Hello AT --
I'm building a house and have found tremendous sites that help me with all the stuff I need to put in and around my house but I'm at a loss for a really good resource to help me with all the structural decisions I have to make.
Can you help direct me to great links for contemporary home buiding?
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I'd love to find more smart and interesting ideas on the the big stuff like: windows choices, skylights, exterior siding ideas, roof choices (metal, sod, etc.), interior door choices and hardware, kitchen cabinets, floor materials (concrete, green wood etc.), interior stairs, counter materials etc.
Thanks for your help in advance -- I know this information is out there I just can't seem to find it in one or even several sites!
Diana
(Image: patrix)
Dear Diana,
Have you looked at house blogs? Following the adventures of other folks who are doing the same thing (building or restoring a house) is a good way to glean info about their choices, and can be a short cut when you're wading through so many options. Houseblogs.net, a large community of housebloggers, is a good place to start.
If you're going green, another good online resource is the Bay Area Green Home Guide.
Any other ideas out there?
Not sure if you are looking for green ideas, but here in Los Angeles, Santa Monica has a great resource center: http://www.globalgreen.org/gbrc/index.htm
Not sure if there is something similar in SF.
The Livemodern forums are rich with information. They load very (very) slowly though. livemodern.com, click on forums, search by keywork or browse.
There are also several blogs on the LiveModern site including mine, entitled "Modern in MN", that you may find useful. I know I (and others there) have encountered and addressed some of those very same questions.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration priovide some limited advice on incorporating or adding structural reinforcement and damage prevention devices to houses for earthquakes, fires storms and other risks. FEMA also publishes flood and landslide risk maps for the entire country. Reinforcing a new or existing house against disaster risk and adding devices that prevent disaster damage will substantially lower your homeowner insurance premiums.
treehugger.com often has daily posts on modern building with green standards and ideas
How about if you hire an architect? That's what they are for. An architect that is LEED certified would have the specific information that you need. Your local AIA chapter will help you find one. www.aia.org to find your local chapter.
Diana,
I hear what you're saying -- I'm living it, right now!
We have a great architect and he's very helpful - here's the house: www.marcusdipietro.com/CurrentProjects/MtJuliet/MtJulietDrwgFromSt.htm
BUT, I've scavenged everywhere for more info. My best information has come from Dwell magazine and Metropolitan Home magazine. AT has also been a great source.
Good luck.
I don't know if you'd go for something modernist, but, for any money, Rocio Romero's LV and LVS are super cool, very cost-effective, can be green, and are fantastically well designed.
Click on the URL and you will find her website.
PS: Ms. Romero's designs are also very good at capturing sunlight and warmth and cooling properly.
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HomeBuilding