The AFHA team is in full planning mode for the 4th Annual Birdhouse Social and we couldn’t be more excited! As we start to focus on outreach efforts to keep you informed, we decided to bring back the “Why we Love the Birdhouse Social” series started in 2010. To kick off the 2012 series, we asked Michael Goodwin, Birdhouse Social Co-Chair and AFHA Project Manager and Webmaster what he loves about birds, the Birdhouse Social and AFHA.

Why are you excited about the Birdhouse Social this year?

I am extremely excited to see all of the creativity that AFHA supporters put into their designs. We have had designers from all walks of life, from Architects to Brownie troops and each submission is creative and amazing. Each year our designers have been one upping each other and I expect to see it happening again this year.

What is your favorite thing about the Birdhouse Social?

The Energy… It’s all about the energy that can be felt radiating from the event; the liveliness of the designs that are on display, the networking and socialization of the guests showing off their work and making bids on their favorite design, the physical success that comes out of a job well done and another successful year.

What do you love about birds?

Birdsong: It is one of those things that bring me a sense of calm and inner peace. It takes me back to the times when I am in the wilderness hiking or canoeing; waking up refreshed hearing the morning songs of the birds signaling the beginning of another day of adventure.

Why did you get involved with AFHA?

Volunteering is in my blood. I participated in community service as a child through the Boy Scouts. While in college, I was a member of Circle K, the largest international collegiate community service organization around. It only made sense that after quite a bit of “pestering” from our illustrious chairman, Rick Glassman, and timing falling into place properly that I would get involved with this wonderful Not for Profit Design Firm, Architecture for Humanity. AFHA allows me to not only give back to the community in the way of design but also to give back to my profession by assisting in mentoring the next generations of design professionals so that they can learn the ropes.

Thanks Michael!

Get to know more about Michael and his business gig mgoodwinDESIGN LLC at http://www.mgoodwindesign.com/.

Posted by: Chandra, Southface Events Manager by day, AFHA Communications Chair and TEDxPeachtree Events Manager by night.

It’s official, DINE Like You Give A DAMN 2012 was a great success! We could not have pulled off such a great event in a new format without all of you and your kind words of support behind us. Thank you to all that purchased a ticket, supported us as a Humanitarian Design Partner, participated on the panel and volunteered for the event. We would not be where we are today if you didn’t “give a damn!”

Please keep an eye on our networks over the next few weeks as we profile each of our Humanitarian Design Partners and the important work they do. Interested in supporting us with your partnership? Contact us at chandra@afhatlanta.org.

Architecture for Humanity Atlanta is proud to support Southface as an outreach partner for Greenprints 2012! Details about the conference were included in our February newsletter and the website is being updated daily.  Please visit www.greenprints.org to reserve your spot and and register today!  Space is limited to 220 attendees this year and the conference will sell out!

www.greenprints.org

We have had to postpone the event until January.

We will update as more details come about.

Join Architecture for Humanity Atlanta, NOMA Atlanta, and YAF
as we present the Fundraising Lecture

An Introduction to Passive House, a program to carbon neutrality

Postponed until January Currently purchased tickets will apply.
6:30-7:00 Mingle & H’orderves
(Food Sponsors ~ Eco Custom Homes & Greening Neighborhoods)
7:00-8:00 Lecture Presentation

Southface Eco Office
241 Pine Street, Atlanta, GA 30308

$20 per Ticket

$25.00 per Ticket at the door (Cash, Check, and Credit Card will be accepted)

“A Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, etc. Energy losses are minimized. Any remaining heat demand is provided by an extremely small source. Avoidance of heat gain through shading and window orientation also helps to limit any cooling load, which is similarly minimized. An energy recovery ventilator provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply. The result is an impressive system that not only saves up to 90% of space heating costs, but also provides a uniquely terrific indoor air quality. ” ~ Quoted from www.passivehouse.us

Lecture Presenters

Builder Jeff Dinkle, LEED AP, CPHC, CPHD

Jeff Dinkle, LEED AP, CPHC, CPHD, brings over two decades of experience in sustainable construction and renovation to his board service at the National Passive House Alliance. Founder and owner of Eco Custom Homes and its parent company ICON Development Corporation, Jeff has become a recognized leader in Atlanta’s green building scene. He holds degrees in economics and sociology from Emory University, has trained in Earthcraft principles at Southface, and serves on the board of the Green Building Council (part of The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association). Through Eco Custom Homes, he builds and renovates very efficient high-performance structures that embrace comfortable and healthy living.  He currently is the only person in the SouthEast Certified as a Passive House Consultant both in the US and Internationally.

Architect David Bitter, AIA, LEED AP

Originally from Ohio, David has been a resident of Georgia since his 240Z broke down in Atlanta in 1985. He brought with him degrees in Civil Technology from the University of Toledo and Architecture from the University of Cincinnati along with seven years of college teaching experience in Architectural Technology.

As a practicing architect, he has worked on projects of all types and sizes; from 14th Street Playhouse, to Underground Atlanta, the LEED silver DeKalb Juvenile Justice Center to the $5.5 billion Dulles MetroRail Project (to name a few).

David is an active member of a number of professional associations including the American Solar Energy Society, the Living Building Community and the Passive House Alliance. He recently received certification in Permaculture Design and Helped build a straw bale cottage in Tennessee. As a skilled photographer he has covered teh Adopt A Grandparent Program’s main events for the last 20 years.

David is looking forward to the opportunity to design and build a sustainable “ecovillage” using the principles, practice, and methods associated with permaculture and pasive house design. He is hoping that he will then be able to relax and reacquaint himself with his somewhat neglected Flamenco guitar.

Architect Michael Fletcher, AIA, LEEP AP

Michael Fletcher is a registered architect with more than 24 years of experience in the design and construction industry, and has experience in a wide range of projects.  His design approach is based in the belief that the same Principals of Ecology that govern the delicate balance in the natural world are essential to our social communities, and that architecture should engage with and adapt to both society and nature, forming a dynamic built environment interdependent with its surroundings.

In 2006, Michael founded the architectural design firm, Ecologics Design, LLC out of the desire to improve both our social and ecological communities through the built environment.  He continues to practice this philosophy by pursuing projects that promote positive social and environmental change through architecture, primarily in the fields of education, community outreach and affordable housing.  Recent work includes LEEDing Edge (Atlanta’s first LEED Platinum-Certified Home), the Eco-Playhouse for Home-Aid Atlanta, and shipping-container house designs for Alternative Sustainable Housing Options in Atlanta.

Michael has established a strong commitment to community and the environment as an active Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional and member of the American Institute of Architects. Mike has also taught several classes on green building design and construction, and believes that research and education are critical to social and environmental responsibility in today’s business practices.

Energy Expert Bruce Kitchell

BSEE from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

I have spent a large part of my professional career as a Control Engineer blending control system technology with computer engineering and technical support of computer systems.    An opportunity to start a business with my relatives in Slovakia building wooden homes shifted my professional interests to the arena of Building Science.

At WHC, s.r.o we were building low energy wooden homes.  But I wanted to do more – comfort and energy conservation was my focus.  I learned about the Passive Haus movement in Germany and wanted to bring its benefits to Slovakia and to the US.

I have trained at the Passive House Institute in Urbana, IL and also at the PHI in Darmstadt, Germany.  In order to learn more about the construction industry in the US, I have trained at Southface in Atlanta, GA

I am a certified HERS rater, BPI analyst and Energy Star V3 rater.   Currently I am working on my Earthcraft Technical Advisor certification.  I am involved in the Energy Star V3 field certification of about one hundred new homes each month in the Atlanta Metro area.

My goal is to incorporate current green building practices in the US with the Passive House principles to create a healthy living environment that uses dramatically less energy for the population of the Southeastern US.

THANK YOU to everyone for coming out to the 3rd annual Birdhouse Social! It was a fantastic day filled with great people and beautiful birdhouses.  We are humbled by the show of support from our sponsors, birdhouse builders and awesome volunteers.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Learn more about The Oasis Project: http://atlanta.architectureforhumanity.org/projects/oasisatl

We asked our supporters what they love most about birds and the Birdhouse Social.  Last week, we heard from Amy Blanco, AFHA Secretary and Birdhouse Social Co-Chair.  In part two of this series, we hear from Andrew Telker, LEED AP, of Telker Design.  He is one of our Atlanta chapter founders and a current Board member.  Here’s what Andrew had to say.

What do you love about birds?

The Sounds of Enthusiasm: Well, I used to do construction, and I would wake up early in the morning, and as the sun rose, one bird would chirp and make the announcement that morning had arrived, and then a chorus of chirps would erupt to welcome the day.  I loved that early enthusiasm, and delightful sounds.  On most days, I would sit outside to start my day, and try to match Birds calls with my whistle.  It just seemed like the birds had so much to say!

Why are you excited about the Birdhouse Social this year?

Its the BIGGEST event that AFHA hosts all year, and the coolest gathering of designers, activists, and professionals in Atlanta.  Watching the AFHA organization grow each year is very exciting to me, and events like Birdhouse Social allow us to reach out and get the community involved.  Plus, BirdHouse Social is one heck of a party too; dancers, the flutist and DJ Little Jen.

What is your favorite thing about the Birdhouse Social?

Creativity, I love seeing creative solutions to ideas!  Each designer / birdhouse builder has a different way of solving the challenge, and I find it inspiring to see multiple concepts and unique birdhouse entries.   It reminds me of being in Architecture School and seeing a hundred different concepts for each design challenge.  I am always awed by the things people think of!

Why do you support AFHA?

Because we are the NOW generation!  It is our time to do what we believe and work toward the goals we want to see accomplished.  Seeing the positive change take place in the community through continued volunteer effort is extremely rewarding, and AFHA embraces community activism and promotes positive social change with fundraising for volunteer projects for the local & global community.

I am excited about the projects we have completed as an organization, and even more excited about the things we are yet to accomplish.   Join in the AFHA fun, it is volunteers like yourself, that make positive change a reality.

“I look forward to seeing everyone at the #BirdhouseSocial!”

Thanks Andrew!

What’s Andrew up to when he isn’t busy burning the midnight oil at Telker Design visual studio in Roswell? Volunteering of course! He’s our biggest fan, a build volunteer for MADHousers and protects our waters as a Water Quality Chemical Monitor for the Adopt-a-stream program.  If you can catch him, shake his hand and chat for a while.  You’ll be glad you did.

Make sure you join us this Saturday, August 20th, 4 to 8 pm in the Studioplex Courtyard.  Proceeds from the silent auction of all birdhouses will support The Oasis Project.  Our continued effort to build and install shelter where it is needed most along the MARTA bus route.