Thinking about installing a solar energy system? It's a great choice to take advantage of the abundance of sun we get in Marin and to increase the eco-friendliness of your home or business while potentially lowering your energy costs. So where do you start? These questions can help you decide if solar is right for
AplosGroup couldn’t let the year pass without a celebratory note marking a special anniversary. 2022 is the 60th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Marin County Civic Center. This amazing building is said to be the only government complex he ever designed, and it proved to be his final major undertaking. The planning and design
In a 2017 post, I mentioned converting to LED lighting as a simple way to improve your home's "green quotient." Today, I'll take a more in-depth look at LEDs and what you need to consider when converting from incandescent or CFL to LED bulbs. Why Convert to LED? Energy Savings - LED bulbs use at least
On the bright side, they will ease... The supply chain issues that began in earnest due to the pandemic will continue into 2023. That is according to a recent article in the Harvard Business Review, "Today’s Supply-Chain Fluctuations Require Systemic Solutions," (10/24/22). They approach the problem from a global perspective and suggest ways of improving
Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials in the word. Globally, about ten billion tons of it are produced each year. Since the Romans pioneered its use more than a thousand years ago, architects and engineers have used it in everything from skyscrapers to suburban backyards. Chances are, your home uses it
Have the recent earthquakes in Northern CA given you the jitters? There is a program for California homeowners you might want to take advantage of before November 29. It’s dubbed Earthquake Brace and Bolt (EBB). According to their website, the program is offering grants toward an earthquake retrofit. Earthquake Brace and Bolt helps homeowners lessen
A version of this post ran in 2018. Roofing is one of those things you don't usually think about until it's a problem. With the rainy season on its way, now is a good time to think about whether your roof needs some attention, or even replacement If you’re looking to repair or replace your
The predictions were grave. Senate Bill 9 would ruin California. Municipalities across California expected to see an increase in SB 9-related proposals in 2022. Whole communities feared they’d see a tsunami of applications that would change the landscape of their neighborhoods forever. Why? Senate Bill 9 made significant changes to the zoning laws in California,
A version of this post first ran in 2017. I love my radiant heating. There’s nothing cozier on a chilly winter morning than a toasty warm floor greeting your cold feet. More and more, clients are asking me about radiant heat for their homes. What used to be thought of as a luxury is going
Julia Morgan, like Louise Blanchard Bethune, was a trailblazer whose life and work impacted my own. There is a new book out on her life and work, Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect. Her most iconic work is Hearst Castle. The book’s author, Victoria Kastner, is Hearst Castle’s official historian but her
