Tickets are on sale for the fourth annual BRING Home & Garden tour on September 16, co-hosted by the City of Eugene and EWEB. The theme, “Thinking small to save big”, reflects the tour’s emphasis on making the most of small spaces, including a tiny house on wheels, creative remodels, quality second units and new homes incorporating the latest in energy efficiency strategies. Twelve sites will be featured, including two that were under construction on previous tours.
Tour goers can also delve deeper into topics by attending workshops at various sites on the tour.
The “Art of Sustainable Living” is interpreted in many ways at this year’s sites. An extensive remodel in the East University neighborhood is targeting LEED and Earth Advantage certification, as well as net zero energy. The home’s innovative water management system incorporates rainwater catchment for use in irrigation, toilets and laundry to reduce potable water use.
Eugene’s first certified Passive House, featured while under construction in the 2010 Tour, is finished and ready for its close-up. The house includes photovoltaics, solar hot water, heat recovery, extensive salvage and re-use of materials, organic gardens, chickens, and a guest house all on a slim city lot.
In the south university neighborhood, a small Earth Advantage house (less than 1500 square feet) features a ground-level secondary unit. Designed for aging in place, the house and rental are wheelchair accessible with energy-efficient elements that go beyond its Earth Advantage certification.
You can also visit several examples of well-designed secondary dwelling units, or backyard cottages, that demonstrate a sustainable way to accommodate family members or add rental income.
The tour will also include several sustainable gardens, showcasing strategies for combining edible and landscape plants, attracting beneficial insects, composting kitchen waste, and nurturing native species.
You can buy tickets at these locations:
• City of Eugene/Atrium Building, 99 W. 10th Ave., Eugene
• BRING, 4446 Franklin Blvd. in Glenwood, and online at www.bringrecycling.org
• Capella Market, 2489 Willamette, Eugene
• Down to Earth, 532 Olive St. and 2498 Willamette, Eugene
Tour goers can also delve deeper into topics by attending workshops at various sites on the tour.