Unit 1 Housing—Human Factors and Infl uences
102
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
to the living space and controls the amount of heat
entering the house from the greenhouse space.
The back wall on the north side of the housing
is actually built of earth, called a berm. The berm
stores heat collected from the sun.
Recycled products form the building materials for
these homes. For instance, used tires fi lled with earth
form the walls. Then plaster fi lls in the cracks and
forms a smooth surface on the walls. In addition, glass
bottles serve as decoration as well as allow light into
the houses. The glass bottles are cut crosswise and the
bottoms connect to create cylinders. These cylinders
are embedded into walls (Figure 4.14). The bottles
appear as round lights in the photo.
Usually, owners attend workshops on construction
methods and requirements to build the homes. The
building of these homes is very labor intensive. In
general, all these homes are individualized and refl ect
the lifestyle and interests of the owner.
Review & Assessment
1. For each of the following home features, list
one green product: doors and windows; siding
and decking; roofi ng; heating, cooling, and hot
water; and fi xtures and appliances.
2. Name four housing concerns, other than
energy use and conservation, addressed by the
Southface Eco Offi ce and Resource Center.
3. What are the key advantages of Zero Energy Homes?
4. Contrast the features of a Zero Energy Home
(ZEH) with an Earthship home.
Designer Responsibilities
for Sustainable Design
Housing and interiors professionals have
the responsibility to promote and use principles
of sustainable design. Because of the high use of
natural resources in living environments, these
professionals encourage the use of sustainability
through their design.
Professionals in housing and interior design
must know how to incorporate the principles of
sustainable design into buildings and interiors. This
knowledge includes programs that ensure and verify
green or sustainable practices. Some professionals
can be certifi ed in these areas.
Using sustainable design is a good thing
for maintaining the environment now and for
future generations. Also, a trend exists among
clients and consumers who want to include these
Thermal
wrap
Walls of rammed
earth and tires
Metal from recycled
appliances
Solar
panels
Skylights Solar hot
water
Earthship Biotecture, Taos, New Mexico
Figure 4.13 This diagram shows the features of Earthship housing.
Earthship Biotecture, Taos, New Mexico
Figure 4.14 This is the interior of an Earthship
bathroom that uses bottles in the walls for decoration and
transmission of light. The round “lights” are the bottles.