Sanders/Lee Residence
Ketchum, Idaho
By Jessica Porter
The rough-hewn rock and heavy timber exterior of this 4,800- square-foot townhouse is only fitting for its mountain location in the historic mining town of Ketchum, Idaho. But rather than continuing the same aesthetic inside, the interiors offer a serene counterbalance of clean lines and polished surfaces. Radiant-heated cast concrete floors and fireplace surrounds are inlaid with fossils, semi-precious stones, mosaic tiles, and copper accents.
Read the whole story on Builder Online
Olympia Avenue Student Housing
Pullman, Wash.
By Jessica Porter
When the architects at Mithun were hired to design Washington State University’s first new residential hall in 30 years, they knew they’d been handed the keys to do something different. Now on track to receive LEED Silver certification, the 76,250-square-foot building features a geothermal heating and cooling system, distinctive sun shades, a stormwater collection system that reuses water for irrigation, low-flow plumbing fixtures designed for 20 percent water savings, and a location close to public transportation. Recycling and reuse strategies also allowed the builder, Graham Construction, to achieve a 50 percent reduction in construction waste.
Read the whole story on Builder Online
Eastlake 2851
Seattle
By Jessica Porter
Located in a former industrial area, this mixed-use project blends 127 waterfront apartments, 5,200 square feet of ground-floor retail, and underground parking into a prime spot adjacent to public transit. Every residential unit enjoys a view of Seattle’s Lake Union, while retail shops front a busy avenue on the building’s opposite side.
Read the whole story on Builder Online
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Rising Star
The Energy Star for Homes Program enters a third, tougher phase next year. Here's how America's favorite green building program could affect you.
By Jessica Porter
Like a spaceship rocketing into the heavens, the Energy Star for Homes program is about to ignite the rocket's third stage. So far, dealers haven't had to do much besides enjoy the ride. But starting next year, program director Sam Rashkin says, you can expect to be put to work.
Read the whole story in ProSales Magazine
By Jessica Porter
Like a spaceship rocketing into the heavens, the Energy Star for Homes program is about to ignite the rocket's third stage. So far, dealers haven't had to do much besides enjoy the ride. But starting next year, program director Sam Rashkin says, you can expect to be put to work.
Read the whole story in ProSales Magazine
The Bugs that Made Summer Stink
The reason why stink bugs were such a pain this year.
By Jessica Porter
The invasion of the stink bugs may finally be coming to an end for the year, and feel free to blame the infestation on last year's freezing winter.
During the winter months, stink bugs go into the ground and wait until warmer weather. Because last year's winter was so cold, they went deeper into the ground than usual.
Read the whole story on Reston Patch.
By Jessica Porter
The invasion of the stink bugs may finally be coming to an end for the year, and feel free to blame the infestation on last year's freezing winter.
During the winter months, stink bugs go into the ground and wait until warmer weather. Because last year's winter was so cold, they went deeper into the ground than usual.
Read the whole story on Reston Patch.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Young Students Discover New Possibilities with Construction
A program in Cincinnati shows at-risk children the benefits of going into the housing industry.
By Jessica Porter
Middle-school students at Quebec Heights School in Cincinnati, an Ohio public school with no air conditioning and where 90% of students live at or below poverty level, are learning that they have more post grade-school options than a dead-end job.
They are discovering this through Construction Clubs, a free, eight-week afterschool program run by local volunteers to introduce students to various aspects of construction. Anne Mitchell, a construction industry advocate at Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board in charge of middle school outreach, says it is important to show children these skills—and opportunities--at a young age.
Read the whole story at Builder Online
By Jessica Porter
Middle-school students at Quebec Heights School in Cincinnati, an Ohio public school with no air conditioning and where 90% of students live at or below poverty level, are learning that they have more post grade-school options than a dead-end job.
They are discovering this through Construction Clubs, a free, eight-week afterschool program run by local volunteers to introduce students to various aspects of construction. Anne Mitchell, a construction industry advocate at Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board in charge of middle school outreach, says it is important to show children these skills—and opportunities--at a young age.
Read the whole story at Builder Online
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Please, Don't Feed the Wild Animals
RA rules say leave wildlife alone, for a variety of reasons.
By Jessica Porter
As tempting as it may be to feed those cute little squirrels on your back porch, or to leave some food out for animals during the coldest winter months, resist the urge.
It is actually against a rule that was approved by the Reston Association board of directors in May 2008. The resolution states the feeding of non-domesticated wild animals (except songbirds) is prohibited. Some of these animals include foxes, deer, squirrels, skunks, raccoons and opossums.
Read the whole story on Reston Patch
By Jessica Porter
As tempting as it may be to feed those cute little squirrels on your back porch, or to leave some food out for animals during the coldest winter months, resist the urge.
It is actually against a rule that was approved by the Reston Association board of directors in May 2008. The resolution states the feeding of non-domesticated wild animals (except songbirds) is prohibited. Some of these animals include foxes, deer, squirrels, skunks, raccoons and opossums.
Read the whole story on Reston Patch
Monday, October 4, 2010
Lake Audubon is Back in Business
The five-week dredging project is complete and Lake Audubon's health is restored.
By Jessica Porter
About 1,000 dump truck loads of sediment, or 12,000 cubic yards, were removed from Lake Audubon during a five-week dredging project that cost $550,000.
The sediment included materials such as natural leaf build up, construction materials and trash, and was removed to improve water quality and wildlife habitats, said Amelia Townsend, director of communications for Reston Association. It also improved recreation and boating access for area residents.
Read the whole story on Reston Patch
By Jessica Porter
About 1,000 dump truck loads of sediment, or 12,000 cubic yards, were removed from Lake Audubon during a five-week dredging project that cost $550,000.
The sediment included materials such as natural leaf build up, construction materials and trash, and was removed to improve water quality and wildlife habitats, said Amelia Townsend, director of communications for Reston Association. It also improved recreation and boating access for area residents.
Read the whole story on Reston Patch
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Going Batty at Walker Nature Education Center
Bat sanctuary visits with presentation about misunderstood animals.
By Jessica Porter
About 50 children spent Wednesday evening learning about a creature that lives in their own backyards – or even in our shutters and attics – but is often overlooked.
Welcome, the bat.
Leslie Sturges, director of Bat World NOVA, a local bat conservation group, came to Reston Association's Walker Nature Education Center to talk about the little mammals for a "Gone Batty," workshop. The children and parents went on a nature hike to Lake Audubon, where they saw some local bats, and also got to meet two of Bat World's Big Brown Bats.
Read the whole story on Reston Patch
By Jessica Porter
About 50 children spent Wednesday evening learning about a creature that lives in their own backyards – or even in our shutters and attics – but is often overlooked.
Welcome, the bat.
Leslie Sturges, director of Bat World NOVA, a local bat conservation group, came to Reston Association's Walker Nature Education Center to talk about the little mammals for a "Gone Batty," workshop. The children and parents went on a nature hike to Lake Audubon, where they saw some local bats, and also got to meet two of Bat World's Big Brown Bats.
Read the whole story on Reston Patch
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Builders Seek New Work in Older Homes
Historic preservation training program teaches valuable skills in a bad economy.
By: Jessica Porter
Dismal market conditions have prompted many builders and trade contractors who previously specialized in new construction to explore alternative lines of work. Those enrolled in the preservation trades technology program at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, Pa., are hoping to add a few new skills that will open doors to building restoration projects.
Roughly 60 students are currently enrolled in this program, which began in 2008 and is geared towards professionals already working in the building and construction industry. Classes are offered on weekends and at night so that students can continue to work full time and put their new knowledge immediately into practice.
Read the whole story in Builder Online
By: Jessica Porter
Dismal market conditions have prompted many builders and trade contractors who previously specialized in new construction to explore alternative lines of work. Those enrolled in the preservation trades technology program at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, Pa., are hoping to add a few new skills that will open doors to building restoration projects.
Roughly 60 students are currently enrolled in this program, which began in 2008 and is geared towards professionals already working in the building and construction industry. Classes are offered on weekends and at night so that students can continue to work full time and put their new knowledge immediately into practice.
Read the whole story in Builder Online
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
