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A view from the yard of the Edwards' 3100 sq. ft. corner home. The backyard deck was made entirely from reclaimed wood.
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The second-floor landing serves as a playroom and reading area. The unbendable brass pipe is inserted with sturdy hardware usually reserved for toilets.
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A view from the yard of the Edwards' 3100 sq. ft. corner home
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City’s Earth Bound Construction:
Building California Homes Green
By Tricia Chambers
When scientist-turned building contractor Dave Edwards talks about changing his career and lifestyle for greener pastures, he means business.
Although back in 2002, his timing may have been a little off. Six months previously, his wife Amy, a Foothill College Biotechnology professor, had just given birth to the couple’s second and third children, a set of twins.
“She’s been completely supportive,” Edwards said, “and never once asked me to quit.”
This was certainly beneficial to aiding Edwards, founder of Earth Bound Homes, on his way to turning California green. The goal of the Ph.D. Biochemist is to build and remodel homes in an environmentally responsible and energy efficient manner.
According to the Green Rating System of Build It Green, the family home Edwards re-built in Santa Clara is certified as California’s number one ecologically-sound home. Five other homes he built take the titles of the second to sixth greenest California homes.
“It doesn’t have to cost more to build green. But it does take more thought,” he said. “I strive to be honest with clients and protect the environment. I haven’t had to compromise my principals at all for what I love to do.”
Build It Green, an East Bay organization, was established for the purpose of promoting energy and resource-efficient buildings in California.
In 2007 Edwards won Acterra’s Business Environmental Award for a sustainable built environment. Acterra is an organization founded by active Bay Area environmental groups.
Edwards rebuilt the formaldehyde and toxic chemical-free home with materials that are salvaged, durable, energy-efficient and contain recycled content. At least 80% of the building materials’ waste at his sites is either salvaged or recycled.
A tour of the home reveals a lush front yard of pesticide-free local shrubbery that benefits from the rain and greywater that runs through a 1400-gal. tank located under the backyard play structure. The columns and porch are constructed from reclaimed lumber. Solar panels on the roof and an 8 by 8 ft. skylight, keeps the interior lit without electricity until sunset.
Outdoor noises are completely blocked due to Edwards’ use of six-inch Structurally Insulated Panel (SIP) walls and roof and FSC certified wood framing and flooring. Throughout the home salvaged windows, doors and recycled redwood trim are put to good use.
FSC certified means you know exactly what portion of forest a piece of lumber was certified from, who milled it, who shipped it,” Edwards said, “it's called chain of custody.
Another unseen, but just as important system is the 120-gal. solar water heater. Tucked into the garage, the tank supplies free hot water nine months each year.
Edwards sits in his home office with windows veiled by the branches of large trees as he explains another important feature of green building: durability.
For one kitchen countertop, he used Corian, a substance composed of acrylic polymer that will not need replacing. Another countertop is made of painted and formed concrete. Unbendable copper pipes without joints are also used througout the home.
Less maintenance means less time, expense and materials. That means less harm to the environment, he said.
Edwards’ 3100 sq. ft. home is among the green homes you can view as part of the Build It Green Home Tours offered in September. For more information, visit http://www.builditgreen.org/green-home-tours/upcoming-tours.
