August 22, 2007 4:21 PM

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Re: “Dazzled by Design: Our Annual Pursuit of the Year’s Best New Architecture” by John P. Klingman. June 2007 issue.

I found it quite interesting that all of your noted structures lacked any alternative energy generation features. Can we consider architecture truly modern or befitting to affordability and hurricane survivability that doesn’t provide for freedom from Entergy’s icy finger around the owners’ throat?

With the current cost of energy, being well insulated and efficient isn’t enough. New Orleans has two resources I consider in abundance: Sunshine and Breezes (not to mention the hot air generated by our politicos). We should be leading the charge to innovation in alternative sources of energy, which will provide reliability in post-hurricane situations when the grid fails – as it will. Sure, none of the current options are hurricane- and flood-proof. Solar panels would need to be covered in wood or steel to protect them, battery arrays would need to be raised to attic level and wind generation would need to have some sort of mobility to mitigate wind beyond 120 mph.

I live in Metairie but grew up in Lake Vista. I was here throughout Katrina because circumstances required it. The storm was a piece of cake for me, although not for the live oak in my backyard which  lost its long limb in defense of my house. The worst part of the experience was the power being shut down at 4 a.m. Monday morning. I left Tuesday morning after gathering my wife and son from her place of employment, East Jefferson General Hospital. (She’s a supervisor in the business office, not an essential medical staff member.) If I had a viable alternative source for my air conditioning and refrigerator, (I don’t consider diesel or natural gas as viable options because you’re gonna run out sooner or later, unless you’re a corporate entity entrusted with top secret data on your computers.) I would’ve stayed and possibly been of some assistance to those who needed help.

Being of the Grid just makes sense to me and the ability to actually sell your excess electricity to Entergy doesn’t suck. Green isn’t just good economics, it’s downright red, white and blue.

How about next year you create a special category for architects who are green. Possibly that way we can all have a better shot at bright sunny mornings like the ones after Betsy, Camille and even Katrina.
Walt Purcell
Metairie

Ed. Reply: Emphasis on this annual feature is mostly on aesthetic design; nevertheless your point is well taken.

NEEDS TITLE
Re: Julia Street Column. June 2007 issue.
I have been in Las Vegas 37 years now but I still miss home and your magazine is my lifeline between visits. I come in to walk with Pete Fountain every year. I started in 1963 when there were only 28 of us. I think there are close to 200 now – only a few are left from when I began. Keep up the good stuff. I love the Julia Street column and the whole magazine.
Rick Trotter
Las Vegas

Ed. Reply: Thanks Rick. Like Vegas, New Orleans sometimes seems to be a big gamble. But we like the odds.