DESIGN IS NOT JUST WHAT IT LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE. DESIGN IS HOW IT WORKS.

-Steve Jobs

FIRST.

Sounds obvious? It isn't.

WALLS

COME

AVERAGE NUMBER OF TIMES COMPONENTS ARE REPLACED IN A HOMES 100 YEAR LIFESPAN

furnace

6

roof

4

windows

3.5

kitchen

2

appliances

7

When we're talking about houses, walls are the last thing we want to discuss. It's far more interesting to to talk about the number of bedrooms, countertops or kitchen appliance brands.

But during the lifespan of a house, appliances are replaced, flooring is ripped out and kitchens are renovated. What does not get upgraded are the walls, despite the fact that they're responsible for keeping a home energy efficient, safe and comfortable.

Upgrading the insulation in an older home is difficult and expensive, but the cost of new countertops is spent many times over paying for heat that escapes through inadequately built walls.

So knowing what we know about rising energy costs and climate change, maybe it's time to shift our focus.