CATALYST to create Design Guidelines for 80-acre Dewey-Humbolt mixed-use commercial development.
Principal Jeffrey L. Zucker's energy-efficient Ziven Residence featured in local newspaper.
CATALYST hires Project Manager Michael L. Bundy of Columbus, OH.
ARIZONA DROUGHT-- 8 years long and still going strong.
Local water Development Impact Fees go into effect May 8th.
Over $3,600 Credit now available through Prescott's Water Conservation Incentive Program.








DATE EVENT LOCATION PHONE
May 7
 Earth Sustainability Festival
 Sedona, AZ (928) 282-9139
May 18 Arizona Geothermal Conference
 Tempe, AZ (480) 491-3305
May 23 Houses That Work Workshop
 Flagstaff, AZ (928) 779-3071
June 3 Urban Farm Tour Phoenix, AZ (602) 565-7045
June 20-21 Providing Water for AZ's Growth Phoenix, AZ (520) 792-9591
Oct. 6-7 2006 Green Building Expo Scottsdale, AZ (480) 312-7080






Dear Clients & Colleagues:

Water and Development
With the recent focus on water, the old debate of adequate supply versus new demand is once again on the table.  I had an opportunity at this year's Earth Day celebration to speak with Jack McCormack of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (DWR).  Jack explained that one of the biggest challenges the DWR faces are policy loopholes allowing developers to circumvent key laws put in place to protect this precious resource.  The issues involved are multi-faceted, complex, and often lead to the deeper discussion of individual property rights vs. the laws enacted to protect the environmental quality of our communities.  There are no easy answers.

An effective conservation incentive program could be of great help.  Other Arizona communities like Tempe and Peoria have such programs.  I wondered why Prescott, with our limited water supply and in our 8th year of drought, did not have such a program.  I began to inquire into this when I discovered that in fact, we now do.  In 2004 the City of Prescott created the Water Conservation Committee (WCC) and charged it with amending the city's Water Conservation Code, as well as developing a Water Conservation Incentive Program.  The new plan proposed by the WCC went into effect on March 30 of this year and offers up to $3,600 worth of rebate credits for commercial and residential retrofits. 

Public Awareness Is Key
While the WCC plan identified the importance of education and publicity strategies, no one I spoke with had heard of the program yet.  Public awareness will be vital to the success of this fledgling earth-friendly policy.  A single two-bathroom home retrofitted with each of the available residential incentive items could earn over $1,200 worth of rebate credits, and save the city over 30,000 gallons of water per year.  That translates into approximately 1,400 acre-feet of water saved per year based on our current population.  Click on the following link to find out how you can help participate in Prescott's new Water Conservation Incentive Program.

We applaud the city's initiative and all those involved in creating this program-- but more will be needed.   To protect our water resources as well as the very future of our community, broad-based education programs must be coupled with effective and enforceable water policy to ensure that our community remains an awesome place to live, work, and play-- for decades to come.












Matthew B. Ackerman,  LEED  AIA



Green Product of the Month:

WaterFurnace systems cost less to operate, and are good for the planet.


Green Builder's Tip of the Month:

Please Do NOT Ventilate Your Crawlspace.


Green Technology of the Month:

Save With Energy-Efficient Heat Pump Technology.


Green Project of the Month:

From our Archives... "The House As A Leaf" Reprint from Architecture + Magazine. 




CATALYST ARCHITECTURE is an award winning, full-service architectural design firm located in downtown Prescott.  We specialize in educational, commercial, master planning and custom residential work, with an emphasis on common sense high-performance design, and caring client relations.


At CATALYST, our mission is to creatively transform the space and budget needs of our clients, with the opportunities and ecology of the site, into functional and sustainable solutions that move the spirit.













Copyright © 2003-2006 Catalyst Architecture, LLC.  All images, sketches, artwork and photographs are the property of CATALYST ARCHITECTURE, LLC.  No reproduction, copying or redistribution of this material for commercial purposes is allowed without the expressed written consent of CATALYST ARCHITECTURE, LLC.  All Rights Reserved.