The Architect's Lair

recently read (online)

• Maybe Only God Can Make a Tree, but Only People Can Put a Price on It - fascinating article on the value of trees in NYC. "Factoring in the costs associated with planting and upkeep, New York City’s street trees provide an annual benefit of about $122 million, according to the Parks Department. The study concludes that New York receives $5.60 in benefits for every dollar spent on trees."
• New development will offer many energy-saving features - a development in Salem, OR that is (finally!) built how I think houses should be built. For starters: "Instead of felling most trees, the developers saved 80 percent of them -- then milled the rest for boards and put the sawdust on the community garden." Really the only bad thing is that it is such a narrow, and high, income level required to live there.
• Local Energy Generation System in England Draws Admirers - story of a city that is off the grid
• A stimulating tool to help children grow - the benefits of children playing outside, garden design

long time/no posting

Well, that was quite a break, wasn't it!

Almost a year later now. Our son is keeping us very busy, and the days just flew by. In addition to our time with him, I've taken on some volunteer work that is occupying a lot of my free time. I am currently the vice-president of our local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and I organize events, attend board meetings, issue a bi-monthly electronic newsletter, attend conferences, etc. It's quite a handful.

Anyway, I'll be posting here again on a (hopefully) weekly basis, mostly to get back in the practice of writing. I have big dreams for our garden this summer, though reality will no doubt bring it down to something much smaller. More photos and posts to come...