In order to be a model of sustainability in its truest sense, we need to embrace the idea of "continuance", or living as lightly as necessary in order for us to continue living on this planet. This idea is a long way down the road from the current buzzword "sustainable" living, as we cannot sustain ourselves and our planet the way the human species lives on it now.

We feel it will be necessary for us to grow most, if not all, of our own food year round. We need to be self-sufficient to survive. There just isn't enough fossil fuel to make it worth importing asparagus from Chile and oranges from Florida. Those steeped in knowledge of our current climate changes are predicting we'll be able to grow our own oranges soon anyway!

As a step towards attaining this goal, depending on the individual environment and potential, we will design an eclectic mix of atriums, solariums, sun bumps, conservatories, and greenhouses. All the variations will be "attached" as a part of the house allowing easy access and an extension of the energy envelope system employed throughout. We also intend to promote sustainably harvesting (for continuance and self-sufficient living) the flora and fauna on the land and in the local waters.

The atrium is generally the coolest of the spaces, allowing access from the outdoors and the indoors, and the growing of vegetables and plants that require cooler temperatures than tropical.

The conservatory is the warmest of the growing spaces with access being only from indoors to protect the ecosystem balance. Here is the space for growing tropical or heat loving plants and trees.

The conservatory and the atrium will be part of a water system that will run indoors and out. It is here that a waterwheel, a waterfall or phi generator will be positioned for the maximum movement of water, energy and heat.

The greenhouse will be more or less self-contained although access will be from indoors and outdoors. Plants will be grown with "treated" grey water from the living cleaning system. Consistent warmth and winter heat will be provided by chicken breath as has been shown to be very successful during north east United States winters. Of course, the chickens will provide yellow and black gold, too.

Each of the growing (and living) spaces—indoors and outdoors— will be a complete eco-system populated by a wide variety of species for optimum and balanced growing conditions, and, of course, energetic synergy.