Verace Submission

Bouler Architecture recently submitted the Verace project as an entry in the AIA's restaurant competition. As part of the submission, James to put together a comprehensive overview of the green features in the project.

1. First and foremost, the re-use and re-commission of an older and abandoned existing building. The planning department of the local building department was very keen on keep the old building intact. It has been many uses: an office, a mixed use (retail and apartment) and a gift shop. The exterior facade was repaired as necessary, with very little changing on the exterior.

2. The wood floors and stairs are reclaimed wood.

3. Rather that powder coat the pizza and bread oven, we used light gauge steel and let it rust. It eliminated the need to toxic kynar powder coated finish over aluminum, which would need to be repainted every so often.

4. The wine is from a Eco-Keg. It holds 25 bottles of wine and keeps it fresh. It eliminates the need for all of the glass bottles and wine waste.

5. The water filtration system and re-usable carbonated glass container eliminated the use of many, many bottles of water.

6. The kitchen is part of the atmosphere with an open design. The heat that is normally wasted from the ovens, and cooking is keep in the building.

The exhaust fans are variable speed and can be controlled to keep as much heat in as possible in the winter and eliminate the heat in the summer. The HVAC system was designed to take this into account, so less energy is used
to heat the restaurant in the winter.

7. The bricks used on the exterior patios are reclaimed brick.

8. The mahogany windows, Unilux, uses sustainable forests, or FSC certified mahogany on their windows.

9. The windows are super insulated and are some the best performing for heat loss of gain in the industry.

10. The existing building envelope was super-insulated for optimum performance.

11. With the open kitchen plan we were able to have smaller footprint of the same number of seat of a larger restaurant. Smaller footprint, less energy used.

12. Verace is not using table linens, eliminating the energy and water need to washing and drying.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

Despite the fear of sounding sanctimonious and/or preaching to the choir, I decided to make a list of ways I’m trying to reduce my carbon footprint with my daily habits. I post it hoping you have tips to add or see a new one to try.

Reuse all plastic bags that come along, at least one more time.

Forget disposable containers; reuse takeout ones.

Bring own tote bag to stores.

Use the back of paper for scrap and printing. Buy recycled paper.

Set up electronic billing.

Compost coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells, vegetable, and fruit remainders.

Recycle computer equipment—Staples has a program.

Shop Craigslist and thrift shops.

Hang laundry out to air dry.

Make a catch-all soup for left over vegetables.

Cut meat consumption.

Buy local, free range and/or organic.

Use reusable stainless containers for coffee and water.

One pot meals save energy in cooking and water in cleaning

Steam vegetables while boiling water for pasta.

Use less water to boil pasta.

Reuse bathwater and reduce shower time.

Don’t run water while washing face, dishes, or brushing teeth.

White vinegar, baking soda, Epsom salt are our friends for cleaning and gardening.

Use the public library.

Pass books, magazines, clothes, toys, shoes along to others.

Turn off cell phones and computers at night. Unplug chargers when not needed.

Put electronics on power strip for easy to shut off.

CFL bulbs in most fixtures.

Use fridge to store batteries for longer life.

Dispose of batteries properly or use rechargeable.

Use eco-friendly paint, cleansers, and laundry detergent.

Have water source and bird houses for migrating birds.

Plant indigenous and drought-resistant plants. And what’s a lawn anyway?

Make less laundry by reusing towels and clothes.

Forget paper towels, paper plates, plastic cups and plastic utensils.

Scrape plates to avoid rinsing before putting it in the dishwasher.

Consider purchase beforehand—how often will I use it, how long will it last?

What I haven’t mastered yet is carpooling—maybe next year.

Methods in Green Architecture

As it stands today, buildings account for 39% of energy use in the United States. There are a variety of approaches to greening our architecture. As the Oak Beach project hits the one year mark, I was curious how the series of alternative energy features (photovoltaic, white roof, reclaimed lumber, geothermal, high-efficiency windows, blown-in insulation, passive design, and radiant heating) were functioning in terms of enegy costs. According to the fab client, her system seems to be cranking the power out. Even with the lack of sun this winter she's over the expected production according to the installer. Talk about over achieving.

Another way to green architecture is to use what already exists. Instead of discarding a building to start over, retrofitting a building with better windows and insulation, reusing and restoring what already exists seems like another important option. The Islip Fire Department had contemplated taking down their current and outdated fire house built in the 1920's, but James worked with them to find ways to improve the building and keep it intact. Still under construction, this building maintains its historical significance in town while becoming more efficient in terms of function and energy use.

Captree: Finish Work

Finish work is underway in the Captree projects. In the first house, an addition on an existing weekend cottage, a simple color scheme and clean fixtures were important in setting a relaxed mood. This house will also use some built-in furniture to keep with the minimalist approach.

Liv's Letter

Olivia has started a series of bird illustrations-- if you donate to the Audubon society and/or the Sierra Club to help rebuild the Gulf Coast, kindly let us know and she'll send you one of her drawings. In the meantime, one can only hope that nature can heal itself of man's misdeeds. As for me, I'm bent on reducing my carbon footprint and teaching Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, hoping to influence the mindset of generations to come. James, who grew up on the Gulf Coast, spoke to family last night who said the smell of oil has already hit the shores. Hoping to encourage his clients to reduce their house's carbon footprint in order to curtail our country's oil consumption, he's offering some alternative energy suggestions and help with rebates.

Happy 40th, Black Horse Farms

It's a ritual to head over to Black Horse Farms every time we are at Potic Cottage. Even the kids look forward to stopping in for a spin around the fresh produce, baked goods (especially the baked goods!), and this weekend, the plant department. A family-owned working farm, for the past 40 years Black Horse Farms has sold some of the best produce and local dairy around, but their selection of plants this past trip blew me away. Their impressive variety, their healthy green shoots, I would have snagged at least five flats without thinking; however the reality of having to plant them in Potic's rocky soil stopped me. Instead the kids and I picked out a few small annuals, a lilac, and a flowering dogwood. And wouldn't you know, Liv won this amazing flowering basket in a raffle.

It reminds me of a recent conversation I had with a young man who wondered why I was such a strong believer in shopping locally. Beyond the value of keeping our money in our towns, for those who have never shopped in anything but a chain retailer or a big-box store, it's hard for them to imagine the pleasure of saying hello to the proprietor, of holding a carton of fresh duck eggs from a neighboring town, of watching a store evolve and yet remain the same. These intangibles, which can't be quantified in dollars and cents, are truly invaluable.

Impending Disaster on the Gulf Coast

drawing by Olivia

Being familar with the pristine beauty of the Gulf Coast, it is particularly painful for us to hear about the ecological disaster on those shores. Not only is it yet another reminder of our urgent need for clean energy, but it is a cry for better regulation of the oil industry's safety measures. If you want to help, please consider joining me in donating to the Audubon society, which is already mobilizing to resuce birds that are in their crucial breeding season.