We interviewed Robin Rogers, founder of Solaripedia and an architect who specializes in sustainable residential and commercial design and green building.  We were interested in a new development she is designing that will meet many of the sustainability goals of both passive and active design.  Its anticipated affordability is a direct result of the collaboration betwen the developer and the design team.

Editor: As you know, Robin, we are very interested in your Yakima project and its design.  Can you share the website address and tell us about it?

Rogers: The website is rockytopliving.net and I’m working with a wonderful green builder, Steve Weise.  In line with the sustainability principle of building smaller, higher quality construction, this development will have nice two bedroom homes less than 1500 square feet and three bedrooms a little less than 1800.

Editor: Can you tell us about this plan, and the design features that really define the overall project?

Rogers: As a start there will be a plan using constructed wetlands to treat the gray water from sinks and bathtubs, and solar composting toilets for waste.

Editor: I’m curious now.  I know this is standard on frozen tundra, but how are the permits going on the latter in Washington?

Rogers: The Health Department hasn’t shut them down yet – and we’re definitely talking with them about it - so it looks promising.

Editor: Energy and water conservation are today’s big issues for new development, of course, but are you seeking a LEED or other certification on the project?

Rogers: We are using quite a bit of passive solar design on these homes; however, going to the expense of certifying to the Passive House standard? That may not be practical, although we are certainly looking into it, as well as following many of the strategies.  Steve will certify – probably at the highest level — to the local Built Green of Central Washington program, which is part of the national NAHB Green program.

Editor: How do you anticipate or measure energy usage?

Rogers: We are getting closer to being able to employ energy modeling.  We can look at the design of each individual home to see if the design will perform as we expect; if not, back to the drawing board to tweak the design until it looks like we’ll achieve good energy savings. Plus we expect all units will have solar water heaters and be pre-wired for photovoltaics.  The latter allows the future owners to purchase or lease solar PV systems to produce the rest of their energy if desired.  The builder is also considering a shared PV system to provide energy for all ten homes if the residents are interested.

Editor: Every site has its own special design advantages and disadvantages.  What is your big issue on the Yakima development?

Rogers: Our biggest challenge in Yakima is that there’s only about seven inches of precipitation annually, so water usage is highly efficient in my design.

Editor: Recycling proponents are always proposing that we make any green behaviors as easy as possible.  Are your kitchens designed to help with this?

Rogers: Our kitchens will have a compost area, but we don’t have plans to install an actual composter unit. There will be space dedicated to recycling, but we will probably focus more on how to reduce waste from a front-end, lifestyle perspective rather than on the back end. We hope that the designs of the homes themselves will attract people who want to engage in sustainable behaviors while living in a comfortable, sustainable community. So, we agree that “green” should be easy and our goal is to make it possible, albeit different from conventional.

Editor: The site is called Rocky Top.  Is that significant in any way?

Rogers: Well, this site exceeds the sustainability principle of not using prime agricultural or forest lands for housing.  It is very rocky and near the top of a hill.  Because of this we are designing raised beds with rich, amended soil around each of these homes, and may put in a solar composting unit as well.  A community building,  shared common areas and all of the homes look down to the agricultural valley below as the whole area is very ag-based.  These homes act as a reminder that we can build our houses in places where nothing much grows while preserving our crop land.

Editor: When you talk about potential shared amenities, is the development set up more like co-housing?

Rogers: No, it is more like a condominium homeowners’ association, but with some shared amenities that encourage long-term ownership and community.  These details have not been completely finalized, though.

Editor: I know you are very excited about this project from our previous conversation, but what makes this development so appealing?

Rogers: There is so much sun there, the passive solar prospects are really meaningful. One of the units will be completely ADA compliant, and all of them are one-story to accommodate aging-in-place in a vibrant, healthy and stable neighborhood. The property is also immediately adjacent to two trails, parks, rivers and other great outdoor locations, so it allows people with active lifestyles to be close to their passions. It’s also near farmers’ markets and vineyards and organic farms, so even foodies and wine lovers don’t need to travel very far for great ingredients!

Editor: I think I’m ready to pack.  Thank you for speaking with us, Robin, and we wish you the best with your project.

Rogers: Thank you, it’s been a pleasure.

Part I of our interview with Solaripedia Founder, Robin Robins, can be found here:

Solaripedia Founder’s Tips for Multifamily

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