Category: Building knowledge

    • Water and wastewater (WWW) treatment – a look at the energy used for water in the US

      While water and wastewater (WWW) treatment accounts for a surprising 5% of total U.S. electric power generation, topographically-variable WWW conveyance account for a more surprising 15% of the same total [Pod06; Coh04]. In addition, while wastewater contains energy in dilute form, current goals for recovering such energy represent only 0.02% of the total generation, through…

    • Outdoor Kitchens – Concept and Planning

      What is an outdoor kitchen? An outdoor kitchen is a way of turning the kitchen and not the dining room or living room into an entertainment space. They can contain a bar, seating, cabinets, a grill, sinks, and even ovens and stovetops. It is a way of showcasing cooking to family and friends, without feeling…

    • New Residential Client Survey – Architectural Services

      Jane Decker, my co-host of ArchiTalk Radio (www.ArchiTalkRadio.com) recently sent this questionnaire for feedback about new residential clients. It is a great tool to help anyone getting started on a residential renovation or new project to be aware of and consider: INSTRUCTIONS: Please read these questions in their entirety before answering. Then, consult with your…

    • A Green “Home Away From Home”

      Becoming environmentally conscious has emerged as a main concern of homeowners, business owners, and the government over the past decade. Green homes, with lower potable water consumption, less energy use, and better building materials are sprouting up all over the world and commercial businesses are following their lead. All of the basics of sustainability easily…

    • The scent of building, or what is that construction smell…?

      Construction sites are not the most pleasant places for both the workers and those around them. They create lots of noise [machinery], smells [ah, roof tar!] and debris [smoke, ash, fumes, etc.]. But fear not. There are many ways for a construction site to be managed that can decrease all of these effects on the…

    • Some US and German Green Building incentive considerations…

      Over the past 40 years, Germany has maintained a leading position in environmental incentives and benefit programs. The incentives have ranged from PV systems (photo-voltaic), to insulation and windows. What have they done? Is there anything the United States environmental policy makers could learn from Germany’s forward thinking? The policies encompass many different categories, but…