EcoHouse in the News

Berkeley Daily Planet
Local News
Friday, April 9, 1999

EcoHouse momentum growing

Escrow should close Thursday

By Lurene Helzer
Daily Planet Staff

A North Berkeley site that over the past six years has become a showcase for art, horticulture and architecture is fast taking shape as the community's model for environmental living.

Escrow on the EcoHouse at 1305 Hopkins St. is expected to close on April 15, representing the latest in a long list of steps that have been taken in this renovation effort.

The work began after neighbors grew tired of the house that had become an eyesore. Lumber fragments which once were a respectable part of the outside wall were falling down and off.

Residents in the area worried about the vacant land surrounding the neglected house could become an attraction for drug dealers. In 1993, a partial solution was found.

During a surprise 70th birthday party for local landscape architect Karl Linn—hosted by former Berkeley Mayor Loni Hancock and Berkeley Councilmember Linda Maio—the land next to the house was designated a garden and named after Linn for his lifelong of community service.

"Since my name was sitting there, I did not want to be embarrassed by a garden that did not look very appealing, and I wanted to do something about it," he said.

The site is now a model of art, horticulture and architecture. The project includes three plots: the one adjacent to the home and two BART-owned plots across the street, on Peralta.

A small pond—designed by Linn—sits near the front of the garden. Water replenishes the pond through a figure-eight shaped sculpture, creating a cleansing effect, Linn said.

The aqua, white and dark blue mosaic Snake Benches are an equally appealing feature designed by artist Dmitry Grudsky, and inspired by the work of one of Linn's favorite architects, Spaniard Antonio Gaudi.

Several works of art can be found in the wheelchair-accessible garden. All were created using natural materials—soil, granite, slate, bamboo, wood. A few incorporate recycled materials like the patio chair constructed from five old car tires.

Neighbors were able to get on waiting lists in the early stages of the garden's development to obtain plots to grow food or flowers.

As a result, the look of the garden is quite eclectic.

"We really use this garden for our food. We were just talking about how it's a good food supply for us," said Molly Crowell, who visited the garden Thursday to pick green onions with her partner, Michael Menning, and their child, 6-month-old Kyla Rain Crowtree. The family has two small plots in the garden.

"It's good for your whole body," Menning said. "The work, and being outside."

According to Maio, the next stage of the project will be to refurbish the old house into a model of ecological efficiency and innovation. Maio has long been involved with the project, which is located in her district.

The work is being financed by a number of loans of at least $10,000 each, including one from author Alice Walker, one from Alice Waters—owner of Berkeley's well-known Chez Panisse restaurant—and another, separate loan from the Chez Panisse Foundation.

Lenders agreed to lend the money for two years.

The Northern California Land Trust, a nonprofit corporation focusing on housing and community development, is the fiscal agent for the project.

The EcoHouse nonprofit organization will work to obtain grants to repay lenders. Payments of 5 percent simple interest will be made annually from rental income from the house and funds provided by the city of Berkeley, according to Maio's office. Should the group fail to raise the grant money, the organization will sell the property and repay the loans.

"Regarding the gardens. I think they show what the community can do with some leadership and direction," said Maio.

Part of the intended lesson is that people can live with natural materials, said Maio. But learning how to do so affordably is another issue.

"Right now, we're not at the point where it is cost effective (for the average family in this climate) yet. In a couple of years, though, it will be more accessible," she said.

Caption:

The garden at the EcoHouse site on Hopkins Street is named after local landscape architect Karl Linn