LOCUS Architecture Blog

It’s once again time for Art-A-Whirl at the Northrup King Building in NE Minneapolis.  Stop by to see what we’ve been up to and learn more about the revised plans to build Red Square at 14th and Central.  Studios are open Friday through Sunday, May 16-18.

http://www.nemaa.org/

FRIDAY, 5-10 pm

5-7:30 (Wynne)

7:30-10 (Paul)

SATURDAY, 12-8 pm

12-2:45 (Tim)

2:45-5:15 (Josh)

5:15-8 (Phil)

SUNDAY, 12-5 pm

12-2:30 (Kristi)

2:30-5 (Paul)

Check out the magazine’s May/June cover for a few featured LOCUS projects:  private Wisconsin farm, nowhaus and Snug House!  The issue is entitled, “Sustainability Comes Home.”

http://www.architectureminnesota.com/

APRIL 26-27

Check out one of the few featured homes on this year’s tour, designed by LOCUS.

4857 Vincent Avenue in South Minneapolis

http://msphometour.com/

Stop by and visit our booth at this year’s event.  For more info, visit:

http://www.livinggreen.org/

SATURDAY, 10 - 5 pm

10-12:15 (Wynne)

12:15-2:30 (Linda)

2:30-5 (Kristi)

SUNDAY, 10-5 pm

12-12:15 (Josh)

12:15-2:30 (Tim)

2:30-5 (Phil)

Red Square’s redesign of 5,000 sq ft has been approved by the city and we’re ready to build.  Construction starts this summer and we’re looking for some sustainable tenants!  Stay tuned…

We are happy to announce our first place finish in the “Live Green, Live Smart” competition for Snug House, a project jointly designed by LOCUS and Peter Yackel.  Check back later for more info on this project.

http://livegreenlivesmart.org/

Gas hit a new high today in Germany.  If you use the current exchange rate, 1.48 Euros/Liter is equal to $10.64/Gallon.  How would YOUR lifestyle change at THAT price?

Check out THIS Solar Power energy option.

http://www.powercubeenergy.com/

At LOCUS, Spring means it’s again time to start riding our bikes to work.  Try it.  Not only will you be lessening your carbon emission, you’ll also be saving money on gas and getting exercise…all at the same time.

Forget biodiesel. To put a dent in global warming, we are going to have to stop using coal, said Ed Mazria, founder of Architecture 2030 at the West Coast Green conference taking place in San Francisco this week. Read the entire article here.

One of our recent kitchen remodels is featured in the October 2007 issue of Midwest Home. Please find it on pages 50 and 51, “Ever Green” or click on this link to the spread.

LOCUS’ Wynne Yelland, Paul Neseth, and Tim Eian are volunteering time on the Great City Design Teams this spring and summer. Wynne and Tim helped with the first team, which focused on the intersection of Central & Lowry in NE Minneapolis. The Northeast Beat offers an article on this project. Paul is currently helping with the project on 40th & Lyndale in south Minneapolis.

It’s been a while since we captured our work in photos. Here are a few photos of more recent work that we are looking to expand upon.

Residential Renovation & Addition with solar heat and superinsulated building envelope. 2006-07

Residential addition in South Minneapolis. 2004-05

Corten Steel Siding Project. 2004-05

Addition & Renovation. 2003-04

Our technology partner Innovative Power Systems (www.ips-solar.com) is now featuring two of our projects on their website.

This WI Farm hydronic solar system is estimated to offset90 tons of CO2 over 30 years! It features 16 collectors (more…)

smart USA launched its fourtwo “street smart” tour across the US. They will be in Minneapolis as part of the Stonearch Festival of the Arts on Saturday, June 16ht, and Sunday, June 17th, between 10AM and 6PM, offering test drives. As far as I know they are the current CO2 champion on the road. It’s been a while since I drove one and if I can make it, I’d like to drive a newer model to see where they are at.

Last but not least I don’t want to fail to mention that the smart FourTwo CDi, which smart will not sell in the US, is the most efficient car on the road today. Why is that, you may ask. The answer is, I don’t have the slightest idea. It’s probably the same reason that BMW, VW, Audi, and Mercedes Benz don’t offer their efficient vehicles in the US either.

15 questions to determine your environmental footprint. Since everybody likes surveys, take this one to see how your lifestyle stacks up globally. Caution: Be prepared for the reality check. Here is the link: http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp

Hello all,

Our time at 450 Geary Street has come to an end. Over the next few days Steve Rajninger, Melissa Garcia and Jonas Weber will be moving the office of Locus Architecture San Francisco to Clementina Street, in San Francisco, where we will share our new office space with Herman & Coliver: Architecture.

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Organized by The Sierra Club North Star Chapter, The Global Warming Day of Action will take place Saturday, April 14 from noon to 4pm on the south mall of the Minnesota State Capitol. The event includes a host of speakers, performers, and exhibitors. The Day of Action will be a forum to share information on how to address our pressing environmental issues and a fun gathering of support. Check out the website for details. Visit us at our booth. Let’s hope for some great weather.

You will have to check out Citizenre REnU’s website to investigate the details, but their offer is to install a solar electric panel system on your house for only a $500 deposit. You would then, in essence, be buying from Citizenre the power contributed from the system locked into today’s energy prices for up to the next 25 years. The sales pitch is impressive. Are these self-acclaimed ‘ecopreneurs’ the utilities first competitors?

THE end is in sight for the traditional lightbulb after EU leaders yesterday called for a mass switch-off and a push to equip homes and offices with energy efficient alternatives within two years.
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