Below is a guest blog posting by friend and colleague Brenda Nunes with the Sustainability Foundation. I hope you enjoy!
- Jayme Carleton, Second Nature
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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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