Shade and Energy Savings
Shade is a critical component of most comfortable outdoor space. Whether the shade comes from trees or some element of the built environment, you can increase the value of your property with appropriately placed shade. For PermaDesign, creating shade is often tied to the goal of developing “magic spots.”
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Where is your Magic spot?
Magic spots are places where people go to have a quiet conversation or to read, relax, reflect, stretch, or meditate. Magic spots may or may not be used on a regular basis, but even if these places are used rarely, they often bring a kind of magic to one’s mood when one finally gets around to enjoying them. Don’t forget, too, that properly placed shade from trees and arbors on the south and west sides of structures saves energy and delivers significant cost savings when compared to the cost of cooling a building with air conditioning, swamp coolers, or electric fans.