SUSTAINABILITY

• Defining sustainability. Today a lot is being written and much is being said about sustainable design, or being green. What does this really mean? To sustain is to endure without giving away or yielding, or to provide for, support. Greenimplies that the product or service is natural, organic, or good for the environment. Many people are now associating these terms withLEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a certification developed by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) to promote more energy efficient buildings using materials that are locally produced and non-hazardous, and minimizing the environmental impact of construction. A similar certification, one developed to address regional needs of Southeastern residential builders, is Earthcraft, created by Southface Institute in conjunction with the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders (GAHB). This certification is also integral to the Jones Pierce process.
• Doing what’s right. Jones Pierce has embraced these principles not because of the current buzz, but because it is a matter of doing what is right. The best houses—and the best commercial developments—incorporate sustainability. It makes sense, it is the right thing to do, and it enhances value—emotionally and economically.
• Start with planning placement. Sustainable design for the most part starts with planning the positioning of the building on its site to take advantage of sun orientation. How a building is oriented allows it to harness the natural daylight, heating from the winter sun, and cooling by capturing breezes and using existing shade trees. The orientation can further extend outdoor living by placing the house to protect an outdoor area from winter winds while utilizing the sun’s warmth to maximize usage. This is where sustainable design—and the Jones Pierce process—starts.
• Local focus. Where a building was located historically determined the selection of materials. Local availability was essential. This changed dramatically with modern transportation—it became possible to haul building materials from afar, and many designers and builders did. The increasing return to a local focus makes sense, as it minimizes impact on the environment, and the economy. Jones Pierce has long recognized that local solutions are more sustainable solutions—conserving significant resources (manufacturing, packaging, transportation). The use of local materials not only generates LEED credits, but it dovetails with the idea of compatibility and how the building fits within its environment. Jones Pierce evaluates the use of materials both inside and out when developing its designs. Since the later 1990s, when the Earthcraft model was becoming established, Jones Pierce embraced the building science of constructing a sealed exterior envelope and providing fresh air into the mechanical units as a smart solution. We have kept apprised of new products as they are developed, including cellulose and icynene insulation, tankless water heaters, low VOC paints, and rainwater collection systems, which we incorporate into our details and specifications.
• Sustainability through building recycling. What is often not discussed is how renovations are the ultimate in sustainability. Recycling buildings is a far more sustainable approach than demolishing and building new. Just this year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has started an aggressive educational campaign to enlighten people on the benefits of historic preservation. A predominant amount of Jones Pierce’s experience the past 10 years has been in renovations of homes and commercial buildings, some being adapted (recycled) for new uses.
• The best of the old and the new. Another aspect of our residential design experience has been expanding older homes on smaller intown lots for new lifestyles and the desire for more space. We have consistently met the challenge to provide what was right for the house and the surrounding neighborhood—while updating to meet modern needs. Again context and compatibility come into play, balanced with market desires. Sarah Susanka’s book, The Not So Big House, embraces all the notions we are dealing with and puts them into terms people understand and respond to. These ideals not only counter the market forces driving ever-larger homes, but promote how well thought out, functional design provides better quality space. This in turn is more sustainable design without being labeled as such.