Solar energy is a natural source of energy that comes directly from the sun. When solar energy hits the earth it spreads over the earth’s surface and provides warmth evenly. If you could capture the sun’s rays into a particular area for a long period of time it would provide enough warmth for nighttime or on cloudy days. Learning where to find solar energy can help you to get started today. Solar energy does not cost anything because it comes from the sun. The source that you choose may cost some but in the long run it should be your only expense, unlike gas or oil heaters that you continue to pay for monthly in order to have power or gas heat in your home. Solar power can provide heating, cooling and ventilation.

If you want to make your own solar power to capture the energy for heating its easy to do if you can find a solar collector, which is anything that attracts the heat from the sun in a concentrated amount, such as glass or clear plastic. Getting into your car that has sat out in the hot sun all day long can be extremely hot and you have to roll down your windows to cool it off inside. That is because the glass has attracted the sun and the objects in your car, including your seats, have trapped the heat not allowing it to escape. When you roll your windows down you are allowing the heat to escape causing your car to cool down. The same thing is true about greenhouses. The glass or clear plastic can attract the sun and not allow it to escape causing the greenhouse to maintain the heat for the plants to grow effectively.

In order to heat your home using solar energy, you need to know the information on a passive and an active home. These two types of solar homes offer the homeowner options to choose from and your cost of heating may be down. Solar energy does not only heat your home but it also heats your water and if you use solar energy lights it can light your home at night.

Passive homes do not use any equipment to heat the home. Passive homes use windows that are made to allow the maximum amount of sunlight into your home. The sunlight is controlled by keeping the doors closed in the hottest part of the day not allowing any heat to escape. At night thick curtains may be used on these windows so that the warmth stays inside during the night. This allows the sun to naturally heat your home without any help.

Active homes do use equipment to help circulate the heat in the home. Some of the equipment that may be used includes pumps, blowers and an alternative heating source in case the sunlight was not enough during the daytime. In order to heat the home with sunlight these homes use special boxes on the outside that attract the sunrays to it. They are made from a dark colored metal to help attract the sun more. The water or air that is carried in the pipes and ductwork is heated by this glass box that has captured the sunlight. Then the heated water or air is then carried to the rest of the home.

In the long run, solar energy helps to heat the home naturally and without depending on a company to supply it for you. Solar energy can be found anywhere the sun is.

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Are you desperate to reduce your electricity bills by 70-80%? Don’t get scared away. With the help of a home solar power system it is fairly possible. Not only can you fulfill your energy requirement but also make some money from it. If you will stick with us for next few minutes we will enlighten you on the ways you can do it.

Requirement in energy is increasing exponentially with the growth of the population. It is quite possible that our 4th or 5th generations will read this in their history books, “Long ago humans also used fossil fuels to fulfill their energy requirements”. I know it may sound odd but with an increase in demand of energy, one cannot disagree with this statement.

So, what are the alternate sources to fulfill our day to day energy demand ? How about installing a home solar power system in your house. It is not only going to provide electricity in your home but also rescues our planet from getting polluted. A home solar power system is indeed the solution for our various problems regarding energy.

First of all it is very easy to install your own home solar system. You can save thousands of dollars by doing it yourself. There are some very helpful ‘do it yourself’ kits available on the market. Not only will they tell you how to set it up but also what parts you are going to need and how easily to get them.

Secondly, by setting up a home solar power system in your house, you are helping your nation to save energy. We are all aware of how many billions of dollars are being expended in the name of energy. In fact you are not only doing a favor to your nation but also this planet. More than 60% of energy generated is obtained from fossil fuels. They are not only responsible for political unsteadiness on a global level but also for global warming.

With the help of a home solar power system you can not only complete your energy requirement but also can earn some money. Yes, it is doable. You just have to pay out some money to install a new home solar power system which I think you can easily arrange from your savings on your electricity bill. You could even make a system and sell it for profit. You can also try to sell electricity to your nearest power grid, but for that you need many solar systems. It totally depends on you and what method you are going to choose to make money.

One of the other great benefits of a home solar power system is its low maintenance fees. Only the battery needs to be changed after a fixed period of time. Many states provide different kind of financial stimuli to provoke the use of renewable power supplies. It would be wise to explore this to get the most benefit from your home solar power system.

Happy energy saving.

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First, this article presumes the readers’ understanding of the necessity for inter-disciplinary designers to be familiar with classical architecture. This article is intended to provide a general overview of the subject. Images are provided to supplement this text, and whenever possible, sources are credited.

History

Classical architecture is not so much a style as it is an approach to building in a trabeated (post-and-beam) manner. It originated in Greece, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Rome, and other areas of Greek and Roman conquest, and is widely accepted as the first Western building tradition. James Stevens Curl states that to be classical, something conforms in style, composition, or both to the rules or models of Greek and Roman antiquity. [1]

Classical architecture, like most architectural languages, began with the primitive hut, which, through refinement and ingenuity, eventually developed into post-and-beam construction. [2] Many centuries later, the refinements developed into the classical language, providing us with what we now understand to be Orders.

One of the characteristics of classical architecture, which you will find time and again upon closer inspection, is the tri-partition of the language at all scales; bottom, middle, top; beginning, middle, end (which is a logical progression when telling a story or explaining how to do something). Each Order consists of a pedestal, a column, and an entablature. In turn, pedestals consist of a plinth at the bottom, a dado or die in the middle, and a cornice at the top. A column has a base, a shaft, and a capital. The entablature has an architrave, a frieze, and a cornice. These can, in most cases, be reduced even further into three parts.

There are five canonical Orders, or primary expressions of classical architecture, most easily identifiable by their associated columns. These are the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite (in order of sophistication). From ancient Greece we have received the Greek Doric, the Greek Ionic, and the Corinthian Orders. From Rome, the Tuscan, Roman Doric, Roman Ionic, and Composite Orders were born. There are many versions of the Orders provided by well-versed architects throughout history, the most significant architect being Vitruvius, whose De Architectura, also known as the Ten Books on Architecture, is the only surviving text delineating the Orders from antiquity (ancient Rome; he dedicated his tome to Caesar Augustus). Alberti was the first to canonize the Composite Order in 1452, Serlio was the first to canonize all five Orders in 1537, Vignola followed in 1562, Palladio in 1570, Scamozzi (who canonized a ‘new’ version of the Ionic Order) in 1615, and Perrault in 1676. [3]

Proportion

One of the most important ideals of classical architecture is that the part relates to the whole, at all scales, and in very particular ways. The most common relationship is between constituent parts and the module of one-half the diameter at the lower third of the column shaft. The proportions used to generate the orders are derived from relationships found commonly in the human body and elsewhere in nature, such as the spiral of a Nautilus shell and the proportions that leaves diminish on a fern bush stem. These relationships are latent, but are easily visible upon closer study.

The relationships delineated by the Orders are merely guidelines for the designer, offering base information from which individual design can begin. There are guidelines for most architectural elements, from brackets and scrolls, to roof shapes and pitches, to superimposed (stacked) Orders. The point-of-departure that the Canon provides is evident in the variety of Orders found from one classical building to another, with pure canonical Orders very rarely built.

There are four primary relationships that columns have with walls. The first is freestanding, where the column is completely separate from the wall. As the column engages the wall, the three-quarter column (sometimes 5/8) is the first level of amalgamation, then the half-column, followed by the pilaster, which is an engaged pier that usually projects from one-quarter to one-sixth its width.

Profiles

Profiles are the smallest units of classical architecture. Profiles are combined to produce every element, no matter how large or small. The variations on the complex profiles are endless, and with variations in scale, an infinite number of light and shadow sequences can be created.

One of the largest profiles is the entasis of columns, which is the name for the taper of the column shaft as it rises toward the capital. There are several methods for drawing the entasis of columns, each of which is valid, and the particular use of which depends on the context and circumstances of the project, client, and designer.

Other profiles can be segregated into two categories, simple and complex. Simple profiles are singular geometric shapes in section, and include the bead, torus, fillet, fascia, cavetto, and ovolo. The complex profiles are generated by the use of more than one curve in series, and include the cyma recta, cyma reversa, thumb mold, beak mold, and scotia. The Industrial Revolution made the profiles accessible to everyone, from builders to furniture makers, who were (and still are) able to select profiles from a catalog rendered in their materials of choice. These pre-fabricated profiles were then (and still are) assembled according to guidelines provided by precedent and Canon to produce meaningful classical architecture.

Ornament

One of the aspects common in almost all types of traditional building, regardless of the language, is ornament. Ornament is the adornment of the building, much as man has naturally adorned himself throughout history with jewelry and paint.

There are virtually endless kinds of ornament that can be classified as classical. Nature is the chief inspiration for classical ornamentation, ranging from the smallest leaf to the largest animal. The human figure has also been an ornament generator, as have geometric patterns. Some ornaments have traditionally become associated with particular profiles, such as the egg-and-dart with the ovolo, the leaf-and-dart with the cyma reversa, and the bead-and-reel with the bead profile.

The Acanthus plant has a long-standing tradition as a primary element of classical ornament. The Corinthian and Composite capitals have abstracted Acanthus leaves as primary elements, to show the depth to which the Acanthus has been integrated. Just as most ornamentation has traditional associations, the symbolism and meaning associated with the Acanthus is that of enduring life, and the plant is traditionally displayed at funerary celebrations. The Acanthus plant from the Mediterranean is more-or-less a hardy weed, much like Kudzu is in the eastern United States.

Conclusion

All of the content in this article is just the dust on the tip of the iceberg that is classical architecture. Developing an understanding of the classical language of architecture is no easy task. Even when an understanding is attained, only the first step has been taken, because like many other complex ideas and systems, a mere understanding facilitates more complex questions, which can lead to issues and questions of morality and deeper philosophies.

Additional Reading

Introductory

The American Vignola: A Guide to the Making of Classical Architecture- Ware
Classical Architecture- Adam,and Brentnall (Illustrator)
The Classical Language of Architecture- Summerson

Intermediate

The Classical Orders of Architecture- Chitham
The Architecture of the Classical Interior- Semes
Learning from Palladio- Mitrovic

Advanced

The Elements of Classical Architecture- Gromort and Reed
The Ten Books on Architecture- Vitruvius
Classical Architecture: The Poetics of Order- Tzonis

[1] from James Stevens Curl’s Classical Architecture

[2] Although classical architecture is primarily trabeated, arcuated (arched) elements have been incorporated into the classical language in many ways, usually as a secondary expression.

[3] Alberti prescribed uses for each of the Orders: Tuscan for forts and prisons, Doric for churches dedicated to extroverted saints, Ionic for churches dedicated to matronly saints and buildings for higher learning, Corinthian for churches dedicated to virgins (such as Mary), and the Composite had no particular association, but represented opulence and luxury.

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Windows of course go a long way when it comes to lighting a room, but when your limited to natural light you can brighten up a room in many other ways. Wall color and accent colors can add to the illusion of lighter, brighter space, and well-organized lamps can increase the brightness factor in any room.

Helping Mother Nature

Start with natural light. Make sure that your windows are clean and dress them with fabrics that do not obstruct the light. Light-colored fabrics work well. Hanging a mirror on the wall opposite the window helps to enhance natural light, which is already in the room.

To illuminate the whole room, track lighting and recessed lighting are reasonable options. Track lighting can light the whole space, or be directed at specific areas in the room, while the recessed lighting installs flush to the ceiling, providing a smooth layer of light throughout the room. Select the most natural glow – use soft, white incandescent bulbs in your fixtures.

One effective way to illuminate a room is to thin or dramatically bounce the light from the ceiling. You can use wall sconces, lamps hidden in the crown molding, or even the high lights. A lamp is also great for the task lighting for reading or work.

Even brighter color

When painting your walls, use pale colors such as neutral or pastel; this will allow light to bounce off the walls making the room brighter. Keeping simple wallpaper patterns and flooring on the brighter side, you increase the amount of light distributed around the room.

Using a neutral background also provides an ideal opportunity to decorate your room. Dark woods and fabrics really stand out as they contrast with the pale color of the walls and floor, and in turn, make the room seem even brighter.

Accessories can brighten any room

Adding a brilliant material in a room with accents and accessories will be of great importance to maintain a light and airy ambiance. Including furniture with polished surfaces such as glass or metal will make the room feel brighter and full of motion as the light bounce off the walls and furniture. Adding silver and crystal accessories will further enhance the energy of light in the room.

Reflective tiles around a fireplace will help brighten up the focal point of a room. The mirror surface can be strategically located near sources of light to reflect the brightness back into the room.

Then select some of your favorite works of art or a brightly patterned area rug and pull the accent color for use in your pillows, vases, and lamps. Adding herbs and flowers to a space will also help to add brightness to any room.
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A kitchen redo not only adds significant value to your home, but also improves your quality of life. If you think you will give your outdated kitchen much-needed repairs, it is important to consider current trends. This will allow you to create a space that not only pleases you and your family, but also prospective future homebuyers. Below you will find current kitchen trends that will enhance your lifestyle and the value of your home.

* Sustainable cuisine. Eco-friendly is all the rage these days, but especially in the kitchen, where small changes can have a significant impact. You can use inexpensive recycled or natural materials such as recycled glass counter tops or free formaldehyde bamboo worktops and flooring. Convenient built-in recycling centers and food composting can save space and make the process simple. The overall idea is to make the kitchen easy to clean and to be green; it’s the easy part of your everyday life.

* Multi Convenience. Your kitchen redo should focus on making your life easier. Some examples of this trend include sinks with accessories, such as a built-in preparation for boards, and colanders. Storage that is both stylish and technical can save you both space and frustration. Cabinet inserts and custom storage with adjustable partitions will add the most value. Some houses have movable islands, which allow you to easily change the kitchen making it suitable for preparing, cleaning, and entertaining … this is not just multi-functional, but kind of fun.

* High-tech kitchens. Like all other aspects of our lives, kitchens are featuring more technology than ever before. Much of this technology has focused on making the kitchen more pleasant and adding a bit of the “WOW” factor. From flat-screen TVs and computer systems for retracting hoods and gas burners, technology can make the kitchen more convenient and cool. The kitchen can serve a social and functional need in the house. Small additions such as a small mobile device charging station really illustrates this point.

* Fresh, healthy kitchens. The result is the growing popularity of the restaurant style and state of the art features that promote fresh, healthy cooking. The commercial grade stoves are more popular than ever. Filtered faucets and refrigerators with several cooling and humidity settings for keeping food fresh longer is in demand. Copper sinks have returned because of their rustic appeal and natural antibacterial properties. State of the art storage of food and fresh herbs on the windowsill are simple, inexpensive ways to incorporate this trend into your kitchen.

* Return to color and shape. The unexpected outbreak of colors and bold shapes are all the rage, and offers an interesting mix of the earth’s richness in an environmentally friendly trend. Use colorful paint, a tile back splash, or add punch to the otherwise monochromatic space. The bright blues, oranges, and corals, are especially popular. Stainless steel appliances are still accepted, but colorful devices that are advanced seem both modern and retro. In addition, the unexpected shapes – it could be anything from a window to accessories bought at the flea market – add interest and character to your kitchen space. The idea is to enjoy the space and make it unique.
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