The blog had taken a respite, not from the work we were doing, but the chronicling of it. But in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, I feel compelled to hit the keyboard again to dash off an entry. I am astonished to see the battle in the news as to whether or not climate change is real. Despite scientific and anecdotal evidence otherwise, far too many reject the responsibility we humans have to the environment. The argument is like trying to convince a brick wall it needs mortar. It's only realized when the mortar fails and the wall crumbles. As the Northeast watched our homes succumb to the powerful storm at our shores, climate change is finally on the lips of some powerful politicians. Unfortunately it takes a tragedy to remind us the precarious relationship we have with nature. And the more you learn about our changing earth, the more you know has to be done. When I meet people who have dedicated their lives to saving the environment, whether it be birds, trees, or oceans, I ask them, how do you keep up the fight? How do you persevere when everyone else turns a blind eye? Their answers remind me of Anne Lamott's inspirational text Bird by Bird, where she recommends tackling big tasks step-by-step, or bird by bird.
So that's what I'm going to continue to do. I am going to try not to become overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task at hand. After all, saving the planet isn't the work of one person, or one community, or even one country. It's a movement that's going to require each one of us to work bird by bird until we hold off the momentum we've already set in motion.
The Lido Beach project is fully underway with the framing almost completed. Bouler Pfluger Architects is working on the interiors utilizing these cool 3D models. For energy efficiency and long term performance, the radiant flooring and the countertops will be poured concrete. This solar powered house should be fully complete in 2013. Please follow the project on Facebook by 'liking' our page.
Sayville, New York is a quaint seaside community known for its Victorian captain homes and thriving downtown, so when Bouler Architecture was approached to turn a modest cape into a larger, modern home with solar panels, it was an exciting proposition. With Lesco Construction, the project has been moving forward smoothly, and now Sayville can add modern homes to its list of highlights.
Hello, modern age. Blogging for nearly 600 entries, running Olivia's Save the Gulf page, and working on Bouler Architecture's web page, I felt pretty tech-forward. But today's flowers are tomorrow's compost, and technology moves swiftly. Olivia now has her own official website thanks to the massive assistance by Jesse Neuman, who, in addition to playing jazz trumpet and teaching in Central America, can whip out a site in mere hours. No longer will I have to send pages of links to folks-- it's all there! But wait, there's more. After resisting the Twitter trend, my students have convinced me that Olivia needs to start tweeting. Hey, if BirdgirlLiv wants to tweet, and folks want to read it, it seems like a natural development. That is, of course, until the next new thing.
Today's guest blog is by Krista Peterson, a recent graduate from the University of Central Florida who is an aspiring writer with a passion for the health and safety of our community and environment.
The EPA lists three goals of green building: improving efficiency in the use of energy, water, etc.; safeguarding the health and productivity of the building’s occupants; and decreasing waste and pollution generated by the structure. All three of these goals have distinct benefits to our daily lives as well as to the natural environment.
Improving Efficiency Many of us have heard this over and over, but it is worth repeating: energy efficiency is not just good for the earth; it’s good for the wallet. The fewer resources we use, the less we have to pay for them. Despite this common-sense principle, efficiency can sometimes be difficult to implement, particularly in more extreme climates where making the indoor air a more comfortable temperature takes more energy. The EPA estimates that 43-60% of an inhabited structure’s energy expenditure goes towards heating and cooling. Renewable sources of electricity like solar cells are ideal, but not suited to every building or budget. Instead, energy use can be reduced through the use of blown-in insulation and double-paned windows with high-efficiency glass to prevent the heated or cooled air from leaking out. Even steps as simple as applying caulk or weather-stripping to cracks and gaps around windows and doors is an application of green building principles.
Safeguarding Health Even if something is “natural,” it is not necessarily healthy or good for the environment. Asbestos, for example, is a naturally-occurring mineral found in deposits all over the world, but its use in construction materials is not considered environmentally friendly because of the danger it poses to public health. The mineral was once commonly used in nearly every structural component of an average building, since it added strength and heat-resistance, but we now know how dangerous asbestos is. When breathed into the lungs, it can cause health problems like lung scarring, asbestosis, or symptoms of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs. Sadly, mesothelioma life expectancy is poor, with only about 10% of patients surviving for five years after diagnosis. Asbestos has now been replaced with safer alternatives such as fiberglass, cellulose, or rock wool.
Decreasing Waste Finally, sustainable architecture is designed to reduce waste both in the construction and occupancy of the building. This may be accomplished by using renewable materials such as sustainable lumber or other plant matter or recycling other materials like stone or metal. Some construction projects can even reuse industrial byproducts like coal combustion waste, foundry sand, or demolition debris. Additional features allow the inhabitants to do things like reuse greywater for irrigation or other non-drinkable purposes.
When green architects put these principles into effect, they improve our quality of life along with the natural environment in ways we might not necessarily expect. For example, mesothelioma symptoms have even been diagnosed in dogs and cats, and just about any creature with lungs is at risk. As we reduce our use of natural resources and use them as efficiently and safely as possible, we will be able to work toward a more sustainable way of life for ourselves and future generations.
Building trim is a lot like a necktie. By covering joined edges, it gives a building a polished finish. Here, James is looking at the mockup of a bracket design for the exterior trim on this waterfront Bayshore residence. Interior trim is equally important in the aesthetics of a space. Crown moulding and base trim, once intended to protect the fragile edges of paster walls, now give a complete look to a space, a framing detail to a blank wall. As to the efficiency of this building, it took a giant leap forward recently when its ground-mounted array of photovoltaic panels, which will provide solar energy for the geothermal heating system, was approved by the town board.
Here are some of the computer-generated renderings of a new Bouler Architecture project on the water in West Islip, providing a good preview of things to come.
Who says our nation can't go green? Not Town of Islip's Councilwoman Trish Bergin Weighbrodt nor Councilman John Edwards, who are announcing a forward-thinking initiative today encouraging homeowners, builders, and architects/to meet new Home Energy Rating System (HERS) standards when building new projects in the Town of Islip. By setting incremental and reasonable guidelines, especially in an area where energy costs are the highest in the nation, it could serve as a potential model for other towns and counties in NY state. The announcement will take place today at Bouler Architecture's Oak Beach project, a zero-energy home that not only received the highest HERS rating on Long Island, it generates more energy than it uses. With its use of photovoltaic panels, a geo-thermal system, insulation, and high-efficiency windows, the home is both energy efficient and comfortable. Bouler Architecture's Nick Pfluger, client Jill Kornman, and builder Ron LaBarbera, of LaBarbera Construction, will meet with Councilwoman Bergin Weichbrodt and Councilman Edwards to celebrate the initiative. It is especially noteworthy to me that this initiative is a bi-partisan collaboration which was approved unanimously by the Town Board. Now isn't it about time that government on the state and federal level work together for forward-thinking, environmentally responsible initiatives? I'm not usually a one-issue type of voter-- I'm more of a big picture, overall governing philosophy kind of person, but I think it is perfectly valid to look at a candidates perspective on environmental issues as a barometer both literally and figuratively in terms of their investment in our nation's future.
The Bay Shore waterfront home is framed up and looking more like the computer-generated images Bouler Architecture's Nicholas Pfluger animated for the client. The home will use a geothermal system with an array of solar panels to offset its carbon footprint.
The Declaration of Independence doesn't say we have the freedom to protest if we don't like governmental policy. Instead, it says we have the responsibility to do so. With this in mind, our family leaves tomorrow morning for Washington DC to express our concerns about preserving bird habitat and supporting clean energy initiatives, two ideas which we see as intrinsically linked. As it stands, we have meetings with two congressmen on the Energy Committee, Congressman Waxman and Congressman Engel, our representative, Congressman Israel, and Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. Those of you who have been reading this blog regularly know that Bouler Architecture has long advocated for alternative energy, finding that through a proper integration of systems, zero energy buildings can produce more energy than they consume. To illustrate this concept, Nicholas Pfluger, James' right-hand man in the practice, put together this brief film about zero energy structures. It's fantastic.
Back in the day, buildings had to engage their climate in order to be efficient. Porches, overhangs, and the site, all had to work together to address the needs of the inhabitants. Then along came modern heating and ventilation systems, and quickly buildings no longer took environmental needs into account. Inefficient buildings account for 48% of all energy consumption in the United States, so it makes great sense to set goals and incentives to decrease the carbon footprint of our buildings. This is not some fantasy initiative. Bouler Architecture's Oak Beach project generated more power in its first year than it consumed, making it better than a zero energy structure, but as it stands, it takes a special, forward-thinking client to take on such a goal. Local building codes, however, should take note. With a combination of alternative energy systems, comfort doesn't have to be lost to be efficient. Creative engineering which addresses the microclimate of the site can alleviate the need for turning on the AC or the heat. Towns should consider giving tax breaks to encourage alternative energy sources and eco-friendly landscaping elements, as well as setting incremental guidelines to encourage homeowners to invest in greening their homes. With the cost of off-shore drilling at $700 million dollars a rig, spills notwithstanding, it's hard to believe that making a building more like a machine isn't a cost-effective way to move into the future.
I'm guest blogging today on Bouler Design while Nadine is in the Gulf viewing the devastating effects of the oil-spill first hand. Her daughter Olivia has been walking the walk since April when a broken oil pipe allowed thousands of gallons of oil a day to gush into the sea, threatening the fragile eco-system. But Bouler Architecture has put sustainable building at the core of its philosophy since they started business. The zero-energy house at Oak Beach on Long Island is a great example how we can build smarter, not just to reduce our use of fossil fuels but to actually produce more energy than we consume.
For the architect, James Bouler and his client Jill Korman, efficient design was key. They sought to maximize the potential of the site for solar power by demolishing 50% of an existing structure and rebuilding using a geothermal pump, photovoltaic solar panels, an EDPM white roof, energy performance rated windows and Icynene insulation. The house has been finished for a year and has exceeded all expectations, producing more energy than it used and earning it the highest energy-rating on Long Island. Jill's brief to the architect was simple: build me a comfortable house that is considerate of the planet using as few resources as possible - and Bouler Architecture delivered this functional and aesthetically pleasing design.
10 kw solar panels capture the strong South Shore sun; even in winter the house is energy efficient.
Careful placement of the roof lines and windows allows for passive solar heating and cooling, blocking the summer sun but allowing the sun's rays to heat the poured concrete floors.
Before the geothermal pump was hooked up and the radiant heating started this still kept the house a comfortable 60F in winter.
The angle of the windows in the barrel roof shades the sun, while the clerestory windows on the north side allow for ambient light
Salvaged and reclaimed wood from the original beach cottage was reused throughout the house - either decoratively as in this stair post, for framing the new house or as scrap lumber.
The Oak Beach house is a model for the implementation of green technology and great sustainable design, an irrefutable argument for environmentally-responsible building - modernemama
Several pictures of the Captree family compound as finish work takes place. James was able to design three distinct versions of Long Island's shingle-style architecture that are at once unique and connected-- to the tradition and each other. Blogger Modernemama and the Guy get a tour this Friday; stay posted for her assessment of another Bouler Architecture project.
As creative team advisor for Bouler Architecture, I'm working on new ideas to reach more people. I confess, my Facebook page is a quiet affair. As my sister, Jenn Palumbo, puts it, it's like I'm in the witness protection agency. But I was really excited to hear that one of my longtime favorite blogs is taking advertising. Ciao, Chessa is the blog identity of the very talented photographer Monica Shulman. Her work, taken from travels around the world and her own back yard of NYC, has great range. It is beautiful without being sweet, relying on a complexity of light and dark, composition and spontaneity that leads me to follow her blog daily-- just to get my new art fix and once to pick up a gift for my father.
So where do you come in, you ask? Please tell me which image you prefer as a digital button representing this blog and Bouler Architecture. I have a feeling but will keep my mouth shut.
Exhibit A: House in Flight was created as a photoshop collage at first. I scanned the actual butterfly and cut up pictures of houses from a trip to Montpelier, VT. I painted the image with a magnifying lamp and size 1 brushes, and it was the promotional card for my December show at Ripe Art Gallery. It now hangs in the chic and elegant household of Modernemama, surrounded by three other pieces of mine.
Exhibit B: Two if By Sea is a mixed media collage that I created for Ripe Art Gallery's upcoming Valentine's Day Show, which opens, when else, Valentine's Day. It uses an old painting of mine of the Blasket Islands in Ireland. I had been studying the islands as part of my YA novel Celtic Cross. Considering the isolation this seafaring community faced, there were many poets who came from that dying culture. We have tried to get to the islands on four different trips over, but alas the tides never cooperated. So I cut up my painting of the Blaskets into a diptych. Then I scanned our 19C German biology illustrations from an antique store in New Orleans (go Saints!) and photographed our place, Potic Cottage, where Jim designed a modern addition to a basic 600 square foot ranch. The string is scanned from a shopping bag in my office.
By the way, I'm also thinking of having reusable shopping bags made from the image, but cost may be prohibitive.
So what do you think? Which one works better as an ad-- graphics/content?
Placing a house on a site plan can be quite different than placing it on the actual property. This particular waterfront site plan in Bayshore shifted a bit once the demolition of the existing house took place. Armed with a ladder, the client walked the property and found the exact placement for his master suite balcony view-- a true hands-on approach.
Bouler Architecture was asked to design an addition to a residence in Huntington, NY, transforming a standard colonial into a post modern Mediterranean villa. After looking through a few architectural history books, several elements prove to be essential to this archtypical style. By integrating the stepped facade and cupola as a central feature to the roofline, the house changes its character. The addition of tower on the end gives the clients the necessary space and balance, but prevents the home from appearing too symmetrical. The real key to the transformation, however, will be the choice of materials and finish.
After many months of construction, Verace is officially open, serving its unique take on Italian food. In a collaboration between Bouler Architecture and Bohlsen Restaurants, all the elements came together in retrofitting this 1922 building-- the lighting, the barrel-vaulted ceiling, the kitchen-- so that the dining expereience will be more than just a meal. We were fortunate enough to sample the food, deconstructed Italian dishes created by Tuscan-born chef Francesco Torre, who uses traditional Italian ingredients but in an unconventional way. A series of small courses, everyone at the table sampled each other's dishes, and we walked away having had a rich and complex meal, almost like a conversation with the food.
Bouler Architecture: Eco-friendly waterfront homes with both passive and active energy saving systems, forward-thinking in both energy efficiency and aesthetics, commercial property retrofitting
Nadine Bouler is the creative team advisor of Bouler Pfluger Architects, PC.
With a degree in art and architecture history as well as a masters in English literature, Nadine Bouler is an educator in Jericho High School and an artist. Her artwork has been exhibited in Belgium, Brazil, Wales, and in shows in the United States.
