Two years ago, a German newspaper ran a piece hinting that Green Party Bundestag member Anton Hofreiter was calling for a ban on new single family homes. Hofreiter had not been calling for a ban on single family homes, but rather an end to subsidies that cater to sprawling detached single family homes, as well as the lower energy efficiency standar…

Strike. Verb. A disaster, or other unwelcome phenomenon that suddenly occurs and has harmful or damaging effects on something. Zoning has afflicted our cities - some might say even damaged them - through their lack of flexibility and sterility. A hundred years on, the experiment of zoning is a massive failure. However, it doesn't have to be this wa…

Housing prices in the US are completely out of balance. Affordable housing is difficult to attain in entire metropolitan areas. There are few options for middle class households, and even fewer for working class residents. We need a reset on the American dream. From one that is sprawling, unaffordable, lonely, carbon intensive, and exclusive – to o…

Aufstockungen is the German term for vertical additions. These are rooftop additions common throughout European cities - where many structures were built with concrete, block, or stone. Vertical additions offer a really interesting path towards re-compacting (densifying) existing neighborhoods in an incredibly sustainable manner. They preserve more…

Our cities are full of ghost projects. Lost opportunities. Potentialities that could have prioritized safe streets or public health. Transit station with homes for cars, instead of a neighborhood for people. Streets that prioritize speeding cars, instead of safety and sustainable mobility. But the reality of our cities, at least in the U.S. – is th…

Several of our friends and colleagues are currently going through divorces and other changes in their family household structure. Many of them were homeowners. However, Seattle - as many other cities in the US, has a pretty severe housing shortage. There are very limited options for housing that is affordable for single parents or those co-parentin…

Nestled at the southwest edge of the Black Forest, close to where France, Germany and Switzerland all come together - is the Green City of Freiburg. I spent a year living and working in Freiburg in 2003-2004, with a really amazing architecture firm ( Pfeifer.Roser.Kuhn Architekten) doing incredible things around low energy buildings and dowel lamin…

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have had fairly significant wildfire smoke for the last six weeks. For the most part, wind patterns have kept much of the Seattle Metro from experiencing the worst of it. That changed this week, as weather patterns shifted and the dense wildfire smoke cloaked our region for several days, thrusting both Seattle and …

A few months ago, Larch Lab was contacted to start discussions of an ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) focused on climate adaptive urbanism, influenced by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. With the effects of climate change becoming more frequent and intense than anticipated – we can no longer wait ten to twenty years to adapt to t…

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the United States lacks the vitality, affordability, access to nature and open space, and high quality urban spaces found in new European ecodistrics/TOD. They are also much more auto-centric than would be found in EU cities - leading in part to a lower quality of life than should be possible. This is in part d…

In a warming world, heat will increasingly be deadly. The IPCC has stated that extreme heat events are due to global warming – and as we are failing to curb emissions – there is a high confidence they will only get worse. Even if your building doesn’t overheat today – it may well in the future. In this episode of the Livable Low-Carbon City, we'll …

US cities don't have a missing middle problem, they have a missing *mid-rise* problem. A problem that is reflected in the depths of our housing crises – and in the inability to meet climate goals. In this episode of the Livable Low-Carbon City, we'll explore the problems with Missing Middle housing and why it is inadequate to meet the demands of to…

In this inaugural episode of the Livable Low-carbon City podcast, host Michael Eliason explores different types of vertical access for urban housing - and the effects these have on livability, sustainability, and climate resiliency. Projects discussed in this episode include: Vienna House, Vancouver. Public Architecture + Communication. Gleis21, Vi…

The Texas wine industry is exploding. Steven Morgan of the Bluebonnet Wine Trail joins the show to share the insides and outs of this bustling business and how you can enjoy the fruits of their labor (we couldn't resist the pun-ortunity.) Learn more at: https://www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.comPar Michael Shawn & Blinda Ann Kelly

The principles of Islamic garden design have informed almost all of the work at Mirror Lake since Shawn first learned of the concepts in school. Today, Shawn and Blinda chat with Emma Clark, author of The Art of the Islamic Garden. Emma Clark designs gardens with a fundamentally spiritual and holistic outlook, undertaking them for private clients a…

Continuing from last week, Shawn and Blinda discuss the various elements that define and distinguish the quintessential southern garden.Par Michael Shawn & Blinda Ann Kelly

Shawn and Blinda reminisce growing up in the south. Southerners have a unique relationship with their gardens, and along with guest "Skip" Richter, the three dish on zucchini-bikinis, black eyed peas, and more.Par Michael Shawn & Blinda Ann Kelly

The kids are getting antsy! There are only a few more weeks of school left, and if you have little ones you know that they're ready for summer. Shawn and Blinda chat with Chris Kiewra of Nature Explore, a non-profit whose mission is to "to help children and families develop a profound engagement with the natural world, where nature is an integral, …

A quick way to add curb appeal to your home is integrating a water feature to your front yard. It may seem like a bold or intimidating gesture, so Shawn and Blinda talk you through everything you need to know to create a welcoming space around the water.Par Michael Shawn & Blinda Ann Kelly

If you need some attractive ground coverage at a great value, Shawn and Blinda have the answer for you. Are you looking for low maintenance and beautiful coverage with low maintenance? One of these options may be a great solution. Listen on!Par Michael Shawn and Blinda Ann Kelly

Over 30+ years, Shawn has designed thousands of backyards and swimming pools. And he has noticed one fascinating phenomenon within these designs: our response to circles. Sounds strange? Hear the man out...Par Michael Shawn & Blinda Ann Kelly

There's a trend within newer planned neighborhoods: larger lots - much larger than the neighborhoods we've been familiar with the last thirty years or so. With this increase in property and real estate comes a unique design challenge. Mainly, how do you design for so much more acreage?? Shawn and Blinda dish out some design solutions for these larg…

The front yard is a unique area in our homes. It is where our private property intersects with our neighbors and communities. Too few people homeowners realize their front yard's potential. Shawn and Blinda discuss how to make the most of this neglected real estate.Par Michael Shawn & Blinda Ann Kelly

Before you build a pool there are some things you should consider: Mainly, most of your time will not be spent in the pool; It will be spent around it. This consideration should inform a solid, comprehensive backyard design. With 35 years of building pools, they offer much needed advice for soon-to-be pool owners.…

Shawn and Blinda have made a name for themselves owning and operating Houston's premiere landscape design firm, Mirror Lake Designs. But more and more, homeowners are turning to YouTube, Pinterest, and other sources to facilitate their need to DIY their own backyards. In this episode, Shawn lays down the basics of sand-laid paver patios.…

Google and the internet has been a wonderful source for the 21st century gardener. Often times, the solution to our garden scourges can be found with a little self-investigation and a internet connection. However, other times our problems are more daunting. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the average homeowner could send in a sample of a disease-ridden…

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Shawn and Blinda look back and discuss this years' favorites. Favorite plants, shrubs, memories... It's a feel-good episode where Shawn and Blinda just talk about all those things that make us warm and fuzzy inside.Par Michael Shawn Kelly & Blinda Ann Kelly

"Use your lawn as a design element." Michael Shawn Kelly breaks down exactly how to make the most of your front yard, and how to use specific design elements to create a livable garden right outside your front step.Par Michael Shawn Kelly & Blinda Ann Kelly

Shawn and Blinda experience electrical problems with their Christmas lights, and Texas A&M professor of Horticulture, Monte Nesbitt, gives us the dirt on a terrific and unique Christmas gift for the green thumbs in your family.Par Michael Shawn & Blinda Ann Kelly

Shawn and Blinda tell the story of how they put together one of their favorite landscape designs for a client who had already "auditioned" several pool builders. So how does a trained and experienced landscape architect approach a new design? It begins with asking the right questions... and perhaps some rather blunt observations.…

With enough children and grandchildren to fill an entire baseball roster, Shawn and Blinda know a thing or two about how to entertain and delight children in their garden. From wacky Dr. Seuss-like plants to delicious edibles, you too can introduce your children to the wonders of your own garden.Par Michael Shawn Kelly & Blinda Ann Kelly

Shawn and Blinda chat with John Ferguson of Nature's Way about how to best create your own at-home compost pile. After all, now is the time to do it in preparation for spring plantings. Plus, you'll be surprised how composting can affect how much and when you water your plantsPar Daniel Kelly

Shawn and Blinda chat with a client about his experience with Mirror Lake DesignsPar Your Livable Garden

Shawn and Blinda discuss a clever trick to integrate your favorite football team into your flower arrangements.Par Your Livable Garden

Brock Wagner from Houston's own St. Arnold's Brewery joins the show to discuss the inner workings of our favorite beer.Par Your Livable Garden

Between running an award-winning landscape design company, producing a horticulture podcast, and keeping up with their grandchildren, it came as a surprise that Shawn had some downtime. And when Shawn has downtime, odd things can occur. Here are a couple of the radio spots that made their way on the air over the years... courtesy of an overactive i…

Your livable garden is about to get a little weirder. Shawn and Blinda chat with expert botanist of the bizarre, Larry Mellichamp about his discoveries while writing "Bizarre Botanicals: How to Grow String-of-Hearts, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Panda Ginger, and Other Weird and Wonderful Plants" "There's no reason to forsake lilies and petunias. But after …

Ah the smell of rain! But what are we smelling exactly? And why do some people love the fragrance of Carolina Jasmine, and our hosts can't smell it at all? Charles Wysocki breaks our sense of smell down to a molecular level, and reveals what he thinks a skunk smells like... you won't believe his answer.…

It may be 105 degrees out, and you may be looking for a cool retreat out in your backyard. Is it possible? Yes! With a little imagination and the right materials, you too can enjoy your backyard in these dog days of summer.Par Daniel Kelly

The Islamic garden is regarded as one of the highest forms of visual art in the civilization of Islam, and this guide explains these gardens' history and symbolism. Buy the book here.Par Daniel Kelly

Not everyone lives onacres of land out in the country. Many of our designs take advantage of very limited real estate. A small yard doesn't mean you can't have great design. Shawn and Blinda discuss the different varieties of courtyard designs that Mirror Lake specializes in.Par Daniel Kelly

Fire ant mounds. They pop up out of nowhere. One day you have a clean, clear entry into your backyard, and the next morning you have an entire infantry of fire ants. Shawn and Blinda enlist the help of Dr. Paul Nester of Texas A&M University to learn more about when you can expect to find these critter's homes and more interestingly, why.…

Darrin Duling from the Mercer Arboretum offers choices for color in your yard, even as the heat persists...Par Your Livable Garden

Most folks don't even know that a Landscape Architect is a profession. Their only experience, after all, is with pool builders and pool contractors. But there is a huge difference between the landscape architect, and a guy with a shovel. Let Texas Registered Landscape Architect No. 869 (Michael Shawn Kelly) explain the difference.…

One element of great design technique is creating a focal point in your yard. But, you may be asking, what creates a great focal point? Glad you asked...Par Daniel Kelly

Sometimes it feels like we have to coax our children to get outside and play. Luckily there are programs like Nature Explore that help make this a little easier on us adults. Chris Kiewra from Nature Explore tell us more...Par Daniel Kelly

There once was a time when we would spend our evenings out on our front porches. We would enjoy a beverage as the sun set, and wave as the neighbors took a stroll around the block. Smart, beautiful landscape design can help you reclaim your front yard. Shawn and Blinda tell you how. A front yard design by Michael Shawn Kelly & Mirror Lake Designs…

Uh oh, Easter is coming up. And there are going to be a lot of kids coming over! How do you keep them busy? How about Easter Egg coloring with a twist! Blinda explains more...Par Michael Shawn Kelly & Blinda Ann Kelly

Azaleas don't get the credit they deserve. Shawn and Blinda discuss the missed opportunities that azaleas offer.Par Your Livable Garden

Looking for a fun day-trip around the Houston area? Somewhere you can enjoy a local wine, some dancing, and great food? Take a little trip down to Santa Fe, TX where Raymond Haak tends to his three acres of grape vine at Haak Vineyards & Winery Shawn and Blinda interview Raymond and learn more about this local vineyard.…