Cohousing-L Mailing List: Porches plus

[Buzz Burrell (72253.2101]

John mentioned:

>... architects are involved in only a very small percentage of residential
design in the U S. 

???  I don't want to quibble over a very unimportant point, but are you sure you
mean that?  At least in Colorado, architects are involved in virtually all of
the residential design in urban areas, and somewhat less in rural areas (where
DIY'ers abound).  I have never heard of a multi unit development that wasn't
designed by an architect.  They may be on-staff with the developer, and may have
to follow guidelines or requests by inspectors, employers, or whomever, but if
there's a plan, an architect probably was involved.

Builders, as per contract, just do what the architect drew on the plans.
Bankers just follow FHA guidelines.  Developers are just trying to sell the
thing to make money.  If one wanted to assign culpability for crummy design, my
personal list would be:

1. Government regulations -
Prohibit or make difficult, creative, inexpensive, and environmental friendly
methods and materials.  If you ever take a stab at doing an adobe house, etc,
you might have more to deal with than the actual construction.  Peter Calthorpe
was in Boulder last year, and an aquaintance of mine who is doing a 400 house
subdivision, courageously tried to totally adopt his vision of the new urbanism.
The City fought him tooth and nail until he gave up and reverted to the
segregated boxes plan, which he can easily make money doing.  (3 and 4 car
garages are now the norm BTW).

2. Architects (sorry, I hope this isn't taken personally by anyone) - 
Like the shortcomings in the medical and legal professions, the building
industry is not known for it's success in housing the populance in affordable,
progressive, and environmentally sensitive dwellings.  Disclaimer:  I am
referring to the professions as a whole;  there are great individuals (and
personal friends) doing good work in all of them.

3. Ourselves - 
All the parties mentioned above are just trying to make a buck.  Thats not their
fault;  that is their job;  that's why they are called "professional".  Its up
to us to make the changes we want to see.  It's up to us to educate ourselves,
and then ask for what we want.  If we don't take the initiative to do that, then
more will be missing from our world than front porches.

For me, this is one of the most attractive and encouraging angles of cohousing:
self (or group) empowerment.  We create what we want, hopefully what works for
all of us as well as the planet.  No one to blame, because we are in charge.

Buzz Burrell
Paonia, CO