I am going to share 3 interesting things I read about this week with you and then tie them together – you are in charge of putting the bow on top.

Bumper Sticker

Unattended Children will receive
A cup of espresso
And a free puppy.

Vancouver, British Columbia’s Carbon Neutral Goal

In the year 2050 the city has a Carbon Neutral Goal
50% of the buildings that exist today will still exist in 2050
That means that a large portion of those building will need to be retro – fit
To meet carbon neutral standards
The community is committed to this goal and are doing everything
They can to achieve and succeed at this goal.
They are working cooperatively and not against each other.
This includes helping homeowners succeed at fixing their homes and
Understanding what it means to be Carbon Neutral.
They are working out amazing and incredible solutions and financing
Beginning with a before and after Energy Audit.

Examples Lez renovate project highlighted: http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/03/31/GreeningYourHome/

Live Smart Program: http://www.livesmartbc.ca/homes/h_rebates.html

Home energy Audit:  http://www.lezrenovate.com/

On-bill Financing

I am just beginning to research On-Bill Financing.
Simply it involves a no interest loan applied to your energy bill, which can be paid off
Monthly and when it is paid off, your energy bill will drop dramatically.
Thus enabling homeowners and small business to retrofit without paying huge amounts
Of money at the beginning of the project or taking out additional loans.

Here are some definitions I found, where it is working right now and where folks are sorting it through to see if it will work for their locations.  The Google list is much longer, but these were most helpful to get started and see that Portland is having some success right now as is Vancouver BC.

On bill Financing: http://www.aboutcsbe.org/financing.html
More info: http://consumerenergyalliance.org/2009/09/nsba-report-shows-on-bill-financing-improves-energy-efficiency/
Portland:  http://www.stateenergyreport.com/on-bill-financing/

Puget Sound Energy was last year doing free Energy Audits and helping to finance retrofitting and some solar work.  We just got a HUGE energy credit on our Income Taxes and can tell you it was well worth the effort.

Tying it all together:

I would suggest that this is an “unattended child” for architects and their work right now….could they not be part of a team to do a retrofit audit for businesses and homeowners providing a package of information about financing available and grants and loans – providing the leadership in a community to assist in educating folks to possibilities and relieving the fear?

Seems like an opportunity to me….How about you?

What would be the espresso, the puppy or the bow on top?

“An Earthship is a completely self-sufficient house that has a natural temperature regulation, without the use of a heating system. The building also generates its own electricity, collects and filters its own drinking water and cleans its own effluent water. The house is partly buried into the earth and is constructed mainly with waste materials; car tyres, aluminum cans and glass bottles. This low-tech building approach is ecologically as well as economically advantageous.”

Several years later a group in Brighton England developed a trust in order to build an Earthship in Brighton.  It was going to be a community of 16 units.

I could only find information on one completed unit: Earthship Brighton England

Second article with lots of detailed information and updates.

By casting around I found this 2011 update on Biotecture and Earthships webpage.

It was fascinating to spend some time exploring the work they are doing in Europe, Australia and now Haiti.

There was interesting video of the projects and seminars being offered on the sites.  I was impressed with the 10 day project in Haiti that was completed and it intrigued my imagination.

Thank you to IT Girl for finding the original articles and getting me thinking.

Working on finding out more information on Net-Zero Housing in the USA, can you share with me any new projects you know underway?

I know that car tires are getting some new life in many areas, what do you do with your old tires?

Steam plant and train yard coal

You may already be aware of McDonough’s work and talents and I have read his book a number of years ago.  I thought it was important to share his ideas again and so sought out his 2007 TED lecture to share with you and to challenge myself.

“If design is our Intention – what is the first question?”

“With no end game we are growing destruction … We do not need an end game we need an infinity game.”

How far have we come in changing our thinking?  Challenging ourselves?

Just watching this video talk I understand why  Jonathan Franzen picked coal and birds as the compromise issue in his best seller  FREEDOM.

We are still on the end game of Global Warming.

Did you sign up for the 40 day carbon fast starting March 9th?

London Skyline

Since my Architect was so interested in the London Festival of Architecture and we have been highlighting this summer’s events here on BA, I decided I should read the book for the Architects Enigma Contest.

The book arrived too late for participation in the contest and we do not know London well enough to answer the clues, but it made following the events much more interesting and fun.

Summer fun is a good thing.

The book is billed as a “fast-paced thriller taking the reader on a page-turning ride along the line between London’s colourful high life and its dark, sinister underworld.”

The main character architect Rob Gilbert is of course a wealthy designer doing international projects and we all know that architects are quite a wealthy lot!!!????  My architect is 1/3 of the way through the book now and he says Mr. Gilbert is a JERK, and the story is interesting.

I am sure Gilbert smokes at least 2 cigarettes and has at least 2 alcoholic beverages per chapter.  He does his best work under the influence.

Yes it is a fast paced page turner, because the chapters are so short and move the time frames along dramatically.   The author does not waste a great many words on feelings or interpretations and the Gilbert fellow is really caught up in himself.

The women in the story are definitely a male fantasy expectation.  It’s a good thing that Gilbert’s daughter is so smart.

It is a fun read and fast.   Good for the beach or an afternoon on the deck.  It was fun to look up the REAL buildings that were referred to and see what they look like on the NET.

We all know of course that all architects are wealthy!!!

The Master Plan – another architect story by Bancroft is coming soon.

List I found at a local business, that I thought was concise and helpful. Created by South Sound Business Alliance

Most days, the email can be overwhelming or distracting. But then I happen across an article which boosts my work efforts and resolve.

It’s wonderful when I find a great article which informs or introduces a concept that builds my practice.  I appreciate finding out how others are making changes and creating new products that are helpful.  To that end, I’d like to share some of my favorite sources on the web.

If you’re an architect and would like to share some of your resources with us, leave a comment and link to your source.  My aim is to keep a conversation going and help us find solutions that truly make a change in our energy usage and design endeavors.

I look forward to your suggestions.

AIA Regional and Urban Design Committee e-mail.

The American Institute of Architects “Walk the Walk” e-mail

Enerlume: Energy Management Corp; Building Energy Performance News. Visit Site

Cascadia Region Green Building Council and “Living the New Year Challenge”e-mail

GreenSource Magazine – McGraw-Hill Construction e-mail

Becca Caspe, HeatSpring Learning Institute “Is your collar getting green” e-mail

League of Conservation Voters    Visit site

Building Design +Construction: Green Buildings + Climate change (paperback book)
Visit Site or
e-mail

Change.org Weekly e-mail

Architecture 2030
Kristina Kershner, Director Architecture 2030
505.988.5309
e-mail

Here is my start list. I hope you find some value. Remember, we’d love to hear which publications (either online or in print) which you find valuable.

Thank you.