Cielo en la Tierra Healthy Homes is a residential project development and consulting company specializing in the construction of high-performance homes that combine advanced, sustainable building technologies with family-friendly designs for enhanced live-ability by leading architects. Our homes are healthier for their occupants, healthier for the environment, and healthier for our economy, now and into the future.

   Our company is based on the premise that not only is it possible to build quality homes that are beautiful, functional, efficient, and affordable, but at the same time, to also build homes that increase our quality of life and minimize our ecological footprints.

   As the demand for housing is ever-increasing, so is the demand for the resources they require in the form of building materials, energy for lighting, heating, and air conditioning, and water. Clearly, without a plan for implementing sustainable technologies to produce and recycle these resources, it is only a question of time before it becomes increasingly difficult to meet these demands. Great strides have been made by numerous public and private organizations toward creating just such a plan.

   We are committed to the environmentally and socially responsible principles and technologies of sustainability that will allow us to comfortably meet our social and economic needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do so. We are also committed to the idea that less is actually more and that with careful planning and by being considerate of our planet and of each other, we can contribute in some meaningful way to a more sustainable economy and, in turn, to a more sustainable future.

Benefits of Healthy Homes
   By using the thoughtful and ingenious designs of leading architects and using existing advanced building technologies, our homes are higher quality, healthier, safer, and quieter, with little or no additional expense. Other benefits include:
   �Less exposure to toxic chemicals through the use of suitable building materials.
   �Improved air flow through passive design or mechanical ventilation.
   �Reduced incidence of molds and rot by using proper building techniques and materials.
   �Removal of toxics or combustibles from primary living areas.
   �Energy efficient designs.
   �Use of environmentally friendly or sustainably produced building materials wherever possible.    

   By design, these homes also have reduced maintenance and lower energy expenses. Upon request, we will also work with recognized experts in order to accommodate more sensitive clients.

Green Building
   There is a growing desire for homes designed in accordance with environmentally responsible standards for energy efficiency and built with natural or sustainably produced building materials. These homes provide healthier and more natural living spaces that promote conservation and benefit from reduced energy costs. In some areas, the use of renewable energy sources is encouraged through rebates, tax credits, or special financing programs which can further reduce energy expenses.

Panelized Homes Using Structural Insulated Panels
   Panelized (or "systems built") homes can be constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (known as SIPs). SIPs most commonly consist of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam core between two layers of oriented strand board (OSB) and structurally work like an I-beam. SIPs are a relatively new technology that are quickly gaining in popularity with builders, developers, and homeowners as a result of their extensive engineering and testing. They also offer considerable resource conserving advantages over conventional materials and are more suitable for our applications. Their numerous benefits include:
   � Structurally up to 5 times stronger than conventional framing
   � Superior insulation-up to 50% more energy efficient
   � Decreased construction time and labor costs
   � Substantially reduced waste
   � Non-toxic and insect resistant
   � Low formaldehyde skins
   � Non ozone-depleting foam cores
   � Reduced molds, mildew, and dust

   Panelized sections, typically walls and roofs, can be shipped to the building site where the building shells can be assembled on the foundations in just a few days.

Smaller, Environmentally Friendlier Homes
   While it is our desire to provide homes that are attractive, affordable, and energy efficient, it is healthier and environmentally responsible housing that is our primary concern. Smaller homes that are designed for more efficient use of living spaces are less expensive to heat and cool and conserve resources. Due to economies of scale, smaller homes can be somewhat more expensive per square foot than larger homes but are less costly to build overall and offer substantially lower energy expenses.

   By using these existing technologies, our homes are more in harmony with Nature, are more nurturing and sustaining, and promote well being and happiness. While these homes are generally smaller, they are more occupant friendly and more energy efficient. These homes also have increased live-ability and comfort with minimum impact on our resources, our environment, and our society.

   While we would welcome the opportunity to work with our clients on the adaptation of practically any home plan to SIP construction, we do specialize in certain types of homes that we feel are especially suited for this method of construction and support our environmental and sustainability goals including craftsman bungalows and cottages, and timber-framed sips homes.

   We are located in Northern California but would welcome the opportunity to build a Cielo en la Tierra Healthy Home in other locations.

For more information, please contact Naturally Green Healthy Homes
or join our discussion group for [eriodic updates.

   Cielo en la Tierra Healthy Homes is a development and consulting company and we are not licensed contractors. We do, however, use licensed contractors for our projects whenever required.