My co-author Ellen Whittemore is a “green” architect with horse sense. This month, I’m flying solo to feature Ellen herself and showcase her balanced and sage guidance for horse lovers who want more “green” living.
 

For Going Green, Ellen and I have researched farms and products, done lots of interviews and had fun. Always, it is Ellen who asks the demanding questions. Is it practical? Can small farms or home/horse owners benefit, affordably? Does it make a difference, really?
 

Ellen’s approach is evident through these columns. Because Ellen is an architect, she is trained to see the landscape of the earth and the lifestyle of her clients. As an environmentalist, Ellen understands sustainable land use issues, local regulations, and public perceptions (positive and negative) about farms and their impact. As a New England horsewoman, she understands firsthand the cold in winter that hangs in an indoor arena and the high-cost of power that makes it expensive to keep barn lights on all day.
 

So I asked her, does an ordinary horse farm really need an architect?
 

She answered, essentially, that an architect who understands horses, the environment and the work of running a farm can make a truly important difference. An architect who is also an equine specialist gets the “big picture” of the farm and horses and the day-to-day routine of caring for them both.
 

Ellen suggests that as horse people seek the help of architects, they should look for a few things.
 

• Get practical advice: look at investments and trade-offs the way a farmer or horse-owner might. Is there the money or the skill set to implement the advice? Can something simpler be used?
 

• Consider the land’s assets: is there a stream or pond that might be part of the community’s watershed? Are there hills that could catch wind or rooftops which, if the building were positioned astutely, could it generate solar power?
 

• Think about the neighbors: these are plants and animals nearby as well as the people and government agencies who may want the farm to “contribute” to the community. Find ways to let the community know about the farm’s role in reducing urban density, providing habitat and increasing the area’s scenic beauty.
 

• Try to multi-task for benefits: try to get an environmental solution to also create easier, more comfortable or less expensive benefits for farm operations.
 

A good equine facility’s architect will identify opportunities for cooperative efforts that mutually serve riders, horse caretakers, farm owners and the community. The architect will know products and their price/performance tradeoffs and will work with engineering, building, environmental, regulatory and other expert professionals.
 

Ellen qualifies in every respect. For over 20 years she has taught (Harvard, Yale, RISD, UVA) and practiced sustainable architecture. Today, in Newburyport, MA, Ellen specializes in equine-focused residential, educational and professional developments including university and veterinary settings.
 

A good architect is one whose value is appreciated long after the project is complete. As her clients know, that’s Ellen.

We would love to feature YOUR creativity and ideas. Contact Ellen Whittemore at savaarchitects@verizon.net and Susan Mills at Susan@wellcp.com.