James Howard Kunstler says that we need to start building spaces that are worth caring about and living in. When we put up cheap, ugly buildings, as we so often do in Edmonton, we make our communities and homes less worth respecting and cherishing. Reinforcing this idea is Susan Susanka, author of the much acclaimed book The Not So Big House, who says that “a house that favors quality of design over quantity of space satisfies people far more than…those characteristics in reverse.”

I feel grateful that we chose Peter Amerongen to build our house. He has a wonderful sense of esthetics, and he understands that for something to be cherished and taken care of in the long term, it should be beautiful. He has gone to town with the used gluelam fir beams that were reclaimed from a liquor store. His team milled them and made posts and a beam to hold up the awning over the front landing:

Looking west from the front landing

Looking northeast from the front landing – I love the detailing here

Those beautiful posts and beam are recycling in action. I’ve never had so much fun saving trees…

A lot of other progress has been made as well. The windows have been installed now:

These south-facing windows will provide 54% of the MCNZH’s annual heat

This area is the future kitchen and living room. Once the floors are covered with concrete, they will absorb this free solar energy for release later in the day

The main floor south-facing windows – those are some thick walls!

Loft, facing north

Loft, facing south

Now we just need to get a roof on this place, and we’re good to go for winter.

(cross-posted at greenedmonton.ca)