I wanted to share this article with you all. Even though I personally promote and support sustainable gardening practices, I know that a few members in my family use Roundup. My hope is that this article will persuade them to change their ways and leave the chemicals out of their gardening routine.

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

WASHINGTON – Industry regulators have known for years that Roundup, the world’s best-selling herbicide produced by U.S. company Monsanto, causes birth defects, according to a new report released Tuesday.

The report, “Roundup and birth defects: Is the public being kept in the dark?” found regulators knew as long ago as 1980 that glyphosate, the chemical on which Roundup is based, can cause birth defects in laboratory animals.

But despite such warnings, and although the European Commission has known that glyphosate causes malformations since at least 2002, the information was not made public.

Instead regulators misled the public about glyphosate’s safety, according to the report, and as recently as last year, the German Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, the German government body dealing with the glyphosate review, told the European Commission that there was no evidence glyphosate causes birth defects.

Published by Earth Open Source, an organization that uses open source collaboration to advance sustainable food production, the report comes months after researchers found that genetically-modified crops used in conjunction Roundup contain a pathogen that may cause animal miscarriages. After observing the newly discovered organism back in February, Don Huber, an emeritus professor at Purdue University, wrote an open letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting a moratorium on deregulating crops genetically altered to be immune to Roundup, which are commonly called Roundup Ready crops.

In the letter, Huber also commented on the herbicide itself, saying: “It is well-documented that glyphosate promotes soil pathogens and is already implicated with the increase of more than 40 plant diseases; it dismantles plant defenses by chelating vital nutrients; and it reduces the bioavailability of nutrients in feed, which in turn can cause animal disorders.”

Although glyphosate was originally due to be reviewed in 2012, the Commission decided late last year not to bring the review forward, instead delaying it until 2015. The chemical will not be reviewed under more stringent, up-to-date standards until 2030.

“Our examination of the evidence leads us to the conclusion that the current approval of glyphosate and Roundup is deeply flawed and unreliable,” wrote the report authors in their conclusion. “What is more, we have learned from experts familiar with pesticide assessments and approvals that the case of glyphosate is not unusual.

“They say that the approvals of numerous pesticides rest on data and risk assessments that are just as scientifically flawed, if not more so,” the authors added. “This is all the more reason why the Commission must urgently review glyphosate and other pesticides according to the most rigorous and up-to-date standards.”

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Underground Home

I drive from my home in Bellevue to Eastern Washington quite frequently and the one thing that I don’t like seeing are the pimple-like houses which stand out on the mountain peaks. Why does someone feels they can destroy the mountain side in that way? Why not build into the mountain side instead of making your home stand out so much?

I came across this amazing Swiss house and felt I had to share it. It is buried under the earth with only a small portion peaking out; requiring very little heating or air conditioning. This thoughtfully designed and constructed building lives in harmony with its surroundings. The house is very glamourous with all of the necessary amenties such as a full culinary kitchen, guest rooms and entertainment areas. There are even underground pathways – how cool!!!

- Jayme Carleton, Second Nature

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

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Scraper City

I came across this article at Inhabitat and was instantly fascinated. I love the movie Water World and yet it never seemed feasible to have floating water structures or cities. Little did I know!

A special mention in the 2010 eVolo Skyscraper Competition, this project bridged the preconceived skyscraper model to create an underwater skyscraper paradise that harvests renewable energy, grows its own food and sustains life. The annual eVolo Skyscraper Competition is a forum for the discussion, development, and promotion of innovative concepts for vertical density. It examines the relationship between the skyscraper and the natural world.

Sarly Adre Bin Sarkum’s Water-Scraper concept utilizes a variety of green technologies such as generating its own electricity using wave, wind, and solar power and producing its own food through farming, aquaculture, and hydroponic techniques. The surface of the submerged water-scraper sustains a small forest, while the lower levels contain spaces for its inhabitants to live and work. The building is kept upright using a system of ballasts aided by a set of squid-like tentacles that generate kinetic energy.

I am so happy that we have visionaries who think up these great ideas and I look forward to the day we actually see a structure like this!

- Jayme Carleton, Second Nature

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

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- Jayme Carleton, Second Nature

Exterior

Green industry standards can be a challenge on their own, but add ADA-compliant design and challenges can reach another level. Using Central Washington Built Green’s guidelines, Nine Pine Developments and 4D Architects in Washington state created a Five Star Green home — the highest rating — that is ADA-compliant for a homeowner in a wheelchair.

“It was much more challenging to make it green and ADA. When you do ADA-compliant, you have to allocate more space. But one of the major aspects to building green is to not build more than you need,” says Ben Mulder, designer and principal, 4D Architects, Kirkland, Wash.

The house is located in a community where homes must be minimum Three Star-rated by Central Washington Built Green guidelines. Therefore, this home started out as a Three Star, but changed after plans were drawn. “It turned into a demonstration home, which is typically Five Star green,” says Travis Gibson, managing partner, Nine Pine Developments, Cle Elum, Wash. “It was up to the homeowner to set it up as a demonstration home. We put on a tour of homes, and then the home is open three weeks after the tour to allow contractors to showcase their work.”

Because it was a demonstration home, it required more management than a typical project. “I met with the homeowner when it was decided that it was to be a demonstration home and talked about the cost increase,” Gibson says. “Our goal was to see if we could meet budget and give them green products above and beyond. We saved in some areas and others were above budget.”

Green systems that were added to the project include: metal roof with an integrated solar panel system; solar hot water system; and structural insulated panels, to name a few.

Building Science

One of the first steps to building a green home is to look at the site. Built in an area where all four seasons occur, it was important to take advantage of the sun in winter, and shade in summer. “My take was how we could best respond to nature. Let’s start by designing to minimize exposure to cold, maximize exposure to sun, create areas that are shielded from the wind, and create ways for light to get into the house,” Mulder says.

The house couldn’t be positioned with only green in mind. They had to consider all the ADA guidelines, and how the homeowner was going to use the space, including the driveway. “The client wanted to negotiate the driveway in his [wheel]chair which puts limits on [its design], so it had to be longer and not as steep,” Mulder says. “And the garage and porch had to be on the same level, which posed some challenges in snow country — don’t want melting snow to get into the house.”

The house was sunk into the lot, which also helped protect it from the wind and keep the home at a moderate temperature. “Parts of the walls are in the ground. We took a slice off the top of the lot and put dirt in front and back,” Mulder adds.

The main living area was designed to take advantage of southern sun exposure. The winter sun warms this area, and is protected from the summer sun by a larger overhang.

Not everything within ADA guidelines made it difficult to meet green standards. Actually, much of the accessibility options added points on the green scale, says Chris Jansen, managing partner, Nine Pine Developments. “Concrete floors, which were a must for the homeowner, made it easy to do slab-on-grade and radiant heat,” he says. In addition, the home features automated upper windows similar to a clerestory. This fit into green guidelines for air ventilation as well as accessibility.

“I went with an aggressive architectural concept that I would not have tried on other people. It allowed me to do some unorthodox things.”
Ben Mulder, designer and principal, 4D Architects

Learning Curve

The homeowners had never been part of a custom home project, adding to a list of challenges faced on this project. Nine Pine Developments was more than the builder — it acted as researcher and educator to the
homeowners, too.

“[The homeowners] didn’t really know anything about green building. They didn’t know much in the beginning but they learned a lot,” Gibson says. “They did a lot of research but it was tough because they needed to keep up with the schedule and make decisions.”

The homeowners did research on their end by looking online and visiting showrooms, but Nine Pine gave a complete overview of each product to determine if it was valuable to the project. “It was our job to do the research and see if it would fit in the budget. And if not, what would the cost be,” Jansen says. “We did the homework and presented it to them.”

Success

The success of its design falls on the clients’ willingness to do something different, Mulder adds. “I went with an aggressive architectural concept that I would not have tried on other people. It allowed me to do some unorthodox things,” he says.

By unorthodox, he means the roof, which contributed to the home’s green nature. “They allowed me to design a roof so it shed snow away from where they don’t want it,” Mulder says. “Snow won’t fall in front of any doors, or block patios.”

Mulder worked closely with the clients, especially in regard to understanding which accessibility features they needed. This included visits to the homeowners’ current home, which allowed Mulder to see what worked and didn’t work, as well as provided a reference point when discussing design for their new home.

In addition, Mulder worked closely with Nine Pine. Though this was the first time the two businesses worked together, both said it was a close and successful partnership. “We were pretty experienced in that area of the mountains,” Mulder says. “And these builders are also experienced in this area. We had a team: the owner, builder and us.”

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My favorite idea is guerrilla gardening. Guerrilla gardeners believe in reclaiming idle spaces and taking action, assigning a new use or purpose for a public area, usually neglected or abandoned. The movement is also about learning how to grow your on food, making your area a nicer place to live and meeting new people.

My second favorite ideas is eco graffiti. Eco graffiti is about spreading a message without the use of sprays or paints, as they contain really toxic and harmful chemicals. Instead, artists use moss (the most popular), grass or other natural elements.

- Jayme Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

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- Jayme Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Green Mixes With Universal Access in a New House Built in Suncadia
By KATIE ZEMTSEFF
Journal Staff Reporter

Tour Event

The Carrs’ house was designed by 4D Architects and built by Nine Pine Developments.

When Mike and Susie Carr decided to build a vacation home at Suncadia in Cle Elum, they wanted a house that was both sustainable and accessibile to everyone. The result is wheelchair-friendly, but it also offers a number of lessons about design for an aging population.

Universal access means all people of all abilities can use a space. The project is called the Green Access Home at Suncadia, and it opens this weekend at 4047 Swiftwater Drive.

The 2,000-square-foot home is in Suncadia’s Nelson Preserve and has targeted 5 Star Built Green. Weekend public tours will begin later this month.

Mike Carr offers one lesson: With a little thought, people can build a house they can live in long-term. Carr, a director of software development at Amazon.com, has been in a wheelchair since 1996, but he said universal design is useful for everyone. Having a house that can easily accommodate aging people adds value because you can live in it longer.

“One of the tips we got from our architect is envision how you’re going to use the space,” he said. “Especially for a vacation home because people use them when they are retired. You don’t want to build it out, finally retire and not be able to use it.”

The house was designed by 4D Architects and built by Nine Pine Developments. The Carrs live in Bellevue and plan to use it as a vacation home for themselves and friends. It has three bedrooms and two baths.

Carr said it is interesting to watch how universal design and sustainability intersect. For example, he said the house is smaller to make it more sustainable but that also makes it more accessible.

The single-level house sits on a ridge with an elevation change. In front, the house has a long driveway, creating less of a grade change. A viewing deck in back extends about 50 feet from the house, making it easier for people in wheelchairs to experience the outdoors. Carr said the deck will let him watch elk and other wildlife.

The house has smooth, easy to navigate concrete floors. Windows are lower so a seated person can get a better view of the outside. Door handles are another focus. As people age, many develop arthritis, making it hard to turn knobs. The Green Access home has levers on the doors rather than knobs.

The house has wide doors and corridors, a roll-in shower, lower light switches and appropriate tub and bed heights. It has a front loading washer and dryer and an easy access pantry.

One challenge was the kitchen. Countertops are low but a wheelchair user still needs to be able to roll under them, leaving little room for a standard sink. The team used a poured concrete countertop with a built-in sink: “It’s hard to get that out of the box.”

The house is well insulated so air flow was a concern. The team added remote controls that allow Carr to open and close the top part of windows, so hot air will flow out of the home.

Green design also forced some innovative solutions. The guest bedroom, for example, was originally slated to have two twin beds, but that would make it difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. The Carrs added a sleeper sofa instead. “If we weren’t being green, we would have built it bigger with beds that aren’t used. Now it’s cozier and mostly a study,” he said. “It led to a better use of the room.”

The house was sited based on the sun and prevailing winds. A large overhang and eaves will protect the house from passive solar gain. It is built into a hillside, which will provide cooling during the summer.

Susie Carr, a naturopath, wanted a strong emphasis on indoor air quality and non-toxic paints and finishes.

The house has solar energy and a solar thermal heating system will warm water for the radiant system in the floors.

With green systems, Carr said the team had to be concerned about payback. But designing for universal accessibility mostly involved smart design and configuration with no added cost.

Carr said visitors wouldn’t know the house is different if they don’t know the history.

“It’s not like you have to have a giant wooden ramp in front of it,” he said. “The whole intent is to make it accessible without being obviously accessible. Good design is accessible.”

Other groups that have been involved in the project include the Sustainability Foundation, the Central Washington Built Green Association, Senger Construction and Second Nature.

Public tours will be given from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10. On Sept. 18 and 19 the project will be featured during the Kittitas Tour of Homes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information or to learn more about the tour, visit www.greenaccessatsuncadia.com/about.

For the full article click here.

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- Jayme Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

…

Why do we do it?

So often in the green building industry we get caught up talking about what level of green we have achieved or how much energy we have saved.  All of that is a step in the right direction but missing the heart and soul of green and sustainable living.  It is easy to overlook some of the qualitative aspects of green building (especially as it pertains to a second home) when trying to meet the required and measurable objectives of green building.   But, a well designed Built Green home not only meets the metrics for energy, it should also support a healthy active lifestyle and utilize both indoor and outdoor living spaces.  This can be done:

• By carefully choosing products and systems that are durable, timeless and have low maintenance requirements, a home owner can spend far less time maintaining their home and will not have to replace due to obsolescence or style;
• By eliminating the lawn and other formal landscaping  and replacing it with natural drought tolerant landscaping, yard upkeep is minimal and the home blends in with its natural surroundings;
• By designing the home to integrate indoor and outdoor living, a smaller building feels more comfortable and accommodates more living.

The Green Access Home in Suncadia is smaller than many other Suncadia homes but lives big.  The family and design team carefully designed indoor and outside spaces to blend together and complement each other so that extended family and friends could congregate comfortably and create memories together.  Products and materials were selected to last the test of time, both from durability and a style aspect, and create a simple, casual and cozy environment.  That means the Carr’s will have more time to enjoy all of the activities that Suncadia and Central Washington has to offer.  They will have time to visit the Roslyn Farmers Market on Sundays this summer to pick up some great heirloom tomatoes and make my new favorite side dish; an easy to prepare simple addition to any great bbq meal.

BRENDA’S HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD (the secret is fresh seasonal food!)

• Heirloom tomatoes-cut into small chunks
• Fresh shelled peas or fava beans blanched
• Olive oil
• Fresh garlic and other herbs; salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly shave parmesan
• Bed of fresh pasta (I like Trader Joes Lemon pepper  Pappardelle Pasta)

Cook pasta, cool and toss lightly with drizzled olive oil and spread on a platter; mix tomatoes, peas or beans, olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper.  Layer tomato mixture on top of pasta.  Enjoy!

- Brenda Nunes, guest blogger

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1. Upgrade the Front Door A new front door instantly enhances your home's appearance, and what's more, it can greatly increase resale value. A recent study by door manufacturer Therma-Tru found that upgrading the front door of a house increased the perceived value of a $190,000 home by almost $8,000. Estimates for new entry doors start around $2,500, so you could actually make back triple the money you spend. Jayme Tip: Be sure to get two or three quotes for the front door. Manufacturers can vary a lot in pricing and installation fees.

2. Take Care of the Landscaping Curb appeal starts with quality landscaping that enhances the style of your home. Landscaping doesn't have to be expensive; only well-thought-out, interesting, and cohesive. Pick a theme for plantings (native, tropical) and stick with it. Jayme Tip: Visit a local nursery for advice. Many nurseries carry pre-planted pots of plants or have plants grouped together, ready for purchase, which will give you the most street appeal for the least amount of money. Nurseries are making it very easy now for homeowners to do amazing landscape designs. And remember – be sure to pick plants native to your area. You want plants which are drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering.

3. Give the Garage a Facelift Plain beige or white garage doors are a thing of the past. Today's market offers beautiful alternatives such as carriage doors made of composite materials. Keep what's behind the doors beautiful, too. To tidy up the space, add built-in storage or use cabinets, shelves, or pegboards. Jayme Tip: Once again, be sure to get two or three quotes for the garage door. Manufacturers can vary a lot in pricing and installation fees. I am a huge fan of carriage doors as they have an elegant, old world flair.

4. Update Your Hardware Get new house numbers, a new mailbox, and a door latch with the same finish to give your exterior a cohesive, stylish look. Jayme Tip: Check out Home Depot for options. Before buying however, check out the local salvage stores as they receive a lot of left over items from builders and remodelers. There are a lot of good deals at salvage stores as well as eye catching pieces. My favorite Seattle-based stores are Second Use or Re-Store.

5. Install Outdoor Lighting Properly planned and installed outdoor lighting can add safety, drama, and interest to your home. Path lighting should also be an integral part of your outdoor lighting plan. Jayme Tip: Home Depot and Lowes carry many types of solar outdoor lighting. No need to hook up electricity for lighting when you could invest in something which uses natural solar energy and wouldn’t cost you money to run.

- Jayme Mattson

http://jaymemattson.com

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Ground penetrating radar has been used for years to detect things underground, from utilities to Saddam Hussein in hiding. Recently, the Seattle Department of Transportation realized it might have a new use for the technology: identifying the location and size of tree roots.

Shane Dewald, senior landscape architect for SDOT, said the idea was born when she was a guest presenter at a local class. A student asked if she had ever used ground penetrating radar before. She answered that she had not but would look into it.

That day, she learned SDOT has used it for exploration and infrastructure but never specifically for tree roots.

Dewald was referred to Sammamish-based GeoRadar Imaging, who agreed to take on a test project at no cost.

GeoRadar is a family-owned business that was founded in 2003. It uses a machine that transmits high-frequency electro-magnetic pulse energy into the ground through an antenna.

Radar measures the time it takes for a pulse to travel to and from a target, which indicates depth and location. This creates an image, allowing someone to “see” into the ground.

Robert Schall, project manager with GeoRadar Imaging, said most of the company’s work comes from scanning post-tensioned cables and rebar in concrete. It does underground storage tanks, septic tanks, utility and roadway imaging. It also recently scanned the entire sidewalk area along the Seattle waterfront, searching for possible voids.

Schall said the company has spent a lot of time dealing with tree roots when trying to find things like underground pipe but had never used the radar to search for them before. Tree roots, he said, are essentially just like a pipe in the ground. They are denser than the dirt around it so the scanner can identify them.

Often, roots have been a source of frustration for the company. But as GeoRadar dealt with them, the company learned more about how they grow and how to identify them. Now that frustration may lead to a new business venture.

“We may be able to solve some of these problems,” Schall said. “It’s kind of a new avenue. You’ve got to be diverse in this market.”

To show SDOT what radar could do, the two set up a test-run. In February, Schall and his team used radar to look at the roots of sweet gum trees that were planted in the 1970s along Fourth Avenue in front of City Hall. Different groups of city engineers came down to look at the process.

The roots did not look like roots. Viewers, Dewald said, must remind themselves they are looking at a cross section of land.

“It’s sort of like a foreign language when you see the image.” Schall said radar images slice the ground in half and let you look in, similar to how an apple looks when it is sliced down the middle.

Schall said doing a scan before doing work or buying property can often end up saving lots of money.

Major potential

Both Schall and Dewald see major potential for city use of the technology. When tree roots cause problems like buckling sidewalks, it can be hard to fix without removing the tree. But tree removals are expensive, often require closing a street or sidewalk, and take away an important community asset.

Instead of removal, Schall said the technology could save the tree by getting a more accurate picture of its roots. Tree roots, he said, come in varying shapes, sizes and directions. If a tree is deeply rooted, it may be possible to safely remove smaller roots near the surface to allow development or ease problems.

“It costs the city a lot of money to replace trees,” he said. “You’ve got all that shade and that canvas that can take you years and years to grow … and then you just hack them down. It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Dewald said old trees are a public asset worth between $10,000 to $20,000 each that the city wants to keep.

Even if trees were not so valuable, their removal is expensive. Dewald said tree removal can run around $1,000 while buying a new tree and caring for it in its early life can run $500. That does not include the cost of closing sidewalks or streets to remove trees, or the environmental benefits of keeping an existing tree.

Dewald said the city will use the technology in the future. It could be used to enhance public safety and preserve trees in the best way possible. It could also be used to balance the city’s interest in preserving trees with development.

Seeing where tree roots are located, she said, would let the city understand how close a building can be sited to a tree or how close construction can occur. “I think this technology can help them kind of get as close as they possibly can and yet still be able to retain the tree.”

However, the technology is pricey so it won’t be used everywhere. Dewald said a radar ground scan would cost a minimum of $500 and likely would not be used unless a $1,000 investment is considered worthwhile.

“In comparison with the tree value that we have and the value that property owners place on being able to make the highest and best use of their private land to get an analysis that helps you free up construction space and still retain a tree, it’s very much cost justifiable.”

Dewald said the city could use the technology for projects related to the city’s right of way. Immediately, she said it could be used on the city’s Mercer corridor project. Mercer Street has some valuable trees on it near Broad Street. The city, she said, will need to be very sensitive about how construction is done around trees it chooses to retain.

“I’m thinking Mercer might be a project in the near term … that deserves the extra bit of TLC to make sure that they survive.”

As the city moves toward waterfront redevelopment, trees surrounding the Alaskan Way Viaduct project or along the waterfront could also be a focus.

Years ago, Dewald said the city experimented with an earlier version of the technology but did not find it very useful. She said she thinks many jurisdictions may have done the same thing.

Now that the technology has progressed, she said more people involved in tree protection and sustaining urban forests might consider it and find it useful.

For more information, visit www.georadarimaging.com.

- Jayme Mattson

http://jaymemattson.com

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Green Alley

This contest was forwarded to me by fellow greenie Eliece G. from Bothell, WA. This looks like a wonderful opportunity for anyone inspiring to make a difference to our streets and living spaces. Think multiple use people! Imagine, your current alley full of plants, maybe a small fountain (using an energy efficient pump), a few chairs and a small table; it is now a communal space people want to be in. Imagine reading a book, socializing with your neighbor, eating lunch… the possibilities are endless!

Great City is Pleased to co-sponsor the Green Alley’s Competition!

Seattle’s alleys offer intimate, small-scale spaces that, properly staged, invite people to walk and promise a host of sustainability benefits. Introducing greenery to Seattle’s forgotten spaces can create a small ecological system of its own by filtering city runoff before it hits the Puget Sound.

How green is your alley? The City of Seattle, the International Sustainability Institute, People for Puget Sound, and the AIA Seattle is sponsoring a contest on how to green our alleys. An all-star cast of designers, planners, residents and other alley-lovers will judge the entries for their originality, cost-effectiveness and practical implementation.

Join us in a unique design competition to green Seattle’s alleys.

For more information send an email to:
green_alleys-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

OR email darby.watson@seattle.gov

Guiding Principles

Alleys are a key resource in Seattle. Traditionally restricted to service uses, the Clear Alleys Program has opened up opportunities to use alleys in different ways. This design competition is focused on potential new uses that in combination could add functionality to our transportation and ecological systems as well as improving the aesthetic and community-building elements of our City. Below are some guiding principles to help you in your design of Seattle’s best Green Alley:

Green alleys should:

• Welcome pedestrians, both as walkways and places to visit
• Incorporate green stormwater infrastructure in both functional and aesthetic aspects
• Encourage building design to provide doors, windows, and other elements that support non-service uses
• Continue to provide access for service vehicles

For more information about this contest, please click “here“.

- Jayme Mattson

http://jaymemattson.com

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