GreenBuildingAdvisor.com features an interesting article in which EcoCor Design/Build is focusing on high performance and cost control on a two-bedroom Passivhaus project in Knox, Maine:
Wisdom Way Solar Village, designed by Austin Design, Inc. in 2007 and built by Rural Development Inc. from 2008-2010, is a highly energy-efficient community composed of 10 affordable duplexes in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
To learn more about Wisdom Way and several additional green affordable housing communities across the United States, please click on the link below:
This morning across the street from our office, efforts are on-going to reinforce the eroded and washed out riverbanks of the North River, here in Colrain.
This past August, Hurricane Irene slowly swirled her way from Puerto Rico and other islands in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea up the coast of the United States - making landfall in Virginia, New Jersey and New York.
The storm made its third landfall in the Coney Island area of Brooklyn, NY around 9 am on August 28. Though downgraded to a tropical storm by that point, the massive system continued to create severe flooding and extensive property damage.
Below is footage a neighbor took during the aftermath of the destructive storm. It shows the speed and height of the North River, just across the street from our office. Though the driveway to our building as well as most of the front lawn were submerged at the peak of the river's flooding, our office building remained unharmed.
Do you recognize this Historic Landmark in upstate New York? If you know its name, you can submit your answer to this blog entry using the "Comments" link below.
Hint: The Iron Building was built in 1859 and is "an outstanding example" of pre-fabricated cast iron construction. It also has a strong degree of Italianate styling.
What's going on in our world today? For one, serious talks in Durban, South Africa where the United Nations Climate Summit is taking place. World leaders coming together to shape our future, hopefully for the better!
The Haiti Housing Collaborative (HHC) organization was formed by the AIA NY Global Dialogues Committee. Members of the HHC undertook the task of designing four different types of affordable housing in response to the January 2010 earthquake. Each of the designs is featured on their website:
We are excited about the HHC's work since we hold rebuilding efforts in Haiti very close to our own hearts. The Honor for Haiti Foundation (FONHOH) is an organization that is focused on educational improvement in Haiti. We have been working with Marky Jean-Pierre, a founding FONHOH board member, to design a rural educational campus in Lagoun.
Housing, healthcare, and education are all extremely critical topics in Haiti right now, and we are committed to aiding the efforts to improve these areas. It is uplifting to see action being taken by others in the same vein and it is with much enthusiasm that we help spread the word about the important work of the HHC.
Austin Design Inc provides architectural design services to residential, commercial and institutional clients. Every building project, especially a home, should be an exciting and positive experience. We advocate a team approach among client, builder and ourselves that allows us to share expertise, knowledge and a passion for good design. Our buildings enhance the quality of our clients’ lives, contribute to the community and respect the environment.
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