PRINCIPLES

Tri-Tech Design was founded in 1985, and has been providing architectural, interior design and landscape services for homes and businesses.   Over 150 projects have been successfully completed.  The principal, Russell K. Johnson, AIA, has built his business around providing complete, high quality services, with an eye toward detail. 

Some of the important environmental issues that Mr. Johnson is concerned about with respect to the design of his own home and buildings he designs include:

 

 

· LIFE SPAN

 

· One of the most important considerations for resources and energy is life span.  A home that lasts 500 years will have far less impact on the environment than one that lasts 50 years.   Materials that don’t deteriorate, are not subject to termite damage and mold, and are fire proof are essential to this goal. 

· Walls of insulating concrete, which are  thick blocks of cement and ground up recycled Styrofoam.

· Windows and doors of anodized heavy gauge aluminum or fiberglass, which will are not subject to rot and mold, and need no painting.

· Floors of stone and concrete, which last indefinitely with minimal care.

· Cabinets of 11 ply solid maple, strawboard, or metal which are strong, durable and formaldehyde free.

· Bathrooms fully tiled and never needing to be painted.

· Ceilings, interior walls, and roof structures of steel, which does not rot, burn or decay, and is recyclable.

 

· MAINTENANCE

 

· Easy cleaning with hard surface stone, tile and concrete floors.  Recessed baseboards so dust can’t collect.   The result is a hypoallergenic environment, especially for allergy suffers.

· Termite resistance achieved by the use of insulating concrete blocks and steel which not only saves cost, but help urban air quality, because poisonous chemicals used in termite tenting are released into the air we breath.

· Low maintenance roofs created with light weight perlite concrete, polyurethane foam or standing seam metal.

· Driveways of cast concrete pavers, which do not crack like conventional slabs. 

 

· ENERGY CONSUMPTION

 

· Insulating concrete walls  have high insulation values averaging R-30, compared with  conventional wood homes which have an insulating value of R-11.

· Roof insulation values typically greater than R-35.

· Solar photovoltaic panels generating electricity on site.

· In-floor hydronic heating systems , which pump hot water through tubing in the floor.  Hot water supplied with a tankless water heater resulting in little energy waste.

· On-demand water heater for tap water use,  without a water tank constantly loosing energy.

· Front loading clothes washer - energy and water conserving.

· Energy Star rated dishwasher. 

· Natural gas fireplace to reduce deforestation and preserve city air quality.

 

· SEISMIC RESISTANCE

 

· Structural design that surpasses building code requirements.  The Codes require enough seismic resistance to “protect the occupants from harm,” in the event of an earthquake.  Going beyond this level helps prevent costly damage as well, by using higher strength concrete and more steel than the codes require.

 

· ACCESSIBILITY

 

· Compliance with ADA’s 1 in 12 slope requirements, doors that allow wheel chair access, as well as other features to permit disabled persons access to all parts of the building.

 

· CLASSIC DESIGN

 

· Avoidance of cliché laden architectural styles.  Clean, classic styles that will look as good in 500 years as they do today.