In the Beginning

July is here!



While that may not be news to anyone, it definitely is a reminder that the next two months are going to be lively.



Last January I agreed to build the eco-house out at the Minnesota state fair this year. This house is the prototype for a net zero energy house that can be used in an urban or rural setting.



http://www.ecoexperience.org/



I am approaching this project with a great deal of interest, yet also a healthy dose of trepidation. The entire project is a volunteer effort with donated materials and labor. I understand the pitfalls of capitalism, but also realize that once one takes money out of the picture, it changes the dynamics of how a project might work.



As a general contractor it is my job to assemble all these volunteers and materials and get a whole house built in a little over a month.



On the bright side of things, I am not doing this alone. Sala Architects has donated the design and I might say has also pitched in with helping find donated materials. I have done quite a bit of work with them in the past - they are a great bunch to work with, but I fear they will be making tweaks to the plan right up to the day the fair opens - But in all fairness, this has to look just right


I also can't forget about Stephen Roche - He is also a general contractor and build last years eco -house. He is the voice of reason. I am a sucker for a nice architectural detail and have a hard time saying no to something architectually interesting, but as I said before we only have one month to build this - and let's not forget we are supposed to be in a recession which has made getting donations a bit harder to come by.



In case anyone ever does follow this blog, I want to also acknowledge the fact that there are many other volunteers and firms donating materials and labor. I promise I will acknowledge everyone after the fair is over.



Anyway, where was I?



Oh. I remember, this house needs to be built in one month with volunteer labor and materials