Ecological Building

The EcoHouse structure is a modest home in an urban neighborhood that exhibits simple environmental approaches of global importance. We are developing the house as a showcase of features that can be readily applied to any residence.

The house incorporates ecologically friendly materials and methods that reduce resource use, come from renewable resources, have minimal impacts in their manufacture, avoid toxic chemicals, do not off-gas harmful compounds, and can be reused or reclaimed at the end of their useful life. It contains such environmentally preferable products as natural linoleum floors, wood floors from a demolished house, salvaged cabinets, bamboo for the kitchen countertops and wood from sustainable forests.

Of primary importance is reducing our need for non-renewable energy sources.  We completely insulated the house with cellulose, replaced lighting fixtures with low energy yet attractive fluorescents, installed high efficiency appliances, and replaced the hot water heater with a “flash” or instantaneous water heater that only heats water as it is being used.

The home’s photovoltaic installation provides all of the home’s electricity, and is especially appreciated on the sunniest, hottest days, when it supplies energy to the grid.

The garden shed built by UC students that blends a medley of building techniques, including straw bale, a rammed earth trombe wall for passive heating, and salvaged lumber insulated with light clay-straw. The garden shed houses equipment for our photovoltaic system, while its living roof and natural building materials blend beautifully with our permaculture demonstration gardens.

For a list of environmental products, systems, businesses and installation professionals