Prince Charles's Natural House

Prince Charles has spoken for years about the importance of both sustainability and tradition. He hopes that the two can work side by side in towns, cities and villages to reflect a fundamental harmony between nature and human beings. Through developments such as Poundbury and Newquay he hopes to have put some of his ideas into practice.

The Prince has The Foundation for the Built Environment which is the architecture, design and educational charity wing of the Duchy of Cornwall. Through these he hopes to build places which are versatile and have enduring appeal, he wants villages where people can walk from their house to the shops or to the school where design is rooted in local identity. Prince Charles thinks that these sorts of principles should be the basics of design but they are often not by professionals, but he hopes that times are changing.

Prince Charles's main concerns are that the planet is becoming more and more urban therefore its resources are becoming scarcer. Even though we are adding solar panels to our homes to try and save energy, this is not enough. He feels that we should rethink the way we plan our homes, shops and schools and their relationship with one another. Eco-engineering can learn from Nature and we need to put emphasis on the design of our homes within our communities and use natural resources. Wind turbines and solar panels do not solve the fundamental problems, we need to be building homes designed to demand little or no energy from the beginning.

Prince Charles has worked with his foundation and the Building Research Establishment and Kingerlee Homes to produce the Natural House. It is designed to demonstrate the most effective route to low-energy and low carbon homes built with longevity in mind but with a traditional appeal. Prince Charles admits to being very proud of the Natural House.

The emphasis of the Natural House is on natural low impact materials that not only work well together but can be produced in this country. Although it is based on a traditional approach it has the best new technologies and it built on site by local workforces. The Natural House uses clay blocks and lime based plasters. These reduce the risk of poor air quality and the House also has a breathable wall system which stops mould and damp accumulating. This is blamed on many asthma and respiratory problems so the design in the Natural House helps both the environment and the health of those in it.

The Natural House is being shown at The Ideal Home Show and will be centrepiece there. Prince Charles hopes to show those who visit the House that not all eco homes are strange looking and out of the ordinary and that eco homes are a nice place to live in.

So what are the benefits of his Natural House:

· The House has natural clay tiles which will make the roof last longer and the tiles will not fade in the sun.
· The roof and also the floor will be insulated with sheep's wool.
· Honey-comb like clay blocks will make up the walls which will keep the Natural House warm in the winter but also cool in the summer.
· Heat is retained through the chimney flue which is made of insulated volcanic pumice rock from Iceland.
· The Natural House has triple glazed windows and high ceilings to flood the house with daylight.
· No fans are needed in the house in the summer due to the natural "stack" ventilation which promotes air flow.

Downtown Seattle Life Merging Natural Beauty and Cosmopolitan Living

When looking for a place to live, you cannot choose a more perfect place than downtown Seattle. A city on the rise, Seattle is fast becoming one of the most important economic hearts of the nation. While Seattle is growing in cosmopolitan appeal, it has still retained its important roots. As the center of the Pacific Northwest, it also is the icon and epitome of Northwest living. This means that the city is still relaxed and eco-friendly. Despite the bustle of downtown life, residents can still find peace and quiet in the surrounding greenery and fresh air.

Set in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, Seattle has been drawing new residents in flocks. Seattle is nestled between the saltwater of Puget sound to the west and the freshwater of Lake Washington to the east. Just over the water, residents of Seattle are graced with the breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains. With rich forests within view, combined with the topography of beaches, oceans, lakes and mountains, Seattle is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Living in downtown Seattle is an opportunity that should not be missed. Downtown life is perfect for families and seekers of night-life alike. The true city livers should consider Belltown, which is in the heart of Seattle and has some of the best bars, restaurants and dance clubs around. Living at the base of Capitol Hill means having easy access to Pacific Science Center, Seattle Children's Theater, Key Arena and the Space Needle. Living close to the water means proximity to Pike Place Market, which is a draw for tourists and locals alike. With its market atmosphere and fresh produce, Pike Place is a hot spot for anyone looking for food and fun.

Brand new condos are springing up in downtown Seattle all the time. As the city grows, opportunities for affordable cosmopolitan living become more and more possible. With views of the ocean and the mountains beyond, the highest floors are understandably coveted. Luckily, however, Seattle has slopes and curves uphill away from the water, meaning more people can afford views that would otherwise never be available. There are also many homes and office buildings available directly on or with views of Lake Union, a similarly beautiful body of water to the east. Public beaches along the ocean and areas like Gasworks Park on Lake Union mean the anyone can have direct access to the water for swimming, boating, kayaking, and even fishing. Seattle is redoubtably on of the best places in the nation to spend the fourth of July, as Seattleites enjoy an incredible fireworks display over Lake Union, as well as shooting from the top of the Space Needle. Thousands gather at Gasworks Park on blankets and chairs, and boat owners take their sailboats and yachts directly under the amazing display.

The attitude and friendliness of downtown Seattle cannot be beat. Locals know that underneath the cement sidewalks and bustling shopping centers, a great heart beats. With the diversity, stunning natural beauty and true big-city living, Seattle is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for moving families, and seekers of the city life alike.

Solutions home of green and natural Conservation

As the world continues to evolve people have seen their eyes of pollution negative impact to our environment. This made more get in the new practice and the actions to take care of their environment in a manner more eco friendly. This is not to be something important, that it may be as simple as the installation of solar panels to your home for lighting and heating. A green home solution has been in existence for some time. Green home solutions have always been there, but not popular with many people. This is mainly because people tend to search for solutions elsewhere when in most cases, the answer lies in their home.

As previously mentioned that a green home solution means no complications or a complete reorganization of your home. You can simply start the whole process by recycling items that you normally throw away, and that can be reused. This includes furniture, building materials and electric appliances.

Of all the green home solutions can be put into action, recycling water is that which causes a major impact in the conservation of our environment. This is possible in improving the piping system in your home. There are various ways that you can reuse the water in your home. A good example would be the water from your washing machine which will help to reduce significantly the amount of water that you use every day to flush the toilet or washing the lawn. You can also set up a water tank that can be used effectively to collect rainwater for household tasks.

An alternative green home involves the conservation of energy. Energy savings you made not only of the savings that you might have used to pay your bills, also contributes to the reduction of pollution. The use of renewable energy would be the best way of switching to green energy in your home. Select the best natural energy resources that allow you to recycle without cause extreme effects in your environment and the planet as a whole. This would include the wind, the Sun and hydro electric.

When executing any construction, it is always preferable to use bamboo to build a Green House. This is because unlike the other woods such as oak, bamboo is known not step to cause injury to the environment.It is also important to ensure that your home is well aerated through proper fitting of doors and Windows. It is important to note that better conservation starts at home.