Elemental Design is my unique philosophy and framework for creating climate-specific homes that are both regenerative and enduring. This approach blends traditional practices like Feng Shui and natural building methods with a deep understanding of your local climate.
In this video, I share my professional and personal journey that led to the development of Elemental Design.
Successful buildings often reflect the natural, reciprocal nature of the basic elements, a concept rooted in Wu Xing. By observing these patterns, we can gain a fresh perspective on building science—one that’s holistic, considering not just the structure itself but also the land it’s on and the community it serves.
This video bridges the gap between high-performance building philosophies, such as Passive House and Net Zero, and approaches that emphasize embodied carbon, like Natural Building and Passive Solar Design.
If you’re a DIY owner-builder, off-grid property owner, or homesteader, this video is for you! Architects, interior designers, and builders will also find valuable insights here.
We’ll cover:
- Balancing the elements to create climate-resilient structures
- Passive heating and cooling techniques
- Natural wall systems, including Strawbale, Hempcrete, Light Straw Clay, Aircrete, Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs), CLT, Mass Timber, Rammed Earth, and Bamboo
- Regenerative land-use systems like bioswales, greywater management, coppicing, and forest management
- Understanding energetic design principles like Feng Shui, Vaastu Shastra, and Wu Xing, and their impact on our physical and energetic health
- Implementing Passive Solar Design Effectively
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Christina’s Story
02:58 Why Elemental Design
04:01 My Mission
05:21 3 Pillars to Elemental Design
05:52 Ancient Technology
07:22 Energetic Considerations
08:07 Climate Resilience
09:25 Defining The Elements
10:36 Wu Xing
11:19 Regenerating Cycle
11:57 Controlling Cycle
12:42 Destructive Cycle
13:38 Excess Water
18:38 Scarcity of Water
19:21 Introduction to Wood
20:43 Excess Wood
22:25 Scarcity of Wood
24:03 Introduction to Fire
24:44 Excess Fire
29:10 Scarcity of Fire
32:19 Introduction to Earth
33:24 Excess Earth
36:03 Scarcity of Earth
36:55 Introduction to Metal
37:42 Excess Metal
38:55 Scarcity of Metal
40:27 Energetic Notes on Metal
41:57 DIY Resources
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