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It's common sense that a home in wet and temperate Boston should differ from one in hot and arid Phoenix. Yet until recently, home builders have often ignored regional climate and materials, creating homogenous homes that are not only wasteful, but that look out of place. There are exceptions, of course. In Bermuda, for example, light masonry houses use stepped, white roofs to reflect sunlight, collect rainwater and deflect hurricane winds. And in New Mexico, homes made of adobe, a local material, absorb daytime heat and then release it during the Southwest's cool nights. Indeed, while natural materials are often more efficient than synthetic ones, most have the added benefit of being non-toxic and biodegradable.
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Recycled tires, salvaged wood and other used materials make durable, attractive flooring. |
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Cork, bamboo, grass matting and hemp flooring come from self-renewing sources. |
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Indigenous, organic roofing material, such as thatch, is a renewable resource and suited to area climate. |
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Community home designs conform to "regional design" best suited to area climate. |
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"Low emission" window panes with gas insulation layer prevent loss of heat in winter. |
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Organic insulations -- sea water magnesium, treated newspaper waste and volcanic minerals -- are non-toxic to residents and landfills. |
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Use of farmed timber from local "managed" forest ensures renewal of this resource and reduces transport costs. |
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Hemp wall covering is durable, non-toxic and breaks down easily when discarded. |
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Sources: Landscape Architect, Eco-Urbanism, The Practice of Sustainable Development |
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