Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Architecture for Humanity
See what great sustainable building projects can do to address the real problems or real people. This is the kind of building that we need more of. It will contribute more to the development of a community than many people can even imagine.
Design Principles
Someone asked me today why I have a statement on my website saying that it is dedicated the the design principles of Frank Lloyd Wright. It is because I believe that his vision of the Usonian house is the way we need to think about housing. While Fallingwater and other more famous buildings represent what much of the public knows about Wright it is the Usonian house that most embodies his thinking.
These homes were designed to be simple, built on the measurements of available materials and built by owners themselves if they wanted from local materials. Much furniture was built in (bookcases, beds, seating) and rooms were multi functional; space was delineated by level changes or furniture arrangement and much as by walls. Living space was intended to be private from the street side of the home but open to the outdoors as much as possible on the private side. Wright used radiant hot water in floor heat and lots of concrete and glass in theses homes.
If he were alive today, I think he would be building in rammed earth, ICFs and strawbales!
These principles are not difficult to incorporate into older homes, many have them already. While some older homes have hazards such as asbestos and lead paint, many do not. The ones that do take more care to update but they are still a great way to preserve resources.
These homes were designed to be simple, built on the measurements of available materials and built by owners themselves if they wanted from local materials. Much furniture was built in (bookcases, beds, seating) and rooms were multi functional; space was delineated by level changes or furniture arrangement and much as by walls. Living space was intended to be private from the street side of the home but open to the outdoors as much as possible on the private side. Wright used radiant hot water in floor heat and lots of concrete and glass in theses homes.
If he were alive today, I think he would be building in rammed earth, ICFs and strawbales!
These principles are not difficult to incorporate into older homes, many have them already. While some older homes have hazards such as asbestos and lead paint, many do not. The ones that do take more care to update but they are still a great way to preserve resources.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
WHY BUY RECYLED HOMES?
Houses have doubled in size over the past 50 years. Households averaged 4 people living in a 1200 square foot home with 2 bedrooms, one bathroom and a one car garage in 1950. By 2003 the average household had declined to 2.6 people but the house had expanded to 2000 square feet with 4 bedrooms and two baths as well as a 2 car garage. The dishwasher no longer had two hands and the house consumed twice as much energy as homes built during the previous three decades.
Smaller spaces can be more livable than large ones and still feel spacious. Recycling old housing saves not only resources but energy and money. Even if you have to replace a roof or flooring, you can use recycled and non toxic or less toxic materials to do so. You can use paint and floor coverings that do not outgas toxic fumes, replace outdated, inefficient doors and windows with energy efficient ones and/or ones made from recycled materials. You can add solar systems and take advantage of energy efficient heating and cooling systems tool. If you start with sound "bones" -a solid foundation and basic structure- beautifying the "skin" is a simple matter.
Americans seem to have fallen in love with the idea the bigger is better. Frank Lloyd Wright is perhaps the best known American architect for most people. His Usonian Houses and the humble American bungalow are perfect examples of the kind of living this page is about. It is meant to be a tribute to those who are trying not only to salvage those homes and bring them back to life by living in them but also to inspire others to give some thought to the ideas they embody.
Smaller spaces can be more livable than large ones and still feel spacious. Recycling old housing saves not only resources but energy and money. Even if you have to replace a roof or flooring, you can use recycled and non toxic or less toxic materials to do so. You can use paint and floor coverings that do not outgas toxic fumes, replace outdated, inefficient doors and windows with energy efficient ones and/or ones made from recycled materials. You can add solar systems and take advantage of energy efficient heating and cooling systems tool. If you start with sound "bones" -a solid foundation and basic structure- beautifying the "skin" is a simple matter.
Americans seem to have fallen in love with the idea the bigger is better. Frank Lloyd Wright is perhaps the best known American architect for most people. His Usonian Houses and the humble American bungalow are perfect examples of the kind of living this page is about. It is meant to be a tribute to those who are trying not only to salvage those homes and bring them back to life by living in them but also to inspire others to give some thought to the ideas they embody.
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