LIVING THEIR DREAM IN THE FOOTHILLS OF SANTE FE

July 7, 2026
ADMINISTRATOR
Energy Efficient Home, Single-Family
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Mark Chalom and Betty Tsosie are living their dream in the foothills of Santa Fe, New Mexico | Mark, an architect, has been dedicated to creating high-energy-efficient homes since the 1970s, while Betty feels a deep connection to the land and environment through her Native American ancestry.  Mark and his partner have combined their expertise and passion to create a stunning passive solar home, thoughtfully designed and positioned to maximize the benefits of the sunny, arid climate of New Mexico.…

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Life Inside a Colorado Home Inspired by Jimmy Carter’s Renewable Energy Push

February 20, 2025
ADMINISTRATOR
Combat Climate Change, Energy Efficient Home, Net Zero, Video Stories
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Listen to NoCO’s podcast of Erin O’Toole’s interview with John Avenson, homeowner, and Paul Kriescher, host of Heart of a Building discussing John’s home, trends in renewable energy and Colorado Environmental Film Festival Jimmy Carter’s administration had backed the design of some experimental homes along Colorado’s Front Range. Warmed by the sun and fueled by renewable sources – an exciting idea in the late 1970s. John Avenson was inspired by Jimmy Carter and wanted to live in one of the experimental homes.…

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Colorado Film Festrival 2025 logo

Colorado Environmental Film Festival

February 13, 2025
ADMINISTRATOR
Uncategorized
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Join us at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden, Colorado to spend time with inspiring people and watching the video shorts, documentaries, animation and full-length movies they’ve created sharing their passion for, and fascination with, our natural world! Heart of a Building’s latest episode Journey to Zero Carbon Home, will be screened at the Festival on February 23rd, Sunday at 1:00 pm at Bunker Auditorium, Green Center [Colorado School of Mines]. Come learn the why and how behind John…

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Avenson House - we made our goal. Watch the video.

JOHN AVENSON RESIDENCE — WATCH THE EPISODE HERE!

September 9, 2024
INFO HEART OF A BUILDING, llc
Energy Efficient Building, Energy Efficient Home, Net Zero, New Episodes, Rocky Mountain PBS, Single-Family, Video Stories
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John Avenson Residential Project, Westminster, Colorado | At 9 years old John became interested in the concept of green building on a family tour of the Colorado Indian Cliff Dwellings, where the park ranger told him that the Indians dug their caves on the side of the cliff as the winter sun kept them warm. The Avenson Residence, a single-family, detached, three-bedroom home, was built in 1981 as a research house by the Solar Energy Research Institute [SERI, the forebearer…

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Graphic for the Music at Heart of a Building event.

Music at the Heart of a Building • August 3, 2024

July 22, 2024
ADMINISTRATOR
Energy Efficient Home
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RSVP TO ATTEND! Heart of a Building’s next kick-off Pledge-Drive event is for TWO new documentary episodes showcasing two families; one whose home was destroyed in the Marshall Fire in December 2021 and the second whose home was destroyed by the Four Mile Fire in September 2010, both of whom now live in inspiring high-performance, sustainable homes! Takahashi Residential Project Nova Terra / Rebeschini-Glover Residential Project We are asking for your support of ‘Music at the Heart of a Building’…

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Matteo & Mel (and family) after their home rebuild.

SURVIVING TRAGEDY • REBUILDING AFTER THE MARSHALL FIRE

May 20, 2024
ADMINISTRATOR
Energy Efficient Home, Single-Family
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Nova Terra / Rebeschini-Glover Residential Project, Superior, Colorado | Matteo Rebeschini and Mel Glover chose Lisa Morey’s company Nova Terra [previously Colorado Earth] located in Brighton, Colorado, to rebuild their home after the Marshall Fire destroyed it in December 2021.  Matteo and Mel’s family story is compelling, including their strong desire for a home made of a high thermal mass material that would not burn and a quiet house when the high winds blow. They were very impressed with Lisa…

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David Takahashi's new home after the fire & flood rebuild.

TAKAHASHI RESIDENCE • REBUILDING AFTER FIRE & FLOOD

May 14, 2024
ADMINISTRATOR
Energy Efficient Home, Net Zero, Single-Family
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David & Emily Takahashi Residential Project, Boulder, Colorado | David Takahashi reached out to Heart of a Building with his story after watching our video episode on Rocky Mountain PBS. David and his wife, Emily’s sustainable home story began with a devastating fire. In 2010, they watched their home in Four-Mile Canyon outside of Boulder, Colorado, burn to the ground.  Three years later, David watched as the canyon experienced severe flooding that damaged their new home, which was under construction after the fire.…

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Avenson House - we are within our goal. We need $1,900. Donate at our GOFUNDME page. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-sponsor-an-episode-of-heart-of-a-building

WE REACHED OUR GOAL! THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS!

March 15, 2024
ADMINISTRATOR
Energy Efficient Building, Energy Efficient Home, Rocky Mountain PBS, Single-Family
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 John Avenson Home, Westminster, Colorado | Celebrate with us! Heart of a Building will showcase John Avenson and his amazing home on Rocky Mountain PBS and affiliates!  Homeowner John Avenson and Heart of a Building’s Paul Kriescher, invite you to join them for a Happy Hour Kick-Off ‘Pledge Drive‘. Networking & Tour of Home from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pmProgram & Special Guests from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm John Avenson’s interview with Colorado Public Radio (CPR)• Serving appetizers, beer,…

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SIERRA GRANDE PK-12 REPLACEMENT SCHOOL PREMIERED ON RMBPS • EARTH DAY, April 22, 2023

October 20, 2022
ADMINISTRATOR
Commercial, Energy Efficient Building
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Heart of a Building’s episode on the Sierra Grande PK-12 school in Blanca, CO -airing/streaming beginning in early 2023- references “Passive House” performance standards as the guiding principles for the design and construction of this school building. To learn more about Passive House please check out the following links: Passive House US | Passive House Institute

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Better Buildings Better Society Podcast

June 1, 2022
INFO HEART OF A BUILDING, llc
Uncategorized
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We were thrilled to kick off June on the Better Buildings Better Society podcast. You can watch and listen here or head to their YouTube channel and see this and other great episodes. Don’t forget to subscribe! Please let us know if you have questions or would like more information about anything you heard here! From the show notes: “Without a question, we need better airtightness and better insulation. That is the best place to spend your dollars,” shares Paul…

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Paul Kriescher, Executive Producer/Host
303.525.1158 | PaulK@heartofabuilding.com

©2024 Heart of A Building, llc. All Rights Reserved.

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