Travel : Iceland

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This past summer, Noel and I visited Iceland on a 7 day stopover through Iceland Air. I have to admit that Iceland wasn’t originally on the top of my travel list. However, the more I researched the country, the more excited I became to see its many dramatic natural features and differing landscapes. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe and is located at the juncture of the North Atlantic and Arctic ocean. The majority of the population live on the Southern part of the island near the capital, Reykjavik. During our weeklong tour of the country, we drove along the whole of Route 1 (the ring road) which connects all of the inhabited parts of the island. It didn’t take long after leaving Reykjavik to feel like you were alone in a strange and beautiful land, with not a store or gas station or other car in sight for miles and miles. 

 

The original settlers of Iceland often covered their homes and churches with grass and turf, a technique known as earth sheltering. This protects the structure from a harsh climate and takes advantage of the inherent heat of the earth, regulating the interior temperature. This building type was largely abandoned in the early 1900’s in favor of a more modern approach. Scandinavian influences can be seen in much of the architecture which is overwhelmingly simple in form and constructed out of natural, functional materials. The most popular exterior cladding was corrugated metal or concrete, both of which were often painted bright colors. It was surprising how such utilitarian materials could be manipulated in so many ways through color and detail and produce such an inviting atmosphere. 

Research : Radiant Floor Heating

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Do you ever wonder why warming up by the fire on a chilly winter evening is so comforting? Or why we can always find our pets positioning themselves in the precise location of the sunbeam streaming in through our windows? These are examples of heat transferred by radiation. Heat from a source, in this case the fire or the sun, is transferred to the surrounding surfaces and objects by means of electromagnetic waves. By heating a surface directly, the user feels warmth and comfort immediately upon contact.

 

Radiant heating is one of the oldest and most efficient ways to heat a space. It’s history dates as far back as the Roman Empire, with the use of the hypocaust. In those times, the floor would be raised above the ground with tiled pillars and space would be left between the walls. Hot air and smoke from a wood furnace would be directed to these enclosed areas, heating the interior space but not polluting it. The warm air was then released outside through flues in the roof.

 

Today there are two main types of radiant heating systems, electric and hydronic. 

 

In an electric system, thin cables or mats are built into the floor or laid in-between the subfloor and the finished floor. An electric system can be made even more efficient by including a thermal mass such as a thick concrete slab which can be heated at night when electricity is cheaper and slowly release the stored heat throughout the day. This system is best for smaller renovation projects or additions where it is impractical to extend the existing heating system into the new space. 

 

Hydronic systems work by pumping hot water from a boiler or water heater through a network of tubes under the subfloor. This system is best for new construction or if the radiant heat system is the primary heat source for the building. 

 

Any type of flooring can be used over a radiant heating system, although hard surfaces such as ceramic tile, wood or stone are preferable over carpet because the insulating qualities of the carpet may reduce heat flow. Radiant heating is often more efficient than other types of heating systems. Since the occupants are warmed directly by the floor and objects on the floor, it is possible to feel comfortable at a lower temperature. The system is easily zoned to avoid wasting energy on rooms that are not in use. Overall, it seems that radiant heating systems are a worthwhile and earth friendly investment. Or you could just put on a sweater. 

Travel : Lisbon

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Last week, I had the opportunity to get out of cold, wintry Vermont and spend some time in Portugal with friends from college. Of the five girls, four of us are designers and we were loving the gorgeous, colorful city of Lisbon. The city has such an intriguing mix of architectural styles and influences. Unlike most of Europe, Portugal was a neutral country during WWII and escaped the sweeping destruction that most countries endured. Portugal is located on the Iberian peninsula bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Spain. It feels like a Mediterranean country with white washed exteriors painted vibrant colors and clay tile roofs but at the same time you can see many examples of Moorish and Islamic influences. Everywhere you turn, buildings and sidewalks are clad in thousands of stone and ceramic tiles in all shades and patterns. Lisbon is very supportive of street artists and graffiti can be found often, giving the city a gritty and lived in feel. As for interiors, we were struck by the amount of respect Portuguese designers give to the existing structures. The new blends seamlessly with the old and the result is bursting with history and character.

 

Not only is the city an architectural gem, the culture is hard to beat as well. We visited during Carnavale celebrations so people were especially festive. Carnavale is a celebration similar to Mardis Gras and people go all out with costumes, parades and the atmosphere is electric. Children dress up for school and we saw many lines of little ducklings marching through the streets in their adorable costumes. The food was simply prepared but beyond delicious and the wine was bright and cheap. Best of all, the time spent with friends was the most memorable part of the vacation. What could be better than abundant wine, marvelous company and an unforgettable city?