Lately, I’ve been really intrigued by Slow Design, which is a cousin of the Slow Food, traditional skills, and voluntary simplicity movements, and the Zen Buddhist concept of wabi-sabi. The published Slow Design Principles (Strauss and Fuad-Luke, see www.slowlab.net) are couched in academic language, and the case studies cited mostly involve the design of objects or artistic installations. However, the principles and practices of Slow Design are tools that are useful to sustainable designers, decorators, and artisans of all disciplines. To summarize (and loosely quote) that document’s main points:

Slow Design:

• facilitates ’slowness’ and provides a balance to the industrial-consumerist model of design.

• seeks to shift the user’s awareness and attitudes about materials, processes, time, and natural environment. Read the rest of this entry »

•Do you want a brand new home in a mature, central neighborhood?
•The chance to build your home exactly to your design?
•A home that meets green standards and is accessible for everyone?
•Do you want to build at a time when costs are down and service is good?

Belgravia Green Homes is a rare opportunity for people interested in a custom-built home on an elm-tree-lined avenue, in one of Edmonton’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Three adjacent lots in Belgravia are available for people who want to build a new home designed for low environmental impact, accessibility, integration with the community, comfort, and healthy living.  Read the rest of this entry »