Environmentally friendly renovations discussion with Debbie Bentley

Designing your house for the future:

Build less

Do you really need to build more and increase your footprint? Think about how you use your house now and list everything that you would like to change. Are there areas in your house that are under-used? These days that is often the formal dining room. Can you change how you think about your spaces and alter them to suit your needs? Many clients are looking for extra room as their children grow, but once they fully grow you will no longer have the space issue. Instead of building onto your house, think about temporary creative solutions. If you need more space for occasional guests, is there a nearby hotel or air bob that they could use? Everyone likes a little bit of space during a visit and would cost a lot less in the long run. Will you stay in the house until you are quite old, intending to age in place? You can plan for that now by increasing door widths and hallways- for example. Since you are investing in your house, make sure it is a place you can easily adapt to as you age. 

Climate Change 

How will the climate in your area change in the years to come? Massachusetts will be getting much more rain and will have more freeze/thaw issues. How do we plan for that? A renown building scientists states that there are 3 issues that affect the longevity of your home, water, water and water. So if your in a climate which is going to have more wet weather, start thinking about how your going to keep the water out of your home. Simple roof design, with minimal junctions, as junctions are what fail in building material. Roof overhangs, bigger gutters, more down spouts, and a plan to keep water away from foundations. At the same time, the water will need to stay on your property and not run over to the neighbor's. In densely populated areas this may mean installing an underground system. It will be easier to implement all of that during your renovation rather than combatting the problems later. d

Remember how our grandparents use to live. 

• ïThe hall vestibule as an airlock between out doors and in. 
• ïCurtains over the front door, to keep the heat in.
• ïBooks on the external wall.
• ïShoes off inside a building… Make sure you have a shoe closet of else you fall over everyone’s shoes. Less dirt in the house=less chemicals=improved indoor air quality
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Use windows wisely

No more than 30 percent of your walls should be windows so pick where they go carefully. Consider restoring or rebuilding your original windows and add storms- you don’t need to replace them with vinyl windows. Maximize your views of nature as that will improve mental health.

Recommended reading:

Welcome to your world : Sarah Williams Goldhagen 

https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Your-World-Environment-Shapes/dp/0061957801

Lily Bernheimer: The Shaping of Us. 

https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Us-Everyday-Structure-Well-Being/dp/1595348727/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+shaping+of+us&qid=1578417465&s=books&sr=1-1

The architecture of happiness: Alain Bottom