Sunset featured architect Isabelle Duvivier's home which was remodeled to be both eco-friendly and sustainable.
In the feature, she renovated their 1,000-square-foot bungalow by adding a master suite and bathroom and also an open loft upstairs. She also created an environmentally conscious home that is powered by solar panels and almost every surface contains recycled materials. Some of the home features are listed below, and one can copy them in order to have a sustainable and eco-friendly home.
Duvivier uses pump during the dry season. It is a custom wheel which circulates the water from a pond stocked with fish in order to remove the mosquitoes. During rainy season it is powered by runoff from the roof funneled through a downspout. She also built the kitchen Island and cabinet doors from repurposed items. The counters are made from recycled concrete which came from the rubble of demolished concrete structures.
To create brighter spaces, she opted for an open stairwell design so that light can travel through the house. She said that this is very beneficial for small spaces as light can travel everywhere at the center of the house. She also added indoor and outdoor floor and she created the living room in such a way that it opens completely to the back garden which doubles the living space during summer or spring.
According to EcoHome, the main principles of creating a sustainable and green home are all about high performance and being energy efficient. This may include the use of solar panels and wind power. A green home is also a home that is well designed and well insulated and do not really as much as possible on heating and cooling systems.
Aside from that, using reclaimed and local materials can also be used in creating a legitimate green home. For those who are planning to redesign or build a sustainable home, it is best to know what kind of materials is best in order to make the necessary adjustments along the way.
