It’s been a long time since I’ve updated the blog on this project, but there’s plenty more coming soon!
Here’s the scoop:
Originally, this renovation was intended as a final project, or “practicum” towards achieving my Sustainable Building & Design Certificate at Yestermorrow Design / Build School in Waitsfield, VT. Aside from the valuable learning process involved, the other personal goal of mine has been to renovate a vintage Airstream that I can take with me on a long-awaited cross country move to California.
Not long after I got the green light to start, the project’s scope quickly grew with the purchase of a second Airstream trailer (allowing me to use the first one I’d bought for parts), and unfortunately, I couldn’t make the added scope and schedule work with my school advisor at the time. Yestermorrow graciously allowed me the flexibility to complete the project as my schedule permitted, but as a firm believer in Parkinson’s Law (thank you @TimFerriss for introducing me to this concept!), I felt it was important to complete my certificate sooner than later, or risk not completing it for years, or even at all.
Then I got lucky. My previous employer unexpectedly presented me with the opportunity to work for a client who had a number of green building elements that I was charged with overseeing as part of their renovation. After 8 weeks, I was able to communicate what I’d done & learned for my final project and earned my certificate. I’d like to take this opportunity to say that I’m very honored and proud to be a part of the Yestermorrow community and am very grateful for all of the people I’ve met, studied with, was inspired by, and learned from there! I still drive out to Vermont from NY & take classes every chance I get.
But back to the Airstreams! So I’m now on sabbatical and am about 75% packed for my trip to California. I’ve gone through my belongings and have donated, sold, or otherwise discarded the vast majority of “excess” personal items I’d accumulated over decades of my life. I mention this because dematerializing is an important first concept as one considers sustainability or a green lifestyle of any significance.
Now it’s time to get back to the renovation. I’ve already started, and I’ll be sharing my progress regularly moving forward. In the meantime, thanks to all of the new folks who have visited this site and for those friends and family who have been so supportive of my path. I was amazed today to look at the stats of how many people visited this webpage over the past year, and where in the world you come from:
Thank you!!!
I’m heartened to see that there are a lot of people who are interested in green building, because it’s such an important part of our lives now and for the future.
And for those of you who are interested, please feel free to check out the corresponding Little Green Airstream Twitter and Pinterest accounts, and the new Facebook page as well. More ahead!
-James B.
