701 Gilpin Street Part 2

I did have one other concern about the house.  The prior tenant claimed to have heat bills that were $1200/month.  Yikes!  That's like a mortgage payment!  We descended on the house with foam guns and caulking: replacing windows, weatherizing, and even walling off and decommissioning an entire wing with a bedroom and bathroom.  Our bills ended up being $125-175/month.  The two year old still ran around naked, and we were warm enough with our down coats on.

Here is my principal question after moving out: why wasn't this home good enough for us?  Why did we have to build another?  Our basic shelter needs were met here: we (usually) had running water, functioning sewer, and a leak-free roof.  The greatest hardships I experienced here were dish-pan hands, higher gas bills than I wanted and a grumbly husband who had to service the frozen pipes and roof leaks.  Not exactly a horrible life.

I remember an epiphany I had while I pursued my education in sustainable construction: the greenest house is the one you don't build.  Constructing anything means using more energy, resources, carbon, and money than that dwelling can ever give back.  Even LEED buildings fall under this category.  So why not keep 701 Gilpin?  It's still working as a house.  Why tear it down and build another?

I'd like to think it's because we're trying to get better--that we are trying to update a housing stock that is becoming obsolete.  There is a movement underway called the "Living Building Challenge."  Living Buildings are to be designed in such a way as to function as organisms--regenerating their environment. Pretty heady stuff.  See: http://ilbi.org/  Under this definition, 701 is not a living building.

I'll end on a somewhat humorous note.  When we applied for a demolition permit, the home had to undergo review with the local Historical Commission.  Their summary, "Since the building has no known individual historical significance, does not contribute to a proposed district, no longer contributes to the distinguishing characteristics of the neighborhood, and does not retain integrity.." demolition is allowed.