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FEATURE:
Home, Sweet, Energetic, Non-Toxic Home

Taking Green Mainstream

Before Texas architect Marley Porter touches pencil to paper, he, the client and a few associates do something unconventional. They park lawn chairs in the center of the undeveloped property, break out some wine and cheese, and wait for wildlife to return to the scene. They talk, but mostly they observe the natural landscape. And they wait for the moment to arrive.

"The trees, the topography – it’s a beautiful chorus whispering to get its voice across," relates Porter, owner of Austin-based Living Architecture, Inc. "It all becomes synthesized in an instant." And when inspiration strikes, he sketches the home in less than 30 minutes.

"The design just shimmers. Our job is to slow energy down to see what’s already there. We listen to what the trees are trying to tell us, the vistas, the sunshine. We hear the rumbling of what’s underground," he says. "The home is then designed without ego involved."

Porter’s homes are constructed without toxic materials, such as chemical-based paints and vinyl chloride tile. His new "green" designs – and ideas for revamping existing structures – are environmentally friendly and can help relieve symptoms for individuals who are sensitive to chemicals found in many construction products.

Growing Up Green

After becoming interested in architecture as a child, Porter attended and eventually taught at Arizona State University. But it wasn’t until a four-year stint as the Navajo Nation’s tribal architect that he learned a home’s design could – and should – include environmental and spiritual elements.

"It was my job to train the young ones to teach the practice of architecture," he remembers. "The holy men taught me important lessons about space, entry and spiritual celebration and how to keep the ego out of the way."

Soon after Porter’s experience with the Navajos, his company was born. Over the past decade, Living Architecture has designed and built dozens of homes and businesses throughout the United States. These structures have easily withstood conditions ranging from the subzero wind chills of Vermont to the scorching heat of Texas.

Detox Your Home

Marley Porter launched a second venture, Living Interiors, in January. The company provides advice via phone and e-mail for individuals who want to improve the interior environment and energy flow in their existing homes. Porter offers the following recommendations for eliminating toxic chemicals in your house.

1. Remove all carpeting, especially if you’re sensitive to dust, molds and pollens. Many carpet glues are toxic.

2. Use stone, bamboo and wood for walls and flooring whenever possible. These materials can be treated with natural products such as linseed oil mixed with mineral water and beeswax.

3. Choose lime-based stucco, which breathes better than the synthetic version.

4. Consider using concrete for flooring. It’s easy to clean, doesn’t release harmful gases, and can be stained a variety of colors.

5. Repaint using non-synthetic, natural paints.

6. Rearrange the furniture so the flow of energy is unimpeded.

7. Hire a professional company to clean ductwork, which can be a breeding ground for molds.

8. Keep your house clean, and remove any piles of clutter that are collecting dust.

9. Open windows at least once a day to allow fresh air in.

10. Place plants liberally throughout your home. They improve air quality by adding oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.

Living Interiors and Living Architecture, Inc. can be reached at www.livingarchitecture.com or 512-472-0272.

This is an excerpt from the Winter 2001 issue of Sully's Living Without. To purchase the issue containing the entire article Click here.