To provide tools and resources to help the residents of San Juan County (Washington) design and build sustainable buildings and landscapes, and live an environmentally ‘friendlier’ life.
News
I am currently writing a number of short guides on building sustainable homes and gardens, managing invasive plants and living a greener lifestyle. These will be available later this year (2008). I’ve also been busy attending various course on designing and holding design charrettes, public meetings, facilitation and mediation. All are a vital part of gaining public involvement in the design process.
Since the 90’s I have been very interested in small residential buildings, the smallest I contemplated living in was about 72 SF with a half loft. Probably too small, considering that it was on the rainy Oregon coast. Spending short days and long nights might have been too claustrophobic. The advantages of small homes are low cost, lower heating/cooling bills, less maintenance and the ability to build them in very tight spots, on land that others might deem unbuildable. If you build it small enough you might be able to fit it in a trailer and it becomes a ‘mobile’ home. In many jurisdictions this can be legally placed on properties not zoned for housing. Another use is as a temporary dwelling for camping, building a new home, or as a guest cottage.
Services
I am also going to offer the following services, primarily on Orcas Island, but also to Shaw, Lopez and San Juan (tides permitting).
• Residential energy audits (become more energy efficient, esp. prior to installing solar PV)
• Firewise landscaping
• Invasive plant removal
• Rain garden design & building
Steve can also be booked to talk/present on the above topics.
The National Sustainable Building Advisor Certificate Program is collaboration between Seattle Central Community College, O'Brien and Co. and Seattle City Light. Read more about this valuable nine month course here.
My favorite saying "Never confuse information with
knowledge." (TS Eliot)