New Urbanism

So we didn't end up seeing No Country for Old Men last night b/c the movie theater didn't get it's print. So frustrating. Instead we went to the bookstore and then got a bite to eat at Russell's (http://rdlcatering.com/russells/loft.html).

We got Em the 4th Harry Potter and I got The Lovely Bones and then we looked at house books. Our home now is between 1600 and 1700 sq. ft. With the addition, we will add on close to 1,000 sq. ft. - still not a huge house. But, the space will be very utilitarian (in the best, and most usable sense of that word). We have read a book our Architect recommended that seemed to fit our vision. It's The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka (http://www.notsobighouse.com/index.asp). She has links to other sites which discuss New Urbanism, sustainability, green building practices and something she calls 'cultural creatives'. It seems that is what Doug and I are.

"If you start with the design of your own home, making it a place that fits your
lifestyle, you'll be making a small but noticeable contribution to solving the
current crisis of scale and consumption. "

Doug and I picture ourselves in this house for the rest of our lives (maybe in retirement it will be in this house part-time and somewhere warmer part-time). That informs all the choices we make for architecture, construction and design.


Reading about New Urbanism makes me realize that Everything old is new again. Al Gore probably feels a little exasperated at how long it has taken us, but it's amazing to see a shift in thinking toward sustainable building practices, walking instead of driving and building a sense of community - literally. By building sidewalks and community spaces we encourage ourselves and each other to be in relationship and to need that sense of community.

(see Cottage Company: http://www.cottagecompany.com/index.html)