Hello!

I hope you have been enjoying your summer so far...

My general rule of thumb for sustainability is to keep things as simple and natural as possible, using nature around us as a model to work from. In terms of building design, I stress the importance of passive heating and cooling principles by paying attention to natural patterns of the sun (ie: using permaculture concepts) rather than relying primarily on technological equipment such as solar panels for energy efficiency. I focus on the efficiency and functionality of the interior space to minimize the building footprint rather than maximizing square footage.

As an Ojai resident, I am fortunate to live with pleasant temperatures during most of the seasons. But the summers can get uncomfortably warm with temperatures well above the 90's. The east end of Ojai, where I live, is much further from the cool ocean breezes of Ventura. But I try to adopt the same strategies for living a simple, sustainable lifestyle wherever I am.

For example, I live in a small 500 square foot dwelling without air conditioning. Even in rising temperatures, I find that opening the windows and using the ceiling fans provide the cross ventilation I need to cool the space. With sufficient wall insulation and strategically located windows, I don't feel the need for additional air conditioning. Besides, forced air heating and cooling contribute to health problems such as asthma.

With so many media blitzes on "green this and green that", we are experiencing information overload on how to be ecologically-minded. It is becoming increasingly difficult to make the right choices for the planet and for ourselves.

I believe in design strategies that promote simplicity, efficiency and economy, and always being reverent to our natural environment. For me, sustainability is closely related to sufficiency: being content in having enough and not lacking in anything else.

In the words of Mies van der Rohe, my approach for sustainability is:

"Less [truly] is More"

How about you? How do you define sustainability?... I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, and stay cool wherever you are.

Best wishes,
v i n a l u s t a d o

On June 29 at the Built Environment Council meeting for the Ojai Valley Green Coalition (OVGC), Caprice Pitcher and I presented a project to build a sustainable modular structure for an innovative community learning center. The intent of the collaboration is two-fold: 1- to develop a modular system of construction that is affordable, ecological and able to serve a variety of purposes; 2- to provide a learning center that promotes nature at the center of its philosophy. The structure is loosely based on the guesthouse prototype (picture above) that is featured in my website.

During the meeting, OVGC members voted unanimously to move forward with the project. Since then, we have received a lot of interest from individuals and organizations to help in the project, from modular home fabricators to other green building professionals. I am truly grateful to all those interested parties - it gives me hope and optimism that our community is ready for something like this!

One of the main challenges we are facing is finding land to build the structure(s). If you can help, please contact me. Or if you are interested in participating in this project, you can read the project proposal and contact me for more information.

Caprice and I are currently working out the organizational details as well as the funding for the project. Any form of support is much appreciated!

I recently attended a design conference in LA called "Dwell On Design". It featured a lot of movers and shakers in modern residential designs with a focus on sustainable building. In addition, there were a lot of prefab manufacturers such as pieceHomes (pictured above), bluHomes and OHomes. I also found a lot of new innovative building materials such as the flexible partitioning system by molo design.

One of the main reasons I made the 3-day trek to LA was to hear the architect, William McDonough, speak about his book Cradle to Cradle. He is considered by many to be one of the most progressive thinkers in sustainable design. I certainly appreciate his inspiration and vision for a new conceptual framework.

Towards the end of the lecture, however, I questioned the real motivation for "Cradle to Cradle" certification, another process by which to certify products for sustainability. Similar to LEED, I couldn't help but feel it is another opportunity to commoditize the way in which to preserve our planet. Especially when he gets $50,000 a pop for each one of his lectures.

I welcome your thoughts on this, especially as a green building professional. Take a look at this article on McDonough published previously in 2008, but one I feel is relevant for today as well.