Southern Live Oak
Astute readers will have noticed that several months ago, this site got a new name: “Southern Live Oak.” In this new series of posts, I’ll take a look at the significance of this species and its place in the southern landscape.
The Trace gets all dressed up
Jamie Morton from Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast has taken some wonderful photos of The Trace, a 28-unit development built by Habitat in partnership with the GCCDS. The photographs show off the coastal architecture and excellent landscaping that help make this an extraordinary neighborhood. (See the full set on Flickr.)
Patty’s house is LEED Certified
Back in April, I finally wrapped up the process of getting Patty’s house LEED-certified. Today, the LEED certificate arrived in the mail. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a national third-party certification system for energy efficient, healthy, green homes. Aside from a large LEED-certified development at nearby Keesler Air Force Base, this is the first LEED-certified house in Mississippi.
Chronicles of Hope
Several months ago, I helped the Hope CDA redesign their monthly newsletter, which goes out to clients and East Biloxi residents.
4th of July
Just like last year, the 4th of July was celebrated in Biloxi in proper American fashion: with beach games, grilling, beer, and limb-endangering pyrotechnics. Although rain kept us car-bound for part of the afternoon and quenched the Ocean Springs fireworks display, the arsenal supplied by Mr. Steve and everyone else on the beach was quite enough to keep things exciting. How did you celebrate America Day?
Last Lunch at Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Volunteer Village has been one of the fixtures of the volunteer hurricane relief effort here in Biloxi since shortly after Hurricane Katrina. Over the past year, they have been gradually closing down and refocusing their operations as the numbers of volunteers have fallen off. Yesterday, after nearly four years, they served their last lunch for volunteers. For those of us who have been here during the hurricane recovery process, it feels like the end of an era.
Building Systems Guide
Recently, the GCCDS has been researching a variety of building systems and their applications to architecture on the coast. We have looked at everything from whole-building systems (such as structural insulated panels or insulated concrete forms) to individual components (floor finishes, insulation types, etc). For each system, we attempt to analyze its advantages and disadvantages in many areas, including strength, thermal performance, ease of construction, environmental impact, and affordability. Even when we are finished, our research will only partially cover the vast number of building systems and products that are available. With our guide, we hope to compare a variety …
Knocked Over
Our house was broken into today. Someone threw a rock through a back window and climbed in. They only took a few things: my laptop and my roommate’s TV and camcorder were among them, so my posting may be even more infrequent than usual. Or not; we’ll see. Aside from that, life has mostly been free of major misfortunes. Yesterday, I helped Seth install some custom wood finishes inside Shirley’s house. Our good friends Fran and Eric have returned (this time, with an army of friends) and will be volunteering their labor over the next couple of weeks, so Shirley …
Ultimate in Biloxi
Regular readers will know that one of the highlights of life in Biloxi is Tuesday night Ultimate. Our weekly pickup game goes back more than three years, when volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and Hands On Gulf Coast first began playing at the Salvation Army field. Since then, dozens of regulars and hundreds of volunteers have kept the game going. But we’re always looking for more people to join us: Tuesdays, 6:30-9:00 Salvation Army’s Yankie Stadium 575 Division Street, Biloxi, MS Ultimate (also referred to as Ultimate Frisbee) is great fun and some of the best exercise you’ll ever have. …
GCCDS Submittal for 2009 AIA-MS Design Awards
One of my ongoing projects, Patty’s house, is the GCCDS’s entry in the AIA Mississippi 2009 Design Awards. Sponsored by the Mississippi chapter of the American Institute of Architects, The AIA Mississippi Design Awards Program seeks to encourage excellence and elevate the quality of architecture by recognizing and honoring works of distinction by its members and bring to public attention outstanding examples of architecture and design. Although I came into the project after the initial design process, I’ve worked a lot on Patty’s house and on its LEED certification, and it’s very satisfying to document the project and submit it …