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-Buckminster Fuller, inventor of the Geodesic Dome
"I have listed below a number of advanced technologies which I find either exciting, interesting and/or very useful. As a rule, I don't incorporate brand new technologies in my projects. I don't think it's a good idea to use my clients as guinea pigs. I try to stay well informed about new products and technologies, but I only use them if they have been tested and proven. I like to wait and see how they hold up in the Hawaiian environment, and if the companies offering them survive and support the new products."
ENDLESS POOLS - Endless pools are the revolutionary new concept for home fitness, health and fun. Swim in place against a smooth, adjustable current. The endless pool provides all the benefits of a full-size pool in a space only 8' x 15'. The compact size and modular design allow for diverse installations above or inground. Endless pools fit in existing spaces such as basements, garages, enclosed porches or patios, in new spaces like sunrooms, greenhouse additions or home gyms; and outside in decks or gardens. An endless pool is easier to install, simpler to maintain and more economical to run than a conventional still-water pool. Every pool comes standard with a water heating and filtration system-- all for the cost of a mid-sized automobile.
THERMO-PLY - Thermo-ply is the best performing sheathing product made, because Thermo-ply has these performance advantages:
For more information, check out this website: http://www.aerogel.com/
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ASTRO-FOIL - Astro-Foil is a revolutionary reflective insulation material providing 97% reflectivity of radiant heat--something mass insulations just can't do. It consists of polyethylene air bubble pockets sandwiched between thin layers of relective aluminum foil. It is easy to install and economical. I highly recommend it in both commercial and residential projects. It is manufactured by Astro-Valcour, Inc. and available locally through Innovative Specialties, ph. 808-488-5767. For more information: www.innovative-specialties.com. |
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DENS GLASS - Exterior sheathing which is fireproof. Made of inorganic silica & Gypsum with fiberglass on both sides with a color coating. It is cheaper than real stucco textured cement plaster and adds shear strength to walls, more than stucco. Tom recommends 1/2" exterior plywood under dens glass or stucco for added strength. For more information go to: www.gp.com/gypsum/ MONIER LIFETILE - Previously known simply as Monier Tile, these concrete roof tiles are ecological in several ways. They last for generations, contrary to many roof coverings that may need to be replaced every 15 or 20 years. In addition, they are good thermal insulaters, cutting down on cooling costs in warm climates like Hawaii. They are made from naturally occurring raw materials, and according to their ads pose no threat to the environment even during manufacture. They are made from sand, cement and iron oxide pigments. In the event they need to be replaced, they can be crushed and used as road base, clean fill or recycled into new tiles. For more information: www.monierlifetile.com. POLY STEEL - Poly Steel is a new construction product to Hawaii which combines polystyrene foam, concrete and steel to construct walls. It is hollow foam forms that, when filled with steel beams & concrete, replace concrete blocks. Concrete is pumped into the top of the 16" tall by 9 1/4" thick and 48" long foam forms once they are in place. The wall then receives interior and exterior siding of choice screwed to galvanized attachment strips. This results in a strong wall that is quick and easy to build with "built in" insullation. The cost should be about the same or cheaper than a conventional concrete block wall. www.polysteel.com ROYAL SYSTEMS WALLS - Royal Systems Hawaii is the local franchise of an international company selling wall and roof systems made of interlocking hollow polymer panels which, once in place are filled from the top with cement. The panels lock together and can be easily modified to accomodate window and door openings. The main advantages of this system are durability (termite, fire, rust and rot resistance) and ease of maintenance (needs no additional coating or painting inside or out). It is economical compared to conventional constuction, and hurricane and earthquake resistant. It is fairly new to Hawaii, but has been used in 40 countries. I have used it on one custom home on Hawaii Loa Ridge with excellent results. Also, I was the architect of the first Royal Systems House built in Hawaii which was in Waianae on Hawaiian Homes land. Website: http://www.rbsdirect.com/ One of Tom's Hawaii Loa custom residences using Royal Systems panels for foundation walls and retaining walls.
SOLARSLATES - These are roofing tiles that also act as photovoltaic cells. The company that manufactures them, ATLANTIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, originated in Switzerland but now has a California branch. It has a line of products that includes facades, roof elements, roof shingles, & Sunslates, as well as standard PV-panels. These building elements are unique in their design by serving as power generators and building components at the same time. They may also act as shading elements, either opaque or semi-translucent. For glass facades, they have slightly reflecting PV-panels that are specially coated. ATLANTIS has designed and built the first fully integrated PV-roofs (both PV-shingle and PV-shed designs), PV- façades and PV-shading systems in Switzerland. Tom has not used these yet and is conncerned about their electrical connections between individual panels in the Hawaiian climate. If they hold up to long term exposure they would be a great product to manufacture locally. Check them out at: http://www.atlantisenergy.org/ SOLID VINYL FRAME WINDOWS & DOORS - These are very suitable for Hawaii's environment. They are manufactured locally by Coastal Windows. They have new commercial grade (heavy duty) vinyl frame sliding patio doors. Vinyl windows and doors are also manufactured on the mainland by both Insulate and Milgard. Milgard's website is: www.milgard.com/ SAFE ROOMS - After Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki Safe Rooms are the obvious core of any new Hawaiian home. The "Secure Room" to resist home invasions is another use of the safe room.The FEMA link below has lots of information for free. http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/residential.shtm STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIP) - Recently Honolulu and Maui Counties have made roof insulation mandatory for all buildings, including homes and even small additions. This adds more cost to the already high cost of building homes in Hawaii. SIPs are a proven solution to these requirements on the mainland. These panels can be used for walls and floors as well. http://www.sips.org/ If you know of good products for architectural or environmental use in Hawaii, or you are a dealer of some products that Tom could recommend, please contact him with your information. |
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Architectural Services - Custom Homes - Alterations & Additions - Commercial Projects Frequently Asked Questions - Construction Technologies - Consulting Engineers - Resume - Tom's Hobbies
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AEROGEL - It is still in the developmental stages, but one day could have a revolutionary impact on modern architecture. It's the lightest solid known--only three times the density of air. It has been nicknamed "frozen smoke," but it can protect virtually anything from heat or cold. A block the size of a human weighs less than a pound, but is able to support the weight of a subcompanct car. It's a space-age super material. Aerogel produced on Earth is clowdy, but scientists hope to produce a transparent variety in space that could lead to advances such as super-insulating windows and extraordinary high-speed computers. It has 20 times the insulating power of normal window glass.
