Home, The Last battleground

Submitted by Carol McKain Gregor on October 30, 2009 - 23:58.

Carol McKain Gregor
Design/Build
Gregor Productions, multi media

Richard Gregor, PE, LEED
Engineered Architecture

The Team

Whose name (s) should be listed as winner(s) if your entry is selected?:

Carol McKain Gregor

Application Questions

Summarize your proposal in 50 words or less:

The “consumer” will ultimately decide the sustainability question. This cutting edge building system deals with the connection between the consumer’s home purchasing choices and the impact on health and environment. Film, books, internet and presentations to consultants are being marketed to industry professionals and the general public to create changes.

Describe the critical need your solution addresses:

The critical need is to identify solutions. These are not in what we know but in how we think. Current building systems do not include human health and the interdependence with environment. The industry lacks core leadership that establishes ethical building practices that prioritize human health.

Explain your initiative in more depth and its stage of development. ** See full questions below box:

“The home may be the most important thing we do for the soul” according to Thomas Moore. The home may also be one of our largest stressors financially and even more by environmental contamination. One disconnect this work reconnects is damage done to the environment by the average homeowner. This applies to industry but the approach taken is that the end user, empowered by understanding connection to nature, our impact will shift, to the benefit of all.
Typically capitalism does not care, but in this systems approach, the health of the individual is included and the environment also. Simply put, time is out and the problem is philosophical not scientific. Do we demand quality over quantity? Simplify and take less? Build better, closer to city cores, remodel restore, revitalize to prepare huge population and lack of resources before it is too late. We have many simple solutions for isolated problems but Fuller knew that the problem was our thinking and the answer we seek can be found in a system that includes human health, home and its dependence on earth.
One purchase at a time.
The unique quality has been its approach to the market. If we are to save the health of ourselves and this planet, mass marketing must begin now. The consumer can change the outcome but it is the focus of this project to empower them with information for health through sustainability. One person at a time.

How does your strategy and approach respond creatively and comprehensively to key issues? **see full question below box:

This is the first comprehensive initiative that addresses the philosophical meaning behind our building choices. Recapturing design building tools used prior to the industrial revolution, a much larger system inclusive of human health and environment is possible. This system is reminiscent of Fuller’s dome yet it extends into the earth and sky creating natural patterns from which to identify the elements we need to sustain us and their relationship to our use. This is a leadership initiative.
Some alternative initiatives to inspire sustainable building practices are The USGBC’s LEED programs, the NAHB’s Greenbuilding, ASHRAE’s High Performance Building Initiative, and the Green Globes programs. These programs depend on checklists and engineering energy “models” . These initiatives lack common sense building practices. Many high scoring buildings use more energy than a traditional code compliant building and occupants fry in glass boxes. Building size, product use and site analysis from a holistic approach is non-existent creating non-intuitive buildings. These band-aid attempts to deal with such catastrophic problems is another example for the need to create new systems that include human health.

Compare and contrast your initiative. **see full question below box:

Literally, environmentally out of time, this multi-media information approach is the only real hope we have to make the massive change in behaviors we need to change the rate of global devastation and loss of individual health, one person at a time, one purchase at a time.
“Home” represents an annual US budget of 2.610 trillion per year in choices that directly impacts health of individuals and the environment.
This work challenges the existing building delivery system to expand and establish the logical, inherent connection of health, homes and environment.
There is no time in humanity’s past when we needed to unite in our thinking to survive. Critically the question is, “Are we a part of nature or dominant over her”? The answer will determine the outcome .
Years of experience in design, construction and engineering have made the principals cognizant of the problems. Research has enlightened the solution. Using historical building practices and engineering, two short films, one book outline and the first of Regional Design and Building Practices have been completed. The production of the film ‘Home” is in development and editing begun. This project has a long range vision for general market absorption and industry leadership.

Provide details regarding the team and/or partners you have assembled. **see full question below box:

The principals have decades of entrepreneurship experience in business, design, building and engineering. Developers of the first solar home in NH they also have received the NAHB award for excellence numerous times.
The additional team assembled this year includes representatives of all facets of the current building delivery process, architecture, engineering, systems analysts, constructors and financial analysts with a track record of catalyzing businesses and programs. The roots of the EnergyStar and LEED programs, Quality Modular Building Task Force, and groundbreaking active and passive solar designs begun in the 1970’s. These seasoned professionals taken from the former Building America Program’s Hickory Consortium

As a pioneer in the construction industry, Ms Gregor has designed, marketed built, financed, and created numerous profit and non profit enterprises. This is the culmination of her passion to create home, health and family personally , for individuals and now for the public, one person at a time.
The film production has vast support and has hundreds of hours of film footage “in the can” with philosophers, designers, and homebuyers detailing their desire and need for homes that will give them a balanced, simpler life.

Describe your implementation plan. **see full question below box:

Since my last year’s application, filming has continued and as this is written, we are heading to Europe to film ancient architectural geometry. The outline for the book is complete, the story board complete, editing begun, a second trailer, “Home”, completed and the first of five “How-To” regionally build books is outlined awaiting drawings.
With this Challenge award we will complete the full length film and companion book. In the future, the completion of the five regional books, lecturing and designing will occupy our time. Individuals, builders and urban planners would seek this toolset as it has the sole goal of solving our individual health and environmental needs.

What are the critical success factors that must be in place to achieve success? ** See full question below box:

Woody Alan says 85% of success is showing up and the principals do this. Because of the principals experience, the project has benefited from both successes and failures. Only the inexperienced will guarantee success, success knows better. But timing for leadership in this industry is critical for us all. This attempt is based on experience, reasonable assumptions and with the Challenge awarde, success is much more possible. After 8 years dedicated to this project, the unending support received form others, this personal calling will continue.

What range of funding is needed to bring your project to fruition. **see full question below box:

This project has been self funded. It has also had hundreds of hours donated by professional filmmakers, photographers, sound men, editors, etc. and all the participants of the footage shot so far are available to craft the roughs into a full length film.
The literary work is in outline form but ready to launch this fall. This work along with consulting, design, and engineering will continue to move the project forward. Various grants are being considered.
Individuals have suggested funding sources, but to date , the principals have provided the funds.

Images

Attribution (1):

Human health interdependence environment

Caption (1):

PentagramSystemhuman health interdependence

Attribution (2):

TV/u-tube

Caption (2):

"Room With a View" TV panel/Home ,environment focus

Attribution (3):

Full length documentary film

Caption (3):

Thomas Moore interviewed

Image 4:

Attribution (4):

Home health budget

Caption (4):

American Home

Attribution (5):

the time is up

Caption (5):

Population+Homesize+resourses

Attribution (6):

Home in balance

Caption (6):

Balanced Home

Video:

Reference 1 (required)

Please enter the name and contact information for a reference who has a thorough knowledge of your solution and is able to vouch for the integrity and credibility of your submission.

In the event your entry is advanced by the jury, your reference may be contacted.

Full Name:

Thomas Moore

Title:

Author, Prominent leader in philosophy

Mailing Address:

50 High St

City:

Peterborough

State:

Postal Code:

03458

Country:

United States of America

Daytime Phone Number:

603 924 3403

Relationship to Project:

Tom Moore has been a teacher and participant in this project for 6 years. His guidance has helped us realize the importance of home, health and well being from a philosophical perspective. He is a primary contributor to the film.Tom is known as one of the top thinkers and leaders in the United States.

Reference 2 (required)

Full Name:

Bruce Hampton AIA

Title:

Principal Elton Hampton Architects

Business (if applicable):

28 Penniman Rd

Mailing Address:

28 Penniman Rd

City:

Allston

State:

Mass.

Postal Code:

02314

Country:

United States of America

Daytime Telephone:

617 783 0674

Relationship to Project:

Bruce Hampton has helped this project stay grounded. As a practicing architect and LEED certified professional with building experience, his diverse insight into building system and practical application has challenged thinking along the way.He is designing a 60 million remodel in the south end of Boston currently and is highly qualified in historic adaptation and improvement.