Top 3 Toxic Chemicals Found in Building Materials
Asbestos and Lead are well known for their harmful effects to humans and the environment; however, there are also many other toxic chemicals that are part of commonly used building and most people might not be aware of them. Here are our top 3.
Navigating the Permitting Process
Whether you are contemplating opening a new restaurant, adding on to your existing residence or even building a new custom home, one of the prime questions your bound to have is, how long does it take to get a building permit?
Eco-Sustainable Insulation
High-performance building materials are chosen based on the balance of quality and price. Nowadays, homeowners will Choose eco-sustainable insulation over standard even if it’s a bit more expensive. The benefits of using sustainable insulation are numerous.
2023 Construction Trends
Beginning March 1st of 2023 the city and county of Denver will roll out new incentives for higher performance building techniques and all electric building. This goes hand in hand with Denver’s adoption of the 2022 International Energy Conservation Code.
Happy New Year from BONSAI
This New Year, like all New Years, represents an opportunity to begin new resolutions and rekindle forgotten interests. Now that we are freshly into 2023, we at BONSAI wanted to take this opportunity to review with everyone why we exist and how we can be of service.
BONSAI’S Hybrid Work Environment
It's no mystery that working looks a lot different these days than it did 3 years ago. Flashback to 2019, BONSAI was operating in a traditional office setting with our team coming in every day to work in person. Then, come Spring of 2020, we were mandated to close our office and had no choice but to adapt to our new reality. We implemented a VPS (virtual private server), staff were set up with laptops, and Google Meets became our space for collaboration and client interactions.
Controlling Costs in an Inflationary Environment
It can be very tricky and frustrating taking on build projects during times of unprecedented inflation, both for the clients and the contractors. However, there are methods and contracts that keep this process transparent while controlling costs and maintaining positive relationships.
It’s A Green New World
It's no secret that we are in the middle of embarking into a brave, green new world. It's becoming a more prevalent globalist movement to find ways to greenify everything via electrification and the use of renewable energy sources.
Bio-Fireplaces
As we approach the cooler months of fall and winter, staying warm naturally becomes a big priority. Home heating means have historically come with non-electric and inefficient systems. As a design+build firm that emphasizes high-performance, we are excited to share some innovative technology that allows us to build 100% electric homes that can still include our creature comforts like fireplaces.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
Insulated concrete forms, aka ICF's, are an alternative home building system that truly blow traditional construction out of the water. Even with complicated forms, ICF's prove their worth in saving time and resources.
What is High Performance Architecture?
Have you ever wondered what exactly it means for a structure to be labeled as "high performance?" Well, we have some insights into what this measure of efficiency entails and how it is achieved.
Residential Elevators
When most people think of elevators they might think of high-rise buildings or hotels. But elevators can be an incredibly beneficial addition to single family homes. They add value to the property as well as align with the emerging trend of aging in place. There are also residential elevators that are better suited to remodels, foremost, Pneumatic Vacuum elevators.
COVID-19 + Architecture: The New Office
Architecture and the way we interact with each other have taken a hard turn from the norm. We started hearing about COVID-19 back in December ’19 and it has only escalated from there.
Colorado Biotecture Home
It has been a goal at Bonsai to one day have the opportunity to design a home modeled after an Earthship. An Earthship was pioneered by Architect Michael Reynolds as a residence that utilizes passive building techniques to create a comfortable, incredibly efficient building. Earthships have been a standard in developing on site energy creation, water recycling, and food creation. They are, in many ways, a self-contained ecosystem.
Site Informed Design
We are well into construction of the Morrison Earth Home and its unique shape and design are beginning to express themselves fully. But what was the driver of this design? The Site.