Yo - I'll Solve it! April 25, 2007

Next Wednesday, May 2, Solutions Twin Cities will produce a unique event at the Southern Theatre. Solutions Volume 1 showcases leading-edge work by local designers, architects, artists and activists. It’s the only place you will find solar powered clean water for slums, new designs for money, the first urban flower co-op, the pre-fab weeHouse, a mobile movie theater for refugees and even blooming roofs.

The fast-paced program will provide a series of presenters called "solutionists" 6 minutes and 40 seconds each to "wow" the audience with their work. The tight time frame allows each presenter just enough time to present 20 rapid-fire slides, ensuring a high impact exchange of ideas.

Doors at 7, presentations begin at 8, see solutionstwincities.org for more information, tickets, and directions.

Of previous Jotter fame, Colin, of Colin is awesome, is a Solutions TC co-founder. Also of CRA, Chris Wegscheid, will be presenting, and Nate Golin helped code the Solutions-TC website.

 

Housing on display April 17, 2007

A two-part exhibit at the University of Minnesota's Goldstein Museum of Design will focus on affordable housing from April 21 through July 1.

"Twenty-five percent of all American households face severe housing problems. Affordable Housing: Designing an American Asset explores well-designed housing opportunities for the least wealthy Americans.

In conjunction, Leading from Policy to Practice: Affordable Housing in Minnesota will present an overview of affordable housing in Minnesota. Organized by guest curator Marilyn Bruin, Associate Professor of Housing Studies, the exhibition will explore and critique several state-wide case studies of affordable housing projects. A symposium will bring together funders, developers, builders and policy-makers for a lively exploration of the state and future of Minnesota affordable housing."

An opening party is scheduled for April 20, from 6 to 8 pm.

Check the Goldstein's website for more information and directions.

A few of our projects are featured in the exhibition:
Emma's Place, Maplewood
St. Barnabas, Minneapolis
Greysolon, Duluth

 

Chutes and LEEDers April 03, 2007

You heard it here first: our office is committed to becoming 100% LEED accredited by the end of 2007. To date, 3 out of 11 CRA staff have successfully passed the LEED exam, and can now call themselves LEED Accredited Professionals. They are: Terri Cermak, Michelle Baltus-Pribyl, and Larry Prinds. The push coincides with a larger re-evaluation of our office standards and practices. Everything from windows and doors, to roofing and insulation, to our own office recycling efforts are being re-thought, with a focus on sustainability.

The LEED program, which is shorthand for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is run by the U.S. Green Building Council, a consortium of designers, manufacturers, and experts focused on the built environment. LEED sets standards, provides guidelines, and compiles information on best practices for buildings, all with a focus on managing energy use, from material production through construction to building operation. In many ways the LEED program fits well with our existing goals for professional practice, including goals for site selection, energy consumption and material selection.