NY Times questions LEED

The New York Times has an interesting article challenging how USGBC hasn't followed up on the performances of many of its LEED certified buildings. Studies show that many of its older certified buildings have not provided better energy performances than buildings that were not LEED certified. Click here to read the article and let us know what you think...

Another MYD Project Off the Boards

A new project has been taken 'off the boards' for MYD studio...

The new mudroom is a space that serves as a key point of entry to this cottage home on the water in Sequim, Washington. The addition also provides enough storage for the family's utility needs, equipment, and clamdigging gear, as shown in the photo below. And recycling couldn't be more convenient, with custom casework that includes a divided waste receptacle, right outside the direct access to the existing kitchen.

We can't wait until we have the opportunity to take a trip up to Washington state and visit the fully completed space!

Please visit our project portfolio for more photos of this project.

Greenbashing -- Greenwashing's More Evil Twin | GreenerBuildings.com

Greenbashing -- Greenwashing's More Evil Twin | GreenerBuildings.com

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Basic Needs at The Ecology Center - August 27

Don't forget to register for The Ecology Center's fourth and final speaker event of the 'Basic Needs' series... It's on August 27th, and I know it will be as engaging, educational, and inspirational as the first three speaker events, marking a great first summer for this community-oriented and learning-focused organization.
If you haven't already, make sure you check it out!

Sustainable by Design

We had the pleasure of visiting this unique and self-sustaining property last weekend, and were not only impressed with the quality of design, but also with the home's careful and deliberate relationship with the natural environment and it's efficient and subtle incorporation of the most fundamental of sustainable concepts.

Natural ventilation, resulting from perfect siting and building orientation, allows for extensive glazing, while maintaining a cool and comfortable temperature inside. There is no HVAC installed downstairs and stack ventilation is a key design feature of the home's two-story design, oriented on an east-west axis, with the main living spaces on the longer south-facing elevation.

In addition, the building location on the site maximizes the value of a beautiful existing oak canopy on the west to protect the home from excessive solar heat gain, while still allowing for ample natural light, greatly reducing the need for electrical fixtures, while reinforcing a strong relationship with the natural environment.

The materials used were all locally sourced, from the extensive use of local river rock, to the reclaimed heavy timber structural members. The 14" square beams were just awe-inspiring, so we've included quite a few photos of some of the most impressive heavy timber construction that we've ever come across. From an aesthetic point of view, I love the personality and sense of history that reclaimed materials add to an environment.

Other key features of the property include a water retention system and a functioning garden that produces a wide range of organic treats, from corn and squash to asparagus and artichokes, as well as a number of delicious herbs and berries. (I'm especially partial to Melba's tomatoes, which come in all shapes and sizes and are all mouth-watering...)

Look forward to a forthcoming post that will focus on how Melba and Roy have turned their love of the outdoors and gardening into a productive outdoor space that not only feeds their friends and family (much to their delight), but also exists as a model example for how we can all start thinking about food in a new way and explore the possibilities of producing our own food, on any scale.

So, we appreciate not only this exposure to how we can live sustainably in so many ways, but we love the opportunity to learn directly from the existence of beautiful built and natural landscapes that are already sustainable by design.

Thank you Roy and Melba for sharing your fantastic home with us!

MYD's New Website

So, we've been pretty busy the last couple of weeks, working on the new MYD website...
However, we're happy to announce that our new blog is up and running; we are still in the process of developing the new site, but please stop by and check it out... and feel free to let us know what you think.
We'll still continue to maintain and update this blog, but updates will also be located here. Look forward to seeing you there!