JMA Architectural Design & Project Management

21/07/2016

Urban Design...

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29/05/2016

Symbiosis through Eco Design

One of the principles of symbiotic design is that every solution provides more than one function. What you are seeing here is:
1) a graywater recycling system
AND
2) an air cleaner
AND
3) a heat source in winter
AND
4) food production

WOW!!

To understand, let's break it down...

1) graywater includes all of the water waste in your home that is not from a toilet (ie, no human waste)...hand washing, clothes washing, brushing teeth, etc. Here that water is used to nourish plants in a greenhouse.

(more info on graywater systems: www.graywater.net (it's mostly a text website); I highly recommend any of Art Ludwig's books on graywater systems)

2) the plants also improve indoor air quality by filtering toxins out of the air, converting CO2 into oxygen, and helping to keep relative humidity constant (especially in dry winters)

My favorite book on this subject is "How to Grow Fresh Air" by B.C. Wolverton, a scientist who developed the research in this book while working with NASA to create breathable environments away from earth www.tinyurl.com/jynt6ng

3) The heat source is provided by the sun. Winter sun comes through all of the glass and warms high thermal mass inside the greenhouse space. That solar warmed mass is connected to the living space and voila...free heat, even after the sun goes down.

My favorite book describing passive solar design is The Passive Solar Energy Book by Ed Mazria www.tinyurl.com/kzkc587

4) and the food production is achieved by planting food-producing plants in your greenhouse :)

This photo is from Ecodorp - België but is probably an earthship with credit to Earthship Biotecture

17/01/2016

2016 Kitchen Design Trends...

03/09/2015

:)

Bamboo as a Building Material for Unique Design of Your House by Tose · July 20, 2015 TweetTweet Building with bamboo brings a lot of advantages in the house built with it. It is strong and resistant material, quality nature’s gift that keeps the construction safe. The bamboo roof is great choice fo…

05/07/2015

A weekend D.I.Y project using a recycled old Tractor Tyre :)

Tyre Ponds are a great little garden feature that can enhance the overall aesthetics and integrated pest management of a site. By inviting biodiversity into the site we can make the system more resilient and attractive which tyre ponds do so elegantly. Here are the steps you need to do in order to c…

20/06/2015

The Philadelphia Center for Architecture is now accepting event proposals for the 11th annual DesignPhiladelphia Festival, taking place from October 8-16.

You haven’t bookmarked any events yet. Look through the Calendar and use the ★ icon to add them to your personal schedule here.

17/06/2015

Man about House [Photo 1 to 3]
When I am not designing and project managing sites: I love to refurbish, renovate and update with DIY projects over the weekend.Replacing and fitting the new door frame. I am loving my multi purpose electric tool with quick release parts for sawing, grinding and sanding etc. Making my construction life a whole lot easier with this gift thanks to my in laws. - James

27/04/2015

LEGO Inspired Architecture:
What inspires you and sparks your inner creativity???

17/04/2015

Hi Friends,Family and Colleagues,

Please vote for the "Teens 4 Good" Program.
Under Search ---> Garden Name ---> Teens 4 Good

Please share far and wide in your respective networks. The more you vote, the more these guys can invest in this amazing youth programming. I have SEEN it and have been fortunate to have spent time at one of the urban farms, including pulling out weeds :)

Let me know if anyone gets stuck.

Many Thanks,
James Michael Allen

Thank you for your interest in The Seeds of Change Grant Program. The program officially begins on Monday, March 2, 2015, so please check back soon to enter.We look forward to receiving your submission and the opportunity to help your garden grow.

02/04/2015

We support reused and re-purposed building materials, as it helps to reduce carbon foot print, budget friendly AND most of all it is a collaborative community effort. JMA had the wonderful experience of visiting this sustainable initiative in Pittsburgh, PA. "Construction Junction promotes conservation through the reuse of building materials. Pittsburgh’s first non-profit building material reuse retailer."

Construction Junction promotes conservation through the reuse of building materials.Pittsburgh’s first non-profit building material reuse retailer.

01/04/2015

"Capturing modern architecturally engineered marvels in the city. Life through the lense recreates new perspectives. Something old becomes something new, a simple attitude of looking at these buildings and others for the very first time" ~ Extract taken from JMA's personal travel journal.

13/03/2015

Magical Fairy Gardens :)