Again, I’m not arguing for uniformity by any means, just a middle-ground. We all have our own interpretations of that.

Personally, I just don’t think many elements of modernism deserve the tolerance we often give it. As I’ve said, this house does a lot of things right (small front stoop, good setback, “corner” lot), but that roof line irks me.

Why is it so important to fit in? One of the things I like most about Decatur is the quantity and quality of the individuals and institutions that “don’t fit in”. Can we not embrace that distinction in architecture, too?

Furthermore, about all I expect from my neighbors is that they keep their home and yard relatively clean and that we have respectful relations… about the only architectural considerations of theirs that I should have a say in is drainage that affects me and roof height, and surely that is already covered in Decatur’s building codes…

I’m looking forward to seeing it on the Modern Home tour in more detail, as I missed last weekend’s open house.

In the case of recycling material for LEED certification (a certain amount of points is awarded for recycling 50%, more points for 75% or more), the recycled material is documented and submitted to the U.S. Green Building Council.

As for what is done with all of this material, it’s like asking what is done with recycled paper or plastic. It’s a lot of different stuff. Aggregates often get broken up and reused in paving, concrete, roof tiles, etc. Wood can be chipped and turned into pressboard, or pulped. Metal scrap goes through the usual channels. On and on. There are even some organizations that facilitate the collection of excess or remaindered construction material (extra lumber, windows produced at the wrong size, etc.) and provides it to charitable organizations or other projects that can make use of it.

And DM is correct that a lot of these markets are currently pretty weak. But there is still motivation for waste companies to keep this material out of landfills, as it takes up valuable space.