Did you know that U.S. energy security is as easy as
weatherstripping your house? It’s time to update how we think
about national energy issues. And better architecture is the
key. I learned so this week at the BEST3 conference, a tidy
affair that draws a few hundred architects interested in better
building walls and roofs. Held in Atlanta, the conference also
brought attendees — including yours truly — to the fabulous High
Museum for roast pork, beers and a peek at Picasso. Sitting in
Richard Meier’s serene lecture hall, we heard remarkable
insights from keynoter R. Christopher Mathis, an Asheville,
North Carolina-based consultant on building performance.
Architects make power plants disappear With the zeal and
conviction of a revival camp preacher, Mathis proves a few
audacious claims, including this one: “A 30% improvement in U.S.
building efficiency would reduce energy bills by $75 billion in
15 years and eliminate the need for 80 new nuclear power plants
over the next 20 years.” Eighty power plants? Yes.