The following pages outline some of the ideas, systems, and thought processes behind the design and construction of this office building.
Purpose: The office was designed to meet several overlapping goals:
1. To create a welcoming, healing environment
2. To create a building that is healthy
· for those who inhabit it
· for those who build it
· for those who make the building materials
· for those affected by the disposal of waste materials
3. To provide myself with a healthy, enjoyable lifestyle, including:
· pleasant, comfortable workplace
· close enough to bike or walk to work from home
· garden potential to supplement home garden space and provide fresh food
· kitchen for fresh, hot lunches
Methods: How did we go about accomplishing these goals?
1. Building Materials
a. Recycled Materials:
1) Ultratouch insulation in the walls, made from recycled cotton
2) Cellulose insulation in the ceiling, made from recycled paper
3) Salvaged interior doors and miscellaneous salvaged materials
b. Nontoxic Materials:
This not only made the construction process safer for us as builders, and healthier for you and I as occupants, it also made waste disposal much easier (e.g. we could burn virtually all of our scrap wood; stray bits of insulation are harmless, as is spilled or leftover stain)
1) naturally rot-resistant wood was used instead of pressure-treated wood in many cases
2) minimal use of plywood – there are less than 6 sheets of plywood in this building, including entry door and kitchen cabinets
3) non-toxic or low-toxic stains, oils, and finishes
4) wool carpet in the treatment room
5) cotton and cellulose insulation
6) real linoleum (made from linseed oil, jute, and other natural materials)
c. Locally Made Materials:
Buying these goods supports the local economy and requires less fuel to transport to New Hampshire
1) sheathing, siding, roof decking, flooring, ceiling beams, and porch frame and rails were all cut and milled in New Hampshire or Vermont
2) roof trusses were made in New Hampshire
d. Durable Materials:
1) metal roof should last several times as long as asphalt shingles
2) esthetic, strong plaster instead of sheetrock
2. Passive Solar Design:
a. Saves on heating fuel by taking advantage of free solar energy to help heat the building
b. Saves on electricity because ample southern exposure provides natural lighting
3. Efficient Design and Technology:
a. Double-wall construction for high insulative value (approximately R-29)
b. Super-insulated ceiling (R-60)
c. Quality, well-sealed windows
d. Insulated shutters or inserts for the windows are used at night to reduce heat loss through the glass
e. Air-to-air heat exchanger for efficient provision of fresh air and reduced infiltration (drafts)
f. On-demand “tankless” water heater
g. Low-wattage lighting
h. Water-conserving toilet (low-flush and extra-low-flush options)
Solar Basics: Free energy from the sun can add both light and heat to a building. Taking advantage of this solar energy can be as simple as paying attention to where the sun is by locating more of your windows on the south side of the building.
The office site was chosen on a south-facing slope, and extra evergreen trees to the south were removed before building. The office faces south and slightly east, so that my treatment room and office on the west corners can get plenty of late-day sun.
You will notice that the majority of the windows in the building are on the south wall. In fact, the north wall has just one small window. Since the north wall gets no sun, and since much of our cold weather and wind come from the north and west, it is important that the north wall is tightly insulated.
You may also notice how southern exposure and window arrangement affects lighting needs in various rooms during the winter. Are the lights on in the treatment room today?
Of course, in the summer no one wants extra heat from the sun. Two simple factors take care of this problem:
1) Leaves grow back on deciduous trees, providing shade.
2) The sun angle gets a lot higher in summer, so much less sun enters the windows.
Purpose: The office was designed to meet several overlapping goals:
1. To create a welcoming, healing environment
2. To create a building that is healthy
· for those who inhabit it
· for those who build it
· for those who make the building materials
· for those affected by the disposal of waste materials
3. To provide myself with a healthy, enjoyable lifestyle, including:
· pleasant, comfortable workplace
· close enough to bike or walk to work from home
· garden potential to supplement home garden space and provide fresh food
· kitchen for fresh, hot lunches
Methods: How did we go about accomplishing these goals?
1. Building Materials
a. Recycled Materials:
1) Ultratouch insulation in the walls, made from recycled cotton
2) Cellulose insulation in the ceiling, made from recycled paper
3) Salvaged interior doors and miscellaneous salvaged materials
b. Nontoxic Materials:
This not only made the construction process safer for us as builders, and healthier for you and I as occupants, it also made waste disposal much easier (e.g. we could burn virtually all of our scrap wood; stray bits of insulation are harmless, as is spilled or leftover stain)
1) naturally rot-resistant wood was used instead of pressure-treated wood in many cases
2) minimal use of plywood – there are less than 6 sheets of plywood in this building, including entry door and kitchen cabinets
3) non-toxic or low-toxic stains, oils, and finishes
4) wool carpet in the treatment room
5) cotton and cellulose insulation
6) real linoleum (made from linseed oil, jute, and other natural materials)
c. Locally Made Materials:
Buying these goods supports the local economy and requires less fuel to transport to New Hampshire
1) sheathing, siding, roof decking, flooring, ceiling beams, and porch frame and rails were all cut and milled in New Hampshire or Vermont
2) roof trusses were made in New Hampshire
d. Durable Materials:
1) metal roof should last several times as long as asphalt shingles
2) esthetic, strong plaster instead of sheetrock
2. Passive Solar Design:
a. Saves on heating fuel by taking advantage of free solar energy to help heat the building
b. Saves on electricity because ample southern exposure provides natural lighting
3. Efficient Design and Technology:
a. Double-wall construction for high insulative value (approximately R-29)
b. Super-insulated ceiling (R-60)
c. Quality, well-sealed windows
d. Insulated shutters or inserts for the windows are used at night to reduce heat loss through the glass
e. Air-to-air heat exchanger for efficient provision of fresh air and reduced infiltration (drafts)
f. On-demand “tankless” water heater
g. Low-wattage lighting
h. Water-conserving toilet (low-flush and extra-low-flush options)
Solar Basics: Free energy from the sun can add both light and heat to a building. Taking advantage of this solar energy can be as simple as paying attention to where the sun is by locating more of your windows on the south side of the building.
The office site was chosen on a south-facing slope, and extra evergreen trees to the south were removed before building. The office faces south and slightly east, so that my treatment room and office on the west corners can get plenty of late-day sun.
You will notice that the majority of the windows in the building are on the south wall. In fact, the north wall has just one small window. Since the north wall gets no sun, and since much of our cold weather and wind come from the north and west, it is important that the north wall is tightly insulated.
You may also notice how southern exposure and window arrangement affects lighting needs in various rooms during the winter. Are the lights on in the treatment room today?
Of course, in the summer no one wants extra heat from the sun. Two simple factors take care of this problem:
1) Leaves grow back on deciduous trees, providing shade.
2) The sun angle gets a lot higher in summer, so much less sun enters the windows.
Jennifer L. Highland, DO
59 Cummings Hill Rd.
Plymouth, NH 03264
(603) 536-4300
59 Cummings Hill Rd.
Plymouth, NH 03264
(603) 536-4300