Tucson is becoming internationally known for the work being accomplished here in sustainable design and construction. Professionals come here from around the world to see the results of this effort. The Tucson Innovative Home Tour is a wonderful opportunity to see what others have done to live better in harmony with nature and their surroundings. Included in the tour are homes and other buildings that illustrate innovative ways using natural resources wisely.

The 1997 tour was the most successful yet, featuring eighteen homes and two commercial buildings. An estimated 1200 visitors went on the tour, and a pre-tour seminar drew a standing-room-only crowd of over 300 people.

the 1998 home tour - october 17

On Thursday evening, October 15, a free seminar, "Innovative Homes and Sustainable Communities," will feature many local experts in these and related fields who will share their best practical home ideas. Admission is free and open to everyone. There will be exhibits, information and an opportunity to talk with the speakers. The seminar will be held at Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway.

The tour is Saturday, October 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is city-wide and self-guided. Tickets are $10 per person or $15 for the family. This includes a tour guide and resource book. For further information call the hot-line at 792-6423 or email Paul Huddy pasha@azstarnet.com.

Ticket outlets include:

• Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Ave.
• Book Mark, 5001 E. Speedway
• Book Stop, 2504 N. Campbell
• Progressive Solar, 2527 N. Stone
• Silverbell Trading Company, 7007 N. Oracle
• The Solar Store, 2833 N. Country Club

showcasing exceptional, practical, affordable alternatives

The Tucson Innovative Home Tour is dedicated to these primary goals:

• Demonstrate how more practical, affordable, comfortable homes, better adapted to local conditions, can be designed and built using a growing palette of environmentally and socially responsible technologies and methods;
• Showcase exceptional examples of such homes in a wide range of styles, materials, technologies, sizes and costs;
• Provide a high quality learning experience for those interested in such alternatives;
• Involve as much of the community as possible; and make it fun and enjoyable for everyone.
• Features include passive solar and environmental design, active solar heating and cooling, solar photovoltaic power systems, solar-assisted hydronic floor heating, solar water heaters, other energy alternatives, various kinds of high insulation and high thermal mass construction, energy and water conservation techniques, natural and xeriscape landscaping, and permaculture.

a coordinated national and community project

The Tucson Innovative Home Tour 1998 co-chairs are Paul Huddy, Lisa Stage, and Vivian Swearingen. Also working on the tour committee are Ann Armstrong, Kevin Moore, Kim Nash, Jim Schommer, Shannon Scott, and Cari Spring

We are grateful for the support and assistance of:

• Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office
• Arizona Solar Energy Association - Old Pueblo Chapter
• Association of Energy Engineers
• City of Tucson Special Projects Office
• Tucson Electric Power
• Tucson Institute for Sustainable Communities
• Tucson-Pima County Metropolitan Energy Commission