Highlights of 2011
January 2011
- Established a meet-up website for EHH (http://www.meetup.com/earthharmonyhabitats/)
- Reviewed book Creating a life together” by Diana Leafe Christian.
- Developed values, goals and covenant page on EHH website (www.earthharmonyhabitats.org)
- Met with planning commissioner for city of Milwaukie to discuss EHH
February 2011
- Created Vertical Garden Designs with Bryan Bailey and Daniel Edwards
- Developed agreement with Vertical Wall Institute in Oregon City for testing a prototype
- Became member of co-housing group in Portland Oregon and attended meetings
- Reviewed several potential locations for EHH.
- Met with a gentleman who has 3 acres of land along river south of Milwaukie on interest of using EHH as design.
March 2011
- Met with Milwaukie Building commissioners to review EHH design and determine potential zone challenges. Determined that project is feasible, Zoning is R 1, 2 and 2.5. There are also areas outside of Milwaukie that do not use zoning but do require neighbor approval. Lavina Farms is a good example of tighter density outside of Milwaukie’s jurisdiction. No issues with Solar, height. Will require parking or request review ($1700). City is reviewing building guidance for single and multi-family dwellings and will be published by Nov. 2011
- Became involved in giving feedback on gray water reuse rules (http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/reuse/gwrulemaking.htm)
April 2011
- Met with city of Milwaukie planning and building commissions to discuss EHH regarding multifamily unit development requirements
- Requested additional volunteers through architects@pdx.edu
- Draft of gray water rules were published, they do not allow dishwater to enter into gray water system, flow rates require oversized systems, type 1 and 2 gray water cannot be used on EHHp@ss33 crops. Hookup to city system required, permit for type 2 gray water required
- Attended a Urban Renewal workshop on weekend
- Held a kickoff meeting for EHH in Milwaukie. Total of 5 attended.
- Presented EHH at the earth day festivities at the Environmental School in Portland.
May 2011
- Landscaping department at PCC Rock creek may be interested in prototyping the unit
- Signed a contract with SEG Works to create a financial assessment and pro-forma for EHH
- Attended the Living Building Conference in Vancouver WA and displayed EHH in conjunction with Ecotrust.
- Developed an agreement with New Wood products to use their material to build prototype of Vertical Green Wall
- Attended City of Milwaukie meeting with developers to vet their concerns
- New poster board and literature has been created for EHH
June 2011
- Pro-forma has been completed. Price estimate ranges from $250,000 for the 2 story units to $350,000 for the 3 story units.
- Chris Langeler has reviewed EHH website and marketing approach and has given good feedback on what to do to attract more attention.
July 2011
- Presented EHH at the Oregon Country Fair
- Updated website with new information. Have yet to address marketing aspects.
August 2011
- Time to enjoy summer
September 2011
- Worked with Erica Benjamin and Janice Levenhagen to help develop Living Building Challenge presentation for American Institutes of Architectures (AIA)
- Presented an hour lecture at the AIA offices on Living Building Challenges and EHH.
- Attended BEST Fest, a gathering of researchers and businesses interested in developing building performance.
- Attended the Passive House conference in Olympia.
October 2011
- Gave EHH presentation to students at Professor Todd Jarvis of Oregon State University regarding
- Created capstone opportunities for PSU faculty interested in finding projects for students at PSU
November 2011
- Barry King Construction Company volunteered to create the vertical garden prototype with New Wood materials. Spent 4 evenings detailing and constructing two prototypes!
- Attended and presented EHH at Earth Advantages Green Forum
- Created capstone project opportunities for urban planning students at PSU.
December 2011
- Took the LEED GA training course
- Began developing re-circulating shower system.
- Found donations of Plexiglas, irrigation system and materials for vertical garden
- Working on finding donations for the soil monitoring system.
- Met with Living Building Futures and PLUG on possibility of creating a collaborative meeting for living building challenge projects.