Aging in Place is Green
Posted on Mar 3rd, 2009 by Doug Marsh VP, CR, CAPS, GBP | 1 Comments
3/3/09 Aging in Place is Green
Planning to stay awhile in your home? Aging in place is becoming an important part of our design focus. An important reason this is a Green approach because planning for the future is a form of sustainability instead of the “tear it out again” mentality. Another element of a Green approach involved here is a healthy environment. There are chemicals and compounds that are present in many building materials and finishes and these can pollute the indoor air quality in a home. On all of our projects we use only Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) wall and ceiling paints water based top coats for wood floors and cabinets. We are using cabinet and trim materials that minimize off gassing (release of elements in these products) into the home. As Clients age or, at present, have physical ailments, they need a clean healthy environment in their home and as Universal design and Aging in place modifications are put in place these Green techniques make a difference and go hand in hand with Aging modifications.
To recap:
Our CAPS certification (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) gives us the ability to provide universal design considerations for now and in the future. Combining universal design capability with our longtime membership in the City of Austin Green Building program allows us to incorporate key elements into our design and building style that go hand in hand with other Green enhancements in the home to provide a beautiful, healthy, comfortable, usable, and, very importantly, valuable home.
Comments
On Jun 10th, 2009 Patrick Roden said:
“The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives” - Native American Proverb
You are right on target!
Patrick Roden RN PhD
aginginplace.com