The Early Stages

A few years ago, I stumbled upon the pictures for a house building in Mexico. The Flickr array was mesmerizing. As I tentatively step into the flow of my own creative process, I can see my own desire to chronicle everything. It is like a baby book where you record all the firsts, the miniature ink prints of newborn feet and tuck clipped locks of hair. I have my first set of preliminary drawings. Now I get to push and pull, erase and mark up the plans. I also went to the local home show sponsored by BANCF, the builders’ association of north central Florida. I hope to build as sustainable a home as possible, but sustainable also means using local resources, talents and tradesmen. Small businesses employ local people and funnel more of the resources back into our own community than a national chain. I would prefer a kitchen counter from a shop in High Springs or doors from a company in Ocala or screen enclosures from those guys up in Lake City. I picked up business cards and pamphlets. I was given goody bags of product catalogs and glossing brochures. I unfolded my architectural plans and my idea book and asked for ideas and suggestions. I have a strong lead on my bathtub. I found a kick ass manufactured surface for the boys bathroom. I am enjoying the discovery and inquiry and treasure hunting of this process.I have a new understanding of heat and cooling systems. I REALLY understand solar energy and passive water heating. And vendors were willing to talk real prices openly. It is a sign of a buyers’ market.