As seen on Yahoo! Thanks!
TerraScena is a Resource Conscious Community in the Texas Hill Country West of Austin.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Green Thing
This week the Austin City Council passed an ordinance that will ban plastic bags later this year. The next day I coincidentally received the following commentary in the weekly news post by Blaine Greenfield from Ashville entitled "The Green Thing".
In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day." The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."
He was right--our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
We walked up stairs because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts--wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house--not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.
In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us.
When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen...
But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, kids took the bus, rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service.
We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But the current generation laments how they just didn't have the green thing back then...
(Author unknown)
Comments? In an upcoming post look for the TerraScena view of a "Resource Conscious Community".
Connect with TerraScena on Facebook.
In the line at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day." The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."
He was right--our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
We walked up stairs because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts--wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house--not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.
In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us.
When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen...
But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, kids took the bus, rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service.
We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.
But the current generation laments how they just didn't have the green thing back then...
(Author unknown)
Comments? In an upcoming post look for the TerraScena view of a "Resource Conscious Community".
Connect with TerraScena on Facebook.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Biomimicry
Learn About Biomimicry-Based Technologies (Shared from HGTVPRO.com)
Stay on top of the latest green technologies that can be used for and around your home.
Companies are designing innovative household products that imitate biological processes in nature, while not tapping natural resources. Some examples:
- Sharklet: A special pattern inspired by the microbe-resistant properties of shark skin inhibits bacterial growth. The pattern on an adhesive film will repel bacteria pathogens from hospitals, public restrooms and consumer products.
- Lotusan paint: A self-cleaning silicone exterior paint based on the lotus flower's highly water-repellent surface and its self-cleaning properties.
- Gecko tape: Modeled after a gecko's ability to adhere to various kinds of surfaces, the tape will allow items to defy gravity.
This info showed up today a short time after I got an invite to hear a presentation on biomimicry and design tomorrow evening. I began to research the topic. Fascinating to realize how ways to improve our lives once again come from nature.
As we plan for TerraScena I have been researching materials. Not sure how biomimicry will fit into our plan for these resource concious homes. Maybe I will understand that after going to the presentation.
I have always been fascinated by the endless designs of nature be it the wing of a dragon fly, the body of a praying mantis, the shape of the clouds, a single rock or the red rock formations in the West. The grain of wood on a handsome handmade table or a rotting tree trunk both radiate beauty and fill me with deep appreciation.
What captures your attention in nature? Do you know of other examples of Biomimicry?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
What is Universal Design? What is the optimum approach for space planning and design for the Homes to be built at TerraScena? While looking for the answer that incorporated features we think will be essential for a comfort and ease of living at all stages of life. Design components to consider are open space, wider doors, kitchen accessibility, roomy safe bathrooms, lighting and flooring.
Conservation in building practices, good design, fixtures and awareness is also an essential component which TerraScena believes should be universally included in any good design.
Look for more posts on these key topics.
TerraScena: Homes with a Natural Point of View
In Pursuit of the American Dream
TerraScena developers are exploring the history of home building and looking toward the future to create homes for today.
In the first half of the 20th century Sears & Roebuck was very involved in supporting the American Dream of owning a home.
In the first half of the 20th century Sears & Roebuck was very involved in supporting the American Dream of owning a home.
As early as 1895 Sears began to sell building supplies via their catalog. Soon in the early 1900's Sears went into the business of factory built housing. Customers would choose their design out of a catalogue and several weeks later their new home (in 30,000 pieces) arrived via railcar!
The price range is stunning by today's standards. In fact the price is much like what you could pay for a superior quality front door!
Go to the Sears achieve to find images and prices of their home kits from 1908-1940 along with the history of their home building business.
Friday, February 18, 2011
TerraScena Beginnings
TerraScena is a project that has grown out of love for the Texas Hill Country land and long held vision of integrating the land with uniquely designed homes. As a pre-teen in the 1950's my father introduced me to exciting architectural design with images of round buildings and futuristic homes.
Later, he lived in what is known as a mid-century home from that era. Features I admired from that home were the open living space, the expanse of glass and clear story windows even in the bedrooms and kitchen resulting in light in every room. The porch space and the height in the back created the feeling of being in a tree house with a wooded view that made one feel embraced by Nature even in the city with a view of the University of Texas tower in the distance.
My own passion for architecture has continued to grow over the years. The first home I owned as an adult was built in 1916 by a Norwegian ship captain in eastern Pennsylvania. There was wonderful woodwork and a striking staircase with a curved landing and railing reminiscent of a ship. The charm outweigh the lack of closets and the very modest neighborhood.
The next home was passive solar and upside down living space on the second floor and bedrooms below with both areas having access to the two story glass and cedar green house which kept the home delightfully warm even with snow on the ground.
Here one had to be in touch with the weather and open and close windows to regulate the temperature. Much like growing up in Texas on a ranch you had to be aware of your environment. What a gift!
Later, he lived in what is known as a mid-century home from that era. Features I admired from that home were the open living space, the expanse of glass and clear story windows even in the bedrooms and kitchen resulting in light in every room. The porch space and the height in the back created the feeling of being in a tree house with a wooded view that made one feel embraced by Nature even in the city with a view of the University of Texas tower in the distance.
My own passion for architecture has continued to grow over the years. The first home I owned as an adult was built in 1916 by a Norwegian ship captain in eastern Pennsylvania. There was wonderful woodwork and a striking staircase with a curved landing and railing reminiscent of a ship. The charm outweigh the lack of closets and the very modest neighborhood.
The next home was passive solar and upside down living space on the second floor and bedrooms below with both areas having access to the two story glass and cedar green house which kept the home delightfully warm even with snow on the ground.
Here one had to be in touch with the weather and open and close windows to regulate the temperature. Much like growing up in Texas on a ranch you had to be aware of your environment. What a gift!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)