Sustainable Design philosophy incorporates interior design aesthetics with sound building science and sustainability practices. What you see—the beautiful fabrics and finishes—are the icing on the cake. What’s underneath contributes mightily to how comfortable a home is.
Our Owner’s Representative services help guide the construction process to make sure that both the icing on the cake—the fabrics and the finishes— and sound sustainable building practices, work together to create a beautiful and comfortable home. In essence, we provide a measure of quality assurance that goes far beyond what other designers can offer.
Insulate
The foundation, walls and roof must be insulated and air tight, yet moisture needs to be able to escape. The more insulation carefully chosen and installed, the fewer drafts and the lower heating bills. Corners and areas where metal meets other materials are likely spots where cold, outside air finds its way inside. Even apartments within a large building should be compartmentalized so that cooking odors and pests from common areas do not enter your space.
Restore and Reuse
Restoring pre-war hardware, reusing doors and refurbishing floors not only often yields a higher quality product, but also saves in dumpster and demolition costs. This lightens the construction load on the environment and spares landfills.
Light and Air
Introducing light and air have long been central tenets of healthy living--bedrock of design and architecture. Energy efficient heating, cooling and ventilation systems, operable windows and, in some rooms, overhead fans, ensure clean air to reduce respiratory problems. Materials such as paints, cabinetry and carpeting, are chosen to avoid chemicals that harm air quality. Mirrors, reflective papers and color choices make the most of natural light.