: News
Renovations to the house were made with the standards of convenience, usability, aesthetics, and functionality, in addition to overall sustainability. According to Lee, one of the biggest projects was the roof.
The old shingles had deteriorated to the point that the roof had to be replaced. Instead of using shingles, the EcoHouse roof was covered in metal sheets, which will last for at least 75 years and are recyclable. A ventilation system was also installed to cool to attic and new insulation was blown into the home.
The panels on the roof are part of a water heating system, which uses sunlight to heat an anti-freeze type substance that runs to the water heater and heats the water without using much, if any, natural gas. Inside, all the appliances were selected for their high-energy efficiency rating, but the living area itself looks like any other house.
Lee emphasized that the house was built with the intention of being able to apply ecological standards with a "homeowner's budget." With the relatively meager budget of $50,000 for the entire renovation, he said that the amount of money was comparable to what anyone planning major renovations on their home would be willing to spend.
Werth, a resident and member of the committee that created EcoHouse, said that day-to-day activities in the home are not that different from regular college life, other than a few small chores like watering the herb plants that were given to the house or taking care of the worms kept in a worm bin in its basement.
The residents are also recording their practices to share as suggestions to future inhabitants. Werth said that the chores aren't a burden; in fact, he said that they enjoy them. He added that more than anything, the biggest change has simply been a heightened awareness of the social aspects of what it means to live ecologically.
"It's not all about technology," Werth said. "It's also about practices, relations, and cooperatives."
The old shingles had deteriorated to the point that the roof had to be replaced. Instead of using shingles, the EcoHouse roof was covered in metal sheets, which will last for at least 75 years and are recyclable. A ventilation system was also installed to cool to attic and new insulation was blown into the home.
The panels on the roof are part of a water heating system, which uses sunlight to heat an anti-freeze type substance that runs to the water heater and heats the water without using much, if any, natural gas. Inside, all the appliances were selected for their high-energy efficiency rating, but the living area itself looks like any other house.
Lee emphasized that the house was built with the intention of being able to apply ecological standards with a "homeowner's budget." With the relatively meager budget of $50,000 for the entire renovation, he said that the amount of money was comparable to what anyone planning major renovations on their home would be willing to spend.
Werth, a resident and member of the committee that created EcoHouse, said that day-to-day activities in the home are not that different from regular college life, other than a few small chores like watering the herb plants that were given to the house or taking care of the worms kept in a worm bin in its basement.
The residents are also recording their practices to share as suggestions to future inhabitants. Werth said that the chores aren't a burden; in fact, he said that they enjoy them. He added that more than anything, the biggest change has simply been a heightened awareness of the social aspects of what it means to live ecologically.
"It's not all about technology," Werth said. "It's also about practices, relations, and cooperatives."
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JAMES LUNDE
posted 10/06/07 @ 8:05 PM CST
Interesting article. The Shaklee headquarters in Pleasenton Ca. has been designed for the purpose of no carbon footprint left. It has many features builders and engineers study at length as it is a first of it's kind in the construction of this type of building. (Continued…)
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