WELCOME TO HABITAT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Since it's inception in 1977, Habitat Construction has been committed to creating innovative, environmentally-sensitive, yet stimulating variations of human habitat. Our logo depicts the "golden section"; the nautilus shell symbolizes, for us, the concept of "perfect shelter"; it is a form whose natural beauty is exceeded only by it's perfection of function.

The relationship between the shape of the shell and the mathematical formula describing it's growth - as depicted in our logo - symbolizes the inherent rules governing our natural world and how we can use scientific knowledge to improve our understanding of our environment. We are inspired by the conviction that technology and know-how can serve the realization of beauty and function as we set about to create new and personal forms of shelter.

Habitat is also about people and about personal growth. For the ancient Greeks, the nautilus spiral defined the concept of "harmonious proportion" central to their architecture and their way of life. It stands as a beacon to remind us that the greatest challenge in our work- and in our lives- is to rediscover proper proportions and a harmonious relationship with our environment and with our fellow man.

WHAT SETS US APART?

Through our years of experience and our scientific approach to building, we have developed a special understanding of " habitat, " especially for human beings living in Routt County, Colorado. We view the home as a total system with many interrelated components. Lot slope and configuration, building orientation, solar access and shading constraints, areas of south-facing glazing, window performance, overhangs, wall thickness, ceiling insulation, air-tightness and ventilation requirements, indoor air quality, heating system design and efficiency, water use and landscaping are all factors which we consider for their energy and resource-related impacts, interrelatedness and associated costs. We like to work closely with your Architect in discussing these all - important design concepts.

In terms of overall form, we recommend minimizing the total surface area-to volume ratio, consistent with other design objectives, in order to minimize radiant and conductive heat losses from the building envelope. This means building "up" not "out" and parallels the most cost efficient use of building materials, since walls cost less than foundations and roofs in our part of the country, where design roof loads are high because of severe snow accumulation, and foundations are expensive because of deep frost penetration, steep slopes, hard rock and/or expansive soils.

In committing to a multistory design, the goal of optimum space configuration can create challenges to comfort optimization, as there is a tendency for a broad vertical temperature gradient to develop. In a high heat-load climate such as ours, and for the sake of efficient use of expensive energy resources, we do not consider exhausting heat an acceptable means of temperature control. The problem becomes one of "destratifying" and/or storing for later use the heat that may be considered excessive at any given time. The incorporation of high-density products like concrete and tile, products of high "thermal inertia", becomes critical to optimizing such performance.

"Comfort" is too often regarded as a very intangible quality, but in fact it can be described quite scientifically. The perception of comfort depends primarily on maintaining a thermal environment in which the body's heat production is in equilibrium with its heat loss so that neither shivering nor sweating occur. We utilize the extensive science available to describe, modulate, and enhance human comfort in an enclosed space, including such factors as:
• optimizing humidity levels to enhance general health,
• heating efficiency and associated levels of convective air movement.
• reducing sound transmission, and
• minimizing temperature stratification and diurnal temperature swings through
judicious use of materials with high thermal inertia, and closed loop,
low-power air recirculation systems.
With our airtight drywall system and resulting low levels of air infiltration, we feel it is imperative to provide automatic heat recovery ventilation for a reliable, controlled source of fresh air in the home while minimizing heat loss. This type of system maximizes one's control over indoor air quality and provides the best assurance for maintaining a truly "healthy home".

GREEN BUILDING

Habitat has a long - standing background in "Green Building". We aided the Governor's Office of Energy Conservation in implementation of its Green Builder Program, the creation of Energy Rated Homes of Colorado and the now federally sponsored E-Star Homes Program.

For over twenty years, we have pioneered new technologies and energy-efficient construction in Colorado, including the frost-protected shallow foundation, cellulose insulation, airtight building envelops and guaranteed heating costs.

Not only have we field-tested the ideas of many of our nation's leading "green" proponents, but we have evaluated the cost-efficiencies of these ideas and shared our insights at national gatherings of the Energy Efficient Building Association, with whose membership we remain in close contact.