The popularity of farmers markets and the authentic food movement is a testimonial to a realized need that the food “industry” fails to gratify; but what does the journey to an authentic meaningful home look like?
An authentic home nurtures the health and well-being of its occupants while husbanding the environment.
Architect Paula Baker-LaPorte writes about healthy homes in Green By Design. Baker-Laporte was a practicing architect in 1992 when she was was plagued by a “mysterious chronic illness,” later diagnosed as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
I would offer that an authentic home nurtures the health and well-being of its occupants while husbanding the environment. This special home would use benign, nontoxic construction materials that are locally and sustainably harvested. The home would be built by a community of proud craftsmen who mean it to last for centuries. It would require little energy to live in comfortably and would reinforce the occupants’ health and connection to nature.
Paula Baker-LaPorte
Paula Baker-Laporte FAIA (paula@econest.com) is an architect and a certified building biology practitioner. She is the principal of Baker-Laporte and Associates and EcoNest Design. She is primary author of “Prescriptions for a Healthy House” and co-author with husband Robert Laporte of “Econest-Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw and Timber.”
If you enjoyed this post, please read these related stories:
