The owners suite is located to take advantage of private views into the trees to the north, and harvest light from the east. Close proximity to the porch allows easy access for a sunset view or early morning coffee outdoors. The closets share a view out a private window and the bathroom also enjoys a leafy view. The overall design intent was to create a relaxing retreat,that offers both privacy and leafy views.

Our bodies evolved in sunlight. Daylight changes in color throughout the day, from warm morning light, to cooler and brighter mid day light, back to warm evening light. Exposure to those shifting color temperatures defines our circadian rhythms, which in turn regulate our sleep cycles, our weight, and our health. We see technology adapting to recognize this, with phones that change to a warmer screen color in the evening to help prepare people for sleep.

Nora Lighting’s 2” Iolite recessed LED luminaires are equipped with “comfort dim” technology, so that it is “color tunable” from a bright sunny 3100K, to a dimmed glow at 2,000K, which is more like candlelight. This allows the interior lighting to go through the same color shifts as the light outdoors, supporting healthy circadian function and healthy sleep.

The lights also have a color rendering index of 90+ which means they will not distort your perception of color. 90% of all lighting is required to be efficient for Zero Energy Ready Certification. 100% of the lighting in this home uses super efficient LED light sources. Efficient LED Lighting reduces energy use and heat generation associated with lighting. LED’s also have an extremely long life, approximately 50 times longer than a typical incandescent, 20-25 times longer than a typical halogen, and 8-10 times longer than a typical CFL. Depending on how many hours a day the lights are used, a homeowner may only have to change an LED every 11-18 years.

The Wrap Fan by Fanimation’s bamboo ceiling fan is on Energy Star’s list of their “Most Efficient”  certified fans. The curved shape of the blades reinforces the cooling sensation of air movement and the warmth of bamboo blades adds another biophilic element to the fixture. Fans save energy by expanding your perceived comfort range with the cooling sensation of air movement, without actually having to change the air temperature. In this setting, the fans help  the space to function as supplemental outdoor living or work space.

Because our bodies evolved in natural settings with varied temperature, light conditions, and air movement, we still respond favorably to the environment with those characteristics. Rooms where people can fine tune their thermal conditions with a ceiling fan have been shown to provide a more pleasurable indoor experience than rooms with uniform temperatures throughout and no movement. The fans bring the feeling of a bay breeze, indoors.

The wood flooring used throughout the Inspiration home is a pale white oak with distinctive graining and a matte finish that gives it the appearance of unfinished wood. Using visibly identifiable natural materials is a biophilic design strategy that has been proven to provide  emotional and cognitive benefits, including decreased blood pressure, increased creativity, and increased comfort. Learn more by reading The 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design by Terrapin Bright Green.

The adhesives and sealants used in its installation, are GreenGuard certified for low emissions.  Products with GREENGUARD Certification are compliant with stringent emission levels for over 360 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), plus a limit on the total of all chemical emissions combined (TVOC).

US Gypsum USG Sheetrock® Brand UltraLight Panels are Greenguard Gold certified, low emitting materials. Sheetrock is ubiquitous in construction, it is a heavy material used in large quantities.  Using light weight drywall is a simple step that greatly reduces the pollution associated with transporting the materials from manufacture to the site.

USG Sheetrock® Brand UltraLight Panels are 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) gypsum panels that feature proprietary core and paper technologies, resulting in a high strength-to-weight ratio composite design. These lightweight panels are also engineered to have superior sag resistance, eliminating the need for traditional 1/2 in. (12.7 mm) sag-resistant ceiling panels. The noncombustible gypsum core is encased in 100% recycled face and back papers, The light weight design is easier for installers to work with, and can improve construction speed and safety.

People tend to think of the environmental impact of a home or building in terms of energy use and utility bills. However, building materials also create significant environmental impacts, through the pollution associated with their extraction, manufacture, and transportation to the job site. This is called “embodied carbon,” with carbon being an indicator of all greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide. The environmental impacts of building materials are also front loaded in time, while a building’s energy use creates incremental impacts over a lifetime of use. Since the emissions that we produce between now and 2050 will determine whether or not we avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the embodied carbon of building materials matters a great deal.

For the greatest impact, prioritize the selection of locally produced and sustainably manufactured materials for heavy items that are needed in large quantities, like brick, concrete, framing, or drywall.

Solid wood doors and finger jointed molding use wood sourced from Koetter’s own managed forests that were planted from vacant land. Keotter has won multiple awards for forest management Including the “Good Steward” award from the Arbor Day foundation and the Forestry Award from the Indiana Wildlife Federation. Solid wood doors are naturally low emitting materials. Finger jointed molding conserves materials by utilizing smaller pieces of wood joined together.

The curved shapes of moldings and door panels balance the strong lines of the cabinets. and reinforce the biophilic interior design, by echoing organic forms, like the curve of a wave or a seashell.

The interior paint is Greenguard Gold certified as a low emitting material, or has an equivalent certification with small chamber testing. This means that the paint has been tested in a sealed chamber where any off gassing can be analyzed and measured for compliance with health standards. This is not the same as being labeled “low emitting”. Many products are labeled “low emitting” that simply meet legal requirements for the volatile organic compounds in their ingredients. They may only be “low” compared to materials that are no longer legal to use, hardly something to brag about.

Indoor Air Plus certification requires that 90% of all paints, stains, and coatings applied inside the home meet GreenGuard Gold or an equivalent certification. Not only the paint, but also all of the stains, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and caulks in this home were carefully screened to prevent emissions that could contaminate the interior of this home.

All of the paint colors used in the Inspiration Home contain no black or grey pigment, which make them extremely dynamic and responsive to differing conditions of daylight. This mimics the dynamic appearance of colors found in nature and is one of our biophilic design strategies.

The biophilic design of the Clayton large Alabaster Sconce diffuses light through natural stone to create a soft glow. Efficient LED fixtures also save energy.

Lightening Porcelain Slab Countertops in Matte finish and Backsplash by Crossville. Natural textures and forms reinforce the biophilic interior environment. Crossville tile and porcelain slabs are made in Crossville,TN, less than 500 miles from Fairhope, and between 95%-95% of the materials used in these products are sourced from within 500 miles of the factory. Using local and regional materials reduces the carbon impact and emissions associated with the transporting raw and finished materials over long distances. 

Crossville is a leader in sustainable manufacturing processes. They reuse more than 99.98 percent of water used in manufacturing. The small amount that is not reused is returned clean to the environment.  Through a certified recycling process, they recycle approximately 12 million pounds of material that previously went to landfills.  Crossville remains the only tile manufacturer with a Tile Take-BackTM Program, allowing previously installed tile from any manufacturer to be returned to Crossville for recycling. Crossville works with TOTO USA, the world’s largest plumbing products manufacturer, to recycle pre-consumer waste. Crossville has developed a proprietary system of processing TOTO’s sanitary ware waste back into powder used in manufacturing new tile. In March 2011, Crossville became a net consumer of waste, meaning they recycle more waste into new products.  This recycling conserves resources; the volume of finished goods Crossville ships now exceeds the amount of raw materials it extracts from the earth for use in manufacturing.

Crossville tile and porcelain slabs are clean materials. The ingredients used in the tile and porcelain slabs are fully disclosed down to one part per million, and are disclosed through the Declare (link) Health Product Declaration to contain no red list (link) ingredients. Crossville also provides an Environmental Product Declaration quantifying the life cycle impacts of it’s products. 

The clean Scandinavian lines of the wall mounted lavatory faucets by Brizo impart a spa feeling to the bath and celebrate the flow of water. WaterSense certified faucets conserve both water and energy, by reducing hot water use, and increasing savings on utility bills. The average family could save 700 gallons of water a year by switching to WaterSense certified faucets.

Rectangular semi-vessel sinks from Kohler’s “wading pool” line celebrate the flow of water.  The cast iron sink contains at least 80% recycled content, and is manufactured in Kohler Wisconsin.  This may not seem “local” but compared to overseas manufacturing facilities it greatly reduces the pollution associated with transporting the product to the job site. 

Crossville’s Nest tile with subtle wood graining is used on the walls and shower floor, while their Notorious line, which references the patina of concrete, is used on the floor.  The natural textures and forms reinforce the biophilic interior environment.        

Crossville tile and porcelain slabs are made in Crossville TN, less than 500 miles from Fairhope, and between 95%-95% of the materials used in these products are sourced from within 500 miles of the factory. Using local and regional materials reduces the carbon impact and emissions associated with transporting raw and finished materials over long distances. 

Crossville is a leader in sustainable manufacturing processes. They reuse more than 99.98 percent of water used in manufacturing. The small amount that is not reused is returned clean to the environment.  Through a certified recycling processes, they recycle approximately 12 million pounds of material that previously went to landfills.  Crossville remains the only tile manufacturer with a Tile Take-BackTM Program, allowing previously installed tile from any manufacturer to be returned to Crossville for recycling. Crossville works with TOTO USA, the world’s largest plumbing products manufacturer, to recycle pre-consumer waste. Crossville has developed a proprietary system of processing TOTO’s sanitary ware waste back into powder used in manufacturing new tile.    

In March 2011, Crossville became a net consumer of waste, meaning they recycle more waste into new products.  This recycling conserves resources; the volume of finished goods Crossville ships now exceeds the amount of raw materials it extracts from the earth for use in manufacturing.

Crossville tile and porcelain slabs are clean materials. The ingredients used in the tile and porcelain slabs are fully disclosed down to one part per million, and are disclosed through the Declare (link) Health Product Declaration to contain no red list (link) ingredients. Crossville also provides an Environmental Product Declaration quantifying the life cycle impacts of it’s products. 

The shower is designed without a curb, for ease of use and accessibility. Behind the wall tile, blocking has been provided for grab bars. Along with the bench, these add stability and security for all users and allow the shower to be used by people with a range of ages and abilities.

The rain head shower celebrates the flow of water by mimicking a gentle rainfall, connecting the user to natural elements. The slide bar shower head and hand shower make the shower adaptable for use by small children or even someone who is injured or disabled. The hand shower is convenient for cleaning every corner. The fixtures have simple modern lines which set off the wood grain in the wall tile and natural wood in the bath, and are intended to bring a bit of zen to the bath

Water Sense certified showers and sink faucets conserve both water and energy, by reducing hot water use, and increasing savings on utility bills. The average family could save 2,700 gallons a year by switching to Watersense certified showers. The energy that could be saved each year by an average family switching to Watersense certified showers is enough to power a home for 11 days.

Incorporating the presence of water into a building is a biophilic design strategy proven to reduce stress and promote feelings of tranquility, while lowering heart rates and blood pressure. The Inspiration Home’s bath is given center stage in order to take full advantage of those biophilic benefits. The Elena Soaker tub is supported by a delicate support of black iron, giving it a ceremonial feel, and  is located to give users a view of the sky while they soak. 

MTI, the manufacturer of the Soaker Tub, has won multiple awards for their green manufacturing. Over 40% of the materials used in the manufacturing of MTI acrylic products, such as soaking tubs and shower bases, are post-industrial recycled material. The binding agents used for MTI acrylic products are formulated using recyclable and/or renewable raw materials. SculptureStone® products utilize a “Green” resin of combined renewable bio-derived and / or recycled content. All MTI tub and shower base shipping boxes are made from 100% recycled material. MTI also uses the newest chemicals that offer the lowest emissions, and even their cleaning agents emit no VOCs, benefiting both the worker and the environment.  

WaterSense certified, Kohler Veil toilets not only conserve water, but minimize the use of potable water to convey sewage, while saving the homeowner on both water and sewer costs. The Inspiration Home dual flush toilets can be flushed with either .8 or 1.28 gallons of water, allowing water to be used only as needed for a successful flush. 

You might not know that toilets are by far the biggest source of water use in most homes, and in many cases a significant source of water waste. The average family could save about 13,000 gallons a year by switching to water sense toilets and $2,900 over the lifetime of the toilets. This also saves the energy required for sewage treatment, and the pollution associated with generating that energy, at a community level. Nationally, if all old, inefficient toilets in the United States were replaced with WaterSense labeled models, we could save 520 billion gallons of water per year, or the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in about 12 days.  

Even if your toilet is relatively new, it could be wasting water through a silent leak. You can find out if your toilet is leaking by putting a drop of food coloring in the tank. If after 10 minutes or so, you see colored water in the bown, then your flapper needs to be replaced. 

These clever contemporary toilet paper holders from the Delta Decor Assist line are designed with a subtle, integrated grab bar. This feature eases use for people of all ages and abilities, and adds to the adaptability of the space.

The Bathroom Exhaust is on the “most efficient” list of Energy Star certified ventilation fans.These exhaust fans have three different air flow settings to be tailored to the needs of each space and have a certified sone rating for quiet operation. Effective ventilation in bathrooms and high humidity areas helps to control moisture inside the home and prevent potential indoor air quality and durability issues with mold or mildew.