Here's the link:
http://www.metaefficient.com/architecture-and-building/amazing-green-building-the-acros-fukuoka.html
Monday, March 9, 2009
Amazing green roof in Japan
Here's the link:
http://www.metaefficient.com/architecture-and-building/amazing-green-building-the-acros-fukuoka.html
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Energy Star Focus
This post reminded me that we should incorporate Energy Star efficiency suggestions for our project. The savings are certainly a benefit for the developer/potential buyer.
Map of Incomes in Somerville
Here are some maps of Somerville showing income distribution and the change in income distribution over time. These are based on the last national census so we should just be able to use these.
Source: City of Somerville (Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development). 2008. Consolidated Plan 2008-2013 - Section 12: Appendices and Maps. Available online at: http://www.somervillema.gov/aud3.cfm?aud=res&cat=Con%20Plan&instance_id=67. Accessed on February 15, 2009.
Source: City of Somerville (Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development). 2008. Consolidated Plan 2008-2013 - Section 12: Appendices and Maps. Available online at: http://www.somervillema.gov/aud3.cfm?aud=res&cat=Con%20Plan&instance_id=67. Accessed on February 15, 2009.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Green Construction
Found this great article on green construction. Seems they've found a way to build that's cheaper and more sustainable. May be worth including for our project.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Meeting Notes - March 2, 2009
Time: 5:30-7:00pm
Date: Monday, March 2nd, 2009
Attendees: Pete Kane, Sarah Spicer, Susy Jones, Nupur Hiremath
Location: (har har) Dunkin’ Donuts, Davis Square
Meeting Objectives
- Discuss Mid-Term Presentation
Mid-term Presentation Section Outline and Presenter:
1. Presentation Outline
I. Opening - The Site **Pete**
A. Present Boundaries
B. Extended Parcel
II. The Neighborhood **Nupur**
A. History
B. Characteristics/Demographics
C. Project green line extension plans (connection to historical site characteristics) [Note: Pete, in the version you sent us at 7:47pm on 3/2/09 this section is missing].
III. Pros and Cons **Sarah**
A. Present State [Note: Pete, in the version you sent us at 7:47pm on 3/2/09 this section is also repeated in Section II].
B. List of Pros and Cons
IV. Intended Program **Susy**
A. Build Out - Uses
B. Features to be included
C. Intended LEED-ND Items
V. Sketches/Inspiration
A. Rough Sketch (of our proposed site plan) **Sarah**
B. Inspiration images/designs **Pete**
2. Details of Section III: Pros and Cons
Pros
• Proximity to Gilman Square T stop
• Proximity to City Hall, High School, Middle School, Public Library, Senior Center
• Located along a major artery (i.e. Medford Street
• Historical significance of Gilman Square (mixed-use neighborhood serviced by the train)
• Walkable neighborhood (can generate high volume of foot traffic for retail)
• Accessible by proposed community path
Cons
• Poor construction of the Homans building
• Unreliable timeline for Green Line extension project
• Proximity to train tracks (noise and safety issues)
• Reduced accessibility due to location at the bottom of a steep hill
• Possibly a poor choice for retail businesses? [Note: Nupur will research this further]
3. Details of Section IV: Intended Program
Build out/Uses:
• Tear down the Homans building
• Create open/park/garden space
• Locate retail store(s) on the 1st floor
o Grocery store
o Café
o Ethnic restaurants (as it is located in an ethnically diverse neighborhood)
• Locate office/civic space on 2nd floor
o Day care
o Energy or environmental non-profits or small businesses
o Gym (makes sense as the community path will be used by joggers and bicyclists)
o City offices (spill over from City Hall)
o Arts Center
o Community Center
Features:
• Green roof
• Underground parking lot
• Rain garden
• Outdoor seating
• Tiered roof
• Large glass windows on 1st floor
• Well-lit building
• Local artwork on site
• Bike service station (free air)
• Community path [Note: Mention that this is incidental as it is not in our hands].
4. Action Items for Monday, March 9, 2009
# Action (Person responsible)
1 Investigate whether this neighborhood of Somerville is good for retail - Nupur
2 Create a map of landmarks/resources (school, city hall, library, etc. - Susy
3 Look for a map of median incomes in the immediate vicinity of Homans - Nupur
4 Create a rough sketch of our proposed site plan - Sarah
5 Pull together inspiration images - Pete
6 Populate remaining powerpoint slides with info from Sarah/Susy/Nupur - Pete
7 Create a map of land use (residential, civic, retail, etc.) in Homans neighborhood - Susy/Sarah*
*Only if time permits.
Date: Monday, March 2nd, 2009
Attendees: Pete Kane, Sarah Spicer, Susy Jones, Nupur Hiremath
Location: (har har) Dunkin’ Donuts, Davis Square
Meeting Objectives
- Discuss Mid-Term Presentation
Mid-term Presentation Section Outline and Presenter:
1. Presentation Outline
I. Opening - The Site **Pete**
A. Present Boundaries
B. Extended Parcel
II. The Neighborhood **Nupur**
A. History
B. Characteristics/Demographics
C. Project green line extension plans (connection to historical site characteristics) [Note: Pete, in the version you sent us at 7:47pm on 3/2/09 this section is missing].
III. Pros and Cons **Sarah**
A. Present State [Note: Pete, in the version you sent us at 7:47pm on 3/2/09 this section is also repeated in Section II].
B. List of Pros and Cons
IV. Intended Program **Susy**
A. Build Out - Uses
B. Features to be included
C. Intended LEED-ND Items
V. Sketches/Inspiration
A. Rough Sketch (of our proposed site plan) **Sarah**
B. Inspiration images/designs **Pete**
2. Details of Section III: Pros and Cons
Pros
• Proximity to Gilman Square T stop
• Proximity to City Hall, High School, Middle School, Public Library, Senior Center
• Located along a major artery (i.e. Medford Street
• Historical significance of Gilman Square (mixed-use neighborhood serviced by the train)
• Walkable neighborhood (can generate high volume of foot traffic for retail)
• Accessible by proposed community path
Cons
• Poor construction of the Homans building
• Unreliable timeline for Green Line extension project
• Proximity to train tracks (noise and safety issues)
• Reduced accessibility due to location at the bottom of a steep hill
• Possibly a poor choice for retail businesses? [Note: Nupur will research this further]
3. Details of Section IV: Intended Program
Build out/Uses:
• Tear down the Homans building
• Create open/park/garden space
• Locate retail store(s) on the 1st floor
o Grocery store
o Café
o Ethnic restaurants (as it is located in an ethnically diverse neighborhood)
• Locate office/civic space on 2nd floor
o Day care
o Energy or environmental non-profits or small businesses
o Gym (makes sense as the community path will be used by joggers and bicyclists)
o City offices (spill over from City Hall)
o Arts Center
o Community Center
Features:
• Green roof
• Underground parking lot
• Rain garden
• Outdoor seating
• Tiered roof
• Large glass windows on 1st floor
• Well-lit building
• Local artwork on site
• Bike service station (free air)
• Community path [Note: Mention that this is incidental as it is not in our hands].
4. Action Items for Monday, March 9, 2009
# Action (Person responsible)
1 Investigate whether this neighborhood of Somerville is good for retail - Nupur
2 Create a map of landmarks/resources (school, city hall, library, etc. - Susy
3 Look for a map of median incomes in the immediate vicinity of Homans - Nupur
4 Create a rough sketch of our proposed site plan - Sarah
5 Pull together inspiration images - Pete
6 Populate remaining powerpoint slides with info from Sarah/Susy/Nupur - Pete
7 Create a map of land use (residential, civic, retail, etc.) in Homans neighborhood - Susy/Sarah*
*Only if time permits.
Old Gilman Square
I found this image on a blog about how wonderful Gilman Square was when it had a train stop, and how it has declined without transit. Is this a better quality than the scanned image we have of the same view? I like the idea of restoring the neighborhood through our project, not just redeveloping it.
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