The Eco Engineer is currently working with Landscaping
Landscaping plays a significant part in the design of a sustainable home.
Type and location of trees can be used to control the amount of wind and sun that reach the house at different times of year. In the height of summer for example it may be desirable to use deciduous trees to shade certain aspects of the house from the sun. In the winter, these same trees will loose their leaves and allow maximum light to reach the house. Whilst it may be desirable to use trees to protect against cold winter winds, it is important that they allow the passage of cooling winds in the summer.
Careful planting may be used to create a shady area from which cool air can be drawn for natural cooling within the house.
Landscaping may need to accommodate water management systems for rainwater harvesting, black and grey water treatment and irrigation. Outside space needs to be allocated for composting and for making good use of that compost to grow food crops.
The thermal mass of outside walls and paving can be used to warm an area for outside dining on cool summer evenings.
Hydronic systems can collect heat from beneath paved areas and duct it into the house.