Our client, Roy de Vries, asked me to share my perspective on the experience of designing his Damn-Near Passive House. Roy is well into the construction of his new home, and I’m taking a few days off, so I thought it was a good time for reflection. It’s been a long and winding road, to be sure… [Read more…]
Home Is Where the Hearth Is: Designing Your Kitchen
The poet Byron wrote, “Since Eve ate apples, much depends on dinner”. It follows naturally that much depends on the kitchen. Of all the areas you live in, the kitchen may have the biggest impact on how accommodating and comfortable your home feels. Resonant with the history of simple family meals and great feasts alike, it’s a place where memories are made. [Read more…]
Rooms With A View: Waterfront living
Here on the west coast, we don’t have to go far to enjoy the spectacular beauty around us. Those with waterfront homes are especially fortunate. British Columbia is blessed with an unsurpassed variety of shoreline landscapes, from the gently pastoral to the wildly rugged. [Read more…]
The Resilient Home: an update
Recently, I posted a few thoughts here about the resilient home in response to extreme weather events across the eastern provinces. Some former clients (and now friends) responded by sharing a bit of their experience living in the home that we designed together in Smithers, BC. [Read more…]
Weathering the Storm: Thoughts on the Resilient Home
I had the pleasure of attending parts 1 & 2 of Dr. Guido Wimmers’ training in Passive House design. It was easily one of the best courses I’ve taken, anywhere, and deepened my insight into how to create a truly resilient home. [Read more…]
CIRCLES OF CARE, THE FINALE: Thinking Beyond the Present
A new report has been issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. At a press conference, the IPCC chair, Rajendra Pachauri, said “If the world doesn’t do anything about mitigating the emissions of greenhouse gases and the extent of climate change continues to increase, then the very social stability of human systems could be at stake.” We couldn’t agree more. [Read more…]