D E S I G N F E AT U R E
Sustainable
Spaces
The latest earth-friendly trends in homes and gardens By Kamala Kirk
M
any designers and builders are turning to more sustainable options in order to preserve natural resources, protect our ecosystem and improve the quality of our lives. A sustainable home has the least possible negative impact on the environment by being energy-efficient and using resources and materials in a responsible manner. “Americans, and society in general, are spending more time in their homes,” says Renee Wolfenson, CEO of Casa Stilo Inc., a luxury fullservice interior design studio whose projects include Pasadena Terraces and Pasadena Villas by etco Homes. “The health and well-being of the buyer is more important than ever. Builders and designers are rethinking of how
to design, use and occupy a space. We think of future benefits for the environment. Designers are looking for ways to improve the way people feel inside a building by using materials of reusability, recyclability, waste reduction, energy and water savings, how a product is made, where it is made, how it gets to us and the life cycle of a product. The benefits of living in a sustainable environment are helping to accelerate climate solutions and improve our environmental footprint by reducing waste, saving water and energy, using recycled materials and cutting down on pollution. Longevity is the goal for next generations, not just ours.” From going solar and recycling water to using energy-saving appliances and incorporating sustainable
Materials Some of the popular sustainable materials that Ramirez recommends for homes include bamboo, recycled glass, recycled metal, aluminum, decomposed granite and recycled concrete. She also uses pervious materials on the ground and cedar siding wherever she can. “Cedar is a renewable resource, which means it takes much less energy to produce it compared to other manmade siding materials,” Ramirez says. “Cedar is also an insect repellant and a good insulator, and it produces a nice scent, especially when it gets wet. It can also last a long time with the right maintenance, and maintaining it is not
a huge impact to the environment. The natural insulation that the cedar siding provides and a white smooth stucco exterior, which reflects light and heat, helps insulate the home as well, which limits the use of air-conditioning systems within the house.” Wolfenson says that builders and designers are looking for fire-rated, energy-efficient, touchless and environmentally friendly materials. Examples include reclaimed wood flooring; recycled textiles; recycled countertop materials like Caesarstone; and cork, which is highly sustainable and can be used for décor in many different ways. “Don’t use VOC paint,” Wolfenson warns. “This type of paint contains volatile organic compounds that are toxic to humans and animals.” Energy Barnard often recommends smart home systems to help with automated energy reduction, from regulating lighting and temperature settings to motorized window coverings that help with light and temperature regulation. Wolfenson shares that changing lightbulbs to LED helps save energy in a home, along with energy-efficient appliances. “You will see a difference in your electric bill,” Wolfenson says. Ramirez also installed a solar roof and battery backup system in her home and says that if she plans her energy use well, she is self-powered (solar powered) up to 75%, which includes charging her electric cars at home. “Having the app for the solar roof and batteries helps us understand our energy uses as well,” Ramirez says. “We installed both the Tesla Solar Roof and the Tesla Powerwall.” Water consumption “Water conservation is at the top of everyone’s priorities,” says Karen Miller, owner of Sacred Space Garden Design. “Drip irrigation and smart controllers are both important for helping to achieve this.” Wolfenson says having the right irrigation system will help save money and energy, and circulation tanks for irrigation and a drip system on timers are important features. “Wash your clothes in cold water; 90% of washing machine energy comes from heating the water,” she says. “Skip the dryer, and hang your clothes outside in the sun.” Ramirez adds that storm water continued on page 26
hoiey Ramirez/Submitted
Popular sustainable materials for homes include bamboo, recycled glass and metal, aluminum, decomposed granite, recycled concrete and cedar.
and recycled materials, there are many different ways that one can transition to having a more sustainable home. “One of the roles of designers is to be mindful of the effects of our aesthetic decisions and how they might impact the environment, our daily experiences and our mental/physical health,” says Sarah Barnard, founder of Sarah Barnard Design, a leading designer of personalized, sustainable and restorative spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art. Barnard says that sustainable home design creates opportunities for multiple positive outcomes, from improving indoor air quality by specifying natural products to reducing dependency on municipal services by integrating solar panels and supporting communities by utilizing local and recycled materials. “Sustainability has always been a huge part of my life, even outside my job as a designer,” adds Jhoiey Ramirez, co-founder and creative director of The Sycamore Collective, a Los Angeles-based bespoke design studio. “I was aware very early on in life that there are finite natural resources and that we must do what we can to conserve them, so in my practice as a designer, I try to implement it as much as I can with my clients. When I was building my own home, I became aware of the possibilities of making my home my very own design lab of how far I can go with sustainability, how to make it visually appealing and how to make it financially make sense. This way, I can design and live by example. Naturally, it became a showcase as well. The benefits are its visual appeal and a guilt-free feeling in certain aspects of my lifestyle and my savings in gas.”
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