The Net-Zero Life: Rainwater Harvesting

Over the summer, we worked with clients who sought out our services to modify a set of plans for a home design they purchased from the Internet. It was a rewarding effort to help them reach their goal of achieving a net-zero energy home for ‘living their values’ today and into retirement. Beyond achieving net-zero energy, they wanted the property to be as self-sustaining as possible. These extra features include a permaculture garden, raising livestock, installing an off-grid photovoltaic system, and harvesting rainwater.

We performed a rainwater harvesting analysis to help the clients understand the quantities of rainwater they could expect to harvest so their cisterns could be properly sized. We utilized formulas developed by Brad Lancaster, an expert in rainwater harvesting and permaculture teacher, combined with localized annual rainfall data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). When rainfall data was entered into the formulas and applied to the total square footage of roof area available, we were able to estimate the maximum potential net rainwater volume for the entire year, or any given month. In this particular case, it was almost 22,000 gallons annually - not too shabby for a 1,500 s.f. home situated on a high-desert plain at nearly 8,000 feet in elevation.

10 Compelling Realizations I've Made While Working In An Architecture Firm

10. Firms come in all shapes and sizes

Previously, all the firms I visited were located in commercial buildings. So when I arrived for my interview at Shelterbelt, with their entrance located in a residential backyard, I was convinced I was trespassing on someone's private property. What I've come to find out, is that not only can a firm be in a house but it can also thrive with only two people. 

9. You have to track everything!

Tracking every detail and task is crucial for the business to know exactly how to bill clients and understand productivity.

8. save! save! save! 

I was sitting at my desk about to save when the screen went black! I had kicked the charge chord free from the outlet. Technical problems happen all the time so obsessively save your work! 

7. Floor plans need some getting used to

At first construction documents can be very overwhelming, just hang in there. Things will start to make sense the more you practice and observe. 

6. Obey the code

There is a standard for designing buildings -- so don't make it up. The International Building Code (IBC) is a slog but regulates all aspects of buildings for health and safety.

5. Be able to wear multiple hats

Everyday I wear the drafting hat, the marketing hat, the errands hat, the research hat, the 'whatever else they come up with' hat, and, of course, my favorite baseball cap. 

4. Collaboration is fun

When everyone's ideas are considered, you reap the rewards of inspiration. We recently created a collage that featured everyone's input; it was a ton of fun!

3. Just go for it

I was really interested in learning more about architecture. When I saw a job posting for an architectural internship I knew this was going to be a great opportunity. I applied, interviewed, and here I am writing a blog about my experience thus far. Jumping into new fields can be intimidating, but don't let that stop you from entering new territory and learning what you want to know. 

2. Be Patient & Persistent

Not only do you have to learn and know certain programs, you also have to learn the firm's standards within those programs -- and different firms will have different standards. It can be challenging to remember and follow every specific standard, however with patience, persistence, and determination you will get by. 

1. Writing is a part of everything

This has been one of the most important and challenging aspects of my internship at ShelterBelt. Communication, in all fields, is key to growth and success – especially design – so get writing!

About the Author...

Derek Dozbaba

I was born and raised in Iowa, moved around with my family to Pennsylvania and have lived in Colorado for the past 7 years. Moving has allowed me to be exposed to so many different aspects of life, and has shaped me into a passionate individual who loves art, design and is always open for a new adventure!

The United States' Collection of Belts: Belt Regions of the U.S.

Image of the 'Corn Belt' Image Credit: dakotafire.net

Our last blog discussed a brief history of shelterbelts in the United States; however, shelterbelts are not the only 'belts' in the U.S. There are over 20 different regions that use the 'belt' terminology to describe climatic, economic, and cultural concentrations.

The 'belt' terminology was first used to describe particular growing regions along the same line of latitude. These regions typically had similar climates, producing the best conditions for certain plant species to thrive (a popular example would be the Coffee Belt along the Equator). Since then, this terminology has been applied to other cultural concentrations in the United States. This list is quite fascinating, in our opinion, marking fertile lands, definite climatic regions, industrial booms, dark historical periods, and distinct cultural presence.

LIST OF BELT REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES

CLICK a title TO BE REDIRECTED TO MORE INFORMATIOn...

• Banana Belt A term applied to several U.S. areas with milder climates than their surrounding regions.
• Bible Belt Any collection of states where evangelical and fundamentalist Protestantism are prevalent.
• Black Belt A region of fertile farmlands in the southeast, now known as a region with a high ratio of African-American residents, descendants of slave laborers on the cotton plantations of the 19th century.
• Borscht Belt A region of Jewish resorts in the Catskills.
• Corn Belt Midwestern states where corn is the primary crop.
• Cotton Belt Southern states where cotton is or was a primary crop.
• Frost Belt A region of cold weather in the northeastern and north-central United States.
• Fruit Belt An area where fruit growing is prominent.
• Grain Belt Sometimes Wheat Belt, northern midwestern states where most of North America's grain and soybeans are grown (cf. Breadbasket).
• Indiana Gas Belt A region of Indiana that was the site of a natural gas boom in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
• Jell-O Belt Also known as the Mormon Corridor, western states with a large Mormon population.
• Lead Belt A district in southeastern Missouri that has a long history of mining for lead.
• Pine Belt A region of southern Mississippi where longleaf pine trees are abundant.
• Rice Belt Southern states where rice is a major crop.
• Rust Belt (in the past, commonly known as the Manufacturing Belt, Factory Belt, or Steel Belt) Northeastern and central northern states where heavy industrialization—and some economic stagnation—is common.
• Salt Belt A region in the Northeast and Midwest states where large quantities of salt is applied to control snow and ice on roads during the winter season.
• Snowbelt Areas in the Northeast and northern Midwest prone to lake effect snow.
• Stroke Belt A region in the Southeast that has an unusually high incidence of stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
• Sun Belt Southern, hot-weather states stretching from coast to coast.
• Unchurched Belt A region in the far Western United States that has low religious attendance.

*THESE REGIONS ARE NOT FORMALLY DEFINED; THEY FREQUENTLY OVERLAP AND HAVE VAGUE BORDERS.