Energy Efficient House Plan: Don't think of grading the land, California Retreat

Passmoore, Works Of Alexander & I.V.

The builder of this home in the Redwood groves of Soquel clearly respected the trees. Rather than clear and grade the land, he integrated the house into the forest. One of the trees was actually growing right through the wooden deck. This sort of environmental responsibility is rare among builders on the East coast. There, most subdivision developers simply clear cut a forest, grading the land mercilessly with bulldozers. In the process, they often remove centuries-old topsoil and humus, leaving lifeless bare clay few plants can tolerate -- except for invasive alien species. After errecting sub-par houses, they proceed to plant minuscule saplings which will take decades to grow into the forest that once was -- and they're often not even native species. Reduced heating and cooling bills are the primary benefit of having heavy tree cover around your house. Enhanced property values are also worth mentioning. Plans for energy efficient houses should definitely make the most of existing landscape assets. Series Description: Pleasant diversions around California, a retreat from the rest of the states. It's no wonder CA is host to so many corporate & executive retreats, spiritual retreats, private retreats... See also Santa Monica, Malibu, and Venice Canals.