West Islip Waterfront

Here are some renderings of a Bouler Pfluger Architects' new project on the water in West Islip.  The gambrel roofline offers great exposure for the solar array that will power this residence.

White House Champion of Change Environmental Panel

Alternative Energy: A Healthy Choice

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.

The Southernmost Entry

Key West is a fascinating crossroads of cultures. Mix Carribean, New Orleans, Antebellum, and a dash of pirate, add a jigger of booze, mardi gras and crass tee-shirts, stir, and you've got the proper vibe. Even in this week's 50 degree weather, people came to Duval Street ready to party.

Funny what captures one's imagination. The Southernmost marker, with lines of tourists snaking down the street, is one of the most photographed images in Key West, right next to the popular mile zero marker for Highway 1. Proof of one's existence perhaps.

Another well-documented image is the beautiful banyon tree on Whitehead Street. Since we stayed at The Banyon House, a quaint complex of renovated historical residences, we watched nearly every passerby stop and snap a picture of this unusual tree. Originally from India, the banyon spreads its sinewy roots above ground, creating a cathedral-like space out of its limbs.

For me, what has captured my imagination on all three of my visits to the area was of course the architecture-- some of the best preserved examples of 19th century vernacular. My favorite? Oddly enough the eyelid window-- what a terrible idea to stick a series of windows under the porch where hot air is trapped. From rain capture to front porches, as we look to the past to see which passive systems worked, and in this case, which failed, Key West can certainly offer some modern-day insights.

Architecture in Harmony with Nature

What could be a more economical housing situation than one you carry around on your back? I take it as a good sign that several snails took up residence in our garden, as well as a family of house sparrows in our bird house.
And what could be a more primal need than that of shelter? To Viennese architect Friedrich Hundertwasser (1928-2000), buildings meant protection and security, but also color and whimsy. One could argue he held the mole as the father of all architects, admiring its predilection to using the ground in establishing shelter. Hundertwasser began integrating nature into his buildings through window plantings, rooftop gardens, and earth roofs. The earth roof is incredibly efficient, using the earth's own cooling and heating properties to help regulate temperature. Achieved on a large scale in his Blumau Hot Springs Village in Styria, he was ahead of his time in promoting a more integrated notion of architecture: one that connects to nature, not distances people from it. This idea is gaining traction. Yesterday's New York Times had an article about the possibilities of using green roofing on low income housing in the Bronx. It seems that those living in the high rise buildings really appreciated the increased dose of greenery and the decrease in allergens in the building.
After years of designing homes with no sense of climate context nor direct connection to the earth itself, integrating those elements into the design of the building seems natural enough.

Archisage: A New Conversation

I was recently invited to join Archisage,an open social and professional network for people in architecture and other creative fields. Incredibly diverse, members are from all around the globe, and discussions cover some of the geographical realities of their projects. This weekend I found myself engaged in a discussion about grey water use with people who have done projects from Bermuda to India, two places with very distinct water needs. One doesn't need to be an architect to join or to have an interest-- just a passion for sustainable energy and architectural design, as well as a healthy dose of curiosity about what's going on in the architecture field worldwide. I found some great pictures posted by members, a few of which seen here.
Last week someone said to me that blogs are islands of interests, and I completely agree. Instead of massive social networks like Facebook and MySpace, blogs and social groups focus on a specific passion, whether it be design, food, or cars. In this simulated arena, I have gained new insights, seen incredible images, and discovered many kindred spirits.

Table 36

At last night's US Green Building Council's Second Annual Gala, table #36 was definitely creating an alternative energy of its own. Needless to say, tables 35 and 37 may have wished we were a little less exuberant, but with the Oak Beach project moving along so well, we had reason to celebrate. James, Ron LaBarbara, the builder, and the client, who was one of the sponsors of the evening's festivities, even shared recent pics of the house on their phones at the cocktail hour. The night honored Babylon Town Supervisor, Steve Bellone, who has established innovative incentives to encourage the use of green energy. Also honored was the Blumenfeld Development Group, whose Tanger outlet project in Deer Park, LI used a variety of eco-friendly technologies to offset its carbon footprint. It was impressive to see such a large room full of people who were all committed to the same cause: the future of our planet.

Going Green in Las Vegas

Last week James attended the National Association of Home Builders convention in Las Vegas, a seemingly unlikely place to discover anything green. He describes a scene of four huge convention centers, packed with all sorts of building products, from roofing to carpeting. His mission was to unearth all of the best eco-friendly products to recommend to his clients. He's still sorting the brochures and returning phone calls-- but here's what I've gotten out of him-- There's this nifty rain-catching bag that just about anyone can tie to the side of a drainpipe that can water the garden, there was a lot of photo voltaic technology, perfect for small structures, and of course he was completely enamored with any product made from recycled materials. More details and pics to follow.
In terms of a mixed blessing, the slowing economy brought all of the cranes and high rises to a standstill along the strip. It's terrible to see the suffering this downturn is bringing to the construction industry; however it might give everyone time to pause and reflect over what buildings are being created-- in terms of green technology, aesthetics, and integration to the natural environment. As a Taoist monk might ask us to consider our proper place in the universe, we should ask our buildings to do the same.