Remodeling in shades of green

Re “Second Opinion on Going Green” [Jan. 20]:

I am the designer of the Rosen residence featured on the Jan. 6 Home cover, and I feel the need to respond to Dr. Joel Shapiro’s letter that questioned whether the project was eco-friendly.

While it is true that I did use slate, a nonrenewable product, in the floor design, it was for only 3% of the 4,000-square-foot floor space. The other flooring is cork, Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood and natural linoleum. Slate was added to the existing exterior deck (80 square feet) to cross a self-sustaining aquatic pond.

The house also has more than 45,000 square feet of interior and exterior surfaces, all of which are finished with paints free of volatile organic compounds, plant-based oils and waxes, and biodegradable products. Less than 100 square feet of wood surfaces contain petrochemical-based product.

When you add solar hot water, solar photovoltaic electrical panels, recycled cotton insulation, high-performance windows, a drought-tolerant garden, low-flow fixtures and energy-efficient appliances, we are a long way from “in large degree, not eco-friendly.”

It is not fair to condemn an entire project based on one piece of information. Much thought and effort were put into this home by the Rosens and me to make it a pleasant, safe and green home (including the worms).

There is always room for growth, and I will do my best to improve in future designs.

Rick Graham

Studio City

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Our home was featured in the Jan. 6 Home section as an example of environmental renovation. The article discussed many ways homeowners could incorporate environmental concerns in their projects.

In a letter to the Home section [“Eco-Renewal? It’s Not for the Humble Budget,” Jan. 13] a reader said environmental building and renovation is prohibitively expensive. The writer must not have current and complete information.

Most environmental products are priced competitively or are only marginally more expensive. When you consider lifecycle savings, even products that are initially more expensive may be cost-effective.

Energy-efficient windows save money in heating and cooling costs. Drought-tolerant native gardens save on water and are easier to maintain. Many natural products (cork, linoleum, stone, metal) last longer and require less maintenance.

The letter writer also claimed that the sustainable lumber at Home Depot was a “hundred times” more expensive for “gnarly-looking boards.” According to Home Depot’s website, the company has a strong commitment to sustainable lumber and less than one-quarter of 1% comes from rain forest sources.

Eco-renovation and building is definitely worth looking into, even on a limited budget.

Al Rosen

Brentwood