-
Recent Posts
Blog Archives
Author Archives: rnashua
Better than normal
So at a recent gathering, someone mentioned a yearning to get “back to normal”. My comment and belief is that we can get to “better than normal” remembering how clear the skies were, how we had “The Year the Earth … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Building Physicals!
My doctor wanted me to start coming in to see her every year for my “annual checkup”. She explained that this would give her a baseline as I grew older and oddities and such appeared. Would that we did that … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
From Humble to Huge
We have looked at buildings from some of the biggest buildings in the world built for rocket assembly to micro-houses that four strong men could lift. From the solo voice crying in the wilderness to a billion dollar plus portfolio … Continue reading
Posted in What to Do Diligence
Leave a comment
How much common sense must we ignore before we appear nonsensical?
There are plenty of new mistakes to make, so why keep repeating the old ones. If someone came up with an idea to build a city below sea level, on the coast how much enthusiasm could we muster to proceed? … Continue reading
Posted in Sustainability
Leave a comment
The Perfect Wall
The perfect wall would have to be incorporated into the “perfect building” since we have agreed that buildings should be looked at as a system. The best step we can take is to back up to say, “In climates where … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Buildings as Machines or Systems
We seem to be a long way from the self-repairing building that would be the analog of the human body. Many have written about the building skin as analogous to the body skin, but remember: wound the building skin, and … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Claddings Leak! Water flows downhill!
All cladding leaks! I remember Joe Lstiburek’s “Flash for Cash” presentation well. Even all glass boxes leak at the seams! If 99% of caulk holds, you have 1% holes. Claude Shannon, the father of information theory applied redundancy to transmitting … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Why does good mold go bad?
We humans have enjoyed a long and fruitful symbiotic relationship with mold organisms. They have made us sick, made us well, preserved and enhanced our foods and diets. In short: Where would we be without them? Toting around sour milk, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Caution Falling Building (parts)
Some of us remember the John Hancock Fiasco when I.M.Pei designed one beautiful all glass building in Boston, and before it was finished the windows started popping out. Theories of failure were abundant, and it turns out the problem was … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Shower Doors
I am staying in a 200 year old home on the coast of Maine. Real old timey place. One of the “modern” amenities is a beautiful old cast iron claw foot tub that has been rigged for a showers with … Continue reading
Posted in Sustainability
Leave a comment