Environmental Initiaves

New Construction and Renovations:

Camphill Village has started an upgrade and renovation program of all of its buildings. This program started with the construction of a new house (Undina) for 12 residents which was completed in the summer of 2006. This was followed by the renovation of Columbine house which is expected to be completed in April 2008 and the renovation of Russet and Brookledge which will start in May of 2008.

At the start of the design phase of the Undina project the CHV Building & Maintenance group compiled the “Camphill Village Green Strategies” document that is the guideline during the design phase of all new construction and renovation projects. This document is listed below with particular reference to the construction of Undina house.

Camphill Village New House "Green" Strategies

The following is a list of materials and techniques that the Building Committee and the architects have used for the design and construction of the new house.

The benefits of each item on this list have been assessed in relation to cost, and as the project design developed, some proved to be feasible, others were modified or eliminated, and still others were added in the interests of making this building project as "green" as the budget allows

Items in italics were not or only partially implemented

SITE

Orientation for solar gain, views, topography
Landscaping that provides shade in summer, open in winter. Deciduous trees south and west.
Porous driveway surfaces to reduce runoff from site and increase aquifer recharge - exploration of PolyPavement.
Construction period - silt fencing and/or hay bales to contain construction run-off.

BUILDINGS

Maximize solar access with orientation and window openings.
Optimize day lighting opportunities with windows.
Energy efficient windows - high R-values and low-emissive coatings, argon filled.
Deep overhangs wherever possible for south sun shading.
High insulation levels in walls and roof.
Air-lock entrances to reduce heat loss and gain.
Light colored surfaces to reflect heat and reduce solar gain.
Natural ventilation, in excess of standards.
Mechanical ventilation for summertime cooling on second floor.
High efficiency (AFUE 96%), low maintenance LP-gas boiler, direct vent, condensing and modulating.
Plumbing and controls provided for future switch-over to wood boiler
Noise control - design appropriate sound transmission coefficient rated walls and ceilings, bedrooms.

Soundboard on second floor, resilient channels, acoustic insulation, caulk - partitions and ceilings.
Corridors and closets between bedrooms whenever possible. (sound privacy)
1¾-inch solid wood bedroom doors.
Sound isolate mechanical space from occupied space. (boiler is quiet)

Low water usage plumbing fixtures.
Energy efficient lighting: motion sensor for exterior lights; fluorescent in areas where lights are likely to be left on (basement); low voltage for task lighting (Kitchen); (option for) low energy lights in hallways.

MATERIALS

Low- or no-VOC materials, paints and other finishes, adhesives, and sealants.
Materials with high recycled content and/or low emissions manufacturing.
Select, where possible, building materials with “Green” production strategies.
Natural flooring materials.
Metal Roof - 95% recycled content, reflective to reduce heat gain, long term.
Engineered wood products for beams (high recycled content), pre-engineered wood roof trusses. (material efficiency)
Cellulose insulation - recycled paper, high R-values - and air sealing
Rainscreen (Benjamin Obdyke 1/4" material) drain moisture migrating from in or out.

Material Choices resulting from above

Fiber-cement siding (recycled wood pulp in cement matrix) - 50-year warranty.

Cellulose wall insulation
Fiberboard wall sheathing (recycled wood and fibers) Bamboo flooring. (plant replacement 4-6 years. Pre-finished - no vocs)
Ceramic tile floors in wet areas.
Linoleum floors in high wear areas. (all natural materials)
Carpet tile - replace only worn portions.
Concrete with fly ash if locally available.
Gypsum wallboard with flue-gas de-sulfurization (FGD) gypsum, recycled material from power plants.
Non-toxic joint compound (no asbestos) - Murco Wall Products.

Undina house, completed July 2006

Click the links below to learn more about Camphill Village Environmental Initiatives.

• Camphill Village Car Report

• Streetlighting

• Underground Oil Tank Removal

• New Construction and Renovations

• New Heating Installations

• Boiler Replacements

• Upgrade of Sewage Plant

• Fountain Hall Geo-Thermal System

• Solar Projects

• Miscellaneous Environmental Improvements

• Back to Environmental Initiatives page