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Five Elements of Sustainablility and Regeneration |
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Five Elements of Sustainability and Regeneration
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Functions and elements of energy generation, shelter design, water
management, food production and waste cycling are aggregated together
so each function works synergistically and in equilibrium with the
others functions & shared elements of our survival.
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A. Use Nature as a Model and Context
1. Southern California is located in a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, which makes it essential to emphasize water efficiency, harvesting and reuse along with conservation.
2. Use seasonal solar arches on north and south facing areas to maximize edible landscapes, solar electric and hot water arrays for energy services along with climate mitigation from your agro forest, the organic landfill of the future.
B. Let Nature Do the Work
1. Passive solar heating and cooling systems use plants for microclimate control, thermal storage properties and inducement of air movement within and around the buildings and recreation formats.
2. Water Harvesting and landform engineering of landscapes will guide the flow of water. Slowing it, Spreading it and Sinking rain runoff in cisterns and irrigation features, so running water walks and walking water goes to sleep.
3. Predator species and companion plantings as a major means of pest control.
C. Matching Technology and Need
1. Roof and building features serve to collect water, grow food, heat water and generate energy.
2. Trees and vines grown on trellises help modulate climate and create microclimates near structures and activity areas.
3. Technology devices are in visible locations and whenever possible aesthetic and beautiful. Putting infrastructure into the public eye in a pleasing way.
4. Varied levels of technology operate from the high technology photovoltaic-electric power to hot water concentrating collectors, and food dehydrators that preserve the landscapes harvest.
D. Storage as a Key to Sustainability
1. Runoff water and wastewater is stored and filtered for reuse in landscapes as nature’s bio-filter.
2. Thermal mass materials provide heating and cooling for courtyards, picnic areas using solar architectural buildings. Cooling a building is not letting heat in, in the first place.
E. Waste as a Resource
1. Efficient use of Under-Utilized Resources will depend on seeing these waste by products with a new perspective. The key goal is to link “waste” with cycles and systems that are interconnected with the ecological fabric. Waste is food for something else.
2. Products and Services use “cradle to cradle” focus instead of a “cradle to grave” throwaway society. There Is NO Away. All systems provide a means for on-site recycling of as much as the system will tolerate. Buying habits and green product selection is a consumer educational opportunity. Regenerative Systems can be achieved by bringing production, consumption and waste (nutrient) cycling closer together as is shown in where your food comes from: The LA Food System.
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