Last March, AFHA achieved one it’s 2011 chapter goals by adopting a section of the Atlanta Beltline.  The initial goal was driven by a desire to engage those that truly wanted to support us but might only have a weekend here or there to spare.  We absolutely understand how busy everyone is so we were THRILLED to have AFHA volunteer Keri Cawley champion this cause.  Now that it’s been almost 1 year since our inaugural clean-up, I took a moment to ask Keri what drove her to keep this going.

Keri Cawley, Designer & AFHA Beltline Project Manager

1. Who are you, what do you do?

I am a local artist here in Atlanta who focuses mainly in sustainable artwork and sculpture. My love for creating artwork from salvaged materials began after going all “Office Space” on an old desktop of mine that was beyond repair. As I stood over my now shattered computer I realized, “I can make something of this.”

2. Why did you become involved with AFHA?

Shortly after moving to Atlanta in 2010 I started attending a number of networking events geared towards green initiatives. It was at one of these events that I was made aware of AFHA. Having studied architecture myself, I became very interested in learning more about what it is that AFHA is involved with in my new city.

3. What prompted you to coordinate the Beltline effort? Why are you drawn to this project in particular?

My attention was first drawn to the Beltline Project when I came across a flier advertising the ‘Art on the Beltline.’ That weekend I took a stroll to check out some of the artwork, and was amazed at how quickly I walked from one part of town to another by way of the Beltline. Realizing the positive impact the Beltline can have on the infrastructure of the city, I dug a little deeper to become more involved, and the rest is history.

4. What are your goals for the project this year?

It has already been enjoyable to see the progress we have made along our section. During my initial walk-through of the site I remember feeling a little overwhelmed at the amount of cleaning ahead of us. But bit by bit our efforts have paid off. Unfortunately, our section is still frequented as a dump site for some individuals.  This year I would love to get our section to the point where it is recognized as a continuation of some of the more developed sections along the Beltline. Come February we will be installing benches along our site to really begin establishing our section as a public path for pedestrians and bike riders alike.

B- I- G THANKS to Keri for her efforts to support AFHA, the Beltline and Atlanta.  Catch up with Keri on her ACBDesign Facebook page talking about her latest designs.  You can also meet the legend at our upcoming Beltline clean-ups!

AFHA Beltline Clean-ups

• February – Saturday the 25^th (Installing benches)
• March – Saturday the 24^th (Removing household trash)
• April – Saturday the 28^th (Removing branches and debris)

Learn more about the Atlanta Beltline and check out the map of our Westside section at http://beltline.org/

www.mlkday.gov

Happy new year to everyone! What better way to kick off the year than participating in the National MLK Day of Service.  This will be the 18th year that the MLK holiday has officially been focused on service and designated as a “day on, not a day off.”  AFHA is proud to have participated as a chapter the last three years and 2012 will be no different.  Join us Monday, January 16th, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm for the MLK Beltline Clean-up Effort.

If you follow us on twitter, @AFHAtlanta, and on Facebook, Architecture for Humanity – Atlanta, and I know you already do, you have been in the know regarding our adoption of a section of the Beltline.  This was a great milestone for us in 2011 and we’re fortunate to have the leadership of chapter member Keri Cawley to manage our activities.  We made so much progress in 2011 that we will not only be cleaning-up, but installing benches with our adoption partners, Center for Sustainable Communities. 

Full details are on our MLK Beltline Clean-up Effort Facebook event page.  Make sure you check it out, leave a comment and meet us Monday at the Washington Square Park tennis courts.  It’s a wonderful thing to see progress being made firsthand so it’s sure to be a great afternoon! See you there!

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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.