Architectural Design and Consulting
- High performance design considers all design processes as one, maximizing the symbiosis of systems and energy efficiency, ecological integrity and functional beauty throughout the building, it’s environment and local habitat.
- Design and Material considerations include:
- natural daylighting and climate control
- passive solar strategies to reduce heating and cooling requirements
- high integrity thermal envelope
- minimal and efficient use of high embodied energy structural materials
- healthy low VOC interiors
- high quality composite, natural, recycled and other sustainable products
- earth and natural plasters and paints
- A building’s energy efficiency comes 1st from the materials and processes used in construction, and then it’s functional and efficient use of energy throughout the life of the building, followed by it’s reabsorption into the environment at the end of it’s useful life. Use of CAD systems to evaluate energy profiles and carbon footprints early in the design process, makes sustainable design more efficient and cost effective.
Environmental sensors installed throughout buildings and landscape can monitor and display real-time visual flows of energy potential, hydrological cycles and other services. Real-time feedback on ecological performance increases awareness facilitating a more sustainable relationship between humans, technology and the natural world.
Ecological Design – design of structures to:
- harvest all own water and energy needs on site
- adapt specifically to site and climate and evolve as conditions change
- operate pollution free and generate no waste not used for some other process in the building or immediate environment
- promote health and well-being of all inhabitants
- comprise integrated systems that maximize efficiency and comfort
- improve health and diversity of local ecosystem
- be beautiful and inspirational
High Performance Energy Design: Energy efficiency and lighting:
- building Integrated photo-voltaic (BIPV) systems
- photocell technology for daylight dimming and occupancy sensors
- energy efficient, high R-value, orientation specific glazing
- natural ventilation – cooling towers and wind catchers
- computer modeling to locate louvres and control convection currents for efficient natural ventilation
- high efficiency HVAC equipment, air to air heat exchangers and heat recovery ventilation systems
- other progressive technology and equipment
Landscape and Garden Design
Consulting the “Genius of the Place” to inspire gardens congruent with the environment allows a site’s ecologically and spiritually unique qualities to be enhanced. It is necessary to access this genius and allow it to infuse decisions made when altering a site in order to live in balance with the environment, inviting in to our own habitat. Achieving the genius of the place therefore reveals an awareness of our ecological interconnection to all else as we pursue a natural aesthetic to make outdoor spaces functional, beautiful and vibrant.
- creating beautiful living environments
- native planting and habitat restoration
- food production
- bioderversity
The Design Process in Phases
The EcoLogic Design Lab provides architectural, landscape and appropriate technology design/build services from start to finish. We specialize in an integral design that takes a holistic approach to the project development process coordinating design, structure, landscape and technology.
Programing - The programing phase is an important process where the clients intentions and visions are explored and defined. Before we begin the design the parameters need to be established.
Schematic Design - In the schematic design phase we investigate all possible solutions and let the site speak for itself. Given the clients wishes, the site characteristics and the design program we set the direction to determine how beautiful, efficient and comfortable the outcome can be.
Construction Drawings – During the construction drawing phase we finalize the design and provide all documentation for building department approval and construction – coordinating the specifications from energy, structural and other consultants.
Construction – By providing construction and/or construction supervision we ensure that the project is carried out according to the approved plans and details. The project comes to life !
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Educational Programs
Principles of Green Building Design
A. Sustainable Design Concepts and Techniques
- Site assessment bio-regional considerations, landscaping, permaculture
- Building with the Sun orientation, incident solar radiation, thermal conductivity of building materials
- Building with the Rain regional storm water calculation, rain water retention systems, bio-swales
- Building with Vegetation living walls, living roofs, living shade
- Building with Air natural ventilation, air tightness of building envelopes, wind power
- Material Analysis built examples, application design, material sourcing
- Glazing & Shading concepts, product comparisons, shading design
- Heating & Cooling concepts, product comparisons, heating load calculations
- Lighting & Intelligent Controls concepts, product comparisons, design
- Life Cycle Assessment reduce, recycle, reuse building materials
B. Sustainable Design Analysis
- Building Metabolism – Energy and Resource Use
- Code compliance -Green Building Codes, LEED, Title 24
- Building Topologies – Form vs. Function
- The Process of Building – Integral Design
- Building Life Span, Monitoring and Re-Use
