 |
| Jeffrey L.
Zucker, LEED AIA |
| Matthew B.
Ackerman, LEED AIA |
|
 |
|
Confessions
of a Hypocrite
I love construction. I love the smell of the
concrete, the sound of
power saws, the mutterings of the bulldozers. When I went to Las
Vegas
a few weeks ago, my favorite show was the construction of the new
project next to the Bellagio. That is why, when I was driving
home
from work the other day, I was thrilled to see another new project
going up. So, when a little voice whispered in my ear: “Don’t you
think there is too much construction already in Yavapai County”, I
almost drove off the road.
 I make my livelihood from the fact that there is a
constant stream of
building going on in this area of the world. However, I also
profess
to be an architect who is responsive to issues of sustainability.
I
try to do my small part for the environment with the thoughtful design
of every house and commercial building. Yet, there it was, this
nagging suspicion that, perhaps I was not actually following through on
what I touted myself to be.
This led to a cascade of self-doubt and reexamination of the way that
I live. What else do I tell other people that they should be
doing,
that I myself don’t do? As I started to look at my lifestyle, I
noticed things such as the fact that my house is not solar heated, and
I live one mile from work, yet I drive every day. Also, I run the water
in my shower until it gets hot enough to get in and my water is heated
with an inefficient gas heater. I do have a gray water system, but I
don’t use biodegradable soaps. I do have a water harvesting system . .
. but it is not hooked up. I don’t even have any photovoltaic panels on
my house (gasp!)
Some people say that the first step towards recovery is admitting that
you have a problem. I have found it somewhat cathartic to confess to my
“transgressions” against the environment.
What’s in your lifestyle?
 |
 |
 |
|
| Green Project
of the
Month: |
 |
First ICF Production Housing in US 
|
|
| Green Technology of
the Month: |
| |
What Is Fly-Ash Concrete?
|
|
| Green Builder's Tip of
the Month: |
| |
DOE's "ZERO Energy Homes" Program
|
|
| Green Product
of the
Month: |
| |
ECO-Block is Energy-Efficient And Fast To
Construct
|
|
|
|
 |
CATALYST
ARCHITECTURE is an award winning, full-service architectural design
firm located in Prescott, Arizona. We specialize in educational,
commercial, master planning and custom residential work, with an
emphasis on high-performance design, and caring client relationships.
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.
 Comments
or feedback? Email us.
|
|
