Sustainability Specifics

Wolf Creek Commons will include all or most of the following sustainability features:

Passive Solar Heating:  Increased interior mass; 90% recycled cellulose super insulation; perimeter foundation insulation; efficient windows; radiant barriers; buildings oriented for optimum solar gain.

Passive Cooling:  No need for air conditioners in homes; increased interior mass; whole house fans; radiant sun barriers; ceiling fans; optimum cross ventilation.

Low Electricity Use:  Fluorescent lights; energy efficient refrigerators.

Hydronic Heating System: One energy efficient boiler per building.

Reduced Asphalt: Parking at periphery of site and gravel parking stalls.

Low Toxicity Materials:  Bamboo flooring; cellulose insulation; low toxicity paint; low formaldehyde materials; Marmoleum flooring, Tectum acoustic tiles in common building.

Responsible Water Use:  Low water use fixtures. Dual flush toilets.

Responsible Forestry:  Advanced framing; 25% to 40% less lumber used to build the same square footage; less than half the lumber used for a typical new house.

Responsible Waste Stream Management:  No vinyl flooring; refinishable Marmoleum floors

Responsible Resource Use:  Low construction waste; recycled cellulose; sustainable ceiling tiles.

Air Quality:  No wood stoves in any of the homes.  Cars at periphery of site.

Walkable Location:  Goods and services (grocery, retail, shopping, restaurants) are right next door; pedestrian/child/elder friendly site design.

Minimum Impact Possible:  Conscientious grading and tree removal. Buildings clustered to leave more than 40% of the site as open space.

Responsible Landscaping:  Plantings and new trees; indigenous grasses & wildflowers; minimum water use and other key permaculture attributes; on-site drain water management; water retention on site.

Reduced Driving:  Studies show that folks who live in cohousing drive 25% less and own fewer autos.

Preserves Rural Nevada County Agrarian Feel:  Building where services exist (sewer and water), reduces county wide sprawl.

Appropriate Architecture:  Architecture that fits with the cultural heritage of the area; green within context.

Community:  Living in community allows for sharing resources such as autos and camping equipment; education regarding using less water, less energy; and so on.  Community facilitates environmental stewardship.  The secret ingredient to sustainability is community.

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