The Griggs Building, Nevada City, California
I have lived and worked in Nevada County since 1970. I came to this region to build a home for Poet Gary Snyder back when I was an apprentice architect and fell in love with the area. I was one of the first Architects to establish an office in this rural county. In the early years I combined design work with building construction; focusing on custom residential design/build projects and small commercial projects. I delight in the variety of project types that have come my way. Rather than specialize in one or two building types I have preferred to take on new and interesting challenges whatever size or scale. My early training in San Francisco and Berkeley included projects throughout California. I have focused on environmentally conscious design and a strong appreciation of the natural world.
In addition to my Architectural work I donate time and energy to my community and the issues of sustainability for rural communities. I serve on the board of the North San Juan Fire Protection District and was a founding member of the Yuba Watershed Institute, a local forest advocacy group. I served as editor for the YWI journal "TREE RINGS for many years and co-editied with Liese Greensfelder the book "The Nature of This Place" published in 2010. In my spare time I build wooden kayaks and boats. Once in a while I find time to go paddling with my wife of 36 years, woodworker Holly Tornheim and friends.
I enjoy working closely with my clients to create buildings that please and fit their needs. We try to work sensitively within the context of a site, a landscape, or city block. I have experience (living off-grid for 33 years) with energy efficient/green design, sustainable design, solar power, solar heating, natural and electrical lighting, alternative building materials, and practical building systems.
Robinson Plaza, Nevada City, California
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