What is ‘Green’ Design?
According to the US Green Building Council -
Design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants in five broad areas:

1) Sustainable site planning
2) Safeguarding water and water efficiency
3) Energy efficiency and renewable energy
4) Conservation of materials and resources
5) Indoor environmental quality

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Reduce the impacts of natural resource consumption

ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Improve the bottom line
Integrated design allows high benefit at low cost by achieving synergies between disciplines and between technologies
Reduce operating costs by lowering utility costs significantly

HEALTH AND SAFETY BENEFITS
Enhance occupant comfort and health

COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Minimize strain on local infrastructures and improve quality of life

ECOLOGICAL BALANCE

Laura Birns Design has been researching ways to significantly reduce or eliminate the use of materials which have a negative impact on the environment. Where possible, we choose sustainable materials – those which reduce the impacts of natural resource consumption – such as HARVESTED TREES or BAMBOO.

We incorporate the environment into the design concept by raising ceilings and inviting natural light in wherever possible and applicable by integrating skylights and additional windows/sliding glass doors. This allows lighting to be changed to low voltage or florescent lighting in order to conserve energy.

We feel it is our responsibility, as designers, to educate the public and promote designs that assist in the quality of life for all. Working with and researching materials that qualify as ‘green’ is a challenge worth the time and energy… after all, our human energy is a renewable resource as well!

Here are some of ways we have helped in this effort so far:

Green Examples: (top)

HARVESTED TREES –

The flooring in this home is wide plank Stranded Aspen from the COR (Conserve Our Resources) line by Cozzolino. It originates from the farming of sustainable timber yield forests. This beautiful engineered wood surface has the advantages of shrink resistance, strength and suability not normally found in solid wood products. It utilizes up to 76% of the lumber from each harvested tree, whereas standard wood floors are able to utilize only 40% of each tree.

BAMBOO –

As flooring Bamboo offers all of the beauty and resiliency of hardwood, but is a highly renewable resource.
Used for the interiors of drawers we reduce the need for using MDF (which contains harmful pollutants).

CABINETRY & FURNITURE –
The woods we use for our furniture and cabinetry are either from non-endangered species of trees or veneers.

COUNTER TOPS –

This particular kitchen counter top, is a hard, durable mineral based glass surface made of 80%-95% recycled materials. It can be used inside and out. It will not fade due to exposure to UV rays. It is scratch and heat resistant.

ENERGY CONSERVATION –
Windows, skylights and additional sliding glass doors are added in order to maintain an open environment. All switches are on dimmers to allow for better control on the amount of energy used.

WALL TREATMENTS –
Interior paints are EPA approved. They are low or zero-voc, water-based paint with your health and that of the environment in mind. They have extremely low or no harmful emissions and contain no heave metals or formaldehyde.

We select wall coverings of water-based dyed woven paper, such as those offered by Maya Romanoff. The glue used to adhere to the backing is water based as well.