Our newest associate, Paul C. Ramey's degree is a M.Arch. (Master of Architecture). He was a Visiting Student at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO http://www.aho.no/en/). You can still contact him at info@thumbprintendeavors.com
Other exciting
news:
The city of Dayton and
surrounding communities have many uninhabitable houses that need to be
removed. To answer this need, a local architect and friend, turned very
green deconstructor, James Kent, created the Architectural Reuse Company http://architecturalreuse.com/ also known as Dayton
Works Plus.
James Kent uses his
workforce crews to dismantle, savage and resell the materials from these old
houses. This is about as Green as building can get! Not only are the
materials high quality, but they are often wood and brick that just are not
available anymore. Dense hardwood from trees that decades ago were
harvested from 100 year old trees. Talk about lowering the carbon foot print
and true lifecycle cost analysis, implementing "cradle to cradle"
thinking, wow!
The another key point
here is that Dayton Works Plus is training and paying wages to underemployed or
unemployed, often ex-offenders who need job and life skills to become part of
the workforce. Through a training program partnership with Sinclair
Community College and East End Community Services, Dayton Works Plus employees
earn OSHA 30 certificates and asbestos and lead abatement certificates.
This training, workplace skills and on the job training allows these workers to
be hired by other contractors. Now, these workers are gainfully employed
and paying taxes rather than being a drain on the system.
In addition, the
number of abandoned/blighted houses is reduced so there is more green space in
urban areas and the priceless old building materials are available for new
purposes. It is truly a Win-Win- Win for society, our community and the planet.
Check out the outdoor
table we built from $5 of wood from the Deconstruction Depot. The grain of
this old wood is something a couple of wood-nuts can appreciate, rich and
beautiful. Before we go to one of the big box stores, believe me, we will go
looking there first. The selection is amazing and some of the materials
there are much better quality than you will find new. Wrought iron, old wood
doors, mantels, stairs, stone, bricks and lots of all sizes of wood, some sizes
they can't even produce anymore (20"X12"X1" - one board!). I
already have my next projects lined up - a pair of outdoor chairs, a gardening
work bench and a deck storage box.
If you are in Dayton,
be sure to check out examples of upcycled products at Jimmy;s Ladder #11 and at
the Modern Reclaimer house at the Eco-Rehabarama May 10 -12 and 18-20, more info at 2012 EcoRehabarama
Showcase in Huber Heights.
See you there!
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