Design Ecology



"In hot climates, the cooling affect of green roofs can improve solar panel performance by up to 35%."
"Vegetative architectural systems can reduce membrane temperatures by 90ºF, reducing energy for cooling by 30%."
"Green roofs capture and slow the flow of rainwater, significantly reducing impact to stormwater conveyance systems."
"Sea levels are predicted to rise twice as fast as was forecast by the United Nations only two years ago."
"Water scarcity occurs even in areas where there is plenty of rainfall or freshwater."
"Cities are facing increasing challenges dealing with infill from rural areas, outdated infrastructure and budget shortfalls."
"82% of the U.S. population live in a city, that number continues to grow."
"An investment of $11.3 billion per year is needed to meet the drinking water and sanitation target of the Millenium Development Goals."
"Natural systems cannot keep up with the speed and intensity of the impacts of development and urbanization."
"735 species of plants and 496 species of animals are listed as threatened or endangered."
"Utilizing technologically enhanced products and strategies, designers can elevate ecosystem function to a rate that enables system processing to meet the needs of the new industrial ecology."
"A fully integrated design approach can result in the building itself becoming an engineered but highly functioning ecosystem component."
"This concept of restorative architecture promotes air handling, water processing, habitat creation, sequestration of carbon, food production, the treatment of toxins and heavy metals, and the production of energy to all occur seamlessly within an integrated building."

living pools

living pools

In the 1980′s, a wetland-based swimming pool filtration technology was developed in Austria. Since that time, over 10,000 such pools have been built around the world to provide clean, safe, chemical-free swimming environments. These can range from formal gunnite swimming pools to pond-like “natural” swimming holes with flexible liners. In some cases conventional back-up treatment is included.

Featured Living Pool Projects
living-pool

Mill Rise

This residential estate features a living swimming pool, rainwater harvesting, and graywater reuse. These systems operate on demand by electronic controls, and utilize an automated backup supplyof city water when site water is unavailable or the system is under maintenance. The living pool features a wetland filtration system that maintains water quality. The graywater system collects all wastewater from sinks, baths, and laundry. Water is treated to provide primary supply for irrigation and toilet flushing. Rainwater is captured in a 20,000gallon tank and stored as a backup when graywater is insufficient. Cross connected municipal supply acts as a final backup when site water has been depleted.

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Design Ecology | 2425 Old Adobe Road, Petaluma. California, 94954 | (415) 897-8517
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