Earth Day Celebration

As the earth wakes up today, hopefully people feel a renewed sense of purpose.  Spring has that effect on the spirit.  Earth Day, a funny sort of remembrance, should remind us that our earth is central to our renewal.  The days grow longer, the plants poke out of the soil, and we defrost our spirits.  Instead of the grim admonishments to reduce, reuse, and recycle, we should smile that we still have the capacity to improve our earth's situation.  From eating locally to using fewer fossil fews, renewing our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint is hopefully a goal the entire world community can celebrate.

Springtime Blooms

After quite a long hiatus, I am happy to return to the Bouler-Pfluger Architects blog.  Since the last post about Hurricane Sandy, much has happened to both the architectural practice and life with the Boulers.  Fortunately, all is well and many new ideas and challenges are on the horizon.

As you can see from the  conference room above, James and Nick have opened a new office in Bay Shore, NY, as well as a satellite office in Brooklyn, NY.  They are joined by a growing staff of enthusiastic professionals who are helping the practice grow on two fronts.  On Long Island, the practice continues to take on a mix of projects in both Suffolk and Nassau counties-- from commercial buildings to new waterfront homes.  Meanwhile in Brooklyn, BPA is working with NYC's Build it Back program, where homeowners whose homes were devastated by Sandy are now able to work with the city in rebuilding their structures at a proper elevation for the flood zone.  It's a great undertaking, but also a wonderful opportunity to help people get back into their homes.

Artistically, I have also undergone quite a bit of change.  After 20 paintings depicting flooded structures last year (yes, I had flood on the brain!), I've decided it was time for a change.  What better way to signal a rebirth than to visit gardens for subject matter. Looking at Monet and Sargent, I couldn't help but be drawn to their bursts of color and the lushness of texture.  I've even been reading about local farming and botany, recharging my creative energy and inspiring me to move the artwork in a different direction.  It's a development that encouraged me to check in with the blog again, to offer an update, and to celebrate new growth.