Designing Ecological Habitats - Gaia Education

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Perhaps we orient the living room toward the west, so we can gather in
the evenings and watch the sunset. Storage of food and fuel can be along
the wall opposite the sun. Food stays cool, and the woodpile will protect
from cold polar winds. Large solar facing windows let in the winter sun.
An overhang gives us a place to sit and shade from the hot summer sun.
This is design in action, working with the realities of the environment and
the needs of the human being.
Site Planning
• Renovate if possible
• Evaluate site materials
• Locate building to minimize ecological damage
• Consider solar energy in siting and landscape
• Consider existing landscaping
• Consider transportation
Design
• Smaller is better
• Energy efficiency is top priority
• Optimise material use
• Landscape holistically considering energy and food
• Design for recycling
• Consider grey-water recycling and use
• Design for future reuse of materials
• Avoid health hazards such as radon
Site Work
• Protect top soil
• Isolate chemicals from ground water
• Minimize job-site waste creation
• Manage operations using ecologically responsible contacts and
partners
Equipment
• Efficient heating and natural cooling
• Efficient lighting, window placement
• Efficient water heating; consider solar
• Consider ventilation efficiency