s u s t a i n a b l e l i f e GReeTINGS FRoM THe FUTURe photos by LISA BATTO Made in Napa: the oHome is the new dreamhouse Story by kari Ruel Tand buildings are built three times faster than conventional construction.he greenest home in Napa opened for public viewing last month – also described as the“OWow” experience. The “OTechnology” innovation produces greener homes, Green building advocate Bob Massaro and his crew at Healthy Building Technology Group, Inc. have been perfecting what they believe will change how future homes will be constructed, with technology that is available now. To illustrate the look, feel and functionality of these homes, Massaro built two model homes in north Napa. The 640-square-foot Granny unit and the 1200-square-foot home may sound small, but the spacious layout and high ceilings give the illusion of something much bigger. The attention to detail is unsurpassed. The open floor plan with moving walls or dividers leaves endless possibilities for creating different functionality of the space depending what is needed at a given moment. Simplicity in living is encouraged but not required; these models give many examples of how to have so much with so little. Massaro said the inspiration for his OHOME came out of college. “I lived on small boats and lived with less,” he said. “Everything had to be functional and have a purpose. Later in life, my son had a lot of allergies, and I researched ways to make my home healthier for him.” Massaro has been building healthy since 1983, so this technology is not new to him, but he believes he has found the right formula to build faster and be more environmentally friendly and efficient. “One of the ways we keep our buildings so energy-efficient is by making the walls super- Bob Massaro of OHomes insulated,” he said. “There is twice as much insulation in the ceiling and 175% more in the walls, which is above standard. Our walls are eight inches thick, where four inches is standard. Then we 52 w w w. N A PA V A L L E Y L I F E M A g A z I N E . C O M
NVLife_NovDec_2012
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