Define Body & Mind

D E F I N E is now O P E N

Although there were some doubtful moments as to the exact date when we would open (thanks to my beautiful bamboo sinks…read below), DEFINE is 100% open:  7 days/week, 364 days out of the year!

As you can see from a few of the pics, DEFINE is looking a lot different than it looked three very short months ago.  I am very pleased with the way it turned out, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but from an environmental point of view.  Just over a year ago, I started studying for my LEED AP “Green Building” exam.  I earned my LEED AP status, and decided to use my knowledge to make the studio as eco-friendly as possible.  I selected a variety of eco-friendly products and materials for the construction of DEFINE.

Cork Flooring:   We chose cork flooring for its durability, its hypo-allergenic qualities, its resistance to microbes, and the natural acoustical and thermal that it provides.  It’s harvested by cutting the bark from the Cork Oak tree. The tree is never cut down and is capable of regenerating its bark within 3 years.  Our cork is covered with a soy based sealant to keep the cork sealed and protected.  (see picture above.)

FSC certified wood flooring with recycled doors:  Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way.

Bamboo Sinks with Inner Loop Recycled material countertops:

The bamboo sinks that we have in our bathrooms, were two of the first things I purchased for the studio.  I absolutely love the way they turned out.   So, it was quite frustrating when the City of Houston plumbing inspector wouldn’t approve the sinks 4 days before we were supposed to open.  He stated that he wasn’t sure how the sinks would hold up over time because they were bamboo.  I couldn’t purchase new sinks, because the countertop I was using was specifically cut (and it wasn’t an easy process) for the shape of my sinks.  No sink meant starting all over, and we didn’t have time!  So, after bringing as much information in and begging the sales rep to meet with the City of Houston to go over the product information, the city finally approved.  Luckily, we were able to open right on time at the beginning of October!

Non-VOC paints and finishes:   Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air.  Paint and finishes are one of the main reasons for this.  At DEFINE, we chose all Non-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and finishes.  Although subtle, you can definitely sense that there is a freshness in the air, and considering we are working hard in that studio, there is something to be said about that!

Eco-friendly Retail Products:

The studio turned out amazing.  It has that amazing tranquil and soothing feel when you walk in the front doors.  The best part of the studio, is you can enjoy the tranquility as well as get, in my opinion, the most comprehensive and balanced workout that exists.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 9:21 am and is filed under living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.