What is an open floor plan? An open floor plan is usually defined as a living or work area that has multiple rooms that share a single living space. In a home, these rooms are usually the more public areas such as the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The open floor plan removes the [...]
A geothermal heat pump, also known as a ground-source heat pump, is a central heating and/or cooling system that uses the constant below-ground temperature of soil or water to heat and cool a building. In the cooler months, this system draws heat from the earth or water and brings it inside the building using a [...]
Insulation is a crucial component of energy efficient buildings. It helps keep buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, heating and cooling costs are 50-70% of energy use for the average household in the U.S. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by the ability of the [...]
Sick Building Syndrome comprises of various non-specific health symptoms that appear to be related to spending time in a building (EPA, 2009). To learn more about SBS and the contributing factors of SBS, please see our previous article. Various buildings across the globe have been surveyed for SBS and studied further. An example of a [...]
The often rainy, yet beautifully green Pacific Northwest has a surprisingly accommodating climate for a wide variety of plants to grow and thrive. Tropical-looking, but cold tolerant palms and banana trees have been grown here as well as plants that require chilly temperatures, such as apples, lilacs, and tulips. Despite the ability to grow such [...]
source: housingwire The current housing market in Oregon, especially in Portland, has led to an increase in house flipping. A “flip” refers to a home that is bought, usually renovated, and then sold within one year for a profit. Individuals can flip houses within limits and strict guidelines, however if a business buys [...]
Neighborhoods are more than just groups of buildings. They are where people live, work, play, shop, socialize, and learn. There are neighborhoods called ecodistricts that have this in mind while also considering resource efficiency and environmental sustainability as well as promoting health and well-being. According to EcoDistricts (formerly the Portland Sustainability Institute), these areas are [...]
An Overview of Green Residential Buildings Sustainable homes can offer benefits to everyone involved in creating and inhabiting such dwellings. Residents of green homes can breathe cleaner air indoors as well as save money on operating costs. In the building process, recycled and reused materials can be used whenever possible, which may help to save [...]
An Overview of Green Commercial Buildings Buildings can become green, also known as sustainable, in the design, building, and renovating stages. Green buildings are resource-efficient and the overall impact to the environment is reduced. Operating expenses are lowered, plus employees and visiting clients benefit from greater air quality. Qualities of green commercial buildings include: [...]
The design-build project delivery method combines design and construction services. There is one contract for the project owner. A design-build entity can vary, such as a contractor with knowledge about design, an architect that went into the construction business, or a partnership between a contractor and an architect. Our previous article on design-build includes information [...]
