Originally Posted by iherald

silly question, but what's the best way to get to the Alley behind Cavern for the safety meeting? Last time I went through the store, but that's not polite.

Originally Posted by Shiznaz

I want to get a DALI controlled house where I can set light, heat and water electronically from anywhere in the world. You can preprogram it to turn devices on and off at certain times of day or in certain situations for maximum efficiency. You can use occupancy sensors so that no energy gets wasted where its not going to be used by a person. You can set it to gauge ambient light and heat and only produce enough extra to reach a basleine level that you set. You can track exactly how much energy has gone into which socket at what time of day to find ways to save even more energy. Just watch out for when the house gains self awareness and puts you down the garburator.

If you paired that system with an efficient building envelope (lots of insulation, lots of double glazed windows, no leaks), geothermal heating with radiant dispersal, on-demand water heating (no tank), a green roof with solar panels, and efficient appliances you would be in a seriously energy efficient and easy to live in home. You can use a sh*tload of high quality recycled building materials these days as well

Originally Posted by gokiburi

i think we can also make do with living in far smaller quarters than we currently do. it takes a lot more effort but a combination of pre-fab and custom built on a small plot of land is not much more dough than something in a subdivision. quite common in japan.. but i don't think north americans will ever compromise on the living space.
rob/op, love your new ride. what is it? were you lonely at lunch or did you meet up?

Originally Posted by Shiznaz

yeah, keith thinks its rude if people don't come in the back door.

Originally Posted by somnambulant

There's an amazing house profiled in the newest issue of Dwell (which is the "Smaller is Smarter" issue) in Tokyo. Obviously they know how to do small + efficient. :)

Originally Posted by gokiburi

same issue, the couple living in a 400sq ft studio!!! if only we all were that organized..... an older issue of wallpaper had a more extensive article on custom/prefab in japan. pretty cheap (from 250K) if you can deal with the size.

Originally Posted by somnambulant

Yeah, that studio was f'ing awesome. And it's a rental too, which is even crazier I think (to do all that work in a rental unit). Dude custom designed all the kitchen storage in a CAD application based on each section's typical contents. Can you say "obsessive compulsive disorder?" :)

Originally Posted by Shiznaz

Its easier to say 'architect'

Originally Posted by TRaffic Jammer

Originally Posted by Shiznaz

are you sure it was a fixed gear? I wasn't aware those were made in that flavour...

Originally Posted by somnambulant

My real estate question: is it possible to buy property in Toronto to build a house without being a squillionaire? :P I'm assuming not, unless you happen to luck into something, know someone or buy a lot with a burned down house or something. I have dreams of a nice modern green home (possibly pre-fab), but I don't think that will ever be realized in this city unless they change their minds about laneway homes.

also: bicycles.

Originally Posted by TRaffic Jammer

Originally Posted by nerdsgirth

Who wants these? They would look great on the white iro.

http://paultan.org/archives/2006/04/...-bling-wheels/

nice safety meeting.

Originally Posted by gboy

Got a ticket for running a red light at 01:00 Saturday morning riding home from work...argh

Giving the Justice of the Peace a visit during the week... $150 argh