Full Spectrum Solar

Providing Food Shelter Water Air

The Shaftsbury Solar Project is demonstrating the benefits of aligning the built environment with the cycles of nature, using appropriate technology to efficiently harvest the sun’s energy.

  • The built environment encompasses the man-made physical structures that make up our communities, including buildings, electrical infrastructure, public spaces, and transportation systems. It plays a critical role in our basic needs being met, and significantly impacts the health and well-being of its occupants.

    Holistic planning and implementation of appropriate technology, using local and reclaimed materials can reduce complexity, and create healthy affordable housing for generations to come.

  • Appropriate technology refers to technologies that are designed and used in a way that is suitable for the cultural, economic, and environmental context in which they are employed. The concept emphasizes that the choice of technology should be driven by the needs and resources of the communities it serves, rather than by the commercial interests of technology providers. The goal of appropriate technology is to create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life for people in a given community, without causing harm to the environment or exacerbating social and economic inequalities.

  • In a sustainable community, the social, economic, and environmental aspects of life are integrated and interdependent, necessitating a holistic and balanced approach to development. A thriving community meets the needs of its current residents without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Basic Needs

  • Food is a fundamental necessity for human survival and well-being. Incorporating edible landscapes, rooftop gardens, and generous sun spaces reduces our dependency on complex external systems to meet our basic needs. These solutions not only provide direct access to nutritious, locally-grown food but also contribute to the local ecosystem and foster community engagement.

  • Shelter provides safety, security, and comfort – it's a fundamental human need. We believe in constructing regenerative shelters that go beyond the traditional confines of a 'house'. Our designs incorporate durable, locally-sourced materials and efficient construction methods to provide shelters that are comfortable, resilient, and in harmony with the environment. By focusing on passive design principles, we ensure that our buildings make efficient use of natural light and ventilation, promoting health and wellbeing for the inhabitants.

  • As an indispensable resource for life, the sustainable management of water is a paramount concern in contemporary times. Advanced water conservation and management strategies, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and permeable surfaces for groundwater recharge, can be integrated into building designs. These techniques help reduce reliance on potable water, aid in flood management, and promote local ecosystem health.

  • Good air quality is essential for human health. In an era when indoor air quality can often be worse than outdoor air quality, it's more important than ever to address this in our buildings. We prioritize strategies such as natural ventilation and material selection that limits volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Moreover, our designs can adapt to varying air quality conditions, offering options for sealing the interior during poor outdoor air quality episodes, or opening up to let in fresh air when conditions are good.

 Dependencies

Modern society is deeply interwoven with various dependencies that pose challenges to our quest for a regenerative and resilient future. These dependencies, often tied to non-renewable resources and unsustainable practices, have profound implications for environmental health, climate change, and societal well-being. It is vital to address and strive to reduce these dependencies through innovative and holistic solutions.

  • Predominantly used for transportation, heating, and electricity generation, our reliance on fossil fuels contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Transitioning towards energy-efficient designs and renewable energy sources is a pivotal step towards reducing this dependency.

  • Frequently used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, many refrigerants contribute to ozone layer depletion and have a high global warming potential. Promoting passive cooling techniques, natural ventilation, and the use of low-impact refrigerants can minimize our reliance on these harmful substances.

  • The conventional electric grid is often reliant on non-renewable energy sources and susceptible to disruption. Encouraging decentralized energy production through solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable sources can reduce dependence on the grid. Incorporating energy storage solutions and promoting energy-efficient designs can further enhance resilience and autonomy.