TJCAIA News Blog

Green building is a popular movement in our industry which aims to change how buildings are designed and built. Green buildings are designed to reduce environmental costs, last longer, and provide health and comfort to their users.

Spray Foam Insulation

An important aspect of a green building is energy conservation. In order to build an energy efficient building, insulation should be an important aspect of the design. The performance of heating and cooling systems is dependent on the building’s ability to retain the conditioned air. When you think insulation you probably picture the pink fiberglass material. While this type of insulation is widely used, it is often inadequate. Tests have shown that even the smallest gap or perforation in standard batt insulation can dramatically reduce its effectiveness due to air infiltration.

The green building trend has brought attention to this topic and new solutions have developed. Consider alternative materials like recycled denim, newspapers, or wool. These materials take less energy to produce and don’t add to the interior air pollution like other products. In order to better seal your building consider a spray foam material. For example BioBased 501 is a soybean oil-based polyurethane foam that is sprayed and adapts to the shape of the wall cavity. It works great around pipes, wires, and other items in the wall to seal the space and prevent any air infiltration.

Smart insulation choices can make a big impact on the health, comfort and efficiency of your building.

-James Carleton, LEED AP

More information:

Types of Insulation: DIY Network
Article: Enviornmental Design+Construction Magazine
Cotton Insulation
Wool Insulation
Newspaper Insulation
BioBased Systems
Icynene Insulation System

Explore the green building section of our website.
Please Note: The products and companies listed are for reference only are not expressly recommended by Thomas J. Carleton Architecture. Please inform us if you have questions about the value of a product or company represented to assist us in providing the best information possible.

On November 2, 1800, John Adams became the first president to move into the White House. As he was writing a letter to his wife, he composed a beautiful prayer, which was later engraved upon the mantel in the state dining room: “I pray Heaven to bestow THE BEST OF BLESSINGS ON THIS HOUSE and All that shall hereafter Inhabit it, May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof.”

Exercise your freedom in our representative government, be sure to vote on November 4th, 2008.

Historic Wall Street Inn

The Pajaro Wall Street Inn, located in downtown Watsonville, CA, was built in 1911. Novin Investments took on the challenge of renovating the fire damaged, four-story mixed-use building. Thomas J. Carleton Architecture collaborated with MBA Architects (historic architecture consultants) to restore the exterior facade and the neo-classic lobby and atrium, while creating new retail spaces on the ground floor and residential rooms on upper floors. TJC has secured the building permit and construction is underway.

A number of small cities in northern California, such as Castroville and Pleasanton, have had the foresight to erect archways to mark the entrances to older retail sections of town. From time to time, the Old Town Association has promoted the concept of one or more gateways in downtown Salinas. We have volunteered a number of ideas in the past. The sketch shown here presents two metal towers supporting an arch which spans over Main Street at San Luis Street. Banners could be hung from the towers and changed for periodic events. Vegetable medallions could be added to the towers to give tribute to the valley’s agriculture industry. Like the recently painted railroad bridge on North Main Street, a new gateway would contribute to civic pride.

-TJC

Tom Carleton has lined up another group of stimulating guests for this month’s installment of the Your Town television (Channel 24) and radio (KNRY 1240AM) program from 5-6 PM on Monday, October 27th, 2008. Because this live broadcast is only one week before the national election, we will discuss local, state and national issues. Christine Kemp, an attorney at Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss will bring us up to date on Monterey County’s General Plan. Pete Andresen, a business consultant, is a write-in candidate for the 17th District of Congress. He will give his views on the Wall Street debacle. Jeff Taylor, a local businessman, is also a candidate for the 17th District of Congress. Because of Jeff’s focus on family values, he will discuss California’s Proposition 8.
You can also watch the program live on the web at ampmedia.org.

Sunset Idea House 2008

On a recent field trip, the office staff toured the 2008 Sunset Idea House at Montera, in Monterey, CA. The spacious residence fits nicely into the rustic site. The main hall, lined with impressive wood columns, leads to fold-away wall centered on a majestic oak tree and courtyard. The home displays a wide variety of new products and finishes used in innovative ways. Sustainable features include large solar array, reclaimed wood, mold-resistant framing, and reclaimed water system.

The Idea House is open for tours through December 7, 2008. More information at Sunset Magazine:
Article
Photo Tour

Travertine/Glass Tile, Corain Burled Beach Countertop.

Tilework has significantly grown as an art and craft with a wider selection of materials and patterns. In our own kitchen remodel, Costel Coernocut (831-595-0438) installed travertine squares cut into 4×6 tiles laid in a brick pattern for the backsplash. Decorative glass tiles were salvaged from another jobsite and set in a horizontal band. For the countertop, we chose a new pattern, “Burled Beach,” offered by Corian, a lightweight synthetic material. Our new kitchen floor has larger travertine tile squares. Travertine is a natural stone imported from Italy. According to Wikipedia, it is the same material used to build the Coliseum in Rome and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, so our modest kitchen is in good company.

Silver Cloud Office Building

Lease Space Available

Owner and builder, John Jessen, recently completed a new 16,000 sq. ft., 2-story office building on Silver Cloud Court in Monterey, designed by TJC. He promptly leased 70% of the building to Pro Act. Now he has 4,680 sq. ft. of prime office space still available on the lower level, with easy access and plenty of parking. For more information about this exceptional opportunity, contact Jessen Investments at 831-320-0163.

Silver Cloud Office Building: Detail

A Creative Cabinet

An interesting detail in John Jessen’s new office building can be found in the tiled restrooms. The requirements of the American Disabilities Act, which are codified in the California Building Code, state that counters must have a clearance below the sinks to allow knee room for someone in a wheelchair. The standard response is to eliminate lower cabinets and expose plumbing lines with protective wrapping. But John had a better idea. He hired carpenter Paul Jensen (831-753-7707) to build custom cabinets that slant down and away from the edge of the counters to provide the clearances and hide the plumbing, with special door latches to keep the cabinets closed.

Clean out your closets and help the residents at Sun Street Centers at the same time.

The Salinas Rotary will be accepting clean clothing items that can be worn for interviews and employment on both Tuesday, October 14th and 21st. Drop your items off at 12 noon, at the entrance of the Steinbeck Center. Rotary members will be there to take your clothes and give you a tax-deductible voucher.

For more information on the event, contact Tom Carleton at 831-915-2512. To learn more about Sun Street Centers call 831-753-5135 or visit: www.sunstreetcenters.com

Tom Carleton has lined up another group of stimulating guests for this month’s installment of the Your Town television (Channel 24) and radio (KNRY 1240AM) program from 5-6 PM on September 29th, 2008.

Tom will interview leaders of the Boy Scouts Council to discuss restoration of Camp Pico Blanco after the devastating fires in Big Sur.

You can also watch the program live on the web at ampmedia.org.