Some Thoughts on Building Healthier Spaces
There is a balancing act between design concepts and maximizing the impact of choices with a constrained budget. Choices of materials, products, systems have an impact on indoor air quality and exposure to building components aren’t always good for living creatures.
Here’s a few things the design of a modest home could consider…
Focus on placing the largest windows where there’s a view you’re going to experience the most, for instance the main living space is strategically the best return for placement of a full height multi-slider with thin mullions. Other windows can be standard sizes, not overly wide and minimizing the number of windows on the North side from where predominant Santa Ana winds are anticipated.
Plan for passive cooling – where you open up a few windows on opposite sides of a floor plan or plan for motorized skylights to support air flow / stack effect from ground level to upper level where the heat collects. This helps to reduce the energy use on hot days.
Dry, post burn, construction areas will create dust. So also consider how to build airtight so the house can be sealed during wind dust events with improved filtration through the code required HVAC systems.
Consider the chemicals or the cleaning products required for long-term maintenance. Maybe it’s worth investing in wood flooring and wood wall paneling from a company that uses natural dyes and can refresh their finishes without future sanding of the material, minimizing impact to the household and environment.
With the reality of building a home where the neighborhood is going to be under construction for the next 10 years, the design team has had conversations about the soils and the garden and the air quality. Living “outside” is a feature of Los Angeles lifestyle – and the garden will be a living filter and sponge that will be actively monitored for the next few years. Like many others rebuilding here, this family will become even more attentive stewards of the land under their home.
