The American Dream of owning your own home has been battered by the economic crisis that started in 2008. While it has become much harder harder to achieve this dream, there is a surge of interest in finding resourceful, affordable and environmentally friendly ways of creating housing to meet this challenge. On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Jessica Kellner, editor of Natural Home and Garden Magazine, about some alternative approaches that non-conventional home builders are taking to build homes that reduce landfill waste, rely on recycled or sustainably sourced material, cost relatively little money and help create stronger communities. We also hear from Portland contractor Renee LaChance, who specializes in sustainable remodeling. She talks about how to choose construction materials that are both sustainable and durable, reducing the carbon footprint of your construction, and how to make sustainable remodeling or new construction affordable.
Jessica Kellner, editor of Natural Home & Garden magazine is a passionate advocate of using architectual salvage to create aesthetically beautiful, low-cost housing.
Renee LaChance is the founder of Sustainable Adaptations, specializing in designing new construction and remodels that are and energy efficient and sustainable. Renee believes urban infill protects greenspaces. She thinks building small is more sustainable. She enjoys helping her clients realize their dreams for their property without breaking the bank or contributing to global warming. She looks forward to installing a roof with solar powered shingles when they become available in 2011.
- KBOO