Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a sustainable house in Louisiana.
___ Abundant, adaptable storage space in every room
___ Sufficient, secure storage for outdoor items
___ Family entry nook for electronics, mail, gear, shoes, etc.
___ Consider cathedralized storage attic
___ Controlled visitor entrance, access and view
___ MBR on same level as second BR
___ Efficient workflows, traffic paths
___ Sound controls
Kitchen:
___ Service entry (from car) convenient to kitchen
___ Accommodates multiple cooks
___ Accommodates social interaction
___ Layout follows space guidelines (see Ref. Guide)
___ Work triangle distance totals 15-26 feet (lines connecting center of sink,
cooktop, refrigerator)
___ For multiple-cook kitchens, consider dual work triangles with a second sink
and microwave oven (sink-oven-refrigerator triangle)
___ No major traffic paths cross through primary work triangle
___ No doors interfere with work centers, appliances or open cabinets or
drawers
___ Work space aisles min. 42 in. wide (including clearance around islands)
___ Passageways min. 36 in. for one cook; 48 in. for two cooks
___ Upper (wall-mount) cabinet frontage: min. 186 in. (min. 144 in. for compact
kitchen < 150 sq. ft.)
___ At least 60 in. upper cabinet frontage within 72 in. of primary sink centerline
___ Base cabinet frontage: min.192 in. (min. 156 in. for compact kitchen)
___ Drawer frontage: min. 165 in. (min. 120 in. for compact kitchen)
___ Storage aids to improve accessibility and functionality (sturdy roll-out
shelves, dividers, assorted drawer depths, etc.)
___ Functional corner storage (lazy susan, diagonal door, etc.)
___ 15- to 18-in. clearance between countertop and bottom of upper cabinets
___ Countertop frontage: min. 198 in. (min. 132 in. for compact kitchen)
___ No two primary work centers are separated by full-height, full-depth cabinets
___ Min. 24-in. countertop frontage to one side of primary sink, 18 in. on other
side
___ If there is a second sink, min. 3-in. counter space on one side, 18 in. on
other side
___ At least two wastebasket areas (trash and recycle)
___ Edge of dishwasher within 36 in. of edge of sink
___ Min. 21 in. standing room beside dishwasher
___ Min. 36 in. continuous countertop space for food preparation center
___ Min. 15 in. counter space on latch side of a refrigerator, on either side of
side-by-side, or on landing space across from refrigerator (no more than
48 in. away)
___ Min. 15 in. counter space on one side of cooking surface, min. 3 in.
clearance from an end wall
___ Appliances located min. 15 in. from cabinet corners (so protruding appliance
handles do not interfere with opening base cabinet drawers)
___ Cooking surface is not placed below an operable window
___ Min. 15 in. landing space next to oven and microwave
___ Bottom of microwave is below shoulder height of shortest user
___ Cooking surface has hood exhaust system (100-150 cfm)
___ If indoor grille and high cfm exhaust, a dampered outside air inlet is provided
___ Min. 24 in. wide by 12 in. deep counter/table space for each seated diner
___ Min. 36 in. walkway clearance around dining table; 24 in. if not a pathway
___ Operable window area
___ Ground fault circuit interrupters on all receptacles within 6 feet of water
source
___ Fire extinguisher located across from cooking surface (B-C type is best for
grease fires; A-B-C is all-purpose)
Low Maintenance, Outside and Inside:
___ Long-lasting materials and equipment
___ Materials that need infrequent or no refinishing
___ Mildew- and algae-resistant materials
___ Heat-, cold-, sun- and water-resistant materials
___ Scratch- and stain-resistant materials, finishes
___ Easy-to-clean surfaces, appliances, etc.
___ Min. dust-collecting surfaces
___ Space at entry for shoes, outerwear
Advanced Wiring and Automation:
___ Structured wiring, central control
___ High-capacity cabling
___ Easily upgradeable installation route
___ Integrated multi-hazard and security systems
___ Energy-management control system
___ Home office equipped for telecommuting
___ Automated lighting controls
___ Whole house wireless networking
___ Assistive technologies
Adaptable For Changing Needs:
___ Open planning of social zones
___ Multi-purpose, adaptable room
___ Usable attic space
___ Expandable floor plan (future additions)
___ Tandem rooms with movable partitions
Practical:
___ Life-cycle cost-effective systems, products
___ Locally available or easily obtained products, installers, maintenance
___ Reduces labor cost or construction time (financing cost)
___ Enhances or protects market value