Resource conservation refers to the usage of renewable and eco-friendly materials in building and construction, as well as reducing waste and recycling products. Typically, the construction of residential and commercial buildings requires large amounts of wood, metals, fossil fuels, and other natural resources; the cultivation, manufacture, delivery, and actual construction of these materials can put a significant strain on the environment and require a great deal of energy usage. Reducing waste during construction and using sustainable materials, such as reused or recycled content or materials made from renewable resources, can conserve significant resources and energy.
Here's One Way to Conserve Resources!
In the past, architects have recommended demolishing an existing home rather than adding a second story to an existing structure. This was mostly due to costly code and seismic requirements. However, one company is proposing that homeowners jack the existing structure up and build a new first floor under the existing structure, then lower the existing home onto the new structure that has code-required footings, walls, and foundation. 
According to Top Notch, a Glendale architectural design firm, raising a home and adding a new addition underneath and setting it back down saved one client $130,000 and doubled the square footage of the home. Not to mention that reusing the existing structure is a greener construction method.
To learn more, visit http://www.topnotchstudio.com/ or call (818) 662-5698.
| Did You Know? Building an average 2,000-square-foot house produces about 7,000 pounds of waste. |