| We have all heard of the environmental three "R's" - Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle. Remodeling or rehabbing existing buildings is a prime example
of both Reducing and Reusing. Another excellent and rewarding way
to put "Reuse" and "Reduce" into practice is by incorporating pieces of
old, demolished buildings into new remodeling and construction projects.
Not only does this use of "architectural salvage" avoid the use of new
resources and the associated embodied energy, but it adds a warmth and
history to a building that new materials often lack.
Our September presenter, Brad Kittel, has been Reducing and Reusing for years through his rehabbing of old buildings and incorporation of vintage materials. He and his wife Suzanne have remodeled several houses in Austin, mostly in the French Place area, winning numerous revitalization awards and the Entrepreneur of the Year award for 1994 in the Socially Responsible Category for work in East Austin. One of their most outstanding achievements was successfully reducing crime in the 78722 Zip code by systematically buying all of the condemned houses, crackhouses and prostitution houses, evicting the activity, remodeling the houses, and making them available to first time homebuyers at affordable prices. The Kittels specialized in reducing the cost of rehab by recycling materials and using innovative techniques to reduce the costs. |
More recently Brad and his family relocated to Gonzales in order to
have more warehouse space, go into the salvaged materials business and
create an avenue for helping others find old building materials and conserving
these valuable old resources. He hates to see things go to waste
and is doing his part to recycle the past and preserve our heritage into
the future. Brad will talk to us about resources, costs and alternatives
- sharing his many years of experience with the reuse and preservation
of vintage materials.
Resources
Discovery's From the Past, Architectural Antiques, 409 St. Francis, Gonzales, TX, 888-686-2966, Brad & Suzanne Kittel, abkitt1@the-cia.net. Antique furniture, stained glass, original period light fixtures, doors, windows, flooring, trim & architectural elements. Habitat Restore, 310 Comal, 478-2168. Various salvaged used & new building materials. Check frequently for the best chance to make a "find". Doors, ceramic tile, sinks, light fixtures, etc. There are countless antique and salvage shops in Austin
and surrounding communities. Check these places out before buying new.
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| SBC Volunteer Opportunity!
We are looking for one or more volunteers to handle the folding, stamping and labeling of our monthly newsletters. This can actually be a fun social event - A chance to chat with sustainable friends while doing mindless (but valuable & appreciated) tasks. Contact Gayle at Gayle_borst@greenbuilder.com or 478-9033. Whole Life Expo - and SBC, too!
Under the umbrella of The Bioregional Congress, SBC, along with Whole Earth Builders and The Armadillo Trading Company, will have a presence at the Whole Life Expo at Palmer on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday, September 18, 19 and 20. We would like two or three volunteers for 3 or 4 hours to talk about green building, natural materials, etc., with curious people who stop at the booth. If you would like more information or want to volunteer, call Lia Austin at 288-1287. Tour of Solar/Sustainable Homes
Some of the finest examples of sustainable architecture in the state will be open to the public for the Texas Solar Energy Society's tour of homes on Sunday, November 1st. This year, TXSES is combining efforts with the City of Austin's Green Builder Program to co-sponsor the event. Sites will be open in Lufkin, Cat Springs, Fairview, Leander, Spicewood, Fredericksburg, Lubbock, Driftwood, Lake Hills, and the greater Austin area. . It will be a rare opportunity to get an inside view of exceptional quality. A Guidebook to the locations will serve as the key to your self-directed tour. You may purchase the Guidebook for $5 via the mail from the TXSES office, at one of the Austin area Home Depot stores the weekend prior to the tour, or at any of the sites on the tour as your first stop. TXSES members may receive the Guidebook free upon request. Volunteers are needed to sign up for slots on Oct. 24th to pass out information and to sell the Guidebooks at the four Austin area Home Depots, and on the tour date, Sunday, Nov. 1st, to be at a home site for the day. Call Kathryn Houser at TXSES at (512) 326-3391 or (800) 465-5049 for more information. Austin Community College
Short Semester Classes begin soon. It's not too late to sign up for fall classes! Austin Community College has a 12-week session that runs September 21 - December 13. The Building Construction Technology (BCT) Department is offering 13 classes. These classes include Blueprint Reading, Construction English/Spanish, Construction Law, The Business of General Contracting, Sustainable Building, Electrical/Plumbing, Beginning Woodworking, Furniture, Steel Construction, and Boat Building. The Welding Department is offering one class on Steel Construction. New students must submit application packets by September 18th. (The
packet only takes 30 minutes to complete so don't let it deter you!) Telephone
registration is September 9-17. For more information, contact enthusiastic
BCT Department Director, Warren Heatwole, at 223-6084.
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SBC Vote
At the September meeting we will be holding a vote on the SBC’s membership dues. The coordinators are suggesting that we create two new categories. $10 for students, $25 for regular members, and $35 for business members. The minimal additional cost for business members is aimed primarily at covering the cost of the listing of SBC businesses in the Austin Environmental Directory. Approval by a majority of members responding will initiate the new categories. If not approved, the current single category fee of $25 will remain in effect. The vote will be decided by a majority of members present. Products/Services/Great shops
In order to produce sustainable projects, we have to know where to buy sustainable products who supports sustainable principles, etc. If you know of a great product, service, or shop, we would like to post it in the newsletter. Or, if you know of a product or otherwise to avoid we want to know it too. Here are some Stores that deal in Architectural Antiques. Pam Gayler
I recently purchased some great doors from Pam. She deals in salvaged wood for flooring, beams, etc., her inventory varies so if you needs something, let her know and she will keep a lookout for it. By appt. only at 512-332-0819 Discoveries From the Past
Brad Kittel is this months speaker 888-686-2966. Definitely worth the drive to Gonzalez, there is a great selection of interior and exterior doors at great prices, as well as hardware, stain glass windows, etc. plenty of salvaged wood flooring, beams, etc. Adkins
I recently took a Saturday and drove to Houston to visit this store, and all I can say is WOW. 800-522-6547. This store is a treasure trove of architectural antiques, however, they know it and their prices reflect it. They have a fantastic selection of entry doors, stain glass, a huge supply of hardware, fireplace mantels, etc. You probably could spend an entire day looking over these goodies. Emporium
Also, in Houston, 713-528-3808. The Emporium carries doors, hardware, etc. Unfortunately they recently had a major fire and lost a lot of their doors. SBC Directory
We will be working on the SBC’s Directory for 1998 soon. So start getting your information together, and I will be contacting you soon. |