Philosophy

I didn't really want to build a house. I had hoped to find a neglected farm house on 10 acres that I could fix up. I didn't really want to start from scratch, something I've never done before. But after 3 years of looking for such a house, I reconciled myself to building.

Since I was building, I naturally wanted a new home to embody everything I think and feel about life on Earth. Wouldn't you? The manufactured home that I lived in during construction was a fine example of what not to do. It was too big (1800 square feet), too cold (little insulation), took no advantage of the 200 days of sun we do get (faced east and was in the trees), and lasted only 30 years. It was, however, partially recyclable as the exterior was aluminum, but most of the rest of it was a toxic hell. And this is not to mention the mold and potential for hanta virus.

The overall goals of this new home were the following:

• Use as little material as possible · Especially copper wiring, and plumbing.
• Use local materials, and labor Reduce waste
• Use recycled and used materials
• Extensive use of biodegradable or 100% recyclable products Goal of no toxins or petroleum-based products
• Designed to maximize available solar energy
• Passive solar heating, solar electricity
• Attractive, unobtrusive design
• Disturb the existing landscape as little as possible

Everything is a trade-off. I am quite well aware that the best choices that can be made today may appear to be folly in the future. In the words of Lyle Lovett, "But what would you be if you didn't even try? You have to try."