Architecture is an interesting profession. You begin to notice things in your community that others overlook. You see inefficiencies that others simply accept as status-quo. The joy in our profession for me exists in the ability to design solutions, solve other people’s problems, and help them achieve their dreams. The downside is that everyone has an opinion about what you have done, what you should have done, and how they would do it better.
I sponsored the Harrisonburg Parklet Project with a strong desire to start a conversation about the importance of design in this community. In an agricultural community that was born out of people who are known for getting things done, no frills, and hard work, Architecture is often not a primary focus. This is not to say there are not beautiful design solutions in our community, but there are not many that marry both function and beauty. During the Harrisonburg Parklet Project there was a very obvious focus on beauty in some designs and function in other spaces. Those that wanted to design a beautiful space but did not invite people in became museum pieces that were hard to inhabit:
There were also those that focused on the function of the space and left the beauty to the work of the artists doing face painting.
There does not have to be a break between the two ideas. Beauty and function can coexist and should be in all projects for the betterment of the community. While the Parklets were all extremely successful and fun, I think these small installations are very much an indication of the larger community. We have accepted the idea that some buildings are just places that serve a function and have forgotten the importance of beauty, while others are focused on beauty and lack functional necessity to continue to be relevant. We as a community need and deserve more. We should all ask for a higher standard for our public and private buildings. Architecture cannot exist without function and beauty. DESIGN MATTERS.
I am very excited to see the Harrisonburg Parklet Project take shape today in Downtown. At 1pm artist, residents, students, and professors are coming downtown to take over 13 parking spaces to create their visions of green spaces the encourage unscripted social interaction, design, civic engagement, critical thinking, generosity, and play. The set up will be done by 5pm and open to the public. THIS IS GOING TO BE SO COOL!
So why do a project like this in Harrisonburg?
Green space are very important to the vitality of a community. We need spaces in an urban environment that allow us to breath. These spaces can filter rainwater, give a place to sit and read, a place to build community, and a place for conversation to happen. A healthy downtown needs small and large open spaces where gatherings can happen at various scales. Green spaces provide a refreshing contrast to the harsh shape, color, and texture of buildings alone, and stimulate the senses with their color, sound, smell, and motions. Green spaces foster a connection between community residents and the natural environment that surrounds them, thus allowing for a more livable city. This is essential in order for a community to be sustainable.
Green spaces provide habitat for a variety of birds, fish, animals, insects, and other organisms, while also providing corridors and greenways to link habitats. They prevent soil erosion and absorb rainwater, thereby improving drainage. Trees have been shown to absorb pollutants and reduce noise transfer. Green spaces and their inhabitants are a good indicator of overall ecological health of an ecosystem. This is an important measure in judging the ecological sustainability of the community.
In all walks of life, green space draws people outside and fosters social interaction. Studies have found that residents living near green common spaces have more social activities and more visitors. Green spaces promote safer neighborhoods. When residents have more vested interests in a place, their participation in the community increases and they will watch over the community to protect it. Green Spaces attract more customers for local businesses.
Green spaces are good and we need more of them in Harrisonburg. Design is a tool that can be used to design solutions that benefit the community if it is applied with a holistic vision about what downtown can become rather than just what a site can be today. I hope you will come downtown to the Parklet Project and continue the discussion about community with our artists, residents, students, and professors. If you see me, let me know what you think!
There are many potential benefits to having your ducts cleaned, there are also possible problems that could be caused by this process.
If you expect there is vermin activity in your ducts, then yes, as soon as possible have your ducts cleaned. You would be very surprised how often this is the case with ducts being a nice warm or cool place in a cold or hot crawl space or attic. It is just too attractive to small critters to pass up.
If you are concerned about dust and allergies:
You should first do a visual examination to determine if the service is needed. Do your ducts have visible mold or large build up of dust inside the duct work? Second, is anyone in your family experiencing allergy symptoms or unexplained health issues?
If you have mold present in the ducts you should first identify the cause of the mold or the cleaning will just temporarily fix the symptom but will not address the problem. The type of mold does not matter, if it is growing there is a problem. A properly performing duct system will not have moisture present and therefore will not have the right ingredients for mold growth.
If there is a build up of large amounts of dust, you should identify where is it coming from. The average duct system is not air tight and sucks dust and dirt in from the crawlspace / basement or attic in which it is installed. Again, cleaning ducts that are not tight that are inviting in dust will just result in repeated visit to address the symptom and not fix the problem. You should seal the ducts from the outside if accessible or from the inside if not accessible along with the duct cleaning.
If a family member is suffering from unexplained symptoms or allergies it is most likely due to air leakage throughout the entire home. Cleaning the ducts might temporarily alleviate these symptoms, but will not eliminate them as air leakage comes from many places around a home’s envelope. An energy audit would be a good first step to identify the sources of contaminants entering the home.
So should you get your duct cleaned – if they are sheet metal ducts, then yes if you have mold or large amounts of dust and deal with the other issues first. If they are flex duct, then only by someone who understands how to do it without destroying those very fragile elements and if you are willing to risk having to install new ducts if they are ripped or destroyed. I am not a fan of flex duct because it is so fragile but it is used in may homes due to its low-cost. If your ducts are made of duct board, then no, it is not worth your money as the duct board will never be air tight enough that cleaning them will make a difference – in my opinion. If your return air is not ducted then also don’t bother cleaning as it will never stay clean for any length of time.
If you decide to clean your ducts you should use someone who belongs to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and know that they comply with NADCA’s air duct cleaning standards. Do not allow the use of chemical biocides or treatments unless you fully understand the pros and cons. You should also check the companies references that you are considering. Verify the company holds the appropriate state licenses to do the work you are requesting. You should also know there are no proven health benefits for cleaning ducts.
Good architecture does not just happen. It is formed through conversations, discussions, debates, and most important, listening. Architects are often assumed to serve those in need of a signature work that marks a place in time and culture. The reality of it is those buildings and projects are few and far between and almost never impact our daily lives. Those project are usually the buildings that land on the covers of magazines, show up in tourist brochures, and become destinations. However, the buildings that we work, live, and play are just as important if not more so.
We don’t often think of our homes and businesses as architectural destinations, but in reality they are just that if designed appropriately. A highly functional home will make your life easier, will lower your maintenance costs, and will re-energize your body. A well designed building is one that meets your current needs, anticipates your future needs, and is adaptable to those things in life that just happen. Architecture is more than just drawing a plan and elevation and letting the builder figure out the details. Architecture is a holistic concept that touches all aspects of your home and business from energy usage, aesthetics, to space planning and function. Architecture is about having conversations, many of them, to identify the goals, needs, and functions your architectural destination needs to be successful. Architecture is a conversation that results in drawings used to build your project.
Design matters. Taking time out to develop the idea is an activity that should NOT be considered a luxury,but should be seen as a required planning tool that cannot be overlooked. In our fast paced society we look for solutions that are fast and simple. We don’t want things to be overly complicated. We simply don’t have time or energy for it.
So where does that leave design. Is it a luxury that only those with extra time and money can implement for their projects? Is it something that can be purchased in a magazine? Is it something the builder / creator can figure out as he goes along?
As a society we have allowed design to be put on the back burner . The “spec” market for housing is a booming industry with players that build the way they built last time no matter the lot conditions, the solar orientation, or the needs of the future home owner. Those purchasing these homes adapt their lives to the inefficiencies rather than having a home designed around their specific needs. Design solves these problems in the planning stage before you ever try to get dinner ready while watching the kids do their homework in the next room. Design creates healthy indoor air quality rather than homes that need to be cleaned on a weekly basis. Design creates solutions for problems you know need attention and problems you have not yet encountered. Design acknowledges the place, climate, community, and users abilities.
Our community has a “pull on your boots and get it done” kind of attitude. That attitude is why this valley was settled and survived. It was a rough area with lots of potential, dangerous, bountiful, and beautiful. The immigrants that survived in this area knew there was a need for hard work and quick solutions to life’s problems. There is nothing wrong with that heritage that has been handed down through the generations. However, we need to also infuse design into the conversation so that we can be efficient with our resources, make daily life a little easier, and continue to thrive in our valley.
On October 5th and 6th, a conversation about design in downtown will take the form of small parks, the size of parking spaces. Artists, community groups, students, and local residents will build these parking spaces into areas that promote conversation, engage community, and celebrate the act of design. These parks will be short-lived expressions of what our downtown could be in the future. Join us for the conversation, without you we will not have community, which is essential for successful design to matter.
