One of the most underutilized facilities on a property, whether it's a business or residence, are the ones outdoors. The phrase “weather permitting” is one you will find attached to several outdoor activities and events. There are several different methods used to combat the rain, wind, and sun and make exterior gathering areas usable for more days out of the year. Gazebos and canopies provide shelter from the sun and rain. Screens act as a windbreaker and keep out the bugs. Temperature, though, is difficult to control without placing so many physical barriers that your exterior area becomes interior. If it's too hot, people tend to stay indoors.

Costa Rica's tropical climate can be uncomfortable to those not adjusted to it. Exceptionally humid days compound the effect, and the heat will feel absolutely oppressive. The key to minimizing the heat is to view it as it relates to people. While the actual temperature outside can be high, the perceived temperature is what matters to those using the facility....

While people, in general, would prefer to live green and embrace green technology, it's unlikely that they would welcome a situation without the modern conveniences that we've grown accustomed to. When you flip a switch, you expect a light to go on. It can be disconcerting when it doesn't happen because most people are used to being connected to a power grid with a seemingly endless supply of energy. That being said, some of your customers might worry about connection to an alternative-source grid or being a freestanding entity.

The main concern of the average person, when contemplating a home on a green power grid or a self-sufficient home, is that the natural resource being tapped is unstable or won't produce enough power to meet their needs. While solar panels are usually attached to a battery for night-time use, the weather is a mitigating factor. If the power is used at night and there's a few rainy days in a row, even a massive battery system will eventually run out. Wind turbines can suffer from...

What's the difference between a LEED Certified development and one that's LEED Platinum Certified? Quite a bit. LEED certification comes in varied levels as judged by a LEED inspector. There is a checklist for developers to follow for acquiring points, and the LEED inspector verifies that the proper procedures and materials have been used. Once the total number of points has been determined, the development is assigned a level of certification ranging from the bottom, simply LEED Certified, all the way to the top of the scale, LEED Platinum.

There are different subsets of certified developments including homes, schools, commercial buildings, and more. While you can apply for LEED certification after construction has begun, it is prudent to start the process before you break down as LEED Platinum requires a start-to-finish inspection of the building process. It requires that all aspects be examined including: “sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor...

When attempting to create a sustainable development, there are three primary factors you must consider. The environmental, social, and economic implications of a development must be balanced to provide the optimal condition. Each arm of a sustainable development must be addressed, and there's much more to it than just building a green home which addresses the issues of environmental sustainability. In this post, I'm going to examine each arm of sustainable development in its extreme and bring them together in balance at the end.

The Environmental Arm

This is the first thing that comes to mind when sustainability is discussed. The extreme of this arm is an absolutely “green home” which strives for zero impact on the surrounding environment. An absolute green home can be imagined as one which is closely integrated with the environment. It uses completely biodegradable building materials, disturbs none of the wildlife, uses unobtrusive technology such as passive solar, and produces zero waste. All...

The words “environmental responsibility” may invoke thoughts of donating your time and resources to making the world a better place for yourself and those around you, doing your part to preserve the natural beauty of the land. While that is certainly an aspect of environmental responsibility, there are many benefits for businesses, homeowners, and developers to invest in eco-friendly Real Estate. Central America is the perfect place to start, and the best time to get started is now.

The Benefits of Environmental and Social Responsibility

When considering a location for development, one of the most attractive factors is the aesthetic quality of the land surrounding the property. Most homeowners would place their dream home on a beach, overlooking a canyon, or placed in some other beautiful location which is untouched by the relentless flow of glass, concrete, and steel. However, proximity to businesses and work is an equally important factor. So, how do you balance natural beauty with modern convenience?...