Progress at Hays Hill

I posted some new photos from our Hays Hill project over at Westchester Green.

5.4.7 Arts Center

Architectural Record has posted a very interesting video about the new 5.4.7 Arts Center constructed in Greensburg, KS.

Read more about Greensburg’s plans for being the nation’s first green city over at Westchester Green.

Centerbrook Architects

Ever since my days in architecture school (its been a few years now), Centerbrook has always been one of my favorite firms. They design few homes these days, but I still love what they do. Their whimsical design style and attention to detail is always inspiring.

And they were green, way before it was cool to be green.

Centerbrook uses its own office as a laboratory for sustainable design. Hydro power and solar power generate approximately 30% of its annual electrical needs, a green roof covers a portion of its office, and the building itself was recycled from a nineteenth-century mill building.

Favorite Firm: Centerbrook Architects

It’s Official… I’m a LEED AP

After an immersive two-day training workshop and weeks of intensive studying (which explains the lack of posts), this past Monday I passed the official USGBC exam to become a LEED Accredited Professional. I’ve learned more in the last two weeks than I have in the past two years.

Although, the LEED Green Buildings Rating Systems are an energy and environmentally based program, I feel that, having gone through the training and accreditation process, LEED simply helps one be a better architect. From site selection through indoor air quality, LEED addresses each critical element of a well-designed building.

Be sure to visit Westchester Green early and often. I will be posting much more about the LEED process and how you can benefit from participating in the LEED for Homes program.

Cement vs. Cedar – Hardie Wins

I received this comment on James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding from Tom yesterday;

Been reading your blog. I really like it. I know you live in Chappaqua and you are a fan of fiber cement. I would like to hear your opinion about replacing wood clapboard siding with Hardie or building with Hardie in more affluent areas in Westchester, i.e. Chappaqua, Scarsdale etc, where there have been certain ’standards’ in place for years. Is there pushback?

Thanks for the comment Tom.

We have specified Hardie fiber cement siding products on several homes throughout Westchester County and have several more projects on the boards slated for Hardie siding.

For about a year it has been our standard spec for clapboard siding. The cost is comparable to cedar and it comes with a 50 year warranty (cedar doesn’t). It’s available with ColorPlus pre-finished coating in many popular colors. The ColorPlus coating has a 15 year warranty, so essentially its a low maintenance material as well.

The true test with any material is how it looks when its installed, and that is where this product really shines. When specified in the smooth texture (I’m not so keen on fake wood textures), it is virtually impossible to tell it apart from the more “traditional” cedar siding… even close up.  The only way to determine that it is not wood, is to give it a knock with your knuckles.

And to top off all the benefits of Hardie siding… it’s green too.

So, with all that going for it, it’s a “no-brainer” for our standard clapboard spec.

The Hardie shingle siding is a bit different. Although I still like it and specify it, my opinion is that the perfect consistency of the shingle spacing gives it away as a fake (if you know what cedar is suppose to look like). Most people are still fooled and all the other benefits listed above keep it on our materials list.

As for acceptance in the affluent towns of Westchester… we have had zero push back.  If they cannot see the difference, how can they complain?

Keep an eye out for Hardie’s newest siding product, Artisan architectural grade siding (pictured above). It is currently available in the Atlanta metro region only, but I’m sure it’s heading our way soon. It has all the benefits of their standard siding with a heavier profile and crisper edges. It looks fabulous!

Westchester Green

Since December 2006, I have been posting here at Living Well in Westchester and its been a great success. Dedicated to residential architecture and design, Living Well is a great place for me to share thoughts and information on general topics that interest me most.

This past year, I’ve received many requests for information on green architecture and design. So here you go, Westchester Green is dedicated to just that.

If you have information that you would like to share, please send me an email at blog@fivecat.com.

LEED-Platinum Carbon Neutral

From Inhabitat.com:

Carbon-neutral buildings are not new news, but the first-ever LEED-platinum carbon neutral building certainly is. The Aldo Leopold Foundation Headquarters, located in Wisconsin, has been certified as the the first ever, fully LEED-platinum certified, carbon neutral building in the world, making it the greenest building ever built, with zero footprint and great design.

Read more

Designed by The Kubala Washatko Architects, learn more about the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center here.

A Great Green Guide

One of our favorite magazines, Fine Homebuilding, has a great website dedicated to building green. Some of the articles are members-only, but there’s lots of free stuff too.

Living Well Link of the Week: Fine Homebuilding Green Building Guide

A Friend for Life

I just viewed the new ASPCA television commercial. It’s tough to watch without tearing up. I just cannot believe that there are people in this world that are that cruel.

As many of you may know, Annmarie and I (mostly Annmarie) have rescued seven neglected or forgotten furballs. Amazing Grace is a Rottweiler mix. William St. Patrick Carl LePage (aka Willy) is all Rottweiler. Gracie has been with us for almost 10 years. Willy came ‘home’ just over a year ago.

Our five cats (get it? …Fivecat), Katonah, Indy, Oscar, Charlie and Tarzan are all rescued from the streets. Indy came through Forgotten Felines (she chose me) and the others are all Katonah natives.

If you are looking for a new dog or cat, before you head out to the breeder, please check out your local SPCA first. You may just find a friend for life.

You can also help by pledging a donation. Become a ASPCA Guardian today.

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By the way… animals are not our only rescue. That’s reclaimed ipe decking given a second life as hardwood flooring under the pups.

Eleek

From Eleek.com:

Eleek is a unique, sustainable design and manufacturing business specializing in beautiful, durable building parts crafted by hand using time tested processes and materials. In addition to its lighting, sinks, countertops, and hardware, Eleek offers custom design, manufacturing, and lighting restoration services.

Their lighting designs are fantastic. Check out their innovative fixtures here.

Their products are fabricated from recycled metals, so Eleek is green too…bonus.

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Thanks to Remodelista for their post introducing us to Eleek.