July 31st-Minneapolis, MN Visited Grandma and Grandpa Ranz, a wonderful visit full of a ride in my car, fresh fruit, and talks about their animal neighbors.

July 30th- Libertyville Nature Preserve with Steph from IHP! A beautiful area with a lake, bike paths, woods, and open fields. Many people out enjoying the wildlife with family and friends. Who ever said the midwest wasn't beautiful!? I do feel a little lost without my mountain protection that I"ve grown up with, also the vast area that suburbia has occupied is slightly overwhelming, everyone is slaves of their cars, to break free you drive to the bike path or nature preserve. It's wonderful to have that escape.

Buckhorn State Park in Wisconsin. A beautiful swath of land on Crystal Lake, I biked around, saw deer, wild turkeys, and ate corn on the cob with a bright pink sunset in the background.

July 29th--12 hour drive from Washington DC to Chicago-
Stopped at the half way point in Oberlin, OH.
OBERLIN Environmental Studies Building. Designed by Williams McDonough. PV panels on the roof, Living machine waste water treatment, natural lighting, and wonderful apples from the trees outside. No one around, so I just poked my head in every door and took some pictures. There was lots of information available to the visitor which made the educational aspect of the building really come to light, but that sort of information could also be interesting within an office building, a department store. . .etc.


July 27- CENTER FOR THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM- Takoma, MD, www.newdream.org
-An organization that is working to create a better quality of life through educational programs, literature, and ways of reaching people through aspects of their lives that they're unsatisfied with. For example the "junk junkmail" campaign isn't the most effective way of curbing waste, but by coupling it with an annoyance that most peole would gladly stop they reach a sector of society that is all for creating change in their lives. The goal is to create a better life, not merely sustain at some level! An interesting idea that I believe is true because of our technological advances and human ingenuity we will continue to create and expand. This organization is living what they preach, but remodeling with "environmental products" like low VOC paints etc. It's a great organization that is working hard and pretty successfully at the advocacy angle to these problems, but I think I need to do something beyond researching and computer based spreading of knowledge, even though they only work 32 hours a week in order to maintain a balanced life!

GreenHOME-a new organization that is now focusing on training building professionals to accomplish green affordable development, and therefore if all is successful will be able to dissolve after accomplishing its goal. They are working to change the work force in order to create more "green" buildings. By working in partnerships they do not overpower the local community based organizations they work with, and make sure to listen to what is needed.

individual buildings-------------------------------------Smart Growth ideas

But inbetween there are the "space between the buidings" including infrastructure, where there needs to be more organizations and people working towards the larger picture. The problem with planners is that it's incrediblly hard to implement all of their good ideas because of road blocks along the way. By bridging the gap between these ideas and those who get the ideas put into reality it seems there can be some strong connections! I'm very excited to explore these concepts further and to find architecture/planning firms that are working on this middle ground.

US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL National Chapter-schmooze fest. A wonderful night at 1425 K st. where Casey Trees and Nature Works have installed a living roof as a showcase for what can be done throughout the city. Met and talked with many professionals working in the DC area, including two who work for USGBC and said that where ever I end up I should look up the local chapter and network from there. One thing seems true. . .wherever I end up there will be lots happening on the development of Green ideas into the various segments of society.

July 26- Helicon Works www.heliconworks.com An architect who tries to embody holistic and social aspects into the construction of residential homes by working closely with the client and creating strong connections.
"It's great to be a part of the groundswell of people that are doing great things" A well grounded and seemingly satisfied architect, affecting people from the ground level.

-Visited the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, headquarters on 16th and H st. www.aia.org
A very professional looking place, lots of meetings, business suits, and old men. :) There was a beautiful exhibit of Heather Allen's quilts that are of architectural forms like stairs and hallways. The bookstore was interesting and had a number of "green architecture" books. The worst part about the building was upon approaching I felt as if the 98 degrees Washington DC pavement was air conditioned! The reason was that the front glass doorways had inch gaps between each door and where the door and concrete building met!!! I nearly started to cry. THey couldn't splurge for cocking or weather strips because it would loose the sculptural and artistic quality of the building! There is lots to be done in that organization to incorporate the green ideals, which can be a frustrating place to belong to, or it could be very empowering. It would feel like fighting the forces, but maybe there would be headway.