Episode 6: CarbonShack Design: Building in an Age of Climate Change
Is it enough to build sustainably or do we need to adopt a regenerative approach? Where sustainability focuses on reducing negative impacts, a regenerative approach broadens the paradigm to include repair.
Clearly thoughtful design that reduces environmental impact when we build is critical but can we also, must we also, include repairs to the harm to the natural world that has already been incurred? Is this possible? Yes. Repair is not only possible but is important to restore the health of the planet and our own family’s health as well.
Consider the common hemp plant. First spun into a usable product at least 50,000 years ago, 40,000 years before the Mesopotamian or Egyptian civilizations. Hemp is an immensely versatile plant that has been used in everything from clothing, rope and paper to food and biofuel. It is one of the fastest growing plants. Needs less land to grow, uses less water than cotton, and requires no pesticides. Not only that, but hemp also rehabilitates the soil where it grows, draws out toxins, and has been used for environmental cleanup.
Hemp is not only easy to grow, takes less resources, is environmentally friendly, but it also improves the lives of the farmers through reduced chemical and pesticide use, leading to healthier communities and a healthier environment. Hemp products, clothing, textiles, food, are not only non-toxic, but when hemp enters the waste stream it biodegrades naturally, returning nutrients to the soil.
When talking hemp it’s important to differentiate between industrial hemp and medicinal hemp. They are the same plant, but they are farmed in completely different ways. Hemp produced for fabric and other industrial products uses the stalk. Hemp for medicinal purposes uses the flowers. Industrial hemp grows like a weed, uses very little water and is very disease resistant. Industrial hemp can have 800,000 plants per acre whereas for medicinal it can be as low as 1600 plants per acre. Further medicinal hemp consumes a lot of water and is fed a high chemical diet in hydroponic situations.
Industrial hemp is not only extremely productive and environmentally safe but it repairs the environment at the same time.
So, what if we designed and built using the hemp plant as a model? What if we built by prioritizing natural materials which were more environmentally friendly to produce, which reduced toxicity in our homes, created a healthier environment to live in as well as repairing the natural world around us? What would those homes look like?
CarbonShack’s recently completed, Paraiso De Rocas Antiguas, employes these features of regenerative design. The structure first and foremost works with the found landscape and natural features rather than altering them. The home was partially built into the hillside to take advantage of the passive cooling qualities of the earth. It was oriented to the North to take advantage of consistent natural light and was situated under an existing Live Oak tree in order to benefit from the shade the canopy offers. This well-insulated structure was designed to reduce the need for energy and when energy is needed, this all-electric structure is powered by a solar array and battery to produce its own energy while removing the use of climate destructive fossil fuels.
The building was designed and outfitted with natural materials to reduce indoor air pollution as well as the pollution that is a result of manufactured products. Wood cabinets and furniture, hemp drapery and textiles, natural plaster which eliminated the need for off-gassing paints. Water use was reduced by using low flow water fixtures. Gray water allowed wastewater from shower and laundry to be distributed back into the landscape, recycling the water, reducing the need for municipal wastewater processing, and allowing the water to percolate naturally into the ground where it would refresh ground water and aquifers. Composting is another regenerative strategy to reduce municipal waste processing and landfills while restoring nutrients to the landscape. The site has raised vegetable beds powered by compost, and is planted with natives, a critical approach to restoring natural environments by providing seeds and nectar for native species who cannot survive on invasive plantings.
Can we design and build homes that are comfortable and beautiful while regenerating and repairing the environment and our family’s health? Yes, we can and we are doing that at CarbonShack.
As state and local regulations have changed to make it easier to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) their use and purpose has evolved. Where once ADUs were conceived as opportunities to create extra living space or convenient rental income — they are now been seen as a personal showcase, a statement of who you are. An ADU can be a canvas for expressing your unique taste and lifestyle choices. Whether you favor a minimalist aesthetic or a more eclectic style, your ADU can reflect your design preferences in a way that complements your main living space, yet stands on its own. Thoughtfully chosen furniture, curated art, and personalized decor can transform this compact dwelling into a true reflection of your identity.
As an emerging building type, the ADU is also a powerful platform for demonstrating a commitment to sustainable living. By integrating eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies, you can turn your ADU into a model of sustainability. From solar panels on the roof to sustainable hemp fabrics for upholstery and window treatments, every detail can contribute to a reduced environmental footprint. The beauty of an ADU lies in its small scale, making it the perfect project to experiment with eco-friendly innovations and sustainable practices without overwhelming costs or complexities.
Moreover, the ADU gives you the opportunity to inspire others through your design choices. Whether it’s through the use of reclaimed wood, wellness-focused furnishings, or walls that fully open to bring nature indoors, your ADU can serve as a living example of how thoughtful design can enhance both aesthetics and well-being. As more people seek to live sustainably and intentionally, your ADU can be more than just an extra space—it can be a statement piece that inspires others to rethink their own living environments.
CarbonShack’s nature-inspired home furnishings are sustainably designed and fabricated in the Los Angeles area. Our furniture, lighting, fabric and glazed ceramic tile take their cues from the many wonders of the natural world, from chlorophyll cell structures to intricate microscopic spores, from sea kelp to mycelium. We source urban forestry lumber, natural hemp fabrics, salvaged wood, and California clay. Our designs not only bring biophilic motifs into the home, they also imbue your interiors with a tactile sense of wellness and connection to nature.