The Pinoleville Pomo Nation (PPN) today is facing several critical challenges associated with the development of housing infrastructure throughout their communities.  In order to meet the growing demand of people seeking to return to the lands of the PPN, more housing developments are being undertaken.  At the same time, rising energy costs associated with heating and cooling current houses is placing an increased burden on residents. 

Furthermore, the drought conditions within and around the PPN are also taxing the resources of the residents and the local government.  As a result, the PPN is seeking to implement sustainable technology and best practices that will increase their self sufficiency and meet their housing, energy, and water conservation needs.
   
In order to address the aforementioned concerns, members of the PPN partnered with CARES to evaluate sustainable technology and best practices such as solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbine systems, passive and active solar water heaters, grey water systems, and passive building design strategies such as passive solar gain and sun shading.

On April 13, 2008, residents of the PPN in northern California and members of the CARES team participated in an innovation workshop to understand the sustainability, environmental, and cultural needs of the PPN community and to provide recommendations for housing designs for the community. 

The underlining principal of the innovation workshop is that the residents of the PPN community are the most knowledgeable about their needs and therefore should be active participants in the design process of their housing.

Fig 1: Roundhouse style design created for the PPN

Fig 2: Members of the PPN and the CARES team after the innovation workshop.

Fig 3: CARES team members with the roundhouse style design