Here is a set of photos taken a month or so ago, documenting my project site at 4500 Leetsdale Dr. It looks like a frozen wasteland. I'm going to be adding more early documentation soon. Also, I've been working on a series of zone maps and site sketches. Those will all get posted eventually here.
Also of interest is the new website. digitalgardenleetsdale.com is live.
Here is a proposal specifically geared towards the sustainability council for funding the structures and workshops. It's looking good for the landowners. I think we have a go on the property making 4500 Leetsdale the final home of the project, until it sells (that's another story). Also, I've received the first quotes from the general contractor (See right). It's a little scary. I may have to reduce the load to one building. However, I'm excited with the way things are going. Now I just need to find the monies.
I'm also looking to finalize the crickets circuit this week. I'll post on that when I get the schematic. Also, I think all of the project enclosures for the crickets and sensor stations will be made with the the Makerbot Cupcake Machine that Chris Coleman purchased for the department. I'm looking forward to playing with that.
This week is going to busy, I have a meetings with a solar materials provider and faculty from the electrical engineering department. Hoping to get the power situation straightened out very soon.
Finally, I have garden planning meetings scheduled next week to start thinking about the non-structure part of the space. Looking forward to putting up some sketches on the layout and permaculture/community garden hybridization.
I've put together a proposal packet that has been given to Kinda Collective's property owners for their consideration. This is my first attempt at anything resembling a reproducible plan. I've got some positive feeback, and it's looking like it might come together for the project, spacewise at least. These plans will go through some desk revisions and then hopefully off to the general contractor early this week for a quote. Now for the money. I have a long way to go. Check out these early plans for the structure.
I've been working on planning out the strawbale structure I am going to propose to the landlord of Kinda Collective. This was my first attempt at using Google Sketchup. Also, my first real go at 3-d. I must say it was a lot more challenging that I had anticipated. I've decided to go with two buildings around 15 square feet each. This will keep the structures believable as utility buildings, which they are. The shaded area in between is what will become a common area, hopefully with cook surface and computers. The side with the big windows will face south to capitalize on passive heat gain, while the little window in the back will allow a bit more sunshine into the room. The circle underneath represents some sort of paver. Here are some renders from my first attempt.
The new site is growing closer to completion. I'm excited to convert my site to Drupal. I've also enjoyed playing around with some minimal themes. Settled on this for the moment. Should be fully operational very soon.
