ROOT/BREATHE/ENDURE: the process of living organisms to nest, flourish, & survive while in balance with their surroundings. Set amongst the Kansas landscape & extraordinary story defining the city of Greensburg, the proposed Eco-Home aims to live this process as a dwelling space, existing in harmony with the occupants & environment. Seeking permanence & security, the dwelling roots itself deeply into the site by repositioning the earth to burrow in, taking full advantage of the berms to insulate & protect. The integration of Enviro-Ment Building Systems nourishes the dwelling to life, allowing it to breathe and cycle heat energy as a living organism. Utilizing the thermal mass of a hybrid block & water tube southern exposure, the building naturally achieves a temperate environment & exceptional indoor air quality, subsidized only by natural ventilation & radiant flooring. The inclusion of solar pv panels, water capture, native plantings, & food gardens ensure the building will endure.

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• Three major design decisions early on pushed this concept forward. The first idea was utilizing berming strategies to circumvent the problem of excess dirt removal after excavation. This solution then provided several other benefits such as insulation building quality, ventilation, and safety protection. The second decision involved wall construction type. Fascinated with the qualities of the Enviro-Ment Building System by Virginia Limeworks, we saw excellent potential not only as a sustainable material, but also for prospective sustainable design and construction solutions. The block system was a perfect candidate for a Thermal Mass System and with the integration of water tubes we were still able to provide diffused south light into the space. The third decision was based on the desire to provide generational flexibility to the dwelling and therefore sustain a commitment to providing complete handicap accessibility to the main level. This conclusion added a slight amount of square footage to the project, but it also allowed for a deserved amount of flexibility and value. Additional concept ideas and the final floor plans can also be found here on Board A. An axial circulation spine certainly proved to be most efficient for this design.
• Sustainable design and construction practices can create a solid foundation for an eco-friendly project, but as Board B clearly demonstrates, the use of sustainable materials also plays a significant role in the success of a project. Having a good range of sustainable materials (recycled, reclaimed, eco-harvested, non-toxic, regional, etc.) can make for an economical and interesting project truly influenced by the materials and their stories. The material selections were certainly inspired by the Kansas vernacular amid the desire to provide a different living experience within a palette that was comfortable.

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