Healthy Buildings

Attention to indoor air quality is more important than ever.

The more energy efficient our buildings become, the higher our concern should be about indoor air quality. To ensure energy efficiency, a structure needs an extremely tight building envelope, one that keeps warm air in and cold air out (or vice versa). And that means that fresh air must be imported for the inhabitants via an air exchange system. The more inhabitants in a building, the more fresh air will be needed.

Materials that off-gas can compromise the environment within a building envelope, despite the air exchange system. Flame retardants in foam and fabrics, commonly used stain repellants, formaldehyde in cabinetry, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in paint, glues, and materials in flooring all compromise indoor air quality.

As interior designers, our goal is to educate our clients on the importance of clean, efficient design, and to parlay that knowledge into beautifying your living environment in a healthful way by incorporating safe, nontoxic building materials.

Resource Conservation

Local, sustainable materials are our first choice for resources. Not only does purchasing these materials help boost your local economy, it’s actually less expensive for our clients than purchasing nonlocal.

We make choices that minimize our environmental footprint and work with clients to repurpose materials, whenever we can economically do so.

Collaboration

Great design is a collaborative process. With collaboration, the ideas come faster and more inspired. We all benefit from collective intelligence.

Not only do we collaborate with our clients, we collaborate with architects, engineers, and contractors—with any and all trades people and professionals—to produce a complete and holistic picture with a more creative outcome, more functional results, and a more beautiful aesthetic.

Details, Details, Details

The sum of the parts is greater than the whole. By using a systematic process to develop what the client envisions, we combine our experience with our clients’ unique preferences to exceed expectations. 

Our process allows options to be weighed, compared, and contrasted, and positions clients at the perfect vantage point to survey and appraise various design elements, securing optimal gratification in the finished product.

Deliverables

We create design drawings and specifications that allow builders to execute construction efficiently, with budget in mind. We work with our clients to inspire and elevate them to a place where they are confident in their choices, and in the results of those choices.

Design is in the details, in documented form—and that’s exactly what we deliver.