Ecological Project Design

• The Overlook Drive residence utilized excellent southwestern site orientation and passive solar design to maximize solar heating and lighting.
• The Cove Road renovation minimized demolition to the existing structure and utilized existing masonry walls.
• The Seadrift Road renovation took advantage of excellent southern exposure by adding both a roof-top pv solar electric and solar hot water boost system.
• The Dogpatch Project included a very small addition to improve kitchen and living space functionality.

Mindful Materials Handling

• recycling
• • Vida recycles cardboard, metal, paper and wood for every project we build.
  • Saw dust is composted on-site where feasible.
• reusing
• • Carpeting removed from the Cove Road renovation was reused in tents at Burning Man.
  • Exterior decking from the Seadrift Road renovation was removed and reused at Overlook Drive.
  • Foundation forms from Cove Road were re-used at Dogpatch Project for framing and concrete forms.
  • All usable interior items such as cabinetry, electrical and plumbing fixtures, towel bars and hardware are donated to Building REsources for reuse.
  • All usable exterior items such as doors, windows and hardware are donated to Building REsources for reuse.
• salvaging
• • Existing patio slab from the Cove Road renovation was broken up and reused for pathway at another Residence.
  • Sand excavated from the Seadrift Road renovation was used as fill for other project.
  • Front door, windows and exterior trim at the El Camino Real project were custom made with salvaged old-growth redwood.

Sustainable Materials Integration

• Foundation concrete for our projects always contains some percentage of fly ash.
• Almost all framing material Vida uses is FSC-certified or reclaimed lumber.
• Exterior doors and windows for the Calumet Avenue project were fabricated from reclaimed lumber.
• Master bath cabinetry and window trim for the Cove Road project made from salvaged Eucalyptus with water-based low-VOC finish.
• Bamboo flooring was used at the Cove Road and the Seadrift Road renovations.

Carbon Footprint Reduction

• The Seadrift Road renovation added a 4.5 KW roof-top photovoltaic solar electric and solar hot water boost system for pool heating and domestic hot water supply.
• A super-insulated roof structure (R-30 plus R-11 radiant foil barrier) was built above the living room and garage area in the Cove Road renovation.
• The Cove Road project installed a radiant heat system with gyp-crete slab for high-efficiency heating and adjustable solar shades to reduce direct solar gain.
• New high-efficiency ENERGY STAR appliances were installed at the Calumet Avenue and El Camino Real renovations.
• The Dogpatch Project utilized daylighting design, an insulated panel skylight and fluorescent lighting to reduce energy use.

Healthy Interiors

• Vida uses healthy insulation — UltraTouch cotton batting or bio-based spray foam — in every project.
• The Dogpatch Project used zero-VOC AFM interior paint and primer.
• Bedrooms in the Cove Road renovation were carpeted with Interface Flooring carpet squares.
• Vida uses only non-toxic adhesives, sealants, & mastics.
• Vida sources low-VOC water-based wood finishes (e.g. Bioshield) as well as zero- or low-VOC finishes & paints for our client's homes.

Resource Conservation

• The Cove Road renovation left existing exterior siding and trim as intact as possible.
• Locally milled lumber was used for siding at Overlook Drive and for siding and fencing at the Seadrift Road project thereby reducing transportation costs.
• Dual flush toilets were installed at: Overlook Drive and Seadrift Road.
• Roof runoff at the Dogpatch Project drains to the front garden.
• Panoramic Highway residence collected spring runoff for irrigation needs and landscaped with low-water plants.