Materials

Material selections made in the design and build process have a profound impact on the function of a building, the health of the occupants, and the life of our planet.  I believe that architects have a social responsibility to lead their clients to create low operational and embodied carbon buildings that provide living spaces free of toxic materials and chemicals. The design of the building envelope and specifications of interior finishes are factors of great importance.

Since the 1990’s, there has been a push to use petrochemical foam insulations in buildings, without evaluating the long term effects of this insulation on both the building, its inhabitants, or the environment. There have been significant steps forward in recent years with the availability of non-petrochemical based products including insulations like cotton, wool, and wood fiber. It is very encouraging that we now have domestically manufactured wood fiber insulation, produced in Maine. I have developed building envelope designs that incorporate these products and can result not only in passive house standards, but also lower embodied carbon than typical foam insulated buildings.

Since the 1940s petrochemical derived paints (both alkyd and acrylic paints and coatings) have become the industry standard. Unfortunately these products seal moisture in wood, foster mold and rot, and contribute to the growing problem of micro plastics in waterways and oceans. I believe architects and builders need to make improvements in the specification of wood finishes. Fortunately, in the arena of paints and coatings, we can to learn from craftsmen that worked centuries before us. Wood and plaster surfaces were once commonly protected with linseed oil based paints. This material, made from cold pressed seeds from the flax plant and combined with earth pigments to create colors, penetrates surfaces and provides lasting, non-toxic finishes.