inside su casa
green all over
Amy Gardner used natural materials, many from her own property, and
traditional techniques to build her unique backyard retreat.
This article first appeared in Winter 2010 Su Casa
When Faren Dancer held a grand opening party just before the Haciendas parade of homes in Santa Fe, the packed house looked like a group-photo staging for the who’s who of green building in New Mexico. Expensive homes are often hyped with attention that lasts little longer than a Twitter update. But this one had true staying power—and star appeal—for the simple reason that it sets the bar at a new level for green building by any standard. Not only is it roomy, gorgeous, and decked out with all the expected amenities for its $2 million-plus price tag, but it also exceeds the ambitious 2030 Challenge goal of carbon neutrality. To find out more about what makes the Emerald Home special, turn to “Green’s anatomy” on page 50.
The green line leads next to a quiet old neighborhood in the near North Valley of Albuquerque, where Paul and Anita Chavez of Earth Origins Construction have built a smart-sized home along sustainable principles, with special emphasis placed on peaceful livability. They attribute some of its serenity to their careful choice of materials. Read more about it in “Building a healthy home” on page 58.
Not so far from the Chavez home, New Mexico green-building advocate Susie Marbury built her green dream house. Modest in scale, tucked into a snug infill lot near Old Town, this pet project enabled Marbury, who has architecture training, to explore the practical side of green building, a process that taught her more than any textbook could. (See “Labor of love,” page 25.)
We’re also featuring a charming remodel in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill district. Built in the 1930s, this house suffered the typical decay and indignities visited upon homes of a certain age in older neighborhoods. Builder Kevin Evans of Annex General Contracting & Design brought a deft hand to his restoration, incorporating green-building principles in an affordable package. Forget This Old House—how about an updated classic? Check out the story, “More than a makeover,” with before and after photos starting on page 66.
Many New Mexicans argue there’s nothing greener than building with adobe. Those well-versed in building science counter that it performs pretty poorly compared to newer systems. But when you look at Amy Gardner’s backyard kiva, at the way she reclaimed an abused lot by coaxing this little retreat from the land, and at the deep connection it creates between Amy and her ground, it’s hard not to call this truly sustainable building. (See “Down to earth” on page 88.)
From this lovely mud hut to a grand Santa Fe hacienda, the spectrum of green building in New Mexico gets broader every year. Whether you’re building new, remodeling old, or just mixing mud in the backyard, you’ve come to the right place.