Community gardening
Reforestation
Cooperative living
Conservation
Responsible land use
Community involvement
Can you imagine a fully recyclable house that creates no additional CO2 and can last 3 times longer then a traditionally built home? This is one way in which "The House the Future Needs Now" aims to create the kind of future we desire by planting its seeds today.
Sustainable building practice includes calculating the amount of CO2 created by the building and the operation of the home, and taking responsibility for removing at least an equal amount of CO2 from the air.
This is sometimes done by buying carbon offset credits, e.g. by investing in programs that remove CO2 from the air by planting forests of carbon-sequestering trees. (See http://reforestthetropics.org) The Hi'ilani EcoHouse's operational efficiency, coupled with planned reforestation and conservation of the home's surrounding acreage, will enable the project to function as its own carbon-offset program, absorbing more carbon dioxide than it generates over time.
Cabinetry throughout the house will be made of sustainably grown woods. Walls are finished with American Clay's "Earth Plasters." Floors are a combination of sustainable wood, bamboo and Forbo Marmoleum flooring, based on a natural cork process. Lighting systems will employ the latest LED technology. Décor will feature natural-fiber fabrics adorned with patterns created by local artists Marsha Ray and Archie Macareg. Artists are also participating in creating natural clay light fixtures.
