False interpretations of Perry’s concept have conceived segregation of land uses, further validating the modern-day road classification system and unfortunately created an auto-centric society in today’s first ring and outward suburban communities.
The Neighborhood Unit: How Does Perry’s Concept Apply to Modern Day Planning? Read More »
At a recent seminar I attended I was introduced to the Fab-Form product called FASTBAG. This product is brilliantly simple….a textile bag you can fill with concrete and reinforcing bars to take the place of the wood formwork traditionally utilized to construct pad footings. The bags come in multiple sizes designed to replace standard pad
Quickly Construct Concrete Pad Footings with FASTBAG Read More »
It’s not a new idea, but it’s an idea whose time has come. In our urban environments, it is getting increasingly more difficult, not to mention expensive, to own a car. In cities such as New York and Boston, people have left their vehicles long ago for the advantage of public transportation. But what options
Sustainable Communities Should Consider Car Sharing Read More »
In all neighborhoods, it is important to include a variety, or mixture, of land use opportunities. Religious institutions provide many great opportunities for a neighborhood. The most obvious asset provided is the accessibility and convenience of getting to and from the use. A religious institution incorporated into the framework of a neighborhood provides the option
Incorporating Religious and Institutional Uses into Neighborhoods Read More »
One of our primary goals in writing the EVstudio blog is to answer your questions about EVstudio and your larger questions about architecture, planning, development, construction, new urbanism, real estate, Denver issues, Colorado issues, AIA issues etc. Please let us know any questions or issues that you’d like to see addressed on this website and
Landscape Urbanism sounds like a great name that really meshes together a lot of what I believe in and do as a professional. Landscape Urbanism is rapidly growing in popularity and I suspect this will continue as the CNU (Congress for the New Urbanism) is now getting involved. Not surprisingly, the “landscape urbanists” have a
Landscape Urbanism: A Critique from a CNU Cardholder and Landscape Architect Read More »
Front Porch: “an exterior appendage to a building, forming a covered approach or vestibule to a doorway.” (Definition from Dictionary.com) Front porches are often installed on homes, but many are not used. Some porches are simply appendages of a home to give the traditional appearance to a home, but virtually unusable if a homeowner had
The Front Porch and What Makes it Functional? Read More »
Typically, structures built for commercial use must conform to the International Building Code (IBC). Residential structures (single family homes, duplexes and townhomes) must conform to a similar, but separate set of standards, the International Residential Code (IRC). Prior to the 2009 I-codes, using a residential structure as business such as the hair salon pictured was
2009 Code Update: Live / Work Units Read More »
In a partnership with the Colorado chapters of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), I recently identified developed neighborhoods that may qualify for LEED-Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND). LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design with multiple rating systems including the most popular New
Potential LEED-ND Candidates in Colorado Read More »
The City of Colorado Springs includes three neo-traditional neighborhood developments (TND’s) to date: Spring Creek; Lowell; and Gold Hill Mesa. A driving factor in incorporating new urbanism in Colorado Springs was the creation of Colorado Springs’ TND zoning overlay (Part 1; Part 2), which is guided by a document of standards, policies and guidelines. The
Spring Creek – A Neo-Traditional Neighborhood in Colorado Springs Read More »
The following article on a Colorado Springs Sustainability Tour was written for the Colorado Urbanist Journal from CNU Colorado, an organization advocating new urbanism and smart growth principles in Colorado. EVstudio’s Sean O’Hara serves as the Vice Chair for CNU Colorado and EVstudio’s John Olson serves as the Treasurer.
Sustainability Bike Tour in Colorado Springs: An Article from The Colorado Urbanist Read More »
John Olson, Landscape Architect at EVstudio, will be representing the Congress for the New Urbanism Colorado Chapter at the Repowering Southern Colorado Expo and Virtual Solar Tour this Saturday (8/14). The event will be held at Colorado State University’s Pueblo campus from 9 am – 4 pm. It is sponsored by SECRES (South Eastern Colorado Renewable Energy
Repowering Southern Colorado Expo at Colorado State University Pueblo Read More »