Re: GBlist: Fireplaces/TV Rant

[Phil Ferraro <adapt.pei@pei.sympatico.ca>]

This is a true story...........
A cable network in British Columbia aired a burning log in a fireplace on its
channel during the holidays.
When it was taken off the air viewers complained and said they wanted "Log" back

on.
(Apparently there is a mysterious hand on the show thatr comes on srceen
occasionally to shift the logs to keep them burning brightly.).
The network finally succumbed to viewers wishes and Log returned for a special 6

hour show so that customers could tape it for themselves.
This maybe the best use of tv that I've heard of for years.  Great show,
suspense (when will Hand return?), good use of a focal point, and no toxic fumes

or lost btu's up the flue.
Who ever said we Canadians are exciting people?

Gavin Bowie wrote:

> I have a really hard time with the fact that so many people allow themselves
> to have so much of their time on earth consumed with so much useless
> *!#$#$@. I would strongly discourage any designer or architect from using TV
> as the focal point of a public space of a household. If the client requests
> a TV room, or a home theater, great! But every house should have a place of
> respite from the television. For these happier places, I agree completely
> with Bev's recommendations below.
>
> Gavin Wingate Bowie
> Project Architect/Green Building Champion
> gbowie@gga.com
> Greenwell Goetz Architects
> 2000 L St NW Suite 410
> Washington DC 20036
> T 202.777.0471 F202.682.0738
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karlene [mailto:bellstudio@mindspring.com]
> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 11:22 AM
> To: malcolm.scott@which.net; greenbuilding@crest.org; Beverly A. Weiter
> Subject: Re: GBlist: Fireplaces
>
> Sad to say, but for many families the focal point is the TV.
> Karlene
> -----Original Message-----
> >
> >Since we rarely have fireplaces here, we use many other focal points.
> >One such focal point can be either a fine painting or piece of art, such
> >as a sculpture.  Another common focal point here is a garden view or
> >waterfront view, if available. Other focal points can be a fine family
> >antique, a homeowners collection, or a water element like a fountain.
> >Primarily, the concept of focal point is something you want to highlight
> >which is used to anchor a setting or grouping of furnishings.
> >
> >As far as the most efficient fireplace, I still feel, based on my
> >research, that it would be a gas unit.
> >
> >Hope this helps.
> >
> >Beverly Weiter
> >Environs Interiors
> >
>
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> ______________________________________________________________________
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--
Phil Ferraro,Institute for Bioregional Studies
393 University Avenue, Room 126
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Canada  C1A 4N4
Phone: (902) 368-2005
Fax:     (902) 368-2520
Email: adapt.pei@pei.sympatico.ca


______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by CREST <www.crest.org>
Environmental Building News <www.ebuild.com> and Oikos <www.oikos.com>
For  instructions send  e-mail to  greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
______________________________________________________________________