Many elements of "green building" were included in Sonora Cohousing. This list is not exhaustive, although it provides a good picture of the commitment founding community members made to creating a healthy and resource-efficient community.

Site Green Features:

• Large community garden site included in site plan.
• Retention basins - 100% of stormwater retained on site. Grading done to capture, slow, and harvest rainwater.
• Protected/relocated plants in compliance with the Native Plant Protection Ordinance (NPPO)
• Vegetation that had to be destroyed was shredded for mulch.
• Built on vacant city lot (an "infill" site) - close to services, transportation, and utilities; native desert not destroyed for the development.
• Site layout minimizes auto-related pavement
• Buildings oriented for solar gain in buildings
• Site maximizes opportunities for formal and spontaneous activities (not requiring travel).
• Pedestrian emphasis - reduce emphasis on cars. Parking on periphery.

Common House Green Features:

• Outdoor drying area for laundry
• Gray water system for washing machines
• Solar panels on roof
• Strawbale construction

Recycling/Material Conservation:

• Corrugated metal roof
• Sharing of resources reduces the need for each household to have "one of everything"... Less ends up in the trash in the end. More efficient economically.
• Vegetation on the site that had to be removed was shredded for mulch.
• Existing 1940's adobe house was remodeled for a community member home.
• Community recycling area; community composting area in community garden

Green Features of Individual Homes:

• 5/8" drywall instead of standard 1/2" - better sound and thermal insulation
• Insulation upgrade (higher R value; cellulose in walls; BAT in ceiling)
• Solar stubs to roof for future solar water heating
• Units exceed model energy code and have the Energy Star/Energy Advantage designations
• Basements provide space that is easier to heat and cool
• 2"x6" walls provide extra depth for more insulation
• Homes oriented for solar gain
• Programmable thermostats
• Solatubes in most units; some skylights
• "Borrow lights" made of glass block let natural light into interior rooms
• High efficiency A/C units
• Hydraunic heating - home heating based on heat generated by water heater
• Insulation of basement walls with foam
• Upgraded double-pane windows

Water:

• Corrugated roofs included to provide cleaner water for harvesting
• Some homes include water harvesting cisterns
• Detention basins hold 100 year storm on site. Reduces flooding downstream, increases soil moisture
• Water harvesting swales and basins included throughout to help water plants
• Water purchased in bulk for savings
• Efficient drip irrigation system

Toxicity:

• Low VOC paint
• Lower toxicity mudsills
• Corrugated metal roof yields cleaner water for reuse Some plywood used in place of OSB (or other low VOC wood substitute)
• Low VOC OSB used
• General directive to subcontractors to use the lowest tox option available
• Choices were explored for lower toxicity flooring (e.g., no floor covering - polished concrete, wheatboard, cork, low-voc carpet, etc.)
• Fresh air intake to exchange out interior air (important in closed-in air-conditioned spaces.)