About Us
Our team is trained in plumbing, architecture, regenerative landscape design and advanced and alternative wastewater treatment processes. We develop innovative and simple solutions to conserve water, grow food and create a sustainable landscape based on our clients needs. We primarily work with residential clients to integrate building and landscape where water, soil, plants, shade, beauty all work in harmony requiring minimal maintenance. We reuse and regenerate materials where possible and implement strategies such as greywater, rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, low-water retrofits with the mission of reducing our impact on the earth.
Candace Vanderhoff - CEO
Candace Vanderhoff, M.Arch, LEED AP
Candace has a masters degree in architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture, is certified as a LEED accredited professional by the US Green Building Council, and is a certified Permaculture designer. In 2009, Candace was in the first greywater training program by Greywater Action and completed the Green Plumber Training for water professional. With a lifelong commitment for social, economic and environmental health Candace has worked in Detroit, Micronesia and San Diego designing and implementing programs to engage the community and ignite action.
Originally from Michigan where she worked in construction, economic development and community organizing to prepare her for a career in architecture. In 1991, she helped launch the Detroit Self Employment Project, a micro-enterprise program for women on assistance and MOM's bakery, a workers cooperative for women. To study micro-lending further she visited Women's cooperative and banks in India. In 1997-98 she taught architecture at the Ponape Agriculture and Trade school, in Micronesia. During that time she began researching indigenous island architecture and traveled throughout the Central Pacific documenting the spiritual connections of buildings to people. In 2003, she was a Research Scholar at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and a visiting fellow at Queensland University of Technology in Australia to continue the research. Living in San Diego since 2000, she has focused exclusively on design, building, teaching and implementing strategies and programs to create a sustainable San Diego. Programs she has developed and taught include the Village Design Project, a renewable energy curriculum, Habitat Heros - a native plants restoration program, Design Build Women - natural building workshops and the Schoolyard Pizza Oven project. In 2006 she designed a modular green residence for Katrina victims and is currently working on a classroom for a school in Ghana. She was on the founding board of the Natural Building Network and is currently the Executive Director of Las Casitas - Sustainable Living Teaching Initiative. Her current work with RainThanks is managing, consulting and designing water harvesting systems, sustainable landscapes and water conservation products.
Candace has a masters degree in architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture, is certified as a LEED accredited professional by the US Green Building Council, and is a certified Permaculture designer. In 2009, Candace was in the first greywater training program by Greywater Action and completed the Green Plumber Training for water professional. With a lifelong commitment for social, economic and environmental health Candace has worked in Detroit, Micronesia and San Diego designing and implementing programs to engage the community and ignite action.
Originally from Michigan where she worked in construction, economic development and community organizing to prepare her for a career in architecture. In 1991, she helped launch the Detroit Self Employment Project, a micro-enterprise program for women on assistance and MOM's bakery, a workers cooperative for women. To study micro-lending further she visited Women's cooperative and banks in India. In 1997-98 she taught architecture at the Ponape Agriculture and Trade school, in Micronesia. During that time she began researching indigenous island architecture and traveled throughout the Central Pacific documenting the spiritual connections of buildings to people. In 2003, she was a Research Scholar at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and a visiting fellow at Queensland University of Technology in Australia to continue the research. Living in San Diego since 2000, she has focused exclusively on design, building, teaching and implementing strategies and programs to create a sustainable San Diego. Programs she has developed and taught include the Village Design Project, a renewable energy curriculum, Habitat Heros - a native plants restoration program, Design Build Women - natural building workshops and the Schoolyard Pizza Oven project. In 2006 she designed a modular green residence for Katrina victims and is currently working on a classroom for a school in Ghana. She was on the founding board of the Natural Building Network and is currently the Executive Director of Las Casitas - Sustainable Living Teaching Initiative. Her current work with RainThanks is managing, consulting and designing water harvesting systems, sustainable landscapes and water conservation products.
Collaborators
Larry Newcomb ~ Jayhawk Consultants
Larry has worked in the fields of environmental science, public health and land development for over 40 years. His current company, Jayhawk Consultants, is one of two firms in San Diego who design, engineer and install septic systems. He also consults as an expert witness on land development issues. Larry has a degree in microbiology and has taught at Palomar College for 22 years. He is retired from the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and while employed there he wrote the guidelines for conducting a percolation test that is still specified by the County today. Larry was instrumental in working with Candace to submit the first greywater system design and determining the mission and strategy for RainThanks & Greywater. Since implementing a greywater diversion systems reduces the load on the septic Larry recommends implementing this simple strategy to septic owners and works with us to design safe solutions for homeowners and businesses.
Larry Newcomb can be reached at www.SepticLayout.com
You can see images of a perc test here:
http://www.septiclayout.com/about/about.htm
Larry Newcomb can be reached at www.SepticLayout.com
You can see images of a perc test here:
http://www.septiclayout.com/about/about.htm
