One of our most basic human needs - and therefore a great commonality - is that we all need a place to live.  The implication of the word shelter extends far beyond the physical manifestation of “a roof over oneʼs head.”  It digs deep to our cultural and psychological roots, unearthing different meanings for different people.  An address (or lack thereof) defines us on so many levels and influences our relationship to others and the world around us. 

My blog is a housing-oriented commentary about this relationship of people with their housing choices and communities. As a freshly-graduated emerging green builder with a consulting and community development background, my interest is in blending the bricks and mortar component with the human.   I want to explore ideas and models for the creation of aesthetically-pleasing, flexible, energy-efficient and durable housing that better meets our economic, environmental, physical, cultural and psychological needs.  And I think it’s critical to place these models in the context of viable, connected and meaningful communities in urban and rural locations alike.

The blog also captures the ongoing renovations on my own century home.  On a good day the house and property is my personal creative canvas and all is possible.  On a bad day it is a devil disguised as a Charming Old House, hell bent on tormenting its own Sisyphus.

The services tab, which will continue to develop and expand over time, outlines my availability for short- and longterm management consulting and residential construction opportunities.

And so, with the glorious delight of not knowing exactly how the next year will play out, I am going to (in no particular order): write; pursue more media opportunities; work on my house; look for interesting consulting opportunities; build; flesh out a couple of business ideas; grow part of this website into a collaborative space; and just see what else emerges from the woodwork.

To these ends I look forward to connecting with many bright and engaged individuals who are working on a variety of the shelter-related puzzle pieces or are seeing innovative projects and ideas due to their innate curiosity with the world around them.  I welcome your thoughts.