About Green Design

Green design is an approach to home building and home improvement that minimizes harmful effects on human health and the environment. Green design is also known as sustainable design, eco-design, eco-friendly design etc.

Green designers attempt to safeguard air, water, and earth by choosing eco-friendly building materials and construction practices. Upon completion of the construction process these designers often set tone for the way the homeowners perceive their renovated home and the everyday activities performed in it. This includes recycling, water/energy conservation, shopping for locally produced goods etc.

While the environmental factor is of the utmost importance in the design process, the human health factor takes precedence. It is every designer's duty and moral obligation to design a space that has no negative impact on the client's wellbeing; however this can be interpreted in various ways. One designer may consider flooring slip resistance to be very important; another may focus on the harmful volatile organic compounds contained in the sealer the flooring has been treated with. It will be the "green" designer who will consider both factors.

Our Focus

At Metro Dwelling Designs we believe in living "green" to the best of our ability. No, we don't drive Priuses (try hauling presentation boards and product samples in that small trunk) or breed cattle in our back yards, but we do pay a great deal of attention to recycling, reusing, shopping local etc. Of course, as designers, we also try to use green practices while working on our projects. Some of our clients embrace our "green" ideas in their entirety; some agree to small steps; some fully object. Most often clients perceive that going "green" has a negative impact on the "green" in their wallets. Indeed years ago, green products/practices did come with the hefty price tag. Nowadays, with the progress made in the green products manufacturing and the impressive variety of "green" products offered to the consumer, the cost of the latter is very comparable to the conventional products and in some cases is even less.

Green solutions / products we offer

	Energy-efficient lighting and appliances
	Water-saving plumbing fixtures
	Natural, non-synthetic, non-toxic materials (see below)
	Locally-obtained woods and stone
	Responsibly-harvested wood products
	Use of recycled architectural salvage
	Efficient use of space.

Please Note – There Are No Additional Designer/Contractor Fees Associated With "Green" Practices!!!

Some ideas for natural materials

	Countertops: recycled paper, glass, concrete and stone
	Flooring: bamboo, cork, reclaimed and certified wood, recycled glass and recycled material tiles, natural carpeting
	Rugs made out of recycled and organic materials
	Non toxic paints, stains, polyurethanes and wall finishes
	Hand-made and hand-painted furniture
	Organic cotton, natural fiber and recycled polyester fabrics
	Window treatments made out of renewable materials
	Low impact/energy efficient lighting

Green product websites & related info

CaraGreen Architectual Materials

Green brands / lines we currently use

Zodiaq Quarts Countertops

Silestone Quartz Countertops

Toto Bathroom Products / Dual-Flash Toilets