Brought to you by

a division of Missouri Botanical Garden

Presented by

2008

EarthWays Home—Historic Rehab Demonstration Home

4,000 square feet
3 stories plus basement
1 full, 2 half baths
www.earthwayscenter.org

Built in 1885 and abandoned by its last resident owners, the EarthWays home was renovated from a derelict shell in the early 1990s to demonstrate features that have become standards in today’s green homebuilding industry. The site is now operated by Missouri Botanical Garden, and home to the U.S. Green Building Council–St. Louis Regional Chapter; staff and volunteers offer tours, classes, and public events to teach youth and adults about sustainability in the context of an actual home.

Brick exterior walls were reframed during the gut rehab, using 2×6s insulated with blown-in cellulose, and double-pane windows. Original carved oak paneling, stripped with a low-toxicity citrus product, preserves the historic character of entry hall and stairway.

The north-facing conference room, once used as a photography studio, demonstrates healthful, energy-saving benefits of daylighting, complemented by compact fluorescent lighting in other rooms. A direct-vent gas fireplace and ceiling fan with built-in heating unit create a comfortable living room micro-climate, augmenting the efficiency of programmable thermostats controlling both geothermal and high-efficiency gas HVAC systems.

This home is also a showcase for sustainable materials, including bamboo, cork and real linoleum floors; bathroom tiles made from recycled automobile window glass; carpeting and pad made from recycled soda bottles and tires; an Eco-Terrazzo™ hearth; and pervious paving materials.

EarthWays Center displays feature many kinds of recycled-content products, DIY home weatherization products, energy-saving light bulbs, non-toxic household maintenance products, and a wealth of free handouts detailing resources for home and lifestyle sustainability. Our Green Resources Coordinator welcomes public questions on related topics, via email to greenresources@mobot.org.