By combining these patterns harmoniously, one aims to streamline the operating efficiency of a building in order to make it as self-sufficient as it is comfortable, beautiful, and enduring.

Surprising to many people are the benefits of this attention, which results in the type of home or office they appreciate immediately for its grace and elegance, for comfort and safety, and for its endurance and liveablity as time passes.  The patterns in this design section show how to make the most out of existing or new buildings. 
 

In addition, when combined synergistically with the New Materials Strategy the patterns multiply their effects in order to cut expense and energy needed to construct and maintain.  When thinking of our home, the foremost thought would be for our physical well-being and for the spirit of protection of our resources.  By resources, I mean financial resources required not only to create the shelter, but also the resources required to continue daily in this task.  By resources I mean the effort we are required to expend because we live there.  By resources I mean the resources from our earth environment employed for shelter.  For this reason the patterns and materials used to build need emanate from Nature and act within Nature.  Imagine that a home receives its nourishment from our Earth environment the same as we draw breath from the air.  Let us aim for the harmonious result of this desire.

This book is organized in such a way that the index is built into the book and references to other patterns related to the one being described are included.

Centuries of architectural thought and experience bring us to the present time when more than ever consumers are considering the future.  Wisdom uses the best of the past to create the future along with many new discoveries made along the way.   The patterns in this volume combine ancient wisdom with fresh outlook.
As a contractor and designer I have seen many cases where customers could make a totally unique and enduringly beautiful dream home using the same resources as an ordinary renovation.  Tastes, of course are very individual, but that is only part of the story, because many arrangements one might see neglect practical matters including simple comfort, the weather or maintenance.  The home investment giving the most pleasure bears the stamp of enduring qualities and personal taste.

Consider also this old maxim:  secure foundations, a good roof and a weather resistant wall coating mean a building has "a good hat, a good coat, and a good set of boots." 

*Cartoon Illustration: house wearing hat, boots, coat, sunglasses. 

For instance: installing high thermal efficiency windows with thermal mass with thermal insulation, each with no operating costs, yields a leveraged payback.  This type of improvement, while paying dividends for an extended period extends the useful life of the property and protects the original investment.  Of course any improvement does enhance property value, but changes which generate more yield per input, make a substantial contribution to daily lifestyles.

#___ Veranda  ILLUSTRATION #2

The open porch or veranda provides a means of extending the boundary of the living space into the landscape on any side of the building.  The entrance, coming over the veranda shelters the doorway, also giving visitors and persons fumbling for the right key a civilized place to see and be seen before entering.  The drawbacks to consider are the shading of windows which transmit desireable direct sunlight. 

#___Generating Operating Energy at Home

Most buildings do not use designs for generating their own energy to operate - even the latest construction - yet more than ever new products and designs are available on a larger scale and at better cost to the user.

#___Mass Walls *

Mass walls are effective in building capacity for solar energy into a building without moving parts and maintenance.  Massive walls work with fireplaces and windows to collect and store heat for the night or for the week.  They hold up the roof and even out temperature swings in the building from changes in the weather and excess sunshine and heat.

#___Sound deadening See #___Cellulose Materials

#___Clerestory*

#___ Dormer*

The roof configuration of a dormer may accent or blend with the rest of the building and need not follow any preconceived  idea of what is a dormer roof:  flat, shed, peaked, arched, round, tilted, hip, etc.

Stairwells will spread light downward into other parts of the house with dormers or lights from the top.

Experiment with shape, notice how much sun falls on the roof where it will come through, and imagine the light in the room(s) below.

#___Small Dormer*

On a small scale, it lets sun and air into the room.  Darker rooms could become the brightest rooms with this simple change. Inside the room, walls extend from the new window down into the room through the ceiling like a skylight.  The advantage of a dormer over a skylight is that it can face the sun and that the window is vertical rather than sloping -  easier to open, more leak resistant, larger, better insulated.  The shape of this small dormer could be squarer and taller, or shorter and fatter, rounded like a tube or flattened like a wedge.

#___ Medium Dormer* 

If only an individual room is to be changed, the medium dormer fits onto one or perhaps parts of more than one room, leaving other parts of the building intact.   The Medium Dormer pierces the roof, lets in the sun, and creates space above either for headspace or for a loft.  The walls in the room are extended upwards.
In a childs room, a  dormer harbours a little sleeping loft for children to climb into for a cozy sleep.  Toys, desks playspace  are preserved below.  See Childrens rooms (#___), and Loft (#___).   

Guests or avid readers may appreciate the spare out of the way refuge of a loft(#___)and dormer incorporated into a study, office or spare room.  The loft may have a stair or only a ladder for access. 

#___Large Dormer*

When there is a need for a whole new level, or an open ceiling room, balcony, bedroom, or other, the large dormer or several smaller ones can re-arrange the roof structure to fit the new space.  A very large dormer is like adding a second floor and of course requires framing the floor joists and supporting them. 

The addition, which is what it really could become, requires stairs and could require a new ceiling on the room below, but not necessarily if the new floor can be installed with floor framing raised slightly  so as not to press down on the ceiling below.  The strength of the existing walls and window headers (beams across windows) need to be checked and additional strength possibly added along the floor rim.  The wall can be extended for the second floor a foot or so on top of the floor joists which hold up the second floor.

#___ Skylight.

Bonuses

1. Open ceiling - more space
2. Super insulation in roof
3. Moisture barrier
4. Minimal roof framing
5. Faster installation of roof.
6.   Structural strength.
7.   Unique home and interior design
8.   Grow plants.
9. Less electrical light required
10. Lower operating costs.
11. Payback on investment.

#___ Design of Rooms

Design Patterns look at circulation of traffic, activities, the available space and light, favourite desireable features.  Luxury features may actually be useful necessities as part of the whole operation of the home, so it is wise to include them to be used easily and well.  After all, that is what a  home is for, but not just as an impractical dream, but very useful and beautiful at the same time.

#___Entry

(Cartoon:  Front door open saying goodbye to guests, piles of snow drifting in Piles of hats and coats and boots , a baby with icicles playing on the floor and a man in a hat and coat on his easy chair reading the paper.)

#___Space to hang coats and for boots

#___Airlock Entry doors

#___ Children's Rooms

#___Large open spaces:  Multi-use rooms

Which room is which - location within the whole

Sizes, heights, amounts of light required

Features and comfort necessities for YOU

Ideas which have big benefits and low cost

(See #___Features, #___ Interior Decor, #___Display of Artwork))

Indoors, for less than one could imagine, planters situated as dividers and screens add purity and beauty.

#___ Glass*

There is so much sunlight falling on the roof, walls, windows and grounds, seeing how to let it in requires only a new idea,  found on almost any page, or reflected within your own thoughts.  Glass provides heat, connects with the outer world and focuses the interior decor.

#___ Height and size of Window openings

Careful attention to window placement increases the class of home to a higher level with no increase in cost.

#___ Higher window openings*

Let light further back into the building and heat more in the winter time.  The header or beam above the window  must be placed as high as possible and  be made only as high as needed for strength.  The overhang above the window should not block winter sun, but shade only summer sun.  Overhangs may have glass panels like skylights added in overhanging verandas.  Higher window openings give more of a view of the beautiful skies, regardless of the view at lower eye levels.

#___ Window Sized to Room*

#___Sunny Place to Relax*

During a sunny cold spell, my personal favorite experience is to lie like a dog in the sun for a few minutes.   I call it a day at the beach, because it's so relaxing and therapeutic, especially during a cold snap.

It surprises me to notice how few opportunities there are in most homes to do this:  it seems dogs have it better than us humans in this world.   I love this experience and the beautiful streams of warmth and I am sure you would too when it can be so easy to create.   An awareness of sunlight makes the task simple. 

#___New Thermal efficient windows*

Sunny windows are a very dramatic change.  First ingredient from the solar recipe multi-pattern above #__they make the house warm when the sun shines and have the following benefits just by themselves:

Bonus points

1. Let in sun and heat
2. Protect from ultraviolet rays and fading of furniture and carpets (low e)
3. Let in Light
4. Decrease heating costs
5. Keeps Summer heat out(low e)
6. Cut down draft
7. Lower condensation and wet or frozen windows

#___ Light Collection, Conduction and Diffusion System (LCCD)*

Visible light is a higher frequency than Infrared light which is longer wavelength radiation, but they in many cases can be conducted within the same waveguide system because radiant light and radiant heat can be reflected and conducted through the system.  If only the visible light is required, the ifrared wavelengths are filtered before entering the system or before entering a zone in the system. 

The waveguide tubes situated in the details of the walls and ceiling also diffuse the light and carry the light because of micro prisms on the inside surfaces of the tubes.  The angle of incidence of the light travelling in the tubes on the micro prisms determines if the light is radiated out from the transparent tube or carried further.

The advantages of the Light collection conduction and diffusion system (LCCD) are that:

 Light energy is used directly for heat and light

1. There are no electromagnetic fields from electical lighting in the room
2. There is more control over the light and heat energy
3. One source of artificial light can be added to all the tubes rather than many inefficient sources.
4. The system conducts daylight, artificial light and heat. 

#___ Glass Blocks, *

#___ Glass Prism, *

#___ Surface Treatments*

#___Reflective surfaces*

In front of glazed openings, angled roof surfaces reflect the sun into the room, boosting the amount of light and energy

Additions(with drawings and cost figures)*

A wonderful type of addition extends the spacious feeling of the connecting existing spaces, and also provide a heating boost to the old section as well.  A few changes in the old part to let in the extra light and heat transforms the entire home, especially if the addition emphasizes a sunny exposure.  

Bonus: Insulating old and adding new.

1. Capitalizes on the extra solar heat from new section
2. Enhances comfort in whole house
3. Better payback
4. And changing the windows too, can be done at some point if needed.

The subject of additions will be covered in a subsequent volume.

#___ Engineering. Engineering the renovation ensures that the building will be long-lasting and meet regulations and codes for structural strength.  (See ___ Roles in Building).  Pre-engineered building systems solve engineering problems with specially designed and manufactured panels sized to fit structural requirements within a formulated building system for rapid construction.  (See #___Structural and Insulating Panel System.)

#___ Solariums (with drawings and cost figures)*

Incorporating a solarium is a wonderful, effective way to create a sunny,  open feeling, especially when  combined with doors and openings in the walls.  The sunspace contributes a fresh aroma of growing plants , warmth, humidty and a powerful gain in solar heat production to share with the rest of the house. The solarium can be used as a passage or new corridor between existing rooms or to the outdoors. 

#___ Thermal functions*

Solariums have great capacity to collect heat energy,  and they can collect enough to overheat.  At night, losses of heat back through the glass and can actually cost to heat.

1. Therefore its necessary to insulate the windows at night
2. Provide a way of storing the heat gained from the day
3. Use the extra heat and move it into the house
4. Insulate the walls, roof and floor of the solarium
5. Or else during the coldest winter times, close it off.

#___ Solar rammed earth wall*

The Solar rammed earth wall stores the sun's heat from a sunny day so that later when no sun shines, the wall will warm the space, or at least tend to keep the temperature more even.  A massive wall is an effective way to guard against wild temperature swings in areas which can gain or lose much heat such as a solarium.  A solar mass wall is part of the building, therefore it is passive, right? and requires no machinery and so on because it operates because of the design of the building.

#___ Thermal shutters*

Thermal shutters work very effectively on a solarium because of the large amount of glass exposed to the night sky which loses heat immediately the sun goes down.  Shutters close the windows against the sky and control heat gained or lost.  (see section on Insulation - pattern#__ Thermal shutters)

#___ French doors open to garden and also open to house*

Such a classic feature as French doors in the right place really has a touch of practical elegance, and what better place than into the garden or the indoor garden - the solarium.  French doors join the spaces together or close off the solarium if it is too cool or for any other reason.  For the outside passage doors also see Airlock #__ if the door will be used as a regular entry to the home.  Sliding patio doors could be used, especially  recycled ones to lead from solarium to house because the weather seal is not critical from inside solarium to inside house, so that anything which slides all right on the track works fine. 

Bonus Points

1. Becomes a valuable unique living space
2. Heats rest of building
3. Exclusive attractive feature of property for resale
4. Fantastic for plants and people
5. Provides fresh air and humidity (with plants)  and wonderful aromas of growing things.
6. Refuge from winter.
7. Zone between inside and outside
8. Can be passage between rooms
9. Can have a fireplace
10. Brightens adjoining spaces, such as stairwells, kitchen, living or dining areas, even bathrooms or bedrooms.

#___ Three Season Deck Enclosures*

Patio covers cost less to install than a full solarium, yet offer many of the same benefits.  Entertaining or relaxing during cool or rainy spells doesn't stop with enclosed deck.

Three season deck or patio enclusures work well except in the coldest winter periods.  (See Thermal Functions above.)  A patio cover encloses an existing deck or patio offering extra shelter from wind and rain.  During the cool days, the sun will still make the area warm enough to sit out, protected from the cold or wind. 

Bonus Points

1. Installs in a sunny location
2. Fits on existing deck or porch
3. Extends sitting out season
4. Similar to Solarium

#___ Mass (with drawings and cost figures)*

The formula for least maintenance and cost which gives the most satisfying effect in my opinion includes mass (plus insulation and sunlight), since mass is part of the structure and requires no special maintenance or costs to operate.  See also #___Earth Materials #___Rammed Earth

Theory of Mass and Sun (See Passive solar)

Bonus points:

1. Every building has mass - and more can be added.*
2. Mass holds heat - may carry heat for several days.*
3. No maintenance
4. No moving parts
5. No operating costs

 Multiplying effect if mass combined with any or all of:  thermal radiation source, thermal insulation, high efficiency windows and  thermal shutters.

1. Never needs replacing.
2. Can be incorporated into structure
3. Local raw materials and labour.

#___ Heating (with drawings and cost figures)

Bonus Points

By combining radiant heating system with new flooring retro-fit* must explain how the radiant heat tubes are installed in a solid mineral concrete floor in a house which is already built.

A.  Retro fit hot water

B.  Hypocaust waste or solar heat

Bonus Points

1. Lower operating costs
2. Warm floors.
3. Lower thermostat settings for same comfort.
4. Even temperature.
5. Increase thermal mass.
6. Less dust and cleaning required.
7. Beautiful flooring patterns and colours.
8. Unique decor and durability of flooring
9. Healthy indoor environment
10. Payback on investment
11. Eliminate forced air system.
12. Requires less space.
13. Heats Domestic Hot Water.
14. Sound deadening effect
15. More moist air in Winter
16. Solar energy option for floor heating and pre-heating

#___ Lighting and Electrical (with drawings and cost figures)

Next to  brulliant use of natural light in the design, artificial lighting adds high value for the costs invlolved if the effect is carefully considered. Various lighting   options for multi-purpose spaces and highlights are easy to incorporate before the electrical work commences, and as such appear to set a properly lit home apart from an ordinary utilitarian specification.

It is wise to plan for lighting ahead of time because the wiring has to be installed into the walls before they may be finished and painted.*

#___ Decor and Display*

Various types of lighting emit different spectra of light which change the appearance of the walls, furniture and artwork. 

The focus of beams of light, diffuse in a general area or spots of more brilliant light greatly determines the atmosphere.  The provision of artificial light can enhance and blend with natural lighting in dawn and twilight hours, and in the night time breathe life into the palette of subdued, lively and functional areas according to needs. 

#___ Compact flourescents*picture of compact fluor. screws in standard socket

By just changing a bulb the electric bill is lower, especially for lighting which is left on a lot.  Compact fluorescent bulbs use 1/8 of the current for the same light and now are less expensive than ever.  Several different types fit into fixtures, lamps and potlamps, spotlamps. (See #___ Display of Art, #___ Decor and Display.) 

They last longer and cost less than for the quantity of incandescent bulbs used during the same period of time.  The appearance of light from compact flourescents is suitable for most lighting situations because it is not harsh.  They screw into existing fixtures in many cases and in the case of pot lamps and spots a special bulb and fixture are need.  To try one in various situations, they are available in the grocery or hardware store.  Of the two types of compact fluorescents, the high frequency type with its own solid state electronic ballast which excites the gas in the tube to fluoresce at a resonant frequency will not flicker at all, although the other coil ballast type will not show any noticeable flicker at 60 cycles per second the standard alternating house current supplied in the mains.

#____ White Light Emitting Diodes (WLED). While expensive, WLED lighting lasts up to 11 years in continuous operation and operates at 95% efficiency. This matches with photovoltiac systems or where very low power is available. Many WLED units need to be clustered or distributed to provide levels of light to which we have become accustomed, but lower levels from one to three WLED's still offer reading and workspace illumination.

#___ Photovoltiacs*

Photovoltiacs generate electricity for home use, lower our dependence on oil and gas, cut air pollution and create self-sufficiency with less drain on the system.

These solar panels pay a dividend on the investment, and make the home self-sufficient partially or totally from any electric bill whatsoever.  Photovoltiac installations convert sunlight into usable electric power. Depending on the use requirements, which of course are lowered with the flourescent  bulbs, A system of $4, 000, could power the whole house and appliances, except electric dryer or stove.  The durabilty is excellent, over 40 years for some of the major expensive parts of the system:  the Solar Photovoltiac Panels.

Photovoltaic Cells convert light energy into electrical energy.  The electrical energy can be stored in batteries or fuel cells for liberation later.

One piece in the system converts the battery energy  of direct current into the alternating current found in the home today, or of course direct current may be used for lighting and some appliances, or both may be used throughout the house for different purposes.   Some studies suggest there exists evidence that alternating current is harmful to the health and the cause of cancer and other degenerative or immune system diseases, whereas direct current has no rapidly fluctuating electrical field  which is thought to be harmful.

#___ Interior Surfaces

Section on painting and decorating giving the advantages and costs with the maintenace benefits.

#___ Sound Insulation*

#___ Painting and Decorating

#___ Floors

#___ Features

#___Indoor Planter

Indoors, for less than one could imagine, planters situated as dividers and screens add purity and beauty.

#___ Artwork

#___ Display of Art*

In order to add value in the interior, lay out places for display of artwork such as functional items or fine arts and sculptures, figurines, collectibles, textiles and pottery, wood turnings and carvings. (See #___ Lighting)

*Raised surfaces , niches, shelves, display cabinets, frames built into  or onto the the walls for the mounting of paintings cost little to install but greatly increase the value of the home.

Incorporate artistic detailing which adds richness, setting off the overall decor, texture and colour scheme.  Consider the architectural details in the planning which blend, enhance and reinforce a theme which can develop from even one small piece of art.  The creation of unity and harmony which a theme gives must also be considered in view of the enduring appeal of the result, so that the room or rooms, even if eclectic and a blend of styles, are liveable in the forseable future or can be adapted to life's demands of family, entertaining and lifestyles.

#___ Walls, textures

#___ Sculpture and objet d'art

Cartoon:  Two people looking at some art on the wall or shelf and making a comment.
Art gives pleasure in itself and exemplifies the personality of the collector.
Small or large, artwork creates atmosphere and raises the level of existence from mere shelter to inspiring surroundings, and fulfills purposes from decorative to religious and spirititual, or as keepsake or momento of experiences, dear ones or travels. 

Paintings and wall hangings

#___ Fireplaces*

Fill in benefits and savings with costs for typical installation.
#___ Landscape (with drawings and cost figures)****
Imagine the unique beauty and attractiveness of landscaping.  What could substitute for plantings and the sheltering effect of Nature?  It grows and increases value with age.  And landscaping gives an effective privacy, protection and extension of identity and space.  When we see a well-cared for grounds, who among us does not draw a favourable impression, perhaps pausing a moment to savour the arrangement, colour, foiliage and birds resting in the bushes.  And for each of us a calm and relaxing feeling to see the natural beauty around us, close to our hearts, surrounding our home.

#___ Design for Solar**

#___ Appearance

1. Natural beauty and appeal.
2. Enhances the appearance of any property
3. Can create low maintenance yards with hardy indigenous plants
4. Controls erosion
5. Grows on its own, increasing value over time
6. Can provide food, flowers, firewood.

#___ Sheltering**

1. Provides shelter for a building from wind chill in Winter. 
2. Gives shade from sun in Summer.
3. Provides areas to sit out of wind and weather.
4. Provides privacy and security.
5. Attenuates noise and dust.
6. Cleans the air.

#___Indigenous Plants

#___ Xeriscape:  Plants and Species

A water efficient way to landscape Xeriscape represents an important strategy for saving on the water bill and taxes.  Installation of the water system costs milions of dollars to the taxpayer and increasing the capacity of that system costs many millions more, which is a waste if we really do not need it for the same result.  In times of drought, the Xeriscape will make it through because it is drought tolerant.  The Xeriscape has many benefits:

1. Attractive Landscapes
2. Low Maintenance
3. Save Water
4. Cost Payback
5. Less Chemical and Fertilizer use
6. Pest Tolerance
7. Drought tolerant

Permaculture or Permanent Agriculture is one method of arranging our agriculture, our relationship with nature, in an harmonius and beneficial  design system which follows the rules of nature.  The principles of Permaculture are that the parts of the ecology form a whole and that we limit what nature will produce.  The goal of permaculture is to sustain the environment and the value system of permaculture is that 'resources' are not automatically meant for our consumption. The term permaculture is registered for use only by approved practitioners and the word was coined by Bill Mollison who started the first formal study and practice of consciously appreciating the relationships we have within Nature.  Permaculture - A Designers' Manual by Bill Mollison. Published by Tagari Publication, Tyalgum Australia.

#___ Roads, Drives and Parking*

#___ Implementation

#___ Sewer & Water

#___ Garage

Could be used for workspace, hobby, etc.  Valuable part of property

Mortgage Broker % return and monthly payments

#___ Rental Properties (with drawings and cost figures)

#___Structural Panel* ( originally part of structural patterns and other changes)

A wonderful example of Simplicity and Strength, structural panels figure in the creation of the most dramatic renovations possible in your dreams. These one piece panels for roofs and for walls allow more freedom to build open ceilings with strength and resistance to cold weather.  These panels are CMHC approved and tested.  Their composition and strength make for rapid construction in the hands of professionals.

Structural panels insulate the roof or wall with a continuous, unbroken barrier.  They resist condensaton far better than frame construction, and they require no vapour barrier because of their tight seal.  The roofing material can be applied in the factory as can the interior surface if desired

Since they use very little lumber, and are composed of a more regenerative species, Aspen, the panels have environmental benefits.

A sandwich of two outer stress layers and an internal thick insulating layer gives the panel both its strength and insulating qualities.   Panels are supplied in various thicknesses according to the span required and the degree of insulation specified for the situation.  Sizes range from four foot by eight foot panels  to the largest eight by 24 foot panels with any size in between to suit each project.  In addition, the contractor or manufacturer can join panels together to form continuous one piece structures.

Waterproof membranes applied in the factory are sealed on the seams on site with special equipment.