by harrisonburgarchitect | Dec 10, 2015 | citizen architect
Citizen Architect – How Meg is giving back
A guest post by Meg Carpenter from our Charlottesville office:
I am so excited to say I will take part in Bike & Build this summer! It’s an amazing program that sends volunteers out to bike 60-80 miles a day to various communities across the country, raising awareness about the affordable housing cause and picking up a hammer to help build affordable homes! If anyone hasn’t heard of the affordable housing cause, it’s a large issue in communities across the country. A home is a life necessity! In every state, a person working at minimum wage for 40 hours a week cannot afford a two bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent. Virginia is the 9th most expensive state with regards to housing wage, and a person working at minimum wage would have to work over 88 hours to afford a two bedroom unit!
In order for me to participate I must raise $2250: $750 by the end of January and $1500 by the first of April in order to keep on track and my place in the program. And all proceeds will fund young-adult driven affordable housing projects. Bike & Build has had a huge impact on the cause and please look at bikeandbuild.org for more information. The reason I am doing Bike & Build is because, while in college, I was in an architecture studio that worked with the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program, and it really opened my eyes to the issue. I had no idea prior to volunteering, that my own community had such a strong need for affordable housing. This summer I have the opportunity to raise awareness and can’t wait! I would love to have your support in any way possible, even if it’s a dollar. And it’s tax-deductible 🙂 If you donate please let me know because I want to send you a thank you note and sticker that says “I support” with the Bike & Build logo, that I had a local graphic designer make as a thank you!
I have already started my part by training and learning even more about the affordable housing cause. AND for every dollar donated between now and Christmas, I will add one extra mile to the 500 miles required to train for the trip! So put me to work!!!
Please check out my bio, learn more about the specific trip I am on, and find the link to donate here! http://classic.bikeandbuild.org/rider/8718
by harrisonburgarchitect | Nov 11, 2015 | citizen architect, Green Building
Citizen Architect – Green Building Tours
I get involved in a lot of different ways of promoting green building. Last month I had the pleasure of meeting with an environmental ethics course at JMU. I have a variety of building projects that are pushing for the most sustainable design solutions possible. I performed multiple FREE energy-audits around the Valley. I even had a chance to travel to a national conference to discuss building science with construction industry leaders from all over the country. However, giving green building tours remains my favorite way to share my knowledge about how to build right (green, sustainable).
This past week I had the honor of giving tours to a group of 15 French students – high school and post-graduate – of three green buildings. We started with a day with a discussion of becoming an architect in the United States. Our language barrier was overcome by some wonderful translators (thank goodness for them – otherwise it would have been a very LONG day for all of us). We then went to The Gaines Group Charlottesville office to check out work in progress and our vegetative roof. The students had a chance to discuss multi-family projects with Adrienne and life as an architect with Ray.
After a quick stop at Burger King (apparently this is a destination when visiting Cville from France that is worthy of a loud cheer?) we continued our tours going to Martin Horn. This Charlottesville based General Contractor has been a leader of the green movement for many years. They renovated their office building to LEED standards in 2009. They very generously opened their office and had a discussion about sourcing local materials and reuse of existing materials with the students.
Our last stop of the day was to see a project under construction. The Building Goodness Foundation building was a great example of precast insulated wall systems – a totally new concept to the students, lightweight floor framing (seems trusses are not common in France), and an in-depth discussion on wall system permeability. Discussing ZIP wall compared to the advanced rainwater management systems used in France was beneficial to all of us. Having to explain why we use thin trusses to support a floor above was difficult.
I learned a lot about how they build in France. It seems they use the house wrap layer as the air barrier. Their small travel footprint encourages panelized framing, but they don’t have a common use for trusses, which is interesting. I was very happy to learn that they have teachers specifically for wall systems focused on permeability and water management. As an architect, it is critical to help educate everyone about building science, but most critical to help the next generation understand the importance of sustainability.
by harrisonburgarchitect | Jun 12, 2015 | citizen architect, community, Rotary
The 10th annual Harrisonburg All-American Soap Box Derby is this Saturday, June 13th, 2015. Please come out and cheer these racers on as they chase their dreams down East Washington Street. The Harrisonburg All-American Soap Box Derby is sponsored by Rockingham Rotary Club and brings science, technology, and math lessons to young racers ranging in ages from 7 – 21.
The Soap Box Derby is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. The core values learned from this event include – leadership, family engagement, honesty, integrity, perseverance, innovation, entrepreneurship, teamwork, collaboration, and sportsmanship.
There are three classes of racers – stock, super stock, and masters. The winners of each division from Harrisonburg will have the opportunity to move on to Akron, Ohio. Soap Box Derby champions from around the world come together in Akron each year to compete in the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship at the world-famous Derby Downs Track.
by harrisonburgarchitect | Mar 20, 2015 | citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Rotary
Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby Car Build Clinic
There are many new activities coming to the SVBA Home and Garden Show this year. One of the most unique is a build clinic to help kids get their skills down for the upcoming Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby. Matt Findley will lead the clinic and he is a great leader and teacher. The kids participating in the event will have a great time for sure.
The Soap Box Derby is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. The build clinic will be April 11th at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds from 10 am – noon.
The Core Values of the Soap Box Derby are:
• Youth Education and Leadership Development
• Family Engagement and Enrichment
• Honesty, Integrity and Perseverance
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Mentoring
• Volunteerism
• Commitment to Community
This year the Rockingham Rotary Club is also hosting a movie about the Soap Box Derby that is free for kids to attend. On April 19 starting at 2pm the movie, 25 Hill, will play at Court Square Theater. 25 Hill stars Corbin Bernsen telling the story of a child who lost his dad in the war in Afghanistan, a man who lost his son in the 9/11 attacks, and how they both found personal redemption while building and racing a Soap Box Derby Car.
by harrisonburgarchitect | Jul 4, 2014 | citizen architect, community, Rotary
Valley Business Keynote
The Second Annual Valley Business Keynote event will take place on Thursday, July 24, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at James Madison University’s Festival Conference Center. The Valley Business Keynote is open to the public and is a cooperative initiative of the area Rotary clubs, The Association of Young Professionals and the HR Chamber of Commerce. Lunch will be provided at no charge to members and guests of the sponsoring organizations.
July 24 | 11am-1pm
JMU Festival Center Ballroom
1301 Carrier Drive | Harrisonburg
This year’s Valley Business Keynote will feature Mark Fernandes, the Chief Leadership Officer with Luck Companies in Goochland, Virginia. Mark is a dynamic speaker who has spoken to business leaders around the world, and was recently named as a “Top 100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business” for 2014.
For more information and to RSVP, visit: http://www.valleybusinesskeynote.com.
by harrisonburgarchitect | Jun 22, 2014 | citizen architect, community, Rotary
The Annual Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby took place earlier in June. This event teaches kids workmanship, sportsmanship, and community service. This event is sponsored by the Rockingham Rotary. It is spearheaded by Farm Credit’s Matt Findley who puts countless hours into the event along with most of his family. This derby just completed the ninth year with 30+ kids participating and going on to the national competition. We were thrilled to be one of the many volunteers this year and hope to see twice as many kids involved next year.
This year’s Valley Business Keynote will feature Mark Fernandes, the Chief Leadership Officer with Luck Companies in Goochland, Virginia. Mark is a dynamic speaker who has spoken to business leaders around the world, and was recently named as a “Top 100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business” for 2014.
