interior design + sustainable products
6 October 2009 | Marjorie
ecobodes use carefully sourced materials that minimise our impact on the broader environment, easing the pressure on the planet, its people, and your conscience.
embodied energy
It takes a lot of energy to build a house, and some materials use more than others, like concrete and masonry, but these materials have wonderful properties. ecobodes are reverse brick veneer, placing high thermal mass materials like concrete and masonry just where they provide most advantage – regulating internal temperatures, like a thermal flywheel. So the embodied energy is replacing energy that would otherwise be needed to heat and cool the building, every day of its life.
timber
Timber is a wonderful renewable resource, but many timbers commonly used in Australia come from old growth forests, or the precious rainforests of South-East Asia. This diminishes biodiversity, and threatens the livelihood of many developing communities. Therefore ecobodes only use sustainably sourced, plantation-grown timbers. No CCA treated timbers are used. Exposed timbers are treated with non-toxic LOSP.
indoor health
ecobodes reduce or eliminate toxic materials. Many common household materials produce cancer-risking gasses and fine particles, which are ingested by adults and children, increasing the risk of a wide range of illnesses. Low or zero volatile organic compound (VOCs) materials are used in ecobodes wherever possible. Plant and mineral based materials - including paints, renders and floor coverings - are used to eliminate VOCs while providing great colours.