Here I am standing in my back yard. I live on two acres just outside Dallas Center. With a 1800 sf footprint for my house, garage and a shed, about 1.5 of those acres has at least 3 feet of snow and as you see, some places more.
There is a lot of discussion these days regarding whether there is or isn't "global warming". It often centers around the fact that is snowing everywhere. This winter seems to be more than I can recall since my days on the farm in the early '70's. We'd dig tunnels in the drifts when school was cancelled like my daughter and I have been doing now. But regardless of your position on climate change, I don't believe there can be debate of the fact that the earth is a finite resource.
Someday, coal, natural gas, and oil will be depleted. Long before that happens, I hope for a few things. First, I hope we have found sufficient replacement fuel sources. I hope they are renewable sources such as wind and solar. Bio-mass is being explored also, but it has not had the accomplishments of solar and wind. Second, I hope as a society, we have learned to consume less and guard the resources we have better. The second wish is the most ambitious.
Iowa is working hard to make wind and solar an export industry for our state. We are 4th in the nation in wind as a resource. The state and industry are partnering to create the infrastructure to transport that energy for market. There are companies that continue to develope solar power geration tecniques to increase the efficiency and reduce the costs.
Simonson is working with IDED to try to achieve the second goal. Sustainable design is about reducing consumption and waste while replenishing the natural systems through water management, waste management, and energy conservation. Most of the work presenteed on our Sustainable Woodbine site so far has been about storm water management and healthier living through recreation (trails, community center).
We are getting ready to begin our Task C component that will focus on the Whitmore building downtown as a template for energy efficient rehabilitation. This project will provide examples of tecniques that can be used throughout the community, new and rehab, to increase the efficiency of the buildings in Woodbine. we will continue to post those concepts on the web site to allow you to use them to improve your buildings or homes.
I hope that you will join us in these efforts to grow to be more energy independent, food source independent, and good stewards of our communities. We have a lot to learn from each other.
I'd like to hear from you. Two reasons. My wife keeps me grounded by letting me know when I'm wrong and I'd like you to do the same. And as far as I know, I'm talking to myself in cyber space. Is there anybody out there?
I agree that as a society, we must become better stewards of our resources and environment. The consumption rate within the last 100 years is staggering when compared to previous centuries. That alone is a good reason why I like the decision to select the Whitmore building as part 'c' of this project - recycling on a large scale!
ReplyDeleteI also feel that many folks are scared of major building remodel because of the "unknown". Hopefully, this project can provide a "project manual" of sorts that, while it may not remove all of the unknown, it will provide a road map to a successful remodel with fewer surprises along the way.
Is the Whitmore improvement geared to a specific occupant or is the building being considered to offer the greatest flexibility possible for not only the initial occupant but those that come after? I ask because flexibility of space and durability of materials also contribute to the long term sustainability of a project. Spending more money for a better, longer lasting products now is very valid sustainable practice - but it is one that seems very difficult for Americans to "buy into".
Eric, I was at the update today (2/26) in Woodbine. You've done really nice work with the site plan for 6th street as well as for the firepit and elevator components. I'm looking forward to the continued progress of this project.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that we need to take an additional look at the functional issues related to the school part of the 6th street (Block 4/ Phase 4). They actually open this area up for parking for games and the kids play in this area (so there is a lot of functional space being lost to make the rain garden and such). I think one of the lots you show as school parking is actually church parking, which can be used for school when there is not church related events going on, but it is not available 100% of the time (so there could be a loss of parking issue here). Also, I don't see the actual shop/ bus barn building on the drawing. This is really the only suggestion I would have at this point.
Anyway, a lot of great ideas being presented, I'm looking forward to working on them with you guys. Best wishes!