Getting Insight into the Site

Over the past week we have seen an increase in activity on the project site. Lee, from SolarPlexus, toured the proposed Renewable Energy Site to gain better understnading of existing orientation for maximum solar gain as well as potential wind generation. Concerning the latter, Lee has selected a location as a testing ground to mount a barometer to research average wind speed over a certain time allotment. In doing so, we can better determine the feasability of investing in wind energy as a sourse of our overall renewable energy package.

Morrison Maierle had their surveying division in and around the homesite to shoot various lines for a comprehensive property survey to map all facets of the existing terrain (ie. contours, well & electrical locations, as well as roads and the suspected renewable energy power site). Upon receipt of the survey, it is the idea to work off of the information to create a Master Plan for the present and future development of the property. beyond just house... we must look at potential desires such as shop, garden & orchard, pond, guest house, etc. When these will be constructed on the property is hard to say, but it makes perfect sense to identify these possibilities now, so that infrastructure can be laid down once, with little reason for disruption and rework in the future.

Most recently, we hired the services of Strata (http://www.stratageotech.com/) as a means to offer a geotechnical engineering evaluation of the homesites characteristics. This includes a comprehensive exploration and evaluation of subsurface conditions at the homesite, and to develop geotechnical engineering opinions and recommendations to assist project planning, design, and construction. Starta is set to commence testing on the 21st, so I hope to have photos and a recap of initial findings.

Finally, we recently met our deadline for the initial round of RFQ submittals (5/19). We are presently reviewing the seven candidates with purpose to create a 'short list' of three or four for follow-up interviews, as we move closer to selecting a Construction Manager / General Contractor. We are hopeful that such a key component will be in place by mid June, when our second round of project team meetings are tentatively scheduled.

Thanks to all those that voted in the recent poll on the most important aspect to a sustainable / green build. Energy Efficiency won hands-down with 78% of the vote. Not suprising with crude trading at over $120 a barrell. This is why I am personally a huge believer in putting time, effort, and upfront cost into a sound building envelop, there by increasing indoor comfort and reducing monthly utility bills for the life of the structure. Just wait until crude is trading at over $200 a barrell, you will be glad you did the same!

Wishing you all the best,

Tim

Charrette Meeting #1, In The Books

Just yesterday, we took the project to the next level. From what was just an idea... an idea which has been worked and reworked in our minds for almost an decade... and then put into Program form via our architects request, we have now put the project into full swing. With schematic design in hand, and a commitment to sustainable design concepts via the LEED for Home rating system, we entered an eight hour day working alongside some of the most educated people in their respective fields. Architecture, engineering (structural, mechanical, electrical, civil), renewable energies, designers / CAD, energy efficiency, construction, green consultanting, etc., were represented and look to for comment. 15 people along with Sarah and I, shared ideas for the home, concepts for operation, and synergies, trade-offs, and exploration for how this present form design will methodically morph into a living, breathing, smart home. Thanks to Jackie, detailed minutes of the meeting were collected which will be posted next week. In the meantime, please take note of the agenda we followed for Day 1.

Southwell Residential Project
Design Charette
April 30, 2008
Conference Room ~ ‘EXIT’ Realty

AGENDA
9:00 a.m.

Welcome Don Briggs, Architect
Introductions of owners – Tim and Sarah Southwell
Review of agenda protocol


9:10 a.m.

Self Introductions All Participants
Each team member will introduce themselvesand briefly describe their discipline,
the services they provide andwhat they bring to this project


9:40 a.m.

Project Goals and Objectives Tim and Sarah Southwell, Owners
An overview of: the LEED process;
the LEED for Homes Rating System;
the integration of the LEED process and rating system
with the owners’ desires for their “dream home”

A Review of: The "Innovation & Design Process" (ID) and the Home Size Adjustment issue

10:00 a.m.

Design Overview Don Briggs, Tim Southwell
The Site : A review of the site characteristics
The Building: A review of the characteristics and conceptual
design of the house Briefly address "Sustainable Sites" (SS) category
Feedback, Question and Answer Session

10:30 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.

Energy and Environmental Design- HVAC Selected Participants
Kristen Shewfelt, Russ Hellem, Brian Solan, Lee Tavenner
Explore: a) An initial goal of reduced fossil fuel dependency leading to ultimate fossil fuel independence;
b) Alternatives and methods necessary to create
an energy efficient home;
c) Utilization of passive orientation strategies;
d) Active power generation alternatives;
e) Water stewardship practices with minimal impact on the site
and the environment

Review LEED categories:
"Water Efficiency" (WE);
"Energy & Atmosphere" (EA )and"Indoor Environmental Quality" (EQ)

12:00 p.m.

Lunch Break

1:00 p.m.

Building Envelope and Construction Selected Participants
Jim Albrecht, Rick Shaw, Dick Morgenstern, Eldon Patterson, Russ Hellem, Brian Solan

Exploration of alternatives in: Construction methods, systems and materials for foundation, floors, walls, windows, doors and roofs.

Each alternative, for the envelope of the building and its’ interior, should be considered with respect to: Local supplies, R-values, air tightness, environmental impact, toxicity (low VOC), maintenance, and sustainability
LEED categories, Materials & Resources (MR), and the implementation of the administrative functions from all the other categories will be reviewed.

2:30 p.m.

Break

2:45 p.m.

Design Integration ~ ‘Pulling It All Together’ All Participants

Discussion on how to integrate the various systems into the conceptual design; what areas need to be studied further, what design elements can remain, what needto go, etc. This is the time for the team to identify what areas needmore research and assign tasks to the specific team members.

5:00p.m.

Summary and Conclusion Don Briggs

Stay tuned, as in the coming week we will post minutes of the meeting, detail immediate research assignments for Project Team members, and get you out to the site for first hand accounts of all activities pertaining to our Dream Home project.

Happy Thoughts,

Tim