The New York Times discusses “green" building which really isn’t all that green. In the Sunday article Mireya Navarro writes that research by the U.S. Green Building Council, which administers the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program, “suggests that a quarter of the new buildings that have been certified do not save as much energy as their designs predicted and that most do not track energy consumption once in use.” The article comments on a study the USGBC performed last year of certain buildings certified through 2006. Navarro continues, “Anecdotal information from follow-up research to that study indicated that the best-performing buildings had limited window areas and tended to be smaller.” Big surprise. Smaller buildings generally have fewer windows than larger buildings, and by the very nature of their smallness, smaller buildings are easier on the environment. It’s only common sense. I wrote about common sense green design here.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

These unique, oversize, sliding doors are double-duty assets. From the inside, they provide filtered privacy when closed. From the outside, they add textural interest whether open or closed. The alternating slat dimensions help reduce their scale, and the clear finish draws attention to them as accent features. The sliding track is cleverly concealed by a shallow rooflet, which, with the help of full-width stairs, suggests a porchlet. I’m a fan of oversize, barn-type sliders and featured them in the Manchester Garage/Garden Room and wrote about them for Fine Homebuilding. Consider such sliders for breezeways and three-season rooms too.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Recommended multidisciplinary course and event

Expect this seminar and evening event in Cambridge, Mass. to inspire the creative process by fostering connections between disciplines.

Lesley Seminars

(Class and schedule are subject to change so check program websites for updates.)

Word and Image: Making Art in Two Languages

Instructors: Karen Davis and Cassandra Goldwater

Thursdays, September 10 – December 17, 1:00 pm – 3:50 pm

$530 (non-credit)

“Do you want to create in words and images? This class will help you develop your ideas by guiding you from planning to project completion. We will consider the work of contemporary word and image artists using a range of media, including painting, photo-based art, sculpture, and electronic, as well as a range of platforms including exhibition, the web/multi-media, books and assemblages. In-class exercises and weekly assignments will help you develop your own word and image associations, while broadening your experience with a variety of artistic approaches. The class will culminate in a presentation of projects.”

An Evening in Word and Image

Thursday, November 12, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

University Hall, 2nd floor, Amphitheater, Room 2-150

Free and open to the public and the Lesley community.

“Information about guest artists will be available at www.lesley.edu/ce/ls.
This unique series, sponsored by the Center for Photographic Exhibitions, New England School of Photography, and the Lesley Seminars, pairs outstanding visual artists and writers in a format that deepens our understanding of each artist's work, and creates an interplay between the artists themselves – their images and their words.”

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

At Home in Provincetown: Plain and Fancy (Provincetown, MA) Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 11:00 am - 4 pm.  Tickets are $30 ($25 members) and include admission to the PMPM.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Last year, I stumbled upon stunning window boxes in Salem, Mass. which I touted here. The other day, I found some to rival last year’s discovery.  These won first place from the City of Salem and Salem Garden Club this year. Now that I know there’s an official award to be won, my competitive drive is sparked. So, next year look for my entry. This is the same kind of motivation that got Pearl Fryer, topiary-artist-extraordinaire, started. Dream big.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast