Join EcoAction Arlington for our 36th annual meeting, the highlight of which will be a series of fast-paced talks’ with local thought leaders on the minds of many Arlingtonians: the trend of building new single-family homes or undertaking major renovations in ways that are not sensitive to the context and character of the neighborhood in which the home exists.

At its best, tearing down homes and building new ones can revitalize neighborhoods – injecting new, resource-efficient architecture that maintains a neighborhood’s character, facilitates interior space designs that accommodate modern lifestyles, and preserves important environmental characteristics.

At its worst, these major renovations and new builds can be over-sized, unattractive boxes that ruin street-scapes and replace yards with hard surfaces affecting water flows and tree canopies. Even if “green” and energy-efficient based on square footage, these homes can contribute to a larger energy footprint due to the loss of “embedded energy” in the original home, increased materials use, and increased heating and cooling needs.

Arlington neighborhoods are evolving. The question is, can we move forward in a sustainable way that preserves the characteristics that people love, minimizes environmental impact, and maintains some levels of affordability?

EcoAction Arlington is bringing together individuals involved in single-family residential design, development, and preservation to explore the answer to this question and begin to paint a picture of what less impactful and more informed sustainable residential development could look like. Join us for a fast-paced conversation that explores challenges and generates ideas for taking the tear-down trend in a more positive direction.