Comments on: Buildings Aren’t Permanent

By: Chandler von Schrader

Chandler von Schrader — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 03:51:43 +0000

I think of Mike often, his
I think of Mike often, his influence was large in my life. Not so much with our industry – although he surely was a rain maker, but more as buddy to share IPAs, oysters and hiking trips. I could tell you stories of his tomfoolery that would make you want to jump in with a like story. When you were with Mike you were in for something memorable – either sharing a presentation on HPwES or nearly dying while hiking the Grand Canyon! I’m now an avid backcountry hiker – something that really took off with Mike. Whenever my boots hit the trail I always have warm thought of Mike – shit, I miss him big.
Thanks to Peter for starting this thread…

By: Andrew Lane

Andrew Lane — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:51:24 +0000

What a Great Article! I didn
What a Great Article! I didn’t know Mike I don’t think, but I would bet he would be a huge fan of post consumer styrofoam ICF blocks to make houses and light commercial last for centuries with little to no upkeep...come what May! All while decreasing HVAC utility bills by 90% or so! Hopefully we can get a plant going here in Atlanta ASAP and then spread it to every medium size city in the South, East Coast, World! Solving more than just affordable housing but what to to do with the insidious single use styrofoam!

By: Rick Evans

Rick Evans — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 00:41:47 +0000

I think about this often. I
I think about this often. I know that one day my brand new house will no longer be. It’s sad but inevetable.

What if stick built homes were assembled with screws and gaskets rather than nails, staples, and glue? Structural screws are much stronger (even at shear) than nails. And perhaps it would allow homes to be ‘disassembled’ rather than ‘torn’ down?

Just a thought…

By: Monica Rokicki

Monica Rokicki — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 16:22:59 +0000

Beautiful tribute to Mike.
Beautiful tribute to Mike. Through – in retrospect, miraculous – luck I was privileged to have known him in the last year of his life. He was generous, kind, and wickedly smart, and a master of strategy. I’ll never forget him opening the first day of the Symposium with a patch on his eye. And the astonishingly delicious beer, yet another of Mike’s passions, shared with abandon, while he focused like a laser with all of those convened to help us scale this [expletive deleted] paradox of a problem: Making and keeping buildings that celebrate the spirit of who we – humans and the earth together – can become. Mike was and continues to be a bright North Star for the work we do. Shine on, Mike! Shine forever!

By: Heather Rae, INHC

Heather Rae, INHC — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 13:30:40 +0000

Thank you for a lovely
Thank you for a lovely tribute for a lovely man, and a reminder to put life's issues into context. Mike had a large, joyful spirit that lives on.

By: David Eakin

David Eakin — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 23:38:32 +0000

The loss of Mike will be felt
The loss of Mike will be felt for some time; hope many he inspired will attempt to fill his professional shoes. I think he would really like that.
As per houses, they are ALL designed with a limited lifetime too – usually 50 years (even less for major pieces like roofs, kitchens, baths) despite what the National Board of Realtors says. Adding to that 99%+ are only built to the local building codes at that time and it really begs the question – why not plan for complete replacement at designed end-of-life?

By: John Mattson

John Mattson — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 23:33:15 +0000

Recently saw an article about
Recently saw an article about disposable buildings and how our tax system does not actually cover the true costs to cities over the true life of the building. They estimate that taxes, including corporate, would have to increase by about 500% to cover long term replacement and repair of roads, sewers, utilities etc etc etc. In addition, many buildings are built with only a 15 year life expectancy. Now THAT's waste.

By: abailes

abailes — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 21:02:53 +0000

In reply to Bethany Profaizer. You're welcome, Bethany. I

You're welcome, Bethany. I had originally planned to do a tribute article shortly after he died, but time got away from me. I hadn't forgotten about doing that, though, and when I saw recently that the one-year anniversary of his death was coming up, I figured that would be a great time to write the piece.

Mike may be gone but he's far from forgotten. His mission and his passion live on through all of us still doing the work.

By: Bethany Profaizer

Bethany Profaizer — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 20:45:59 +0000

Thank you for these words and
Thank you for these words and memories Allison. It feels unbelievable that he has already been gone for a year. This is a great reminder of the impermanence of today and how important it is that we do good with the time we have. To Mike: we miss you very much, friend.

By: abailes

abailes — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 20:13:51 +0000

In reply to Alex Williams. Thanks, Alex. Yes, Mike

Thanks, Alex. Yes, Mike certainly lived life to the fullest, even if that meant a late-night emergency room visit because of some over-enthusiastic dancing. ;~)