DESIGN
 
 

I. DESIGNING FOR HEALTH

II. DESIGN ISSUES

III. DESIGN PACKAGES !!

IV. HEALTHY HOMES- MODEL HOMES - SURVIVALIST ARCHITECTURE

V. CREATIVE DESIGNS BY TAD

REVISED April 12 2004

If the goal of modern architecture is to keep people out of the weather,
it has accomplished that goal.
But, it accomplishes little else.
With the exception of a handful of rare examples,
we consider modern architecture [of the last 200 years] to be a collection of worthless materials,
that have been thrown together to the detriment,
not the advancement of man.

Traditional looking housing is great, but how about health, energy and the planet?

HEALTH
99.9 % of all housing today is a risk to human health, with that risk increasing dramatically over short periods of time [as the building ages].
90% of all building materials and equipment should be considered to be toxic waste, affecting the health of  people who are manufacturing those materials [and their future generations], people in communities surrounding manufacturing centers [and their future generations], people working with those materials [and their future generations], and people who live in and work in those building [and their future generations].

ENERGY
99% of all housing is designed and built to consume and waste large quantities of energy. R ratings are no where near what we have been told they are, equipment is designed and installed to waste large quantities of energy, and designs facilitate  energy waste. We are fast wasting the resources of the planet, when there is no reason to.

Modern architecture addresses esthetics.

In no way does it commit to protecting the health of our children,
or other precious energy resources of the planet.
 
 
 
 
 

I.                                Designing for Health

Today, almost all housing, new, old, and renovated, is far below acceptable standards for healthy living.  We do as many as several hundred inspections a year, and most of those inspected houses have numerous issues that can create health problems.  That is because designing and building for health is a detailed affair that requires very specific experience, consciousness and goals to accomplish. Health is affected by scores of issues, all intertwined, from general location, site and environmental concerns, design, equipment, to material choices and building methods, and  how each of these areas interacts with the others.

Just as in any area of life, there are many different levels of knowledge and appreciation of what exactly "healthy" home design means. Definitions vary widely because of this, but there is no question that as the requirements increase, the number of people with ability decreases. Portfolios of high profile projects and degrees from the finest universities do not qualify a person in any way to build healthy homes. If we gather the entire group of architects and designers who do this type of work and form a pyramid, you will find Tad Taylor's Healthy Homes-LLC alone at the top of that pyramid. Here's why.

Around the country we find numerous people working in this area, most not regularly, and usually only on a rare occasion. We read articles in the Sunday L.A. and New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Post and so on of projects by people labeled as "healthy". But the design principles and the areas of health concern that are addressed, fall drastically short of what they could be or what they may need to be if good health is the single priority. Mold and indoor air quality problems litter almost every publication these days. In these projects, teams of  architects and builders fail to identify the sources of problems and toxics that create sick buildings and sick people. Most commonly overlooked are all the siting concerns, including micro climate issues and earth issues that must be addressed to avoid health problems, from ground water, soil gases, geomagnetic problems or a list of others. Rarely mentioned are the natural internal air flow patterns relative to each specific type of structure and design, and their impact on that design and material use. Rarely mentioned are all the special processes for handling unusual and standard materials, equipment, coatings, and sealers that are required to eliminate the risk of contamination from environmental, site and workman use, problems or errors. Ironically, there is never any mention given to the different levels and degree of difficulty of technique, material and equipment choice and usage, and specific processes required for properly addressing and dealing with the different levels of health concerns each client may  have. If a healthy project is to be successful, how can it be designed to eliminate all these risks,  if they are not specifically identified by the designer-architect-builder, and a process followed all the way through the project to eliminate them as a risk?

The real issue here, is what the goal is. How much a person, or the team knows from experience about these areas, and how committed the owner is to the priorities. How can a person with limited knowledge of toxics, and their first hand affect on human health, design and build a healthy home? The answer is obvious- it can only be very proportionate at best. As we have found, many of these are not healthy by any standard. At least 95% of  most homes today actually are quite toxic to human health. By using the word "healthy", we assume that designers and architects have the ability to address ALL the major health and risk issues in their building design. The word "healthy" has become a common marketing cliché', and in most cases, means that carpets and particle board or formaldehyde filled products are not used. We caution our friends to be very careful about who they choose to design their healthy home around.
Be sure the standards you require, are the standards you are going to get. Unfortunately we are too often fooled by advertising and sales people who are actually ignorant of what "non toxic" or "odorless" mean. These words are easily used with no standard to qualify the definition. A good example of this is the new sealed combustion furnaces and boilers that are supposed to be completely clean.  Not only is this false, but because people take this for granted, we inspect numerous homes every year where this equipment is polluting the interior environment with deadly combustion fumes. Another words,because of some marketing ploy and some management salesman's glowing words [designed to sell, sell sell], no one is questioning or paying attention to what is actually happening, and there are no standards for  setting up this equipment up properly, or defining it as it should be defined!

For years Tad has set the industry guidelines for designing and building healthy homes, because his life actually depends on a strict understanding and control of all the areas that can affect health. Designing and building for health is possible for him because he has spent a lifetime dealing with all the issues and understands toxics, from all perspectives. Tad wrote the book on low level toxics identification, and is the leading specialist in the country on sub odor level toxics identification and remediation. Inspecting sick buildings and setting up programs to deal with all levels of toxic materials is something Tad has done for years. It is imperative to have this knowledge of what situations and items create health risks, and the skill of being able to identify all these toxics sources under different site and environmental situations, if you are going to be able to eliminate them as risks in buildings you design. Intertwined in this specialized area of toxics identification, is how toxics move and work outside and within our environments. Air flow patterns of different design and construction methods, site and micro climate air flow patterns, coupled with seasonal environmental issues all affect the ability of a structure to remain healthy under changing conditions. These are areas Tad addresses in all his design work. Personal health concerns and patterns, critical to each individual persons level of sensitivity, must be clearly understood in order to provide a risk free healthy home for each individual situation. We do not experiment around in any of these areas, or with our clients health, as others do. We know the problems, we know the financial and health ramifications if poor choices and mistakes are made, and we know how to prevent all the problems that cause unhealthy buildings. No two clients are the same, no two sites are the same, and no two projects are ever the same. All develop a separate set of criteria and problems.

So, when you are looking for a new healthy home design and a qualified designer, be sure you get a list of all the areas they have the ability to deal with, and their level of experience with toxics and  sub odor level toxics, and the types of toxics that they are familiar with as risk items in the project, before you make any commitment to using them for your project. Then, send that list off to us, and let us critique it, so you can receive complete protection. If we balance what we do with professionals, it will come back to us many fold. Why run the risk?
We have seen too many projects fail because of 1or 2 items that have been overlooked, that when done improperly can destroy the entire project.

At Tad Taylor's Healthy Homes, we also specialize in interpreting the aesthetic imagination of each client and assembling a harmonious collection of elements that accentuate the client's personality to perfection. Specific attention is given to the client's lifestyle and personal rhythms, as well as the arrangement of space and form according to function. We specialize in age old design principles coupled with leading edge technology in order to create the cleanest, safest healing environments possible. We compile a listing of all the client's design ideas and assemble these requests within the range of a projected budget, and then present a selection of preliminary designs to start working from.

TTHH-LLC can provide a selection of a preliminary design concept drawings to start from, then working drawings, project models and 3-D drawings. Our design studios have a complete stock of samples of healthy building  materials for clients to choose from, including paints and insulation, flooring, siding, roofing and all mechanical equipment.  All project data is documented and organized on computer for client use, as well as for distribution to contractors and consultants. Special attention is given to assist in efficient team set up, management structure, and communications systems, to ensure the clarity of all communications, and to ensure on time and on budget projects, as well as productive, growth oriented relationships.

Design services are available to accommodate all types of aesthetic tastes, either for renovations or for new constructions. We love the historical design elements of all parts of the country from Vermont to Hawaii, as well as modern and tropical designs. Whatever the style, the perfection of aesthetic balance and personal rhythms in a healthy environment is our goal.

Increased harmony with the environment is obtained through intelligent site use and design, focusing on maximizing the resources and elements of the natural environment. We are always focused and committed to energy efficiency in every step of the construction phase, self sufficiency and harmony with all site and environmental issues. We are focused on using sustainable materials and are anxious to use solar and alternate methods of energy sources whenever possible.
We must learn to conserve and protect the precious resources of the planet. These are not in an endless supply!

Design services include recommendations for materials and equipment and specific guidelines for advanced construction methods. TTHH- LLC researches all the materials we recommend, and will not specify materials or equipment that are of inferior quality or that will adversely affect the health of our clients.

We are committed to responsible building by accommodating all the concerns and needs of  the chemically sensitive person, as well as all levels of allergic and environmentally concerned persons.

Please note this page is duplicated in our "SERVICES, ARCHITECTURE" file.

The healthy home concerns that we have are most times influenced by design. For example, in different climates and places around the world, there are patterns of material use, construction methods and design that differ from other climates.  Each area has it's own set of standards and design preferences that are historically proven to work for that environment. Now a days, anyone with a pencil can design, and anyone with a hammer can build. Unfortunately this does not make for a successful resolution to all the problems an experienced designer and builder will encounter during the process completing a project.

In the ski hills of Vermont, as with Aspen, Telluride or other places where big corporations buy into ski companies, real estate expansion and sales are the key money markets. The pattern of buying the resorts, expanding real-estate, selling these condo units and homes off, then selling out- taking the profits and running, is common practice. Building designs are frequently done by out of state architects or inexperienced designers who understand nothing about building in those environments. As with hundreds of homes in the Mt. Snow area of Vermont, these building very quickly fall into problems that create very toxic living environments. Leaks from snow build up from improperly designed roofs, overhangs and foundations create mold farms that are so extreme, in many of the building I have inspected in that area, nothing but bulldozing these 15 year old homes would help. Ignorant buyers looking for a bargain, buy and move in. Then they call me when they get sick and have to live outside on the porch! The disturbing part about this whole thing, is even local architects and builders are making the same mistakes that create a bad investment, poor quality construction, and unhealthy environments!

The same is true for tropical designs and buildings of all types and materials all over the world. While other weather and site issues influence design and material choices, the risks are just as high- if not higher! Termite treatments, rodent control, energy efficiency, moisture control and use of natural ventilation all become imperative to coordinate and plan carefully if a stable short and long term investment and health environment are to be created. The improper use of materials, chemicals and design elements have serious long term affects on health and investments. As we work all over the world, we see these areas are suffering terribly, and people are paying for this dearly in many ways.

As we have moved into a time when people travel easily all over the world, and move from place to place with their ideas and visions of designs and knowledge from other climactic zones, building design and integrity  has become generic. Lessons learned from years of experience in dealing with these "local" issues and the problems they can create seem less and less important to guys who are more business oriented and less connected to the land and the health of the people. Sound principles of design and material use, and the proper coordination of all the elements of design and building  is something most builders and designers have limited appreciation and experience with today. In a matter or years, even in cases with [a hard to find] most caring builder, an improperly designed building can become a very sick building. Site issues, climate and weather influences, material and mechanical equipment choices and combinations of building methods and design all affect long term structural integrity and health issues.

In order to avoid these problems, which include loss of investment due to structural damages or injured health, we strongly advise people to seek experienced help in;

1.educating themselves about these issues,

2. inspecting pre built homes with the proper personnel and criteria before buying;

3. designing and building with very deliberate criteria,
so each of these problem areas is addressed before you buy,design or build.

III.  DESIGN PACKAGES

Tad has a collection of  what is consider by all standards the world's healthiest building designs. These special homes are the creation of and the property of  Tad Taylor, all designed to the highest standards. These designs are seated in age old proper  design characteristics that enable a building to last for long periods of time with limited maintenance,  and set them apart from the buildings being built today. They are highly energy efficient, chemically free, full of natural daylighting characteristics, and they are naturally contributing to the exterior environment and site. They can be naturally and or mechanically ventilated, and have advanced air quality control, with filtration, dehumidification and  bacteria control available.Earth energies are in full alignment, we push energy efficiency and independence, and recommend handicapped accessibility. Long term investments are sound with these designs, as all materials and methodology are truly in sinct, eliminating heavy maintenance and rapid decline. We avoid using materials that are not natural and biodegradable or recyclable, and try to use materials and products that are local to the area. We will not use materials and methods that pose any threat to health, either now or in the future.

Esthetically, Tad's designs are characteristic of  historical designs of  areas such as the southwest, the northeast, Vermont, Montana, Hawaii and places our clients hail from.  These designs are available to committed clients who require the absolute best in health design and esthetics. Please contact us and request our package on HEALTHY HOMES DESIGNS, services and options, which explains how we work and what is available!
 

IV. HEALTHY HOME MODEL HOMES- SURVIVALIST ARCHITECTURE

As in most of our work, we are at the top of the key in developmental design work. In our architectural work, we have fast forwarded our efforts to be fixed on what we are currently calling "survivalist -self sustainable healthy architecture". Quite simply, these are "living systems", or environments that provide for energy and resource independence, as well as leading edge relative to health and sustainability issues. What we have done, is taken all the ideal principles relative to health, sustainability, and energy independence and put these specifications into one project profile that can be incorporated into any number of  individual micro climate designs. These environments will provide for a stable life style, no matter what interruptions may develop in the rest of the world, including power and water supply interruption. All our knowledge and experience from over 30 years of work in these specialty areas is being focused on this project, to bring about what we feel will be the basic requirements for modern architecture for the future.

This fall we are finishing up the design work for several types of  living system structures to be used in varied climates around the world. The goal of our program is to set up model homes in three locations around the world, demonstrating their attributes  relative to health, energy, and resource maintenance. The type structures proposed will effectively address issues relative to micro climate concerns and demands, from the variability's of the cold wintered north east, to the dry south west, and the special demands of tropics.

Also in the planning phase for this project is the development of  our sponsor lists and specific project participants. We are looking for companies and persons wishing to be involved by offering specific products, materials and resources that contribute to the final finished products. We are looking for builders, supply companies and others who would like to participate to create these model homes of the further.

For more information call, write, or send info on your company to us at;

Tad Taylor - Healthy Homes -Model Homes
494 Cobb Reed Road
Wardsboro Vt 05355
802-896-6891
 
 

V. CREATIVE DESIGNS BY TAD
 

From the artists sketch book

While Tad has designed historically correct structures to enhance the existing landscape of particularly distinctive areas, from tropical Hawaii to the southwest, Costa Rica to Vermont, there is also a creative side to his portfolio! Tad's style is very obvious and unmistakable. These design originals from his sketch book are exemplary of one style of his architectural design work, which started in 1968.  These building are super energy efficient and totally non toxic, fireproof, earthquake proof,  healthy buildings. Materials and building methods are advanced, while also seated in the traditional, age old processes, dating back to the Greek and Roman empire. These elements, along with other sound architectural components such as maximum solar gain efficiency and day lighting, coupled with special material handling processes, Tad is able to achieve the optimum in low maintenance, energy efficient, healthy buildings.

Tad's creative design work also includes time tested period designs, with alterations to update them to the highest structural and health potential possible. For example, years ago, the homes that were characteristic of Vermont, Hawaii, Arizona, and so on, all had specific characteristics that made them more beneficial for their exact environment. But today, because of  the introduction of new and in many cases better materials and equipment, updates to both building methods and designs can be made that eliminate energy waste and health risks that were inherent to the original designs!

This is a very exciting time indeed, as there are options to choose from! But unfortunately not all elements actually work properly together! Building today is like a new age puzzle, where many pieces CAN fit together, but they don't necessarily work well together! More frequently, choices are made every day by inexperienced people, that misuse these new materials and technology, creating both  health and investment risks!! Because of all these issues, responsible design and building today are not often achieved.

Most of our leading edge design work remains private material. This is an area we have spend years in developing, and do not make this information public. But know that while we may work to present conventional looking esthetics, our concept of building, methodology, energy use and conservation, and health preservation are well outside of the box.
 

The below designs are fun, but also superior in strength, super energy efficient, sustainable materials, and superior in terms of health and long term investment.
 
 

                            THE SEDONA                                                            WING
                       2000-2500 SQ FT                                                      1500-2300 SQ FT
 

                          THE   GATEHOUSE                                                                            ASPEN
                              1500 SQ FT                                                                              3000-3500 SQ FT.

This page is currently under construction, and will be the home of some of  Tad's house and building designs, whose very definitive style emerged back in the late 1960's. Included in this page will be houses designed by Tad, including some of which have been built, and others which have not as of yet. Some of our designs have been created to fit the style of a particular time and environment, while others are strictly creative and  Tad's own particular design style.

Please review the BUILDING PROJECTS section for other completed projects designed and managed by Tad.