In 2003 William McDonough wrote, "Why not shift the focus of green design from managing the environmental impact of a destructive system to creating buildings and materials that generate wholly positive effects for people and nature." He suggests that we might begin to consider a shift to good design rather than just green design. As an example, he points to a highly rated green built building in which the air quality was worse than the outdoor air. Although great pains had been taken to seal the building from outdoor air leaks and it had great insulation and was very energy efficient, no thought had been given to removing all the chemical pollution from the new building materials inside the building such as the carpets, wood products, adhesives and paints. We have made great strides toward the use of low voc and no voc materials and that is a positive example of the power of cradle to cradle thinking.
CRADLE TO CRADLE DESIGN
Cradle to Cradle Design is a new design paradigm. At a fundamental level, the new paradigm proposes that human design can learn from nature to be effective, safe, enriching, and delightful. Cradle to Cradle Design models human industry on nature's processes, in which materials are viewed as nutrients circulating in healthy, safe metabolisms. This paradigm offers an opportunity to create powerful new living environments. I am quite happy to see that this is the approach that is being taken in the rebuilding process in New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward, the most most devastated area of the city. For a really good explanation and example of the practical application of the principles, click on this link to find out more.Make It Right
To participate in helping to build one of these affordable ($150,000), sustainably built homes which have been designed on the Cradle to Cradle principles, please go to Make It Right and read about the project. You can click on the orange DONATE house in the middle of the toolbar at the top of the page. Enter the amount you want to give, then in step two SCROLL DOWN TO THE HOUSE THAT ACTIVE RAIN BUILT.
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