READ MORE ABOUT:
Host Steve Thomas explores a rainforest in Hana, Hawaii, looking for materials to build an eco-smart tree house. He gathers palm fronds for the roof as well as guava and bamboo timber for the structure. Nothing about building this house is conventional—will Steve be able to put down his power tools and meditate with the homeowner?
Later, Steve will work on a hotel in Little Compton, Rhode Island which was built in 1854. His challenge is to add innovative green systems, like geothermal heating and cooling, and still preserve the hotel's historic integrity.
Get Behind the Scenes Info and Project Ideas from this Episode:
- Steve works with bamboo in the Hana, Hawaii tree house.
- Learn more about sustainable bamboo.
- Steve explores Oceanic Thermal Energy in Hawaii.
- Steve looks at how the army makes efforts to go green in their housing and how they save money in the long term.
- Steve warns against hasty bamboo purchasing: not all manufactures make a sustainable product.
- Steve recommends insulation and energy efficient heating and cooling as the best renovations to historic homes.
- Steve discusses shooting in Rhode Island and Texas: in the snow.
See how the eco-renovations progressed in Renovation Nation Slideshow: Building a Bamboo Tree House and Eco-Renovating a Historic Hotel
Don't miss these online videos from this episode of Renovation Nation:
Palm Frans = Natural Roof
No Measurements Required
Products Featured in this Episode Include:
Office of Mobile Design, Venice, CA
Geothermal Heating and Cooling from Lawrence Air Systems
Wastewater System from East Coast Construction
Furniture from B. Randall Custom Woodwork, LLC
Bamboo Living
Read more about green home renovation:
Steve Thomas's Five Bubbles of Green Building
Bamboo is Changing Everything!
Ask Steve Thomas Anything (About Your Home)
Planet Green's Architectural Salvage Archive
Basic Steps to Restore and Reuse Old Furniture
Love Renovation Nation? Don't miss this or any of your favorite episodes. Check our TV Schedule!
