This first phase of the final home project has three key goals; to identify and acquire a specific building site, to develop a specific home design, and to line up the sources of materials and hardware for the primary components of the home. Thus in this phase I am calling for help in property search and design and for donations of the primary materials and components needed to build the home. Though the basic type of design has been chosen -as described in the Final Project Introduction- there are several ways to execute it and the final design will be determined according to what is on offer in terms of construction and materials aid. Because of this the listing on this page may be subject to much change.

-Building Site: Looking for at least 10 acres at a cost of no more than $5000. Smaller site is allowable in Hawaii or where bordered on at least two sides by parkland. Must be in location far from obvious sources of pollution such as factories, highways, golf courses, an non-organic farming. Terrain type can be most any but prefer locations where a need for artificial landscape work and maintenance can be kept to a minimum and where use of solar power is not impeded. Volunteers for property search would be appreciated. I will provide disposable cameras or loaner digital cameras to those willing to aid in this.

-Design Services: Looking for designers willing to develop a specific home design and blueprints for the project as well as illustrations to be used in this web site presentation. Interior design work would also be appreciated from those interested in exploring the possibilities of non-toxic home furnishings.

-Pavilion Structure: Looking for donation of components, materials, and construction services for the basic pavilion structure. At least two will be needed for the home; one to serve for the home itself and another as car port and utility equipment shelter. The most likely pavilion structures will be masonry based, prefabricated steel, or modular component steel or aluminum.

-Foundation: The type needed will depend on the type of pavilion structure and the terrain of the building site. Slab and concrete deck type foundations will include integrated hydronic heat tubing, plumbing, and electrical lines.

-Enclosure System: This is the panel system which would be used for the enclosure of the pavilion, either a window-wall system or combination of glass and opaque panels. The type used is dependent on the type of pavilion structure and the final home design. Modular steel and aluminum frame structures will likely have their own integrated glazing and wall panel system. The other types of pavilions will rely on panel systems tying between the foundation and roof.

-Roofing: In the event of the use of modular component framing, the roofing system may be separate from the rest of the pavilion structure. This is because the one technology still wanting in most modular building systems is an equally modular roofing system. In most cases more-or-less conventional industrial style metal roofing products are used with these systems, offering some degree of modularity but rarely coming close to the modularity of the framing system itself. I would be looking for the foam core sandwich panel type of roofing which would offer better performance than insulation added to the roof support structure and which is relatively easy to assemble.

-Sewerage and Graywater System: Need at least a basic small household scale septic tank based system but would be interested in demonstrating graywater recycling. If the building site will not readily support septic systems I would be interested in using an Incinolet and raised bed graywater system.

-Solar Power: Depending on the need for independent power presented by the building site, I would be looking for a photovolatic power system -with optional supplemental wind power- supporting about 4kWh per day. Should use gel-cell batteries to eliminate outgassing with charging. The home will be entirely electric powered for health reasons with considerable computer use so the power requirement will be higher than typical for a single occupancy residence. Would be interested in supplementing photovoltaic system with solar dynamic system for heating and hot water. Would also be interested in demonstrating comprehensive remote power integrating household and personal transportation. In other words, a system providing power for both home and an electric vehicle for local transport. Site location may limit the practicality of that concept. Would also be interested in those who would like to explore the development of a Vanadium Redox system for home power as an alternative to conventional batteries.

-Plumbing and Bath Fixtures: Looking for an all-in-one bathroom unit with seamless composition. A modern-day equivilent of the Fuller Dymaxion Bathroom unit. There are a variety of them currently available but they remain rare. Barring the availability of this, would be looking for a large panel bathroom enclosure in ceramic or metal with appropriate fixtures. Also need plumbing work, ideally in some form of modular copper system or polyethylene. Will likely be using on-demand water heaters to minimize the amount of plumbing. Would also be interested in a Japanese style 'ofuda' bathtub of the Japanese apartment type. Depending on location, may also require a potable water tank for basic water supply.

-Heating and Cooling Systems: Looking for on-demand compact water heaters for kitchen, bath, and radiant heating use. Radiant heat tubing system would be needed where not supplied with foundation. Also interested in a ductless or 'mini-split' air conditioner unit. As noted above, would be interested in a solar dynamic heating system which can integrate with radiant floor heating. Would also be interested in a built-in air purifier system using low cost in-line panel HEPA filters where the interior design will support it.

-Wiring and Lighting: One characteristic of the pavilion type house is that most wiring is routed through the ceiling and floor rather than through the walls as with typical stick-built homes. Thus less wiring is needed (because it can travel in shorter more direct paths) and most will be installed as part of the fabrication of the foundation slab. These formed-in wiring conduits will also have to suit telecom and home LAN wiring. However, if a pier foundation system is used a separate system of wiring will be needed, running through the floor deck and ceiling. I would also be interested in the use of a fiber optic lighting system as a way to reduce power consumption and to allow non-specialized skill to be used for installation.

-Flooring and Ceiling: The specific types will be dictated by the final home design but will consist of any of several types of non-toxic floor surfacing and ceiling panel products. Likely options are natural cork, stained and polished concrete, isochanvre, tile, or non-toxic hardwood or bamboo based flooring.

-Furniture: Looking for donations of non-toxic furniture made of exclusively non-toxic materials. Some may be specific to the home design -particularly integrated cabinetry and shelving. Many items can be made easily by using the Quik Stix and similar construction noted in the Gallery page on Urban Nomad technology.

-Appliances: Looking for the following key appliances new or used; sealed top electric range, in-drawer refrigerators or reduced-power refrigerator, combination washer/dryer (must be new due to laundry chemicals issue), metal canister collector type central vacuum cleaner.

-Wireless Communications Systems: Needed in the event of a lack of connection to local ground phone lines. Would be either a satellite phone/Internet link or a wireless bridge to local phone line access points. Less concerned with television access than with broadband Internet access, especially since this project relies on that for its presentation.

-Reduced-Toxic Vehicle: Would be a electric, pneumatic, or hybrid automobile, or a conventional auto with toxic material abatement work, new or used. Average distances for local travel in the rural location may make EVs and PVs impractical. Would be interested advertisement sponsored vehicle arrangements.