Vision

When I designed the Bushway home in 1989, I was already committed to energy conservation and renewable energy sources. Having heard about the tradition of masonry heating in Northern Europe, I decided to incorporate one in his plans. Thus I began a rewarding extension of my chimney/masonry business that was able to incorporate an extensive knowledge of the “house as a system”.

For the past 20 years, I’ve enjoyed working with home owners and builders to not simply “make a statement” but to reflect values and enhance a home’s beauty and harmony. 

I feel fortunate to have found an avenue for my creativity that has a practical benefit for my customers.  I like to tell people that I’m a musician that needed to get a “real job”.  Actually, internally the masonry process isn’t that different for me.  I still have an idea I want to communicate, within a certain tempo or space.  And though the product is very physical and lasting, we need a bit of both, don’t we?

I got my start as a chimney sweep and my college physics background helped me understand the dynamics of fire, heat transfer and draft issues.  I have also sought to live a lifestyle that minimizes the use of fossil fuel.  Any wonder I found masonry heating?

I remember the long lines to get gas during OPEC’s first  oil embargo in 1973.  There had to be a better way, I thought.  It’s a little discouraging to think that 37 years later, we’re still driving cars that get an average of 20 miles per gallon.  So masonry heater building is a little antidote for that dismal transportation reality.  As I keenly follow development of solar, wind and fuel cell technology, I still think masonry heating will be the green technology of choice for residential heating in the years to come.