In this episode, we welcome back architect Carl Welty to discuss fire-resistant construction and alternative materials. With the increasing threat of wildfires, Carl shares his insights on regenerative design and the importance of working with nature to create resilient communities. Join us for an enlightening conversation on how we can rethink architecture to better protect our homes and environment.

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Carl discusses the principles of passive solar design, which prioritize energy efficiency and thermal comfort without relying on mechanical systems. The conversation also addresses the current building codes and their evolution in response to recent wildfires. Carl highlights the significance of fire-resistant construction and the materials that can be utilized to enhance safety. He encourages listeners to consider alternative materials, such as steel framing, which offers advantages over traditional wood in terms of durability and fire resistance.

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Check out our interview with Carl Welty from 2023: https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/designing-architecture-and-landscapes-with-natures-ecological-wisdom/

Resources:

Modern homes generate 200x more smoke and burn 8x faster than 50 years ago:

https://www.ctif.org/news/200-times-more-smoke-and-8-times-faster-burning-rate-50-years-ago#:~:text=Kissner%20said%20today's%20house%20fires,has%20less%20than%20two%20minutes.

See an additional article that explains why modern homes burn down faster:

https://fsri.org/research/new-comparison-natural-and-synthetic-home-furnishings

“Wood Is Not the Climate-friendly Building Material Some Claim it to Be”

https://www.wri.org/insights/mass-timber-wood-construction-climate-change#:~:text=2)%20Harvesting%20wood%20is%20not,of%20using%20wood%20for%20construction.

Old Growth Wood: Old vs. New Growth Trees

https://brenthull.com/article/old-growth-wood

Logging study reveals huge hidden emissions of the forestry industry

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2215913-logging-study-reveals-huge-hidden-emissions-of-the-forestry-industry/

Trees make Rain – there is Science now to Prove It!

https://www.learningfromnature.com.au/drought-proof-increasing-rainfall/

Carl Welty. Ecological Architect and Principal of Carl Welty Architects [https://carlweltyarchitects.com/]. has over 35 years of experience in the field of architecture and is based in Southern California. Carl's experience includes projects with difficult sites and complex structural requirements; a passive solar house that is Certified LEED Platinum; a Water Education campus that embodies important and timely water issues. He designs buildings that are twice as energy-efficient as typical green buildings by incorporating simple, time-tested, climate-appropriate design principles.

Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes a column on PBS SoCal called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

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Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 250

Photo credit: Carl Welty Architects-Wild Heritage Partners