Aptly named, Brinkmann's True Value Hardware and Paint Store is a recently completed commercial project whose value to the community is clear. At 23,000 square feet, the store is fully powered by 130 KW of photovoltaic panels and a geothermal system, perhaps the largest solar-powered commercial project on Long Island. A family-owned business in Sayville, NY, BPA is proud to be a part of a project that supports a thriving local business expand in a way that demonstrates that going solar is possible for commercial projects.
This recent Bouler Pfluger Architects, PC project in Eastport, NY combines the sweeping elegance of modern, geometric massing with the traditional shingle style architecture of the area. The home's waterfront exposure is designed to capitalize on the crisp, clear light of the South Fork, for which the east end of Long Island is well known.
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.
Net Zero residence doesn't need to be synonymous with discomfort. This project is both efficient and comfortable. In fact, take a close look at the meter. Despite a cool interior temperature inside of 74 degrees in 95 degree weather, this meter reads 2 KW thanks to the 11KW solar array on site. The craftsmanship of construction done by Telemark is top quality, quite a feat considering the complexity of the design and decor. By using a variety of textures and design elements, this new house has a warm flow to it, feeling almost as if it's always been there.
Architecture mavens know how important preservation is, however midcentury modern has gotten short shrift in this regard. Perhaps it is too close to recent memory to be cherished in the same way as quaint saltbox structures, but it is part of our architectural history nonetheless. Long Island architect, Andrew Geller, produced structures on Long Island worth saving, as chronicled by modernemama who has been renovating her own Geller residence. Preserving his daring geometric buildings is the subject of potential documentary now raising funds on Kickstarter. Let's hope the family finds the funds to bring this project to the big screen.
Huntington's Book Revue is the kind of book store that you might see in a movie-- a funky, independent village spot that functions like a town square. And when Olivia's publisher asked where we'd like to have her Long Island book signing, it was an immediate response: The Book Revue. Sure Bill Clinton signed his book there, and Mary Tyler Moore too, but it was also a store I've frequented since I was a teenager growing up in a nearby town. The turn out today for Olivia was just amazing. Pitched in Newsday today as one of the 'top ten things to do on Long Island', the crowd ranged from friends, family, colleagues, her teachers, my students, James' clients, and people who read in the newspaper about this girl who drew birds. IT was part reunion, part eco-activism. By the time car service came to take Olivia and James to the airport, headed for Portland Oregon, the goodies had been eaten and the books had sold out. Thanks to all of you who were there to celebrate Olivia's Birds!
This Friday at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, NY, 3 Backyards featuring Northport's own Edie Falco and Louise Millmann, opens to a sold out crowd. Winner of many awards around the globe, it's the story of three people from the same suburban town during the course of a seemingly typical autumn day. Behind the placid exterior, each character experiences a personal journey that takes them to unknown territory. Director Eric Mendelsohn will be on hand to discuss the film.
While I was away this week, I regretfully missed an opportunity to be at the opening of artist Janet Simpson's art exhibition. Fortunately, collage artist and photographer Louise Millmann was on hand to provide a full report and to purchase a drawing for me before they were all snatched up. Hosted by the Tasting Room in downtown Northport, the place was packed with local artists, who were not only paying tribute to a tireless and talented woman, but to purchase some of the finest landscape art on Long Island. Simpson, who grew up on the east end in Amagansett, always appreciated the natural world. Whether working in pastel, paint, or fabric, her images capture the essence of light, line, and color, creating artwork that brought the outdoors inside. I was fortunate to have been Janet Simpson's student, during which time she served as a mentor and confidante, all the while still making artwork. She taught me that being a great teacher includes being a lifelong student, for our own exploration becomes an example for others. Fortunately for us all, Ripe Gallery owner Cherie Via was also at the opening and has plans in the works for another show of Janet's work. Will keep you posted!
I confess I have become a foodie. It started with books about food. From the perspective of chefs to reviewers, I began to consider the art of food, and although I myself haven't been able to follow a recipe for the life of me, I do greatly appreciate the work of others. Last night at Nonnina's in West Islip I tasted a dish that was so complex in flavor that I simply had to write about it. Chef Henry Freidank's uovo ravioli, a ravioli with an egg yolk inside instead of cheese, was inspired. Covered in crumbled bacon, a touch of mushroom, a bit of lobster meat, and cooked to perfection, it was truly sublime. Why isn't there an image of this dish to accompany this entry? Too busy in the ecstasy of tasting it. Do stop by the restaurant if you are in the area.
Bouler Architecture is starting a new project in West Islip, on the Great South Bay. We had a successful meeting last night with our new client, and this is the sketch of the rear, water-facing elevation. The lower curve is a covered, exposed structure that covers the water side patio. Above the patio is the master bedroom balcony. Inside the master bedroom, we are proposing a third level mezzanine, with an interior stair that will also serve to seperate the master bedroom's sleeping area from the sitting room. We also have wonderful south facing roof over the garage, where we will incorporate a 10KW solar panel system. We are also using a geo-thermal heat pump. Our goal, after intstalling spray in insulation, energy-efficient windows, is to be 80% more efficient... or very close to Zero Energy.
The CW Post installment of A Book About Death exhibition had a great turnout at the opening event. Honey Millmann and I protested Nothing at the event as an homage to Ray Johnson's own protest of his exhibition at the Nassau County Museum of Art, just down the road from CW Post. The exhibition featured work from the original ABAD exhibition, as well as many new entries from around the world, unified in their belief that art should be shared as often as possible. The exhibition will only be up for fie days, so if you want to check it out in person, do it quickly. Otherwise you will have to content yourself with Viv Maudlin's film about the exhibition.
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.
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.
