tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45928791752274560012024-03-14T04:21:51.905-07:00CATALYST ARCHITECTURE | Design_By_PlaceExploring the integration of our natural and built environments:
An exploration of the multiple ways that ‘place’ informs and
influences our design work and process, in order to create ever
more authentic and integrated site and building solutions.Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-73129201898530140572058-01-15T21:32:00.000-08:002014-03-17T10:46:49.977-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://catalystarchitecture-design-by-place.blogspot.com/search/label/Design_By_Place" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO23Shc8VLE0lGP9aNlGswS0vrcO9EKeiN7kd8X8vld7W5TCUJ8lrPl0ESjeZj-I6iGn5tF397QQS1c1vsoSacNs4cQSMRxVRWGBndIvD7_Hv7VEhI5hr7St_OJRrzjD61rfwr_zibHrY_/s1600/DesByPlc_v102.gif" /></a></div>
<br />Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-4925855396997416492058-01-14T22:40:00.000-08:002014-03-17T10:47:12.269-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://catalystarchitecture-design-by-place.blogspot.com/search/label/Eco-Logic" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrGKu17z5CRGicn8O4M_fwIitzm0xUhyuYJ6VoB01vCLeWoUII5JEDecOmcSwmvN0Z9OvftLEeE7S0wJIp1rvQk4iGBVTqg_OWpAWT6oc7Ufk5PyAJQ98xYYi0cxHsLAnhhuROEcMTy1N/s1600/EcoLogic_v114.gif" /></a></div>
<br />Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-70939412128992594062058-01-13T22:50:00.000-08:002014-03-17T10:47:38.541-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://catalystarchitecture-design-by-place.blogspot.com/search/label/Green_Tech_101" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuuvbN-H0vh1aiC-Nqkn6ULELSZYGa6IRuXGAVdtTVxF5tEy39bZypvk-dreytPwt1QaE9UfOOv3PPdah4rtsi-nTmHcOE7hyIA53Fr2cXVd4XpTuK6bZgj6ROpr2J3lKJ66GCxM8C6sq/s1600/GT_101_v116.gif" /></a></div>
<br />Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-60891163548930242532058-01-12T22:57:00.000-08:002014-03-17T10:43:17.573-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://catalystarchitecture-design-by-place.blogspot.com/search/label/News_Blog" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_rfrs9WfZbQY6plafANoaa9hsdPlEJ3vH8RNLgfWnM3vtLlKNTywwqnI4i6rHTnrOOfMcB81vvRTqt1LYiPGkeZQOMHmnPXcmyYjjJ5SJkQZE_RtmumZyxjSaHbNSe_bXmPppoKxx2OH/s1600/News_v108.gif" /></a></div>
<br />Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-8449870524056999032014-04-23T07:01:00.000-07:002014-04-23T07:10:10.303-07:00Place based Northern Arizona home design 'roots' to its site through the use of natural stone and heavy wood timbers.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="background-color: #1f1b1a; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;">APRIL 23, 2014</b></div>
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This place-based custom home was designed to fit into the landscape of northern Arizona and the Prescott National Forest. Based on the architectural legacy of Mary Colter and National Park Service style, the concept for the home was that of an old lodge that had been renovated for a modern-day residence. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XZ3ZAKV4Ys1bMMvlHjPpwLbeSxie5CLS7E94vKm_jawRIULMBvlmzKMjqRYTgNEVroIWqe6W_44J5TzQjfmckJW7dH3MPDJRiieH_CotZUDujGwgB72gwlPWQg9JAv8PMa1vNOnJIEX4/s1600/Yastrow_Residence_Designed_by_Catalyst_Architecture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XZ3ZAKV4Ys1bMMvlHjPpwLbeSxie5CLS7E94vKm_jawRIULMBvlmzKMjqRYTgNEVroIWqe6W_44J5TzQjfmckJW7dH3MPDJRiieH_CotZUDujGwgB72gwlPWQg9JAv8PMa1vNOnJIEX4/s1600/Yastrow_Residence_Designed_by_Catalyst_Architecture.jpg" /></a></div>
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The home is rooted to its place through the predominant use of the natural materials found all around it- native stone and wood- for the columns, exterior wall finishes, and rustic wood beams that support its main roof. The Great Room itself features a full stone fireplace, a tongue and groove wood ceiling, and heavy wooden trusses overhead. A full height glass wall with 7' high telescoping glass doors opens to a generous wrap-around deck, blurring the lines between the interior and exterior and further connecting the home to its site.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08504748297142940040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-61189020779538164332014-04-21T06:15:00.000-07:002014-04-21T16:52:38.448-07:00Catalyst Architecture completes construction drawings for 6,000 sq.ft. LEED-Silver Nature Center for Los Alamos County. <b style="background-color: #1f1b1a; clear: left; color: #eeeeee; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">APRIL 21, 2014</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7swsSu9oEC5uAT3oDmtswrZWzYw6wDbAn3DwVmR4tn15wA3HqFGH9HFIQOnGb5juGQDXVef21skoy4l_FZvH8DDAWMtYNN4AN9O-17YaISzjr6dz65TmnNiyyCMWE8j9fUvLsQ-4nIpbo/s1600/LACNC_Rendering_v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7swsSu9oEC5uAT3oDmtswrZWzYw6wDbAn3DwVmR4tn15wA3HqFGH9HFIQOnGb5juGQDXVef21skoy4l_FZvH8DDAWMtYNN4AN9O-17YaISzjr6dz65TmnNiyyCMWE8j9fUvLsQ-4nIpbo/s1600/LACNC_Rendering_v1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>Los Alamos County Nature Center</i></td></tr>
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Catalyst Architecture has completed the construction drawings for the LEED Silver Los Alamos Nature Center project. The place-based energy-efficient design by principal Jeffrey Zucker features abundant natural daylight, rainwater harvesting, a thermally efficient building envelope, and roof-mounted photovoltaics.</div>
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This 6,000 sq.ft. Design/Build effort is being led by Klinger Constructors, in association with Mullen Heller Architects- both of Albuquerque NM. The tenant and primary stakeholder for the project is the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (<a href="http://www.pajaritoeec.org/" target="_blank">PEEC</a>), which has been operating nature education programs about the Pajarito Plateau for a number of years. </div>
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The project is set for groundbreaking the 1st week of May. Stay tuned for pictures of the construction in progress!<br />
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Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-12558875859745799112014-04-05T06:47:00.001-07:002014-04-05T12:35:35.661-07:00Metal Architecture Magazine features Catalyt's LEED-Platinum, Net Zero San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center as "Top Honors" Project<br />
<b style="background-color: #1f1b1a; clear: left; color: #eeeeee; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">APRIL 5, 2014</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/columns/interpretive-design.aspx#.Uz8DicQ0TAs.facebook" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jvmnNF7f8x_XSlQhanTuS5Z5_ZurwF_2T9ez5KHZuYABXvgsH457aDAFHU_GO958aELM-NX6MNtHAmJk3F2-2-bZQ8vw9UleWVtfx5x5YQ6GI1r_viVDb7PfGPE2DQtvjZagiRhg18o/s3200/SNNWR_Best_v1.jpg" height="320" width="291" /></a></div>
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<i>"The building envelope was critical to the project's energy efficiency, Ackerman says, from the size, placement and specifications of the glazing, to taking advantage of natural daylight and ventilation opportunities, which help reduce the demand on the building's mechanical and lighting systems.</i></div>
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<i>One of the challenges for the project was the building orientation. "To reduce solar heat gain while still taking advantage of natural daylight for a building that is non-optimally oriented (along a north-south axis), we reduced the net glazing on the long east and west exposures of the building, and instead found opportunities to let in north light into the building's interior through the use of north-facing clerestory windows and 'wall monitors'," explains Ackerman."</i></div>
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<i>-Marcy Marro, Editor Metal Architecture Magazine</i></div>
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Read <a href="http://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/columns/interpretive-design.aspx#.Uz8DicQ0TAs.facebook">more</a><i> </i>here</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08504748297142940040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-34964616957397496542014-04-04T21:25:00.001-07:002014-04-05T09:56:27.974-07:00Metal Architecture Magazine highlights the interpretive aspects of Catalyt's San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center<div>
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<i>"A metal roof, combined with a rough timber frame and tall windows, was a natural fit for the refuge and the agrarian roots of the Central Valley region," Ackerman says. "The inverted roof design over the administrative wing of the facility is symbolic of the wings of a bird in flight, which interprets the refuge's role as a vital migratory stopover point along the Pacific Flyway for large concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds and other waterbirds."</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/columns/interpretive-design.aspx#.Uz8DicQ0TAs.facebook" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8VyZ3HwOip3xaMQo9MgMF1_b2aXqgbf5rVY08Jy9pr_0052P4Nr3qcvu-4QO3fIRaXhpZltWd5IRCCp1oKDE4Z2zHds0UBtFSiByUxxpucfRIE7O_Ub2uYYx1loNWzfamxbeiaFMDjRt/s3200/SLNWR_BestPic%5BDBP_Blog%5D_v1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">"According to Matthew Ackerman, LEED-AP AIA, principal of Catalyst Architecture, the firm specializes in "place-based interpretive design," which means the architecture interprets, or "tells the story" of a place from its cultural, historic and/or physical characteristics. For this project, the firm interpreted a number of different aspects of the refuge through the architecture, leading to the choice of metal as an exterior cladding. "The architectural legacy of the Central Valley is largely one of agrarian buildings," Ackerman explains. They especially looked at a lot of the old barn structures that had tin metal roofs and metal siding. "We noticed that metal was a really common building material for the older barn structures in the region, just as the old wooden timbers were."</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">-Marcy Marro, Editor Metal Architecture Magazine</span><br />
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Read more<i> </i><a href="http://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/columns/interpretive-design.aspx#.Uz8DicQ0TAs.facebook">here</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08504748297142940040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-83462729588916592192014-04-02T13:46:00.000-07:002014-04-21T06:09:35.344-07:00Catalyst's LEED Platinum San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Featured in Architectural Products Green/Sustainable Special Issue<a href="http://www.arch-products.com/fastpath/index.php?pg=FC&d=1&v=0&a=1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: #1f1b1a; clear: left; color: #eeeeee; display: inline !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">APRIL 2, 2014</b></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.arch-products.com/fastpath/index.php?pg=FC&d=1&v=0&a=1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ6U8hkCKcBo9RmvqUW8uYCCzi5ifq5r1IZQ4f_7g8P8SB4fsmDBdx0YPH-ixYEH3EIDWNVkux8gBvjUKRA8ypZyrFsE3fF1fhFTYRGUCfupND6ErKMzNSDZJPrrPosGdwJvcBP46tw1X/s1600/ArchitecturalProducts.jpg" /></a></div>
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Catalyst's LEED Platinum, net-zero energy San Luis National Wildlife Refuge is currently featured in Architectural Products Green/ Sustainable Special Issue.</div>
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<b> A NATURAL FIT</b></div>
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"For Catalyst Architecture, the PV-integrated metal roof of the complex is multi-representational; an homage to the wings of a bird in flight; a natural material in tune with the spirit of the center; and a building element that generates pollution-free power from the sun.</div>
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Attaching solar panels to a roof often means penetrating the roof to install brackets that hold the panels. Any type of roof penetration increases the risk of leaking." says Christian Nolte, marketing and sales vice president for Metal Sales Manufacturing Corp. in Louisville, KY. With the S-5! mounting system, there is no need to penetrate the roof, as our solar panel brackets are attached to the ribs of the metal panels with a clamping system."</div>
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Click <a href="http://www.arch-products.com/fastpath/index.php?pg=29&d=0&v=0&a=1">here</a> to view the Special Issue on Products for Green/Sustainable Facilitties
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>LEED-PLatinum Seeking <a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Desert/" target="_blank">Desert NWR</a> Visitor Center</i></td></tr>
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Designed in collaboration with SH Architects of Las Vegas, this 10,000 sq.ft. desert interpretive center is on track to achieve a LEED-Platinum certification as well as being engineered to produce as much energy as it consumes. The high-performance facility hosts 4,500 sq.ft. of exhibitry designed and fabricated by Split Rock Studios of St. Paul MN.<br />
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With terrain ranging in elevation between 2,000 and 10,000 ft. above sea level, the 1.6 million acre refuge is the largest in the continental US, and is home to seven distinct "life zones" within its vast borders. <br />
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Click <a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Desert/" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more about the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.</div>
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Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-36066879723671697512014-03-27T17:27:00.003-07:002014-03-30T07:32:34.228-07:00Catalyst's 1st Earthbag Residence is Under Construction<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Catalyst's first earthbag residence is about ready to go vertical. All of the foundations have been poured, and the tubing for the in-floor radiant heating has been laid. Once the slab is poured, the earth bags will start to be set around the perimeter of the building. </div>
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It should be fun to watch it go up!</div>
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Click <a href="http://calearth.org/" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more about earth bag construction.</div>
Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-39031923018866021292014-03-26T21:09:00.000-07:002014-03-27T04:49:39.479-07:00Principal Zucker Completes Habitat for Humanity Efforts in Las Cruces, New Mexico<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://lascruceshabitat.org/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeqRwUALLdbix1gMrt8R5JvWo-xnosoaluB5lJzvySW6C-cTh0JE2JjlSq9kdcWGmJmOpRwpZGbOzS7RjrTVcvFrwDwwaxureLKDbYhwmS_7zOaxehq8_yLmhK4usgJtFkM7QUBTxG4E/s3200/NM_HfH_Pic2.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="http://lascruceshabitat.org/">Jeff Zucker in Las Cruces, NM</a></i></td></tr>
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"We are participating on the last build of the season in <a href="http://lascruceshabitat.org/">Las Cruces</a>. I can see why. Already, the wind is picking up and the air is so thick with dust that we can't even see the beautiful mountains that surround the city. Our crew of 15 workers and 2 leaders are busily putting the final touches on 4 houses, including trim, cabinets, and blinds, along with grading and landscaping the yards. The houses are all in a row, so we "commute" from one to the next. The modest 1,100 sq.ft. 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes have mostly been built by volunteer labor. The work is not too demanding, yet we are still sore at the end of the day, and are glad the municipal pool (complete with showers) is only a couple of blocks away!"<br />
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-Jeff</div>
Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-82331998476834121552014-03-26T14:03:00.000-07:002014-03-30T06:58:20.840-07:00Color in Place-Based Design<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Did you ever get the feeling about a building that it somehow 'just belonged', or that its placement on the site– its form, materials, or even colors were somehow 'just right'? Or perhaps once inside, have you ever experienced that a building's interior spaces were connected to its surrounding landscape in such a way that the inside and outside just seemed to 'flow' between one another?</div>
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Many of the living, working, and playing environments we're tasked with designing are intended to explore this connection between the natural and man-made realms, between a building and its site, between architecture and 'place'- and that's true whether that place is physical, cultural, historical, and/or all of the above. This is the essence "place-based" design- and it drives almost every commission we undertake. To do this, we often start by immersing ourselves in the project's setting– its culture, history, surrounding land forms, existing vegetation, and even the colors of the land and sky itself– in order to "tell the story" of the place for which we're designing. </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.581817278533359.1073741845.106616776053414&type=3" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOwIEpZ8LL_jzcXn4TyvAaz_cRBgP7L-ejVJWig011sPTBw_JCK_h1MaxhwdpgVy8iXHO6ZwGUBtvbMGY7qovG1B99hCyBiNdQW2Jt-DgI4URH0Aq8OwGDVkoAKZdUDsrtKuvBIjGn0OO/s1600/Pajarito_Plateau_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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We strive to weave these observations throughout our design work for both the building and site development. This isn't necessarily a novel school of thought, or a new approach to architecture– anyone who has studied or experienced the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, understands that some of his best designs seem to flow effortlessly from the landscapes for which they were conceived. </div>
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We are currently making our final color and finish selections for an exciting new project in Los Alamos, New Mexico– a 6,000 sq.ft. Nature Center for the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC)– which will serve as an educational destination for the study of the canyons, streams, plants and wildlife of the Pajarito Plateau. Earlier on in our process we used our observations of the northern New Mexico environs (its plants, animals, and landscape) to guide the architectural form of the project. Similarly, we are now looking to the colors of the Pajarito Plateau to inform the project's final material and finish selections in order to tell the story of this uniquely beautiful place.</div>
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The image above shows the plateau in its fresh bloom of spring, peppered by pines and snowflakes– yet dazzling in color, from bright yellows to deep greens and warm coppery oranges. We trust that our observations and resulting finish selections will help make the completed nature center an authentic inhabitant of its landscape– blurring the lines between interior and exterior, between the natural and man-made, as a way of paying homage to its native environment– the source and reason for its existence.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.581817278533359.1073741845.106616776053414&type=3" target="_blank">Los Alamos County Nature Center</a><br />
<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/institutional.html" target="_blank">Catalyst Architecture | Specialists in Energy-Efficient Place Based Design</a></div>
Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-8346371377521844832014-03-18T17:37:00.000-07:002014-03-27T04:50:18.230-07:00Principal Jeff Zucker to Participate in Las Cruces, New Mexico Habitat for Humanity Event<b style="background-color: #1f1b1a; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">MARCH 18, 2014</b><br />
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<a href="http://lascruceshabitat.org/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMCTi2o8B-kLlNxP-gUD6KoMB1lrMpEQHXaon-fSNAxO-yQtMG9niYCHn-rvJzywJpUDXZs2MdNh2w6UC8BNaVlSi8u6r-Vo89u-wWnkfku3h9gVOfVJw3Ldu8IS63fgS07fec4URj4Xo/s1600/NM_HfH_Pic1.jpg" /></a>"Just arrived at the location of the Habitat build in Las Cruces, New Mexico. For the new week, my wife, Jean Wilcox, and I will be painting, sawing and nailing in our first experience with Habitat for Humanity. All of the other volunteers are old hands at this event, so we hope that they show us the ropes. Everyone has come from all over the country to participate in this build, and we are all parked in vans, RVs and campers. It makes for a little instant "community". On Tuesday, we start in earnest, so I will report back with pictures and notes."<br />
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Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-56310812567118458382014-03-17T10:31:00.001-07:002014-03-27T04:02:39.920-07:00Catalyst's off-grid, LEED-Gold Highlands Center to be Featured in Upcoming Special on Local Green Businesses<b style="background-color: #1f1b1a; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">MARCH 17, 2014</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/HCNH/1.html" target="_blank"><i>LEED-Gold, off-grid Highlands Center for Natural History</i></a></td></tr>
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Nice <a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/HCNH_GreenArticleCourier_v2.pdf" target="_blank">article submission</a> by Cynthia Jones on our LEED-Gold James Learning Center to be published in an upcoming Courier special on local green businesses.</div>
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"According to Matt Ackerman of Catalyst Architecture, the James Learning Center was the second LEED-certified structure in the county, and one of just 11 LEED Gold projects statewide when it was built. The building is off the grid, relying on natural daylight and ventilation strategies for its heating and cooling needs. Combined with a well designed and properly oriented building envelope, this allows nearly 70 percent of the its heating and cooling needs to be supplied passively."</div>
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Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-22919693900759181892013-01-09T08:41:00.001-08:002013-01-09T09:20:37.540-08:00What is a "Net-Zero" Energy Building?<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Some of you may have heard the term "Net-Zero Energy" building. But just what is a Net Zero Energy building? Simply defined, a Net-Zero Energy building is a structure that produces as much, or more energy than it consumes - as calculated and averaged over a 12-month period <a href="http://www.eventscribe.com/2012/Greenbuild/assets/pdf/53056.pdf">[1]</a>. </div>
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As you might expect, the monthly utility bill savings for such a facility can be significant. Preposterous you say? It's more than just a theory. Net-Zero energy buildings are a reality - though admittedly, still somewhat of a challenge to design. Currently there are only 21 recognized Net-Zero Energy buildings in the US, though several more with the potential of achieving this rare distinction <a href="http://www.eventscribe.com/2012/Greenbuild/assets/pdf/53056.pdf">[2]</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/Portfolio/In_Progress/SLNWR_HQ+VC.html" target="_blank">Net Zero Energy San Luis National Wildlife Refuge</a></td></tr>
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In one sense, designing a Net-Zero Energy building could simply be a matter of loading up an otherwise conventionally energy-inefficient building with power-producing photovoltaic panels. If the energy produced by those panels over a year is greater than the net amount of energy consumed by the building over the same year, then voila, you've got yourself a Net-Zero Energy building. Fortunately, that's almost never done, as the cost of installing the photovoltaics needed to offset such careless, high-energy use would be prohibitively expensive.</div>
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In most cases, Net-Zero Energy buildings are designed to consume as absolutely little energy as practicable from the start. All possible no-cost 'passive' strategies for energy-savings are explored first. Concepts such as optimized building orientation; properly placed, sized, and specified windows; natural daylight and ventilation opportunities; the incorporation of thermal mass, etc. are all low-to-no cost green buildings concepts. Once these low-cost ideas have been incorporated, then more sophisticated strategies can be considered. Energy-saving options such as higher-performing insulation products, better quality double (or even triple) glazed window systems, heat and electricity-saving lighting components, high-performance heating and cooling systems, as well as light shelves and other architecturally-based solar management strategies can all be evaluated for their life-cycle cost/benefit applicability.Finally, when all of these energy-saving options have been incorporated (or rejected) into the building's design, then and only then is the total net energy load for the building modeled and calculated, and a corresponding renewable energy system (typically solar photovoltaics) engineered to meet the remaining net electrical and power load requirements of the building. My company, Catalyst Architecture, is proud to have designed what we expect will be the 22nd Net-Zero Energy facility in the US - the 17,000-square-foot San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center <a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/Portfolio/In_Progress/SLNWR_HQ+VC.html">[3]</a> located in the central valley of California. Despite the oppressively hot climate of the central valley, we were able to design this facility as Net-Zero Energy structure utilizing a 55 kW photovoltaic array. Not too bad for a building of its size. This building is also expected to achieve a LEED-Platinum rating - the highest rating possible from the US Green Building Council. It is already recognized as the highest-performing facility in the US Fish and Wildlife Service.</div>
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With news stories of climate change, superstorms, and rising sea-levels appearing in the news almost daily, it only makes sense - environmentally and financially - to press our design, development and construction industry professionals to strive for Net-Zero Energy facility design whenever possible for our future building needs.</div>
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<b><b>Related Links: </b></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.eventscribe.com/2012/Greenbuild/assets/pdf/53056.pdf">[1] Achieving Net Zero Energy</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.eventscribe.com/2012/Greenbuild/assets/pdf/53056.pdf">[2] New Buildings Institute: Getting to Zero</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.eventscribe.com/2012/Greenbuild/assets/pdf/53056.pdf"></a><a href="http://www.eventscribe.com/2012/Greenbuild/assets/pdf/53056.pdf">[3] San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center</a> </div>
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Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-89183456113833333732012-12-06T15:43:00.001-08:002012-12-06T15:46:36.996-08:00The Evolution of an Idea<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/BIO/JZ.html" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZyrq-UN4_ZL8DWqznDfafWyvOt_tiTnQaL44Fo8_cgE688jAW0uc_At6i_5fuqK3XRsyQ3yV5ta2cb8UTyHtPOMKsd6kXxCvYMiqTrA7lQfok3kSFy7rYBuVStGoPezy4aAuzZsd2u4/s1600/Jeffrey+L.+Zucker,+LEED-AP+AIA.jpg" /></a><br />
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Back in the 1980's, when I worked in a 400-person architectural firm in
Atlanta, Ga., I had a mentor who was a professor of architectural
design. One of the benefits of the company was that, once a month, there
was an educational luncheon that was held for the benefit of the young
interns who were coming up through the ranks. <br />
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I particularly remember one lesson from my mentor who showed us slides
of his past designs. He noted that, in several of his unbuilt projects,
there was a reoccurring theme of a particular element. In one iteration
after another, the element kept showing up in one form or another. His
advice to us was that, if we had an idea that we thought was valuable,
it will keep showing up in our designs and would eventually get built.
Thus, it was that my idea of a "house as a leaf" reappeared.<br />
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As published in the international magazine, "Architecture+" in May of
2004[<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/APlusArticle.html" target="_blank">1</a>], the concepts of a "House as a Leaf" were first embodied in the
MacMillian Residence. The driving idea behind the design originated for
the observation of the way a rain drop would fall off of the tip of the
leaf of a ficus plant. The small, almond shaped leaves, with a crease
down the center, naturally direct the water to the tip of the leaf.
Picking up on this cue from nature, I was able to extrapolate that
pattern into the shape of the roof of the house, thereby enabling the
roof to harvest all of the precious water into a collection basin. In
addition, the folded leaf enables the sun to penetrate deep into the
house in the winter, while providing shade in the summer. It also allows
photovoltaic panels to be mounted on the north wing of the house to
generate electricity, as well as solar hydronic panels, to heat water.<br />
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The design for the MacMillian Residence was never built. A few years
later though, the leaf design "morphed" into a butterfly with the design
and construction of the James Learning Center at the Highlands Center
for Natural History, just outside of Prescott, near Lynx Lake[<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/HCNH/1.html" target="_blank">2</a>].
Incorporating all of the advantages of the leaf design, the butterfly
wings became the sheltering canopy under which the James Learning Center
went on to achieve a LEED Gold Certification.<br />
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In the process of thinking about my own house, the same attributes kept
showing up again. A "V" shaped roof, with solar panels on the north
side, deep sun penetration in the winter, and water harvesting built
into the inherent nature of the design were all evident in every
ineration. The "V" shaped roof even appeared in the design of the
Visitors Center for the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge outside of
Sherman, Texas, although for a completely different reason, that being a
desire to emulate the wings of the thousands of migratory birds for
which the Refuge is noted[<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/Portfolio/In_Progress/HAGERMAN_VC.html" target="_blank">3</a>].<br />
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It was not until recently, however, that I have had a chance to
completely revisit the original leaf design, having been approached by a
client who noticed the design and had an excellent piece of property
which was an appropriate fit for it. The "wings" of the butterfly design
have been moved further apart, and thus the design has now been dubbed
the "Dragonfly". On the dragonfly design, the rooms such as the garages
and wine "cellar" have been nestled into the hill on the north side. The
living spaces, such as the bedroom, kitchen, dining room and living
room, take advantage of the expansive views to the south. Once again,
the photovoltaic array is on the north side, giving the panels
unobstructed access to the sun, while hiding them from view. And, like
the original ficus leaf, the water that is collected from the roof
"drips" off of the end, so that each precious drop of water is harvested
for future use in this high desert climate of ours in Prescott, Ariz.</div>
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<b>Related Links:</b></div>
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[<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/APlusArticle.html" target="_blank">1</a>] <a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/APlusArticle.html" target="_blank">House as a leaf</a></div>
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[<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/HCNH/1.html" target="_blank">2</a>] <a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/HCNH/1.html" target="_blank">Highlands Center for Natural History</a></div>
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[<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/Portfolio/In_Progress/HAGERMAN_VC.html" target="_blank">3</a>] <a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/Portfolio/In_Progress/HAGERMAN_VC.html" target="_blank">Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge</a><br />
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Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-69219509501950859722012-10-08T10:33:00.000-07:002012-10-08T16:21:32.214-07:00Catalyst's Green County Administration Building Opens in Prescott, AZ<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;"><b>OCT. 8, 2012</b></span></div>
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<i>Final construction cost comes in a half million dollars under budget, demonstrating that going green– saves green </i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHz-8bsYDwpf6INk4Mz9WYwJ3aNNNh4ImIdahUymAZdA0KYWkqyPoC7vWoBvdPR0wYuKxhnRdxcnwnzHIe3sIpaXkza5kM0xQvBTkTdLlApc5x_clDaj4LDMdkMYdamTCc-fzBKFrfADU/s1600/Project_Architect_Matthew_B._Ackerman,_LEED-AP_AIA_of_Catalyst_Architecture_in_Prescott,+AZ_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHz-8bsYDwpf6INk4Mz9WYwJ3aNNNh4ImIdahUymAZdA0KYWkqyPoC7vWoBvdPR0wYuKxhnRdxcnwnzHIe3sIpaXkza5kM0xQvBTkTdLlApc5x_clDaj4LDMdkMYdamTCc-fzBKFrfADU/s1600/Project_Architect_Matthew_B._Ackerman,_LEED-AP_AIA_of_Catalyst_Architecture_in_Prescott,+AZ_3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i>Matt Ackerman, Travis Knoll, Jimmy Gillespie</i></td></tr>
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The new 24,000 square foot Yavapai County Administration Building celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 19th. On hand for the festivities were County Supervisors Carol Springer and Chip Davis. Supervisor Tom Thurman was unable to attend. Designed by Prescott based Catalyst Architecture, the building is a model of energy and resource efficient design. </div>
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During their opening remarks, both Supervisors Springer and Davis proudly listed the sustainable aspects of this state-of-the-art administration facility which included, natural daylight, water harvesting, an innovative stratified heat recovery system, and the energy efficient raised-floor delivery of the buildings heating and cooling systems.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The building's raised floor system allows mechanical, electrical, data, and phone conduits to run freely below the finished flooring, providing ongoing flexibility and adaptability for changing technologies. The building's steel super structure is completed by an exterior, load-bearing masonry perimeter and Structural-Insulated-Panel (SIPS) roof envelope, increasing the facility's energy-efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. A sound-masking system creates a comfortable working environment for the open offices. </div>
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With sustainability, energy-efficiency, and reduced maintenance and operation costs as the guiding goals for the project, Catalyst led the design and client stakeholder team through the firm's unique two-step "Value Optimization" process. "We take cost very seriously" explained Ackerman.</div>
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Value Optimization turns traditional value engineering on its head, by pairing up the project team's design and engineering-side specialists, with construction side sub-contractors from the same trades early on in the design process, in order to brainstorm the most cost-effective ways to deliver the clients preferences for the building envelope as well as all of its major building systems. </div>
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By gaining valuable insight into constructability and maximizing the integration of mechanical, electrical, and structural systems, the Catalyst design team was able to consistently eliminate redundancies and improve efficiencies throughout the building's design. "We consider our client's financial resources to be as important to 'sustain' as the material and energy resources that go into our buildings", explained Ackerman. </div>
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This creative and collaborative focus on cost control throughout the early stages of the process, resulted in all 16 bids coming in under the County's stated $5M budget- a noteworthy achievement for the architect and for the County. According to building's contractor Travis Knoll of Straightline Construction, the final construction cost was just under $4.5M.</div>
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<b>Links:</b></div>
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<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/VOProcess.jpg" target="_blank"><i>Catalyst's Value Optimization Process</i></a></div>
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<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/SKETCH_PAD/Content/11/11.1/News/1.html" target="_blank"><i>3 For 3: CATALYST Brings in 3rd Consecutive Project Under Budget Using Innovative Value Optimization Process</i></a></div>
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Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-89058447642938924572012-09-15T15:35:00.003-07:002012-09-15T15:53:29.403-07:00Visitor Center Specialist Catalyst Architecture Pens Contract With Lowell Observatory<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>SEPT. 15, 2012</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.cta-observatory.org/?q=node/12" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pWjP3ho0vOfFyEOG_FaZLk7uAtNkmsE6iLWvO_xp5ARn8pHgxiXVzm8OkwZLrF7BhOTIdWOnZfWHyBEkJJRrdKFKrOaGIjsDTeBLlS7LvaqqqR33g0zz2b9cHWz_Z4Jgu-B762ZIykA5/s1600/Catalyst_Architecture_Designs_Cherenkov_Telescope_Array_Site.jpg" /></a></div>
Catalyst Architecture has signed a contract with the <a href="http://www.lowell.edu/" target="_blank">Lowell Observatory</a> for conceptual masterplanning of the <a href="http://www.cta-observatory.org/" target="_blank">Cherenkov Telescope Array</a> (CTA) site near Meteor Crater. The CTA project is an international initiative to build the next generation of ground-based gamma-ray instrumentation. The CTA will serve as an open observatory to the global astrophysics community and will provide deep insights into the non-thermal, high-energy universe. </div>
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The CTA Consortium consists of over 1000 working members representing 27 different countries including Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, England, and the United States. </div>
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A short movie about the CTA project can be viewed <a href="http://www.cta-observatory.org/?q=node/12">here</a>.</div>
Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-30534422420798141612012-06-20T15:45:00.000-07:002012-06-20T17:07:47.064-07:00Catalyst's Net-Zero Energy USFWS Visitor Center Gets Glowing Write Up in Central Valley Paper.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>JUNE 20, 2012</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/Portfolio/In_Progress/SLNWR_HQ+VC.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqR9nliRXU59rcjgQ6ypKQoj4JrYmErcEAUSPQKGrlP-GGVO_oQOXIdQ3-1VjdUvrCB9XlzB3-quTtZZETZp_XjW6FsIWcs7Q-KjqRYfwckxX-yA0a25flL7gbDJ_QS0Ow7CJtyTIDGam/s320/San_Luis_NWR_02.jpg" width="320" /></a>Catalyst's Net Zero Energy/LEED-Platinum (Seeking) Visitor Center for the San Luis NWR gets a glowing write up from the editor of the Los Banos Enterprise.</div>
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<i>"With so much natural light and cooling, as well as solar panels on the roof and thick wall insulation, not only does the building employ a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, it is a "net-zero" energy building. It uses no more energy than it creates. </i><br />
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<i>The result is a remarkable building conveying the history, wonder and beauty of the natural resources of our region"</i>.<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.losbanosenterprise.com/2012/06/15/180672/john-spevak-visitors-must-see.html">here</a> for the full article.</div>Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-43876158636331561012012-06-10T06:16:00.003-07:002012-06-16T21:08:56.743-07:00Earthship Architecture Comes of Age<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>JUNE 10, 2012</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Originally developed by NM architect Michael Reynolds, <a href="http://earthship.com/">Earthship Architecture</a> has come along way over the years. The basic premise though remains the same– recycling modern society's </span>discarded <span class="Apple-style-span">natural resources– old </span><span class="Apple-style-span">tires, soda cans, glass bottles, etc. in order to create durable, inexpensive, and beautiful architecture that is as energy saving, as it is resource efficient. </span></div>
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Earthship homes are typically designed to heat and cool themselves, passively using natural ventilation and thermal mass construction techniques to provide stable, comfortable indoor temps. Earthships are generally off-grid structures, minimizing reliance on electricity and fossil fuels.</div>
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<a href="http://earthship.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdiy8qYB_J60Da0K9n7AYMUtYO9_PoX8oa6JC71JybCB5JOkmV4k8NeCHkg4X8iMsGcZaGAOoSHJ0KdIWjt4vtl_LwPMHdDqjnOo8y-f9TYJIO756ktpwoyd1C4G5U0cApTHGdYlWwnrW/s1600/EarthshipBiotecture_v1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Earthship homes are designed around these 5 concepts:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">thermal/solar heating & cooling</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">solar & wind generated electricity</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">built with natural & recycled materials</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">on-site water harvesting & food production</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">contained sewage treatment</li>
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To learn more about Earthship Architecture, go to <a href="http://earthship.com/">http://earthship.com</a>. </div>
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Sweet dreams are made of this... </div>
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</div>Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-28969999921645895112012-06-06T11:36:00.000-07:002012-06-17T19:04:51.115-07:00Catalyst Pens Contract for Sustainable Retail Masterplan in Prescott<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: x-small;"><b>JUNE 6, 2012 </b></span></span><br />
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Catalyst Architecture has been awarded the contract for a 70,000 sq.ft. sustainable retail masterplan in Prescott Arizona, and the A&E (architecture & engineering) for Phase 1 of the development, which will include 3 new retail buildings, including a 26,000 sq.ft. organic grocery store anchor tenant.</div>
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The project is meant to highlight sustainable building and site design practices, with a 'village marketplace' character.</div>
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Construction is slated to begin later this year, with a grand opening targeted for the fall of 2013.</div>
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</div>Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-8775825479992297422012-05-29T12:04:00.000-07:002012-06-17T19:06:07.157-07:00Former Design by Catalyst Architecture Gets Second Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>MAY 29, 2012 </b></span><br />
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The new Bondon Residence will be a variation on the theme of "<a href="http://catalystarchitecture.com/APlusArticle.html" target="_blank">The House as a Leaf</a>", an unbuilt project which was first published in the magazine "Architecture +" in 2004.</div>
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The premise of the design is a central spine, from which spring the various roof shapes. Much like a ficus leaf, the roof acts as a giant water collector, with the precious liquid pouring off on the ends into pools or cisterns. The new site has already begun to influence the design, with the possible addition of a bottom floor, due to the slope of the land. </div>
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</div>Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-21463084418083294152012-05-28T12:37:00.000-07:002012-06-17T19:21:44.589-07:00Natural Daylight with Solar Tracking Skylights<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>MAY 28, 2012</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.solar-track.com/video.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjikX5sr8OY0xzDGsSXz35R_OF_f9z7gZpoNOSbh0tAW9mm9eNfZj85t2UHTfFehDJ9sIRDdKhS4p7O7VG4S4H6MoaHZY_CTA282FsLl-64AIlw2UMt1la2B19SWSf6IgxawdZuPoNTl77/s1600/Solar_Tracking_Skylights_01.jpg" /></a>This is a great natural daylighting technology that has advantages over traditional sun<br />
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tubes. The cost is nominal compared to non-solar tracking skylights, with an estimated payback period of between 3- 36 months.</div>
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Solar Tracking Skylights were the preferred natural daylight system specified for Catalyst's Copper State Nut & Bolt facility design in Prescott Valley. </div>
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Click <a href="http://www.solar-track.com/video.html">here</a> to learn more.</div>
</div>Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592879175227456001.post-23060226887259568632012-05-27T14:41:00.000-07:002012-06-17T19:22:59.752-07:00Geothermal Power to the People<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>MAY 27, 2012 </b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.ecomagination.com/geothermal-power-to-the-people" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ibhq1JNGYcdchV7ogf_LhwMGCA5Rd4mNis4TSOygQT99GqYSwc8WICu-_KqwsBEUkL9eDCsITZHbetQkX_3CoXxG8EiVfw0GLsa13HXN_T174KRyIgxjSS5n8pKIotQYGEk4xC96OldZ/s1600/Iceland_Geothermal_01.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Forget Iceland, Hot Rocks Are Everywhere.</b></div>
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<i>"This installation will showcase a renewable energy concept that can play a huge role– bigger than solar and wind– in moving the world off fossil fuels"</i>.</div>
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The concept is called EGS, which stands for engineered geothermal systems, or, according to preference, enhanced geothermal systems. Some people refer to it as “hot dry rocks,” others as “deep geothermal.”</div>
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Perhaps an even better name for it would be geothermal power for the rest of us, because it allows you to build utility-scale geothermal electricity and heat stations almost anywhere.</div>
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Learn more about utility-scale geothermal by clicking <a href="http://www.ecomagination.com/geothermal-power-to-the-people" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
</div>Matt Ackermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07248336850128645372noreply@blogger.com0