Macbeath also proudly and quickly produced FSC certification for walnut veneers used in cabinetry. Utah beetle kill blue pine was used for the tongue-and-groove weathered gray ceiling and flooring. An interesting wood alternative made by Modern Mill from ag-waste rice hulls was chosen for wet areas due to its inherent water and mold-resistant properties and natural beauty. The contractor salvaged beams from a local barn being demolished for redevelopment. These beautiful, reclaimed beams were used for exposed floor joists and a custom dining table, adding to the rustic yet modern charm of the space. Foam insulation and concrete are responsible for some of the highest levels of embodied carbon in residential structures, and the Strawtegi team took care to navigate practical solutions for both. Seven feet of perlite, locally mined and produced in Malad, Idaho, was used for under-slab insulation, while affordable and environmentally friendly R-Tec Rigid EPS Foam was used for vertical below-grade applications. Supply chain and seasonal weather delays allowed for a full 60-day cure time to maximize the 40% fly ash content of the foundation and slab, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. Equipment and appliances were selected for energy and space efficiency, and low environmental impact. Solar panels on the roof work in tandem with the home’s passive solar design. Alpen triple-glazed insulated windows were specified, providing solar heat gain in the winter, when the sun sits lower in the sky, while 100% of the south-facing glazing is shaded by overhangs by early summer. The Rheem ProTerra Hybrid Electric water heater is four times more efficient than a standard electric tank. Ductless Lunos E2 HRVs (Heat Recovery Ventilators) provide continuous fresh air, with a MERV 13 filter to remove up to 90% of PM2.5 during Salt Lake’s common inversions. The Daikon Atmoshphera 12,000 BTU mini-split is one of the first residential units installed in Utah using the new low GWP R-32 refrigerant. Older, high HFC refrigerants such as R410 are prohibited across the U.S. starting in 2025. Although the use of dry composting and urine-diverting sanitation systems were explored, regulatory barriers in Salt Lake County, coupled with high costs and supply chain issues with the “best choice” fixtures, led to the specification of simply better fixtures like the High Sierra super low flow shower head and the Niagara Stealth Ultra High Efficient toilet using just 0.8 GPF. As water sources diminish throughout the American West, much work is needed in managing human waste to maximize its potential as a resource and reduce using precious fresh water to move waste liquids and solids. The pioneering work of Rich Earth Institute and their model Peecycling Program transforms nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from human urine into organic agricultural fertilizer, replacing high-cost and increasingly scarce chemical fertilizers that deliver the same nutrients. The Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design proved to be a great resource in choosing healthy, low embodied carbon interior finishes and furnishings for the Strawtegi CO2ttage. Bathroom walls are finished with luxurious and 25
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