Sustainability: Historic Green – Passive Strategies for Heating and Cooling

Written by: Corie Baker, AIA, LEED AP, Pond and Company

The continued use and reuse of historic buildings is, at its core, a sustainable building practice – it reduces demolition waste, it reduces the use of new materials and resources, and it limits new infrastructure needs. In addition, historic buildings often utilized passive heating and cooling strategies, which are still relevant today and can help reduce the loads on modern mechanical equipment.  

About the Buckland House

RAP's Headquarters, The Buckland House,  is undergoing  some much-needed repairs as part of the Buckland House Restoration Project. One of the first considerations when looking to make alterations to a historic home is to consider how appropriate these changes are to the home and how these changes may affect its historic integrity. Do the changes work with the style of the home? Do they preserve the character-defining features that make it special?

Mimi's Place: Children's Enrichment School opens on Park Street

A house over 100 years old that used to be a home for nurses working at Riverside Hospital, is now home to an enrichment school for children. Patti Moody, the school's owner, is launching this new project with a series of summer camps for children ages 3-6. 24 years in the Early Childhood Education field, Patti has a love and dedication to this age group! This week's "Bug Camp" is the first of 8 weeks. Next week's camp is "Dinosaur Discoveries" and there are still spots left! Plus, she is taking 10% off for new campers!



Only a couple blocks from the 5 Points light, Mimi's Place is a welcomed addition to our neighborhood. Call 303-246-7675 for more information or visit mimisplacejax.com.

Sad Day For Jacksonville

Yesterday, Jacksonville lost one of its grand homes to fire. The "Bettes Plantation House", built in 1909, had been undergoing restoration over the past two years and caught fire as workers were using a torch to strip paint. We've all seen the local landmark, located in the 3700 block of Ortega Boulevard. To the neighbors, this rambling, antebellum nestled among sprawling oaks was more than just another historic home. It has been home to Easter egg hunts, Christmas parties, debutante balls and a general gathering place for the neighborhood.

No one was hurrt in fire. More than 60 firefighters fought the blaze but in the end, could only contain the fire.