UPDATED 6-01-10.

The goal of the PlayHaven Green Building Project is the creation of:

1. An existing residence renovation that incorporates many high efficiency, improved indoor air quality and sustainable material features. Plus the addition of renewable energy production and a successful, self-sufficient organic farm.
   
   
2. New construction of a complex that:
   • Is energy efficient, and meets ENERGY STAR and LEED® for Homes qualifications,
   • Uses renewable energy systems,
   • Combines new technology with recycled and reclaimed products,
   • Is designed to meet the needs of the homeowners, and,
   • Promotes a sustainable lifestyle.

The PHGB Project website is available so that any interested party can:

• Follow the progress of improvements and construction,
• Get information about the energy efficiency and green building techniques used,
• Find information about the products used, and
• Learn to incorporate these features into their next project.

Welcome to the PlayHaven Green Building Project website!

My name is Bobbi Walker (the Owner/Designer of Intuitive Design). I have spent the last 20+ years dreaming of the day when I would be able to build an earth-friendly home. When I first started researching the possibility, there was very little available to give me hope that it could ever be accomplished... unless I was willing to do it all myself.

Over the years, hope turned into optimism and optimism has turned into joy. Now, there are:

• architects who design sustainable, net-zero energy houses,
• builders who use energy efficient construction techniques,
• contractors who have networks to build sustainably,
• energy raters who make sure it is energy efficient and works the way it should,
• financial institutions who understand that this is more than a "niche" market,
• renewable energy products that are more affordable to the average homeowner,
• products made from reclaimed and recycled materials,
• and lots and lots of information on the internet (assuming you know what the questions are).

The PlayHaven Green Building Project is the culmination of those dreams. In addition to being our home, it will be so very much more than that!

It has always been my intention to make this a showcase of products and techniques that the average homeowner could show to their contractor or builder and say "see, that's what I want in my house."

And even better yet, an example that contractors and builders can show to their clients of what kind of energy efficiency and sustainable features can be incorporated into their projects.

And even further still, a place where many options and ways of doing things can be used in a single location to show what choices there are and comparisons can be made.

This all being said, the PlayHaven Green Building Project will be available (by appointment) for physical tours; both during construction/renovation and ever after. AND, this website will provide virtual tours for anyone interested in what we're doing but who are unable to make the trip to the Kansas City MO (U.S.A.) area.

June 1, 2010

First things first: I apologize for not updating the website through the Winter and Spring. No excuses, just didn't get around to it and not much to report.

Entertainment System

We replaced our old Sony TV with the Sony Bravia VE5 1080p Eco LCD HDTV (40 inch)... see the Gallery page for more info about that item. It is a very nice TV and among its many wonderful features is something Gary and I can remember from our childhood years: an OFF button. Yes, amazingly, you can turn the thing completely off so it doesn't use any phantom electricity. What will they think of next?

Along with the TV, we also updated to a DVR recorder that is also a DVD and VCR player. Plus we added a Sony Sound system... so now it really is an entertainment system.

Sealing Ductwork Leaks

We had a very cold winter and when we discovered that we had to order more propane to heat the house than we had anticipated, Gary dug out the caulk and mastic to (finally) seal up the ductwork. Visit that Gallery page here.

Plumbing

Yes, we did get the polybutylene out of the house this Spring! One less worry. Visit the Plumbing Gallery page to learn more.

Attic Insulation

And, YES, the old fiberglass and sheetrock (bad idea) in the attic is gone and replaced with blown-in cellulose! Visit the Insulation Gallery page for more information.
Eric Butler of Comfort Solutions says: "I wish everyone had a 'cool roof' - yours gave us the best working conditions I've ever been in." and "I left your job around 1:00 pm and had to do some work in my own attic which has asphalt shingles and the difference was amazing - my attic was probably 40 degrees hotter than yours and practically unbearable."

We'll be scheduling an new Energy Audit to see what the official difference is between the old and the new soon.

Check back to find out the progress of our efforts.