How much of this renewable energy can be produced without the "heat, beat and treat method", of current manufacturing processes. I am referring to Dr. Janine Benyus's research on "Biomimicry"; the endeavor to mimic nature in the creative process as it applies to our manufacturing and technological efforts. If she is not in the loop with you, she certainly should be. And if she will not endorse your efforts, I will not be able to either. I firmly believe in green energy. No plan is perfect. I just want to know how close your plan actually comes to being truly green.

Great initiative !

Just curious:
re: health and comfort, what metrics are you using?
do they address indoor environment?
are they modeled or measured/verified?
are health & other co-benefits being assigned economic values ?

re: future or life cycle costs, how are you addressing projected increases in fuel/energy costs?
increases in cooling demand & heat waves?
repair & maintenance costs?
what building lifetime(s) are you assuming?


Tom Phillips
Healthy Building Research
Davis, CA

Hello All,
Thank you for providing an open discussion on these critically important topics.
My questions are:
1) What size of homes are you considering? Square foot per resident? Size matters
2) What are the costs per square foot of these homes? Cost matters
3) I echo Tom's questions; Are energy savings or use 'projected, modeled or verified at end user'? As one who has used duct blasters, blower doors and done energy audits, I have many serious concerns over verification that doesn't verify at end user actually experience. This is a huge Achilles heal, in my estimation.
4) Also Tom's concern over indoor air quality is an increasing concern as we tighten houses and use more man made products. Where is the research and experience that integrates these two mutually opposed realities?
5) Lastly, can you address how meeting code as directly contributed to the lack of affordability in new housing stock?
Thanks for addressing my concerns. I will follow up once these are addressed.

I hope the R.M.I will build in a nontoxic manner and not use the usual particle board and plastic and cardboard . Please dont use toxic carpets but use renewable slate and concrete or at least chemical free carpets. People please build with naterials that do not rot or mold or blow away ina wind. Please consider nontoxic insulation and sustainable concrete domes that will outlive floods and fires and tornadoes and hurricanes. thanks daliya@nontoxic.com

I'm interested in what would be considered to be "affordable" housing. After having gone through the mortgage disaster/financial crisis, my views on what I can afford in this lifetime have really changed.

I have always been interested in energy efficiency and green design... but now I'm considering building my own home - smaller and self-financed. I will never work with a bank ever again. Any thoughts on how you could build a home like we're speaking of for less than $100k? Less than $50k?

With the wealth of existing building stock that needs improvement what if any focus will be placed on major retrofits or rehabilitation of facilities will be made with this initiative?

Is there an alignment with Passivhaus US resources?

What about smaller more space efficient designs that help to reduce cost.
What about new technology such as nano cellulose for glazing & sips?

Hurricane Sandy, is changing our thinking on how we build to accommodate every twist in Climate Change Weather in the near a distant future. Economical , Quality,Passive, Off Grid, Net Zero Energy Construction is a no brainier but a team must be in place working on practical solutions to fast changing conditions. This cannot wait we must start building now.