“When we refuse to accept the status quo as inevitable and strive to bring about change, we can have a powerful effect in inspiring others to do the same” – Sarah Ichioka + Michael Pawlyn This year’s fires, heat waves, floods, and storms have certainly brought a heightened understanding of the devastating effects of climate... Read more »
Brian takes his teaching work as an opportunity to reorient architecture toward the humanities. Architects that teach: it’s a thing. Throughout the history of the profession, architects have learned their trade in some variation of an apprenticeship model - weathered practitioners mentoring young apprentices to become the next generation of professionals. Because of the deep... Read more »
Progression and reuse are two central components of this planning process. We say it often - the most sustainable building is the one that is already built. As designers, we seek to understand as much as possible about a place before beginning our work. Josh Lacasse joined the Placework team about a year ago, and... Read more »
“Humans created the challenges facing this site, but it’s by turning back toward the natural world where we find inspiration.” Climate Change. Preservation. Culture. These words evoke complex ideas, connotations, definitions, and emotions. For Placework, they also define our work with and for Strawbery Banke Museum. Our most recent project addresses all three: a... Read more »
The course of study which Brian recently undertook is Living Future Accreditation, a professional credential that recognizes proficiency in the world’s most ambitious, advanced, and holistic sustainable design standards. It’s a big thought - a building is not just a mechanical thing, it is a living thing. There were many “aha!” moment’s for Principal Brian... Read more »
“Justice can be an outcome; it can also be an intentional process that leads to an intended outcome” -AIA Justice in the Built Environment The past several weeks our team has been gathering weekly to talk about how the concept of justice intersects with our work. The basis of our discussion was a... Read more »
How can we do better? How can we redirect a process that we have shaped to be destructive to the natural world into one that is regenerative? Climate action comes in many forms. From individual habits to federal policy, corporate initiatives to art installations, climate action is often perceived as something other than business as... Read more »
We were honored to receive a 2021 Merit Award from AIA New Hampshire for Excellence in Architecture Design for the Madbury Public Library, in Madbury, NH. This project is incredibly special to us as an example of how thoughtful community engagement can culminate in a sustainable building with lasting positive impact. We thank this year’s... Read more »
Learning new software is always a hurdle, but prioritizing sustainability in building design is no longer optional. ENERGY USAGE AND CARBON ACCOUNTING The urgency of the climate crisis demands rapid reduction of the environmental impact of buildings. To make sure we’re on track to meet our goals, we’ve spent the past year embracing new tools... Read more »
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