Conservation Best Practices

Addition Building & Design has become a leader in Los Angeles recycling products from construction sites. Concrete, wood, - 95% of items removed from demolition are recycled at a landfill certifed by the cities in the Los Angeles area.

Arborists care for the needs of trees. Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns. In Los Angeles, there are many protected tree species that are labeled and recorded. If Addition Building & Design is not sure, we contact the arborist to access the situation.

Interestingly enough, Addition Building & Design has uncovered artifacts in the Los Angeles area - mostly hillside construction sites - where we had to bring in an Archaeologist to determine if the artifacts needed to be protected and conserved.

Addition Building & Design achieves water conservation through careful & thoughtful design techniques. Rain barrels, gardens, grey water systems, shower heads, faucets and toilets designed to conserve water are highly recommended.

Many times in Los Angeles over the years, Addition Building & Design’s crew have come across beehives on site. Our protocol is to contact our beekeeper who preserves the nest and queen bee - relocating - not destroying. Our customers love the care we take.

Permaculture is a blueprint for the way we live our lives – it’s more than just some dry and dusty philosophy. It moves beyond theory and gives us a range of practical solutions that we can use in every area of our lives.

Permaculture was originally a word made up of the two words ‘permanent’ and ‘agriculture’. But now the scope is broader, and permaculture is more often defined as ‘permanent culture’.

Permaculture principles allow us to create a culture that can endure and thrive for generations to come. At its heart are three very simple tenets, or ethics:

– Care for the planet.

– Care for people.

– Fair share. (Which also involves returning surplus to the system.)

Addition Building & Design’s award - winning projects all have one thing in common – natural light in all rooms and areas of home. These design techniques save electricity since lights do not have to be turned on during daylight hours. Skylights and Solar Tubes are a couple ideas to achieve this goal.