Horn has been building and living green since before there was a definition of “green living.” When her community built a brand new, beautiful (and toxic) school, she and a number of local parents pulled their children out due to a sharp increase in asthma symptoms. It was her childrens’ asthma that lead she and her husband, Peter, on a search for materials that would create the least toxic home environment possible.

Coupling their design acumen with years of research, they have recently moved out of their first eco-home (that coincidentally will become the new local Montessori school) and are moved into another in the area.

Below are some tips that Horn advocates and will be personally implementing.

1. With her son’s 16th birthday, Horn will be handing over the keys to her diesel Jetta and relying on a scooter and bicycle for transportation, making it important to plan errands ahead of time.
2. Horn talks about the importance of looking at architecture native to an area - there are distinct reasons why Adobe houses developed in New Mexico and for Southern homes having such large porches (the porches actually keep the house shaded and cooler in the hot summer months).
3. Permaculture is one of the most interesting ways to keep a house eco-friendly. Our manufactured lawns are filled with chemicals and use an abundance of resources to maintain. By looking at your area’s native flora and fauna, you can conserve a lot of those resources and your time. Nature will actually take care of your lawn for the most part - just as she has for years.

Horn lives in Seagrove, FL right in the middle of some of the first and premiere New Urbanist establishments along the scenic Highway 30-A, including Seaside, Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

There are a string of eco-friendly New Urbanist developments along Highway 30-A, a long and well-kept secret until stars, like Sheryl Crow, Britney Spears and most recently, Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo began vacationing in the region. Seaside is one of the first and perhaps best examples - it is such a beautiful and surreal community that it actually serves as the backdrop for Jim Carrey’s movie, the Truman Show…yes. It is a real town, not a movie set.

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In turn, the residents of the region have an immense appreciation for their local environment. Which makes it no surprise that they are holding their 3rd Annual Cottages for Kids auction this November to promote healthier environments for their children.

The program brings together talented builders and architects from around the world to design and build eco-friendly, non-toxic playhouses to be sold in support of the Children’s Volunteer Health Network, which provides immediate medical access to uninsured and under-insured children in the area. I volunteer for CVHN on their advisory board and work very closely with the Cottages for Kids program and am astounded at what they have been able to accomplish in the area relying on volunteerism. In just four years, they have helped over 500 children and booked nearly 2000 appointments with the help of local residents and medical professionals.

The program is still taking applications from builders, architects and anyone who wants to lend a helping hand. Visit their website for information on getting involved with this year’s event to be held at Rosemary Beach.

Image of the PinWheel Windmill by Thurber Architects and Curacao LLC from CFK 2007, courtesy of Moon Creek Studios.