The presentations I heard were particularly focused on the passage of water (liquid and gaseous) through walls, though both looked at different aspects of the problem. This was partly because one presentation took place in Colorado Springs and the other in Houston and as we know these are quite different sorts of climates—one dry and the other hot and humid.

Earthship buildings began to take shape in the 1970's. A product of environmentalism (and hippies), earthship construction demands craftsmanship and attention to detail to succeed. When LGA Studios was hired to remodel an Earthship in the Crystal Park neighborhood, Larry Gilland was excited as always to take on new challenges. Some of these were: no existing plans, leaky windows, unusual structure and owners who loved both Southwest design and the style of Lord of the Rings.

This house on Wood Avenue is almost done! Aside from finishing touches and unpacked boxes, it is ready for its close-up. These photos show off LGA's eye for potential and the owner's classy taste. When the house was bid, LGA Studios listed a number of options so that the owner could receive an itemized price list and choose what to include in this remodel.

With energy costs on the rise and tax credits available, many people have opted to use geothermal residential systems as a source of heating and cooling for their homes. But is it really worth it? Geothermal systems use the earth’s temperature to aid in the cooling or heating of a home’s heat or cooling system. To heat by use of a water or air loop buried in the ground below the frost line, the system absorbs the temperature of the ground and brings it using convection into the heating coils of a heat pump.

Last spring the Hillside House, designed by SB Architects, received a lot of press coverage when it was awarded LEED-platinum certification by the USGBC and best green house of May 2011 by Greensource magazine. LGA Studios would like to show it off to our Colorado clientele as a successful example of a hillside residence.

This LGA-designed residence responds to the local challenge of building on the side of a mountain as well as the challenge to us all of providing energy efficiency. Photovoltaic panels on the roof power the water heater—not just the home's electricity. It's also super-insulated: the practice of installing more insulation than required by code.

To finish our Parade of Homes coverage for 2011, we would like to present “The Harvard.” This parade house is in the Master Planned community Lorson Ranch. Designed by LGA Studios, “The Harvard” is a popular 2-story model. The basic plan is 3 bedroom with 2 extra bedrooms that can be added, one to the basement and one replacing the loft space. We particularly enjoy the winding staircase to the second floor.

With all the talk about global warming, do cool roofs make sense in the Rocky Mountains, given that we usually think of Colorado as more of a heating climate? Colorado contains four distinct climate zones. Among Colorado’s climate zones are areas 5B and 4B, which are along the Front Range and Eastern plains of Colorado. In these zones we experience warmer temperatures from late May through the middle of September.

Our coverage of LGA Studios' involvement with the Colorado Spring's Parade of Homes continues! Every year, the Parade of Homes is hosted by the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs and gives visitors a glimpse into the newest neighborhoods and homes introduced into the city.

Bamboo flooring has been touted as a renewable, sustainable, durable and stylish flooring alternative for several years. Although bamboo flooring can be quite a lovely addition to a home, the bamboo industry in China is highly unregulated, so the consumer must be aware of the drawbacks of this floor covering choice.

This year, LGA Studios is proud to add the “Vista Montagna” to our portfolio. From the grandfather suite with its sitting area, kitchenette and bathroom, to the children's play area under the stairs, this entry in the Colorado Springs Parade of Homes was full of lovely details.

The family at Noble Family Ranch has been busy! It may look like they are putting an addition here in the back, but if you check out the bottom photo in LGA Studio's Part 1 post on this project you'll see that there was a mud room here in the original house.

Colorado Springs Parade of Homes is just around the corner: August 5th - 21st. LGA Studios designed or consulted on a number of the homes in this year's parade, including Ron Covington Home's standard plan the “Madison.” The “Madison” model home on display is in Covington Home's neighborhood Broadmoor View. This location is a huge perk. Many of the new developments in Colorado Springs are on the edge of town, whether north, east or south. Not Broadmoor View.

Eduardo Souto De Moura won the Pritzker award this year, and President Obama's speech at the award ceremony recognized the importance of architecture in our lives and of his ambition as a younger man to be an architect himself. It is encouraging to know that this country's leader has the knowledge and awareness that we are profoundly affected by our built environment.

This week we'd like to offer up McGinty's Irish Pub, interior design by Lines and Designs. This Colorado Springs design firm has an office right next door to LGA Studios in Colorado Springs. We have been proud to collaborate with them on a number of projects, but the work in this pub is completely theirs. The custom-designed bar, gracious seating plan and mosaic tiling created a rich ambiance for this McGinty's, located in Divide, CO.

This year I was able to attend the American Institute of Architects (AIA) national convention in New Orleans. Of course part of my reason for attending was the chance to visit New Orleans for the first time—and it sure lived up to my expectations! The fond memories of shrimp remoulade and Jackson square have stayed with me.

The Collaborative Design Group, affiliates of LGA Studios, have been hard at work with their conceptual master plan for downtown Castle Rock. Check it out!

Over the last several years, downsizing has been a predominant trend in housing. This is due to a number of factors, but largely the economy and the aging of the Baby Boomer population. Is this a bad thing? Is bigger always better? LGA Studios would say no. Sometimes, small can be the best solution.

A few months ago LGA Studios wrote this blog entry about the Co-housing group in Colorado Springs. Following up with some further information, here's a great article by Todd Liming of Planning Matters and the Collaborative Design Group.

Have you heard about the Rocky Mountain Plan Company? This internet-based group was established as an extension of LGA Studios to provide pre-designed drawings. There is everything from conceptual to complete plans available to purchase, some of them previously built and others new and innovative.