November Topic and Key Point
Green Kitchen and Bath Design
November 10, 2005
(Click on the panelist's names to jump to their key points below.)
A panel of green building professionals discussed the key issues of green kitchen and bath design from the perspective of their professions. The panel included designer Heather McNeill of Greener by Design, contractor Stephen Aiguier of Green Hammer, and green materials expert Abby Mages of Environmental Building Supply, and homeowner Lisa Pickert who has gone through the process.
Afterward people broke into small groups to ask questions and talk with one another. Along with the panelists, Eric Storm of Living Spaces, Linda King on Feng Shui , Jonathan Cohen of Imagine Energy, and Kendall Hansen of Lovett Deconstruction also lead discussions.
Key Points
Here's what our panelists think people should know about Green Kitchen and Bath Design.
Homeowner
Lisa Pickert
503-341-7994, lisapickert@hotmail.com
1. Be an advocate for green building.
If you want to use linoleum, then demand linoleum. It is easy to get talked out of green choices, when your remodeler isn't familiar with the product or process. Having research on your side can help to strengthen your argument.
2. Be creative in your reuse.
Old bars from the side of my old furnace became towel bars in the new kitchen. It's good for the environment and can be fun.
3. You don't have to be the expert.
There are many resource guides and experts out there. Green Building Handbook, by Woolley et al, or the now 5th edition of GreenSpec: Environmental Building News Product Director (in the library or at Powell's Technical Bookstore) provides research on green alternatives and the pros and cons.
4. Know that with any remodeling, things always take longer and cost more that you expect and adding the green element can add to that.
I simply had to accept the fact that I had used kitchen cabinets piled to the ceiling in my dining room for over a year while I worked on the design. In the end, it was totally worth the mess, inconvenience and wait as I am very proud of the green result.
Designer
Heather McNeill
Greener by Design, www.gbdesignconnection.com
home@gbdesignconnection.com
1. Kitchen & Baths are the work center of the home.
If you want to make an impact on energy efficiency, recycling, toxics, water conservation, and more these are the place to focus.
- If you look at the percentage of consuming items in your house (light fixtures, plumbing fixtures) these are located in your kitchen and bath. So merely by changing these out to efficient fixtures, you are impacting a large percentage of your home's consumption. Consider utilize the Oregon Department of Energy website to select appliances that are the most energy efficient. Use fluorescent fixtures for the ambient lighting of the room (ceiling light) and consider using a combination of fluorescent and dimmed fixtures for the electrical.
- On average Americans waste 10,000 gallons of water each year, letting the tap run waiting for hot water to reach the faucet. Energy, chemicals, and money went into purifying that water. You bought it with money, and merely let it run down the drain. There are several new pumps on the market that with a tiny amount of energy, recirculate the water in the hot water supply line so that as it cools, it goes back to the tank, and you always have hot water at the tap. TACO is one brand you might look at. Also designing the house with the hot water heater as near the plumbing of the kitchen and baths, will also just reduce the wasted heat and water.
2. What we measure, we can change.
Get in the habit of measuring and being aware of your water, gas, and electrical usage. Most of us just pay the bill and don't look at our usage from year to year and month to month. If you chart it and post it inside a kitchen cupboard where you can see your fluctuations, you'll begin to modify your habits.
3. Reflect and reinforce your values with your design.
- A kitchen door that leads to an herb garden, might tell you that the homeowners value garden, cooking, and the relationship between these.
- A built in compost collector in the kitchen might tell you about the homeowners feelings about waste and landfills. Same with a recycling area.
- Use of local products might communicate local pride and awareness.
- A built in bar, might communicate the importance of cocktails and entertaining.
- Having low counter areas and levers, might give value and accommodation to people with different abilities.
- "First we shape our buildings: Thereafter they shape us." - Winston Churchill
Green Materials Expert
Abbey Mages
Owner of Environmental Building Supplies,
www.ecohaus.com
Showroom 503-222-3881, abbym@ecohaus.com
1. The integrity of materials chosen -- and this isn't just about durability.
The finish materials used in a kitchen take tremendous wear and tear. How long will the materials last? What happens when they get worn: are they restorable? Will they age gracefully in
performance and style?
2. Environmental impact of materials.
Consider what the finish materials are made of and what is important to you. Do you like materials made from natural ingredients?, low toxic materials?, local
materials?, salvaged materials? These are some of the things we consider when we bring a product into our store. Once you have decided what is important, ask whether the material you choose will live up to your performance expectations.
3. It's very important to work with a general contractor and installers who are enthusiastic about your material choices.
Chose a contractor who understands your interest and intent to use
environmentally sound finishes and would like to support that effort.
It is best if they are familiar or very interested in the products
you select. Problems usually occur when new materials are placed in
the hands of an installer who doesn't want to use them.
Contractor
Stephen Aiguier
President of Green Hammer, www.greenhammerconstruction.com
503-804-1746, sa@greenhammerconstruction.com
1. Resource Efficiency.
A kitchen or bath remodel is a perfect time to update old rusty plumbing, add water filtration, solar water heating, radiant heat, low flow fixtures, energy efficient lighting and appliances and add healthy insulation to your home.
2. Reuse your construction waste.
Many homes being remodeled in the Portland area predate 1940 and are full of framing lumber that are clear vertical grain (CVG) fir. This lumber that is being pulled from walls being moved or removed could be used to add character and material cost savings by turning them into butcher block countertops, trim, and cabinets. Those ugly old cabinets may have nice cases and simply need to be refaced with new drawers, doors and hardware.
3. Time, Money and Expectations - Expect more, be happy when it's less.
The city of Portland is cracking down on engineering and the permitting process. Plans with structural considerations can take 3 months of review from the city before they are approved. Accurate estimates are nearly impossible without a set of plans to work from. Design comes first, but is facilitated by working through the design with your contractor. Being green can be time consuming. Creatively reusing salvaged materials from your home and reorganizing your homes energy systems takes extra time. Be patient good things come to those who wait. Most any remodel project experiences 'scope creep' - an increase in project scope due to unforeseen issues or design changes (let's add another window here' or 'we looked at ranges and decided to upgrade to the Viking') result in an increased contract price. Insist on written change orders, so you understand the increased costs. Plan for the unexpected changes and give yourself a minimum 20% buffer on your contract price for unknown and potential additions.