The purpose of this study is to make an investigation of the most common new building materials and to determine how their uses are changing the design of modern small home architecture.

This study sought to find out the root causes of the marginalization of the physically disabled children in Machakos district of Kenya. It aimed at coming up with proposals for integrating physically disabled children into regular schools and to enhance their welfare. Through an analysis of the practice by the Small homes programme and the government s segregated special education provision, lessons for effective integration of the physically disabled children were learnt.The goal of this study was achieved by carrying out a research in Machakos district of Kenya. Data were collected by carrying out face-to-face interviews and one Focus group Discussion among a sample size of 170. The data were analysed using content analysis.The study findings show that although education is considered a basic right and need, its access and provision to the physically disabled children has experienced problems that impede its implementation. These include: - lack of clarity of the policy of integration, negative traditional beliefs towards disabilities, the approach of implementing integrated education, low parental participation, lengthy assessment procedures of disabilities, lack of adequate specialist teachers, limited data on disabilities and limited access to education caused by high fees levies, lack of suitable transport services and access to mobility aids and suitable physical environment and amenities.Further study findings show that Inclusive Education can work and that reservations to Inclusive Education can be overcome. The findings showed that the Small homes need to make their school environments least restrictive for the physically disabled children and to adapt an inclusive culture. Opposition to Special schools was based on the negative effects to the children including segregation, disruption to family life, low social and academic grounding.

This professional project estimates the upfront costs and utility savings expected from greening an approximately 1,100 square foot home built in the 1950s in the San Francisco Bay Area. Two sets of upgrades (alternative and original) were compared for costs and benefits. The alternative set (which included ceiling insulation and omitted upgrading to dual-pane windows) clearly out performed the original set. The alternative set would be expected to reduce resident utility bills by 28% annually, and to prevent approximately 2,700 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The water efficiency upgrades were the best performing group of upgrades, as they had the lowest upfront cost and shortest payback period. (These water efficiency upgrades consisted of modifying toilets, faucets, and showerhead, as well as upgrading the dishwasher and clothes washer to efficient models.) Future very low-budget greening programs, in nearly all cases, should include a full-set of water fixture modifications, weatherstripping, and clotheslines. As budgets allow, other upgrades from alternative upgrades list are recommended, such as ceiling fans, programmable thermostats, and ceiling insulation. Whenever possible, workforce development labor should be used to simultaneously reduce labor costs and multiply the social benefit of each project dollar by providing entry-level green collar jobs.