Home Design of the Future
Angela Ocampo
A Green Environment
In the home of my future, I would be living in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is located in a desert biome, therefore, there is a limit to what kinds of plants I can include in my design. However, native plants are able to grow in the hot climate.
I would include:
Lowly coyote bush- can survive through winters and summers, can grow in compacted clay and gravel, can survive and grow in the shade during extreme hot tempuratures.
Wishbone bush- can grow in a variety of types of terrain, has a pop of color, perfect for lightening up your garden.
Blue-eyed grass- has blue, iris like leaves, can tolerate any weather, especially drought, can grow anywhere with full sunlight, best in sand to clay.
Garden of My Own
In my garden I will grow:
cucumbers- grow best in the warmest days
peppers- don’t take a large amount of time to grow mature
tomatoes
avocadoes- can be harvested all year round
clementine- harvested well during the winter
garlic- harvested during summer and fall
A Source of Transportation
My source of transportation would be the Nissan LEAF. The Nissan LEAF is an electric car, meaning it does not run on gas but on an advanced rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The Nissan LEAF get the equivalent of 1.9 liters per 100 kilometers. The 24kWh lithium-ion battery stores its energy to power the 80kW AC motor in 48 lithium-ion battery cells and provides enough power to the motor to generate 187 lb-ft of torque off the line, and 107 horsepower. On average, most people drive less than 53 kilometers per day. With the Nissan LEAF, you can go 3 times that distance on a single charge. Other than a car, I would also have a bike to travel short distances, go to the beach, pick up small items from the store etc.
Waste Management
Instead of using regular waste bins in my future home, I plan on disposing waste properly with recycling and composting to help better separate waste and preserve the life of the earth.
Adopt A Pet
Hazards In Everyday Products
In hair and body products such as hair spray, shampoos, perfumes and deoderants , phthalates, also called plasticizers will be contained in it. Phthalates bind the colour and scent in cosmetic products and are also used to increase the flexebility and durability of plastic. This chemical can lead to reproductive and developmental problems in animals.
Air fresheners and cleaning solutions when used excessively can release toxic levels of pollutants. Chemicals used in this type of product are ethylene-based glycol ethers and terpenes.
Non-stick cookware like Teflon contain perchloroethylene which scientist believe cause birth defects and cancer and can affect growth and development, reproduction, and function of the liver.
Chemicals, Chemicals, Chemicals
the chemical contained in hair and body products- Phthalates come from Phthalic Acid. Phthalic Acid is made up of 8 atoms of Carbon, 6 Hydrogen atoms and 2 Oxygen atoms.
Where Oh Where?
The "It" Group
Power House
Physical Structures For Energy Efficiency
There are many ways to create a model of energy efficiency. First, extra insulation can be added to exterior walls, ceilings and attics, basements, around heating and cooling ducts and In framed floors. Covers and Dampers on vents to the outside, unheated or cooled areas, energy-efficient windows, doors and appliances also add to energy savings.
Appliances
I would choose the essential appliances for my home.
Microwave
Stove/oven
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
However, when choosing these appliances, I would be sure to look for an EnerGuide label or follow the EnergyStar program to conserve energy.
Light It Up
In my future home, I would use Flood Reflector LED lightbulbs because these light bulbs are 90% more efficient than an incandescent, last 10 times longer than CFLs and the frequency of changing light bulbs is greatly reduced. This meaning, I will save on money and be energy efficient.
Out of This World Inventions
Essential items that can be found in my home that has been developed due to space exploration would be a smoke detector, for safety reasons and to detect any fires. I would also have a variety of cordless tools for effortless use and quicker access. Smoke detectors were created to help detect any toxic vapours and cordless tools were used to help Apollo astronauts drill for moon samples. With this technology, people have used it to make things that already existed, better.