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Comment by gkop | Hacker News Reader

My personal preference is deeply in the natural ventilation camp, and the typically delicious air we have in the Bay Area is a boon to my wellness. I leave the windows mostly open 24/7 three seasons, and in the winter I partially open them during significant portions of the day. It’s wonderful.

But during the worsening wildfires seasons, I must tightly seal and air purify my apartment for weeks straight, and had to buy an air conditioner that I run during the day. The stale air is unpleasant, but unavoidable.

How idiosyncratic are my preferences and environmental circumstances? Are any architects working on house designs for me?

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I think a passive house design would be excellent for you.

Highly insulated, air tight (but vapor permeable) building envelope. Constant intake of fresh air to bedrooms living rooms, filtered and passed through a heat exchanger to heat or cool it with air exhausted from kitchen and bathrooms.

They generally cost about ~25% more than a standard code-built house (unless you want a lot of windows), but cost much less to heat and cool. They're also more comfortable and have less pollen, dust, and even insects.

> How idiosyncratic are my preferences and environmental circumstances? Are any architects working on house designs for me?

Very. SFO is is in climate zone 3, and the Bay Area is a micro-climate unto itself:

* https://basc.pnnl.gov/images/iecc-climate-zone-map

Do you think Florida or Texas could do the same thing? Minnesota or the Dakotas? Anywhere in Colorado or the New England region?

An architect will design anything you want, as long as it meets code.

I think your preferences make total sense. Though I have little experience with wildfires. Would an air filter help?

For my own eccentricities, I have the bedroom window open slightly while sleeping, closed when awake.

During the winter, when inside I wrap up in warm clothes, thermals, scarf. When exercising outside I wear only one or two layers. I call it the 'Winter Paradox'.

> How idiosyncratic are my preferences and environmental circumstances? Are any architects working on house designs for me?

You must have quiet neighbors if you can stand leaving the windows open all the time.

I live in a mid density city with a nice ambient hum. Indeed the neighbors in my building are respectful, as are the neighbors on either side. But I think the ambient hum is key to the peaceful atmosphere, when living in a city. The biggest threat we’ve experienced in terms of noise is blue jays that I finally staved off after months, by occasionally assaulting them with a super soaker. Other birdsong is pleasant, I hear some right now and open the window wider.

I say this as somebody fairly particular about my comfort. I can’t stand interior transformer hums for example.

Respectful neighbors in the Bay Area?

Which city?

The best neighborhood in Oakland (which I will not name).

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