Thrilled at having found the perfect polygamous marriage of design, community service, and socializing, I eagerly look forward to helping out with Architecture for Humanity's (AfH) next project. I attended the September meeting, where a list of several in-progress designs were discussed over a slice of pizza. I anticipate a great sketching and brainstorming session at next month's meeting. Read more about national AfH here.

Now, if I can be successful at connecting AfH with Habitat for Humanity (HfH), maybe "poverty houses" will be desirable for their aesthetics and function, rather than just their price tag. Having worked with HfH on primarily new construction during the summer, I know that it's cheaper and easier to run these programs where there's available land for fresh construction. Boston, being pinched for land, would only rarely offer this opportunity, let alone to HfH. However, New England is far bigger than just one town, and there are several communities whose needs require attention. Proposing a AfH design for a new HfH house would ideally save money in either construction, or upkeep. New construction methods could steer away from the short aesthetic lifespan of 2x4 construction and effectively use windows to heat and cool during the appropriate months.

Here's just one example of eco-friendly housing construction.