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We have been receiving many comments and appreciate all your remarks and opinions. However, we are also receiving a lot of spam remarks, generally intended to simply increase search placement for websites totally unrelated to living a simple, sustainable lifestyle.

So our new (January 2012) comments policy is this:

1. When you make a comment, we will send you an email to verify that the email address listed is actually connected to a live human being (most of the spammers are invalid emails).

2. When you receive that email, simply hit "reply" and we will post your comment. Anonymous comments, however, will not be posted; if it's worth saying, it's worth attaching your name to.

3. We will NEVER sell your email address or inundate you with emails or spam.

Thank you for your understanding.

I am an Architect, licensed in the State of Oregon a LEED AP and cSBA. Married to Brenda since 1981. I began being interested in sustainability in the mid-1970s while attending the University of Oregon. I got involved with solar there via John Reynolds, my advisor and professor. I started my own Architecture firm with Dan Hill in 1983 and we specialized in solar and energy-efficient design. We've had a wonderful career, but I have recently felt the "tug" to get into small, efficient, affordable, sustainable housing. That's what spurred this venture. In 2008, I started thesimpleHOUSE with the idea of creating housing for the average family that is sustainable and green from the ground up. You see, most people cannot afford architect fees and most stock plans you purchase on line are old, tried and true designs that have been popular for decades with a new "green" skin placed on them. I wanted something fresh; something that was conceived to be green and sustainable from the initial inception. Thinking outside the box, tour our website and see for yourself.