Cotati Cohousing   Cotati, California

Back to Sustainability | Cotati | Pleasant Hill
World Bank | Sonora | Sutter's End | Nevada City

Energy & Systems

• High R value, wet-blown cellulose insulation providing insulation levels of R22 in most exterior walls, R30 in some exterior walls and R38 in the ceilings.

• Perimeter insulation around the bottom of the house

• Thicker and denser gypsum board throughout the houses adds thermal mass that stores solar energy in the winter and takes advantage of night cooling in the summer.

• Lightweight concrete floors (1-1/2” gypcrete) adds even more thermal mass

• Low-E squared windows

• Window shading. Carefully placed canopies, awnings, trellises and trees provide summer shad while allowing in winter sun.

• Reflective radiant roof barriers greatly reduce radiant solar heat gain from the roof and reflect a minimum of 80% of the sun’s direct radiation.

• Extensive natural light in the houses minimizes electrical lighting use during daylight hours.

Materials & Products

• Water fixtures such as toilets, shower heads, and faucets are low-water use fixtures

• Compact fluorescent and halogen light fixtures are used extensively to conserve electricity.

• Trex decking is made of 50% recycled milk bottles and 50% sawdust. It also lasts three to four times longer than typical decking which has a life of only about 20 years.

• The concrete incorporates a high percentage of fly ash, a recycled waste product from coal-fired power plants that makes concrete a stronger and more workable product.

• Advanced framing reduced the use of wood and minimized the need for large dimensional lumber.

• Sustainable flooring made from bamboo plank.

• Low-toxicity wood preservative “ACQ Preserve,” a low toxicity alternative.

Other Green Features

• Provisions for future grey water reuse for irrigation on site.

• Permaculture landscaping.

• Mixed-use building

• Minimum asphalt/concrete

View Project Description