Our 2016 Year in Review!

It's Been a Banner Year for A4E! We just signed a MOU with the American Institute of Architects in Albuquerque, which strategically aligns our organizations to work together to improve the prospects of long-term sustainability for the people of New Mexico and the desert Southwest. Our first documentary, Emergence, Sky City Cultural Center (an outgrowth of our tv show, still in pilot) had it's world premier in Toronto in October. Then in November, we opened Pueblo Film Fest at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center! The film will go on to become part of the visitor experience and education programs for the children of Acoma Pueblo. We'll even be writing a companion book! Designing for multiple revenue and impact streams is just another way that we help our partners grow their programs!   Our Founder Rachel Preston Prinz was: • named a Woman of Influence by ABQ Business First magazine • invited to The White House for South by South Lawn #SXSL for her work with A4E    (one of THREE New Mexicans selected out of 20,000 world-wide nominations!) • named to the Emerging Social Sector Leaders Cohort at Santa Fe Community Foundation   And 2017 Is going to be even better! We are working on building even more exciting strategic partnerships! Consider us in your year-end giving! Check out "What's Next" below to see what's coming in 2017! ~ YOU can help make it happen! ~ Your contributions may be tax deductable. We are fiscally sponsored by the RGCDC and strategically aligned with The American Institute of Architects - Albuquerque. What's next? Education and Outreach!   A public television series about the 1000 year history of sustainable design in New Mexico As told by the people who built it. We're not just talking about history, we will also feature tips and tricks that you can use on your own home or office to reduce your bills and increase enjoyment. (Even using found and scavenged objects as part of the design!) Education modules Middle and high school teachers will be able to empower young people to learn about the intersection of architecture and culture, and also to learn more about the crafts, trades, architecture and engineering, and great design with education modules about architecture that use video from the series along with a text and graphic design syllabus designed by professional educators. Community-Enhancing Workshops The how-tos of good design, whether it be the process of restoring a building, repairing doors and windows, learning how to build a ramp for granny who's in a wheelchair now, or build a rainscreen, or a trellis for shade. We'll also offer workshops about the ins and outs of architectural projects and what services are needed when, so our communities don't go into large projects blind.   Evidenced-based Design Research We'll be asking professionals in many fields what the pressing needs are in our communities. What are the "low hanging fruits" of sustainable design that most people need and cannot afford? We'll collect data and demographics to build our programs around making the most impact with the limited resources available! Our work will be supported by foundation and community grants, as well as private donations and strategic sponsorships. WE NEED YOU!!! Donate your time with our community workshops, on the film crew, or just answering surveys so we can start building our evidence-based design database! Just let us know you are interested! I WANT TO VOLUNTEER! PROJECTS SNEAK PEEK! La Posada (AZ) Beauty Shots EMERGENCE: SKY CITY Here's the link to watch it! SNEAK PEEK! Los Poblanos History & Architecture This is what we did with almost NO MONEY using UNTRAINED VOLUNTEERS! Imagine what we could do with equipment and professional staffing! Help us make that happen! Donate Now! Advisory Board Hakim Bellamy, Co-host of NMPBS' Colores! + Community Organizer Carrie Christopher, Sustainability + Community Expert Barbara Felix, AIA, AIA-New Mexico Incoming President Ashley Hartshorn, AIA-New Mexico Incoming Associate Director Melanie Magdalena, Editor-in-Chief at Origins Scientific Research Society

We signed an MOU with AIA-Albuquerque!

We just signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with the American Institute of Architects in Albuquerque, which strategically aligns our organizations to work together to improve the prospects of long-term sustainability for the people of New Mexico and the desert Southwest!!!

A4E Founding Director Selected to Attend the First White House Festival of Ideas, Art, and Action

President Barack Obama is set to host the first South by South Lawn—a White House festival of ideas, art and action—in early October, and A4E’s Founding Director, Rachel Preston Prinz, was selected out of thousands of nominations to attend.

Rachel will be joining other movers and shakers to take on Obama’s challenge to build towards an America that is more tolerant, fair, and full of opportunities.

On October 3, South by South Lawn is:

Interactive: Panel discussions throughout the day will explore topics like how to make change stick with organizers who are having an impact, as well as a discussion with influencers who are using their platforms to bring about positive change. Interactive booths will encourage attendees to engage with and learn about new technologies and innovations. 

 
Film: The film portion features the 3rd Annual White House Student Film Festival in association with its founding partner, the American Film Institute. Students in grades K-12 submitted more than 700 short films round this year’s theme, The World I Want to Live In. The submissions are inspiring and we’re excited to share official selections and honor young filmmakers as part of this event 

 
Music: Musical performances will include well-known and emerging artists who are using their music to inspire audiences.

 

Congratulations to Rachel and all the nominees that have been selected to attend!

A4E Founding Director Rachel Preston Prinz named a Woman of Influence by ABQ Business First!

Rachel Preston Prinz is the founding director of Archinia, a preservation and architectural R&D firm. She also works with Barbara Felix Architecture + Design in Santa Fe where she does historic preservation, marketing and projects designed to increase architectural engagement. The author and TEDx speaker is dedicated to helping preserve cultures and traditions around the world through her nonprofit Architecture For EveryBody.

What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

I am the proudest of what all I have accomplished since being diagnosed with a form of macular degeneration that affects young people. When I first found out I was going blind, I became emotionally paralyzed. It took me a LONG time to figure out how to be in my new life. I was training to be an architect when I was diagnosed, finished with my internship and just about to take the exams, and the reality that I would probably never achieve that goal was painful beyond measure. After some healing time, I figured out that I could STILL do architecture, of sorts. I could use all the tips and tricks that I had learned in my career to empower communities with design and preservation knowledge so they could take their old buildings and make them work ... for the community and on their terms. It took me some time to figure out how, but in 2011, I did my first TEDx talk at TEDxABQ, and since then I have achieved more than I ever thought possible in empowering communities across New Mexico, and even the world, to thrive.

What would you say is the biggest obstacle in succeeding/getting ahead in your industry in New Mexico?

I think it's a tie between poverty and antiquated/us-and-them thinking that prevents architects, designers and preservationists from making more of a difference here. 98 percent of people in the U.S. who need architects and preservationists cannot afford them. In New Mexico, those numbers are even higher for the most part. Preservation here is not just about pretty buildings. Our towns and villages are cultural landscapes; they were put where they were so they could utilize the natural resources available to create livable communities. When erosion from ATVs, overgrazing, mismanagement of resources, mining, etc... affects the water quality of our rivers, that affects the water quality of our acequias, which can poison our food and destroys our tree cover. Our buildings don't work because they were designed for a climate that was modulated by the details of the places we created for ourselves when we knew better and didn't just plop down anything anywhere. Money and a stubborn willingness to collaborate are going to be required to tackle these huge issues and really get our communities thriving again.

What is something people may not know about your business?

Many of our projects are collaborations with experts from all over the world. Our next big project has 33 collaborators from every continent except Australia. My passion for the future of our efforts is to raise the money to complete our TV show (a public television show about the 1,000 years of sustainable design techniques used in New Mexico). Completing that will be a milestone in my career.

Click thru to the rest of the article at
http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2016/01/28/business-first-reveals-its-2016-women-of-influence.html

A4E Founding Director Rachel Preston Prinz named to 2016 Emerging Social Sector Leaders at Santa Fe Community Foundation

Founder Rachel Preston Prinz was just named to the 2016 Emerging Social Sector Leaders Cohort at Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Rachel was selected to participate alongside leaders from the Santa Fe Youth Symphony; The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum; Girls, Inc. of Santa Fe; Think New Mexico; CASA; United Way; Santa Fe Art Institute; Folk Art Alliance; Farmer's Market Institute; Santa Fe Institute; Partnership for Responsible Business; Santa Fe Botanical Garden; Santa Fe Indian School; Delicious New Mexico; and other major non-profits throughout New Mexico.

This will be an opportunity to build bridges between our programs and others.

Architectural Education Portal

This is a just a drop in the bucket of our forthcoming training material. Each title will be linked as it is uploaded.

Repairing your community

links coming soon!

Preserving your historic buildings

links coming soon!

Designing your own Home

Home Design with YOU in Mind

Sustainable Home

Working towards a Better Definition of Sustainability

Cost Effective Sustainable Features    

Minimizing Waste and Pollution

From Vision to Reality

Where You Live Now

Wish List

Setting a Vision

Idea Book

Site Diagram

Where is the Money?  How to Afford to Pay Cash for Your Home

Mortgage Financing

Tools to Facilitate Financing

Creative Funding Solutions      

Pick the Right Materials

Homeowners Bill of Rights

Tax Incentives for Green Design

Budgeting for a Contractor      

Deciding Factors

Insurance for the Non-Traditional Home

Planning a Build

Getting it Built: Managing Volunteers

Regulatory Forces –The Code

Design

The Building’s Context and Site

Land Uses       

The Best Design of All: At the Intersection of Two Ecosystems

Choosing a Building Site

Geography     

Topography and Climate

Working with Microclimates

General Site Design Criteria

Landscaping

Growing your Own: Dan’s EPIC Garden

Outdoor Living

Fire-Wise Design

Vernacular Design Principals

       North Pacific Vernacular Zone

       Rocky Mountain Vernacular Zone

       Southwest Vernacular Zone

       Great Plains / Prairie Vernacular Zone

       Lakes Vernacular Zone

       Northeast Vernacular Zone              

       Southeast Mountain Vernacular Zone

       Southeast Coastal Vernacular Zone

Designing for Thermal Comfort

Passive Solar Design

Ultra-Tight Construction

Other Ways of Staying Cool     

Other Ways of Staying Warm

Thermal Mass versus Insulation

Thermal Mass for Heating

Thermal Mass for Cooling

Earth-Coupling and Earth-Sheltering  

Natural Ventilation Strategies and Indoor Air Quality

       Using Windows for Ventilation
       Other Means of Ventilation
       Indoor Air Quality
        Humidification Matters

Thermal and Moisture Protection

Roof Thermal Performance Improvements

Framing for Thermal Performance

Thermal Bridging

Choosing Insulation

Acoustics - Sound Insulation

The Structural System

Foundations

Rubble Trench Foundations

Floor Structures

Framing

The Enclosure System

       Secrets of Great Curb Appeal

Walls

Natural versus Sustainable Materials

Insulating Versus Thermal Mass Building Materials

Strawbale vs. Cob

Glass Block and Bottle Walls

Can Walls

Other Types of Walls

Soil Factors for Rammed Earth, Adobe, Cob, and Earthbag Construction             

       Expansion and Control Joints
       Adobe
       Cob
       Rammed Earth  
       Earthbags
       Wood Block Concrete Forms

Wood and Log Construction

Timber frame

Log Buildings

Cordwood

Strawbale

Stone

Concrete

Roofing

Roof Structure

Roofing Types

Doors and Windows

Doors

Windows

Rooms, Spaces, Colors, & Textures

Create an Efficient Floorplan

Starting Small

Easy Spaces

What about All My Stuff?

Living Simply with Less

Other Interior Considerations

EntranceCourtyards   

Hallways & Hidden Hallways   

Living Room   

Dining Rooms

Great Room   

Kitchens and Baths     

Kitchens          

Bathrooms     

Bedrooms       

Second Floors and Lofts            

Storage            

Laundry Room              

Garage             

Root Cellar      

Stairs and Towers        

Standard Furniture Dimensions             

Details of Design          

Planning for the Long Game   

Universal Design          

Finishes     

Glues

Paints and stains          

Wall Coverings              

Floor Coverings            

Mechanical Systems            

Mechanical Heating and Cooling           

Mechanical Rooms      

Mechanical Heating    

Fireplaces and Stoves

Mechanical Cooling & Air Conditioning               

Electrical Systems  

Lighting            

Power              

The Art and Science of Outlets and Switching 

Appliances      

Plumbing         

Water Flow    

Water Heaters              

Waste Management  

Rainwater Harvesting and Collection   

Greywater      

Maximizing Efficiency in Water Use     

Final Notes on Mechanical Systems     

Imbuing Space with Spirit  

What is Happy, Anyway?          

Your Core Desired Feelings     

Locating “Power Spots"            

Creating Sacred Spaces             

Correct timing               

Vaastu & Feng Shui     

Vaastu              

Feng Shui        

     

Hiring an Architect or Designer        

Stages of Design    

APPENDICES            

       New Home Design Worksheet        

       Site Design Checklist            

       Suggested Reading               

     

Built for Life: Southwest TV Show

Genre:     Documentary / How-To Series Logline:  A docu-series for public television; National Geographic Explorer meets This Old House.

We will take viewers on an adventure through the Southwest to explore 1,000 years of building history within the gorgeous backdrop of our desert landscape, with an eye towards identifying means of attainable sustainability.  We'll cover Pre-Puebloan, Navajo, Puebloan, Hispanic, European, and American styles... and even modern ideas like earthships, Passiv Hauses, and hippie communes. We'll share ways we can make our architecture and landscapes work better for us now and in the future, learning from the past and working without technology.

Most programs on sustainability focus on modern glam architects and technology-dependent design, but for a millenia, humans in the Southwest used NATURAL forces and rhythms to their advantage, minimizing consumption, and staying relatively comfortable along the way. They knew how to make nature work for them, and in many cases, their solutions have proven they can outlast modern alternatives. With more than 20% of the people in New Mexico living in poverty and wondering where their next meal may come from, we want to offer viewers engaging, inspiring ways of re-connecting with this knowledge, and empower people to stay warm in winter, cool in summer, have access to safe and abundant water, and the ability to grow their own food. And we want to encourage a new generation of tourists who are concerned about sustainability to discover new reasons to visit, and connect people with several of our favorite locations and organizations that can make their experience great!

We'll turn viewers into fans by educating, and then empowering them, and by creating a space to develop a community after the show, where they can explore education components in Architectural History; Archaeology; Sustainable Design; and Southwest Cultures, and then celebrate their own successful projects by sharing with our network!

This program is imagined as a weekly show, with occasional Saturday or Sunday marathons. The show is designed to broaden scope each season, to reach a national audience by highlighting architecture and sustainability best practices from regions around the country, then around the world.

Basic episode structure:
Segment 1: Overview of one of the styles or periods (Pre-Puebloan, Puebloan, Hispanic, American, etc...) of historic architecture in New Mexico
Segment 2: How modern designers are using the techniques of the historic style
Segment 3: Shows viewers how to implement these techniques for themselves and create a space they LOVE!

Our Mission
Who We Are
Episode Guide
Still Shots of Shoot Locations
Research Opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities
Partner Film Locations
Sponsors, Friends
Advisory Core Team
Press and Media

Television Shows and Documentaries

A4E will produce engaging multi-media content that shares the best of regional design.

Our first project is Built for Life: Southwest, an engaging public television program that will look at the 1000 years of architecture history in New Mexico, as told by the builders and their ancestors.

We'd love to do regional versions of this programming throughout the United States, and eventually partner with aligned organizations around the world to produce the world's largest vernacular building library.

Classes, Tours, and Workshops

A4E's offerings will be available via workshops, on-line and in-person classes, a hands-on building institute, as well as through videos, TV shows, and documentaries.

We’ll also offer an annual series of architecture, permaculture, preservation, agriculture, and cultural tours of New Mexico, then around the US, and eventually… around the world!

Upcoming Events

                                                               Coming Soon!

Built for Life Southwest: La Posada Beauty Shots

Just a sneak peek of some of the film we got on location at La Posada in Winslow, AZ. In the full episode, we'll celebrate legendary female architect Mary Colter's La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ, alongside beautiful, sustainable architectural oasis just outside ABQ, Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm.

Built for Life Southwest: Los Poblanos History

 

In this interview, Matt Rembe, Executive Director of Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm, shares with us what motivated his family to rehabilitate these extraordinary buildings by legendary NM Architect John Gaw Meem into a historic hotel and cultural center. In the full episode, we'll celebrate this beautiful, sustainable architectural oasis just outside ABQ alongside legendary female architect Mary Colter's La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ.

Built for Life Southwest: Los Poblanos Garden Tips

When we were filming for Built for Life:Southwest at Los Poblanos, we got some great tips from Farmer Kyle about plants that are easy to grow in New Mexico. We knew that this would not make the cut for the show, but we did want to share with our viewers, so we made you a little video!!! Happy gardening! LOVE Los Poblanos!

Thank you to Djochoua Belovarski on film and Trio Los Primos for the AWESOME soundtrack!