Web tour: Walk Score ranks location walkability

Thanks to Walk Score you can now rank a location’s walkability on a scale of zero to 100. According to the Walk Score Algorithm, the closer a location is to amenities, the higher the location’s walkability. A location with a score of 90-100 is deemed a “Walkers’ Paradise”. A score of 70-89 is “Very Walkable”. 50-69 is “Somewhat Walkable”. 25-49 is “Car Dependent”. 0-24 is "Car-Dependent (Driving Only)". The KHS address in Salem scored an 86. This didn’t surprise me, but I found myself curiously proud. As a fan of the concepts behind “smart growth” and “new urbanism”, I’m happy that my location is a model of walkability.

Walk Score enumerates six factors which contribute to a walkable neighborhood: a discernible center, compact density, mixed income and mixed use, convenient parks and public spaces, pedestrian-centric design, and nearby schools and workplaces. All make for a vibrant neighborhood with positive environmental, social, and economic impacts. I sang the praises of my condo’s interior neighborhood amidst my exterior, walkable neighborhood here.

Walkability should be a primary factor in awarding “green” status. It’s only common sense. Read more about Common Sense Green here.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

A Modern Farmhouse in Vermont

Photos (and drawings) provided by Susan and Ryan Hayes.A couple builds a smaller, affordable, “green” house

When I called Susan Hayes to talk to her about her new, affordable, “green” house in Williston, Vermont, one of the first things she said was, “We really wanted to respect the local vernacular…” She and her husband Ryan created what they call a “Modern Farmhouse”. The exterior was inspired by the farmhouse Ryan’s dairy-farming great grandparents’ owned, and “the inside is really sparse which is more of a Modern feel,” explains Susan. Their hybrid aesthetic is unusual for a “green” home.  The fact that it’s smaller is a “green” hallmark.

Smaller and greener
I found Susan and Ryan through their blog Building Green in Vermont in which they've documented their home’s “green” evolution. “We really weren’t that enlightened when we started,” admits Susan. But thanks, in part, to a lengthy local permitting process, they had time to research and educate themselves in efficient and sustainable design. Susan discovered that “size is absolutely critical.” After estimates for an initial design proved too expensive, she and Ryan realized they would need to downsize to keep the construction of their first house on budget and “green”. They scrapped plans for a 2200 sq. ft house (not including a finished, walk-out basement) for a 1568 sq. ft house (not including a finished, walk-out basement).

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Web tour: Design Observer: The architecture of snow

With snow showers reportedly en route here in New England again soon, architect Sergio Lopez-Piñeiro's essay in Design Observer about the architectural potential of snow got me thinking.  He writes, "Few architects and urban planners have considered the aesthetic, spatial or ambient qualities of the accumulation, organization and distribution of snow..."  How true.  Why not sculpt with design intent the snow covering our cities, villages, and neighborhoods?  Lopez-Piñeiro's slideshow captures the unintentional artistry of snow-plowed parking lots in Buffalo, New York. 

Imagine if we shaped the snow in our backyards, patios, or driveways to create inspired winter designs viewed from within our homes and experienced outside them.  Winter snow gardens are a largely untapped home-design opportunity.  Sounds like an idea that might appeal to the inner child within us all.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast  

Guest Butler recommends Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of acting as Guest Butler over at Head Butler where Jesse Kornbluth champions delightful books, music, movies, and the occasional product.  You may have heard Jesse on NPR; he’s an author/editor/writer obsessed with “New Stuff that’s actually exciting and Great Stuff that’s been overlooked”.  I stepped briefly into his shoes to share my take on Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, a c. 1948 movie for today, starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. Grab some popcorn and dig in.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Katie Hutchison Studio in Cape Cod & Islands HOME

photography by Eric RothIf you find yourself on Boston’s South Shore or coastal communities, pick up a copy of the Autumn 2009 issue of Cape Cod & Islands HOME.  In it you’ll discover a story I wrote about a West Tisbury home on Martha’s Vineyard, which I teamed up to design with independent collaborators.  The house is Vineyard casual plus a dash of urbane décor.

Click here to see a PDF of the article. 

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast