• Materials and finishes throughout were extremely low toxic. For example: Locally made Best Paints were used in developing paint treatments (e.g. sponging). Caulkings were by AFM. Cabinets were made from formaldehyde-free Medite II, glued with low-toxic adhesives, finished with low-toxic finish. Natural, sustainably harvested cork was used for the kitchen floors, adhered with a low-toxic adhesive, and finished with low-toxic clear finish. Joint compound was low toxic. Natural wool carpet was used in the den, over a hair and jute pad, held down with tacks (rather than glue.)
• Water filtration was built in.
• Ducted fresh air intake supplies make-up air when range hood is turned on, preventing back-drafting.
• Materials containing CFC's, urea formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, carbon tetrachloride, styrene-butadiene, or trichloroethylene were not allowed on the job.
• Petroleum-fueled generators or heaters were not allowed on site.
• Smoking and the use of fragrances were not allowed.
• Use of pesticides, herbicides and noxious cleaning products was not permitted.

energy & resource conservation

• Where walls were opened up they were insulated.
• Cabinet doors were made of sustainably harvested maple.
• Backer board for ceramic tile & gypsum board had recycled content.
• Full job-site recycling was implemented, including recycling cardboard, paper, packaging, clean wood, palette wood, beverage containers, concrete, bricks, metals, roofing, metals, drywall, paint, glass, & plastics.

lessons learned...

• Would have liked to have been more persuasive in convincing our client to choose an electric range with ribbon elements over a gas range…but, despite my reservations, she has had no problems with it.
• In this project (and in most others to date) I have not yet been successful in spec'ing much energy efficient lighting on residential projects - despite sending my clients to the Lighting Design Lab to actually compare light quality between compact florescent and incandescent lamps.
• The materials testing required an enormous amount of time and effort on everyone's part, and added significantly to design costs. We had to develop a system for tracking and recording results, and passing that info along to the contractor. Even one slip-up could have rendered the house uninhabitable for our client. This system will prove useful on future projects of this type.