Ready for Spring?

With the winter season winding down and temperatures rising, we are looking forward to another lovely summer and all the benefits that South Florida has to offer.

Indeed it is a good time to tackle that project that has been put off for a while. The market had a good start into 2014 and the hard ties of the recession are slowly becoming memories. Home prices are rising again and optimism has returned to South Florida. This trend has continued in the profile of SEA's new projects.

Temperatures are rising and the humidity is returning to South Florida, which means that we all send a blessing to our A/C. If you have not done so, think about giving your Air Conditioner a tune up and take a few hours to go around and weatherproof the house...or have a professional do it for you.

Most indoor environmental qualities, such as non toxic materials, frequent change of filters to minimize particles in the air and non toxic cleaners fall under this category. Do your research and ask your design professional to go beyond just energy and water savings and really assist in making your project as green as possible. Most sustainable benefits can be applied to any size project and will make a difference in your life, not just your wallet, regardless if the project wants to be certified or simply improve its environmental footprint.

I am also excited to continue my personal and professional growth within the field of water use and conservation. The HighWater Line project brings attention to the issue of Sea Level rise to South Florida. Look for a great event on November 13 as well as ongoing lectures and art installations around the topic that is quickly becoming most pressing for our area. The University of Miami Net-Zero Autonomous water project is fully up and running and I am blessed to be part of this cutting edge research.

ArchiTalk radio is working on a new podcast format. Check out past episodes about water preservation, residential construction and material selection on iTunes and the shows website.

SEA continues to expand into the Hospitality sector and we are delighted to bring the first Mellow Mushroom to Miami. USGBC'sGreenBuildin Philadelphia was a highlight of 2013 and trade shows remain an important part of professional growth, not just to make new connections, but also to stay on top of the latest trends.

I look forward to continuing to provide sustainable services to my clients, the industry and its professionals.

Remember to take a little time this season to do something green or learn more about green practices. Start recycling, change a light bulb, plant a fruit tree, weatherize your home or send a letter to a desicion maker ...anything helps.

      Sincerely,