Re: [GBlist] Re Monster Buildings, wasted space

["michael" <compostnow@telus.net>]

Title: FW: [GBlist] Re Monster Buildings, wasted space

hence the growing familiarity with the european model of cohousing communities,

there are three in vancouver now and getting much positive press,

living quarters are smaller as we are apparently yearning to model but of higher quality (because you are part of the design and building) and the people in your imediate cohousing community are part in parcel of this development, thus when you design the "workshop" and "toolshed" you can actually see how you can now share these tools within the community...it is happening!

-----Original Message-----
From: Gilbert Midonnet <gilbert.midonnet@btec.com>
To: 'greenbuilding@crest.org' <greenbuilding@crest.org>
Date: Tuesday, January 08, 2002 12:12 PM
Subject: FW: [GBlist] Re Monster Buildings, wasted space

with all due respect I don't think it is that practical. Certainly it is for rarely used tools (ex. I've rented chainsaws, floor sanders, pneumatic nail guns, etc...) but in the case of snow storms -- you need the shovel(s), sand and (since we would be sued) salt on hand. This takes space. Rakes, brooms for the others seasons, ladders for all seasons. (Branch hits your roof, leak, etc..) Oh, you need to store tar, tarpaper, flashing.

What I think would be truly useful, and would make a huge difference, would be a "salvation army" for excess building supplies, sections of sheet rock, half gallons of paint and watersealer, etc...

-- glm

-----Original Message-----
From: Brenda Norman [mailto:bnorman@ceiarchitecture.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2002 2:40 PM
To: greenbuilding@crest.org
Subject: RE: [GBlist] Re Monster Buildings, wasted space

This is where I believe we need a change in how we think.  In Europe, there
are tool 'libraries', where you borrow the tools you need when you need
them, which means you don't have to own or store them, same with bicycles
and cars.  In Canada we are just starting to see vehicle co-ops, less
expensive by far and less wasteful than everyone owning and storing their
own vehicle.  Many of our community centres have work rooms, and the
colleges have music isolation rooms where you can go and play the piano
(they supply) or any instrument of your choice in complete privacy.  The
city libraries have rooms that you can book where you can meet or study,
and these are free (as are the books, of course).
Obviously all these solutions aren't for everyone, but re-thinking what we
actually need, or what we can share so that what is 'rarely' used becomes
well used can take us a long way.

Brenda

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