Sustainable Redesign

Energy Audit workshop

Built in 1925, the historic two-story brick building that we call "The Harwood" presents an exciting (and some times confounding) opportunity to translate an inefficient structure in to a model for sustainable (re)building. We have decided to open up this translation process to others in the community, as we firmly believe that every moment is a teaching moment. And these are lessons that we all need to learn.

So, on Saturday October 25th, twenty-six engineers, architects, planners and sustainability students/professionals converged on the Harwood for an all day educational Energy Audit workshop. Their goal was to examine energy usage, including electrical, heating and cooling systems, and to identify cost saving and efficiency opportunities that will decrease our overall carbon footprint. (Continue reading on our blog).

Landscape Master Plan Update

Over the past 5 months we have been hard at work developing a landscape master plan to guide future improvements to our grounds. Concerned with our role as a local, community-based institution, we are guided by a vision that embraces sustainable landscaping and design concepts; “to create an urban oasis comprised of a series of interconnected outdoor rooms, which provide opportunities for art installations, community events and outdoor education while promoting sustainability and a sense of place.”

Our landscape team is comprised of design professionals and local residents John Barney, Eileen Devereaux, Katya Crawford, and Jay Rice with additional assistance form long time Harwood collaborator Sarah Wentzel-Fischer. We thank them for their efforts in helping develop our dreams into concrete plans of action.

We invite interested parties to come review these designs and offer feedback.

Plan concepts will be on Display in the Harwood first floor hallway. Please stop by, take a look, and give us your thoughts!