Transparency

Little house progress means little house blogging.  I did go with architect Joan Chan, and she will concur there is little to write about.  Beautiful day, nice ride, lovely walk in the “hood,” but that’s about it—no real progress.  I did get some news from contractor Mitch. It seems that the septic tank that the city first approved is not valid, and I will have to have a double system so that there will be no leakage through the earth.  I was glad that people are on top of things, looking after the environment, saving our planet. That is, until I heard it might cost double the original price.  I am realizing that being green means having green. And when one doesn’t have the choice, green takes on a different hue, one not as appealing.  I might just have to eliminate a few items: kitchen, indoor plumbing, lighting? They’re all so overrated. 

Transparency seems to be a topic of the financial crisis, and has become a controversial topic on Brokeback Manor, as well.  Joan loves the transparency of the glass front door and glass “slits” on either side.  I agree in theory that it’s wonderful to get glimpses of the view beyond when peering into these slits but not when I’m home.  I brought up the idea of frosted glass on the front doors which went over fairly well, but Joan wasn’t crazy about the idea of frosting the slits.  "Over [my] dead body" was the phrase I believe she used.  Why is it that architects make so many decisions from the outside.  Do they ever think about the structure as a place to inhabit?  So much of their design is based on theory rather than reality.  To make matters worse, we met a neighbor and of course he went on about the glass slits in house.  To be continued…