What is Building with Intent?
Building with Intent: A Process of Thoughtful Growth and Development.
A building is not only a structure, and building is not just a verb. Building is a process. I want to build wealth, health, wisdom, and courage. I want to develop land, and build businesses, but do so in a way that is sustainable. I don’t just mean Greta Thunberg sustainability. I also mean enduring.
Eco regenerative construction thoughtfully considers materials, architecture and landscaping to make more efficient homes while improving the environment. Materials such as locally available items are sourced to reduce shipping costs and time. Recycled materials are utilized when able and natural building materials, such as bamboo, cob, and rammed earth are taken advantage of. Water planning and solar energy are taken into account with architecture and landscaping. The same way sustainability is often thought of as one thing, I do not mean solar energy in the form of photovoltaic (PV) panels. While many buildings now require them, the reality is that solar homes are possible without technology. Roof pitch, window placement, and building materials determine the energy efficiency with purposeful architectural decisions.
Story time: Hawaii New Construction Nightmare
My first investment property was new construction on the windward side of Oahu in jungly green Kaneohe, Hawaii. It was this big beautiful house that I bought with the plan of taking an 800 square foot “recreational area” adding a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom to have it as my space while I house-hacked the 3 bed, 2 bath upstairs for renters to pay my mortgage. Spoiler alert, I did it, but after nearly three years of issues with the new build foundation, and the development itself that came with problem after problem due to a failure to account for some of the intentional building described above.
You see, the developer bought a dilapidated tiny old home that was on half an acre and demolished it to put up five massive houses with 80% concrete filling up an area that was once a tree-filled grassy lot. Water runoff issues compromised the foundations of the homes. Parking for these five massive homes was unaccounted for. One property’s front door was behind their house because architects copied and pasted the house onto another lot without considering feasibility. French drains needed to be installed, soil had to be brought in (to an area that was once all soil), and plants were replanted after the area was bulldozed and overtaken by invasive vines. Additionally, the home's windows were along both the east and west walls causing heat gain in both morning and afternoon requiring AC in a home amongst absolute perfect temperatures and gentle trade winds.
From this experience, I learned the importance of building within the context of the environment, taking into consideration the impact that our building projects have. Whether we're building a home, a business, or anything else, it's crucial to approach our projects with care and consideration for the secondary and tertiary effects.
But then, what about your mission, your vision and your values? Why are you doing what you’re doing and does it build with intention toward your ultimate goals and core values? I am actively trying to weed out the noise and focus on activities, relationships, and businesses that do more than cash flow.
When I build, in whatever literal or figurative sense, I will do it with intent. How will you build?
