The Coconino County Sustainable Building Program, in partnership with the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Program, and Willow Bend Environmental Education Center are hosting a Sustainable Building Tour as part of the Flagstaff Festival of Science and the American Solar Energy Society’s National Tour.
The annual, self-guided tour provides attendees with perspectives from homeowners, builders, architects, and installers about the costs, processes, and the economic and environmental benefits of building sustainably. The event is expected to attract over 200 people from across Coconino County and the State. The theme, “Building Climate Solutions,” will highlight local homes and buildings that are resource efficient and have smaller carbon footprints. This includes projects that are: net-zero water and energy consumption, high density and urban infill, are in close proximity to services like public transportation, or utilize existing buildings and local materials.
The tour will feature homes and buildings that have implemented sustainability through design, materials, systems and living practices. Also showcased will be passive solar design, energy and water efficient systems and appliances, greywater and rainwater reuse, and construction methods such as reclaimed wood, insulated concrete forms, and strawbale. Additional features include, solar thermal (hot-water) for domestic and space heating, solar photovoltaic, Xeriscaping, and a retrofitted home for energy and water efficiency, as well as improved durability and indoor air quality. Nine tour locations will provide examples of the variety of methods used to achieve more resource efficient homes and buildings.
More information on the homes and tour locations are available at the Coconino County Sustainable Building Program’s Facebook page. The event begins at Willow Bend Environmental Education Center at 10:00 a.m. Saturday Oct. 1 and is free with a suggested donation of $5 to support Willow Bend’s environmental education programs in local schools. Many locations are within biking distance and walkable from downtown Flagstaff.
NAIPTA is providing free bus passes for attendees. Tour packets will be available at Willow Bend the day of the tour.
For more information visit www.coconino.az.gov/sustainablebuilding or contact 928-679-8850.2016 Sustainable Building Tour in Flagstaff this weekend