Bikes are more prevalent than people!

Cars are considered guests in this great city.  As the main mode of transportation is by bike, bicycle decks everywhere.  No wonder the Dutch stay in shape even when french fries and mayonaise are the street snack of choice.

Bustling community hub arises from a once abandoned warehouse

Birmingham could benefit from such up-cycling ideas!  Whether the warehouse becomes a mecca of art studios or a hub of local entrepreneurs and mini-markets.  Both Amsterdam and Rotterdam are full of examples of up-cycling, recycling, and sustainable practices.

Green Roofs and Green Walls

Urban areas in the Netherlands benefit from heat island reduction strategies such as green roofs and green walls.

Photos from the Netherlands

TU Delft

Workshop on photovoltaic technology 

Hidden Architecture

Some of the most beautiful architecture in Holland is hiding inside old massive churches such as the Sint-Nicolaaskerk (1887), Oude Kerk (1306), and Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk (1525).

Group picture at the Iamsterdam sign!

Keukenhof - Tulip Garden

Liquid sunshine rained down on us as we visited Keukenhof, a stunning sight of colors only seen for 6 weeks out of the year.

A Different Sense of Nationalism

During dinner yesterday, we reached the hour of 8:00pm, when the entirety of Holland was silent for two minutes. This is done in remembrance for those lost in the second World War, in addition to all others lost in combat.

It struck me that we have nothing like that in America.

Attending public school, a lot of us recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, only occasionally understanding the weight of our own words. Usually it was followed by a "moment of silence," which we all ignored for the allotment of time until it was broken by redundant announcements.

I can recall only once in my life when our entire nation was silent: September 11, 2001.

Why don't we have anything like that?

I feel like we aren't as communal or sentimental in the US. I think it would mean a lot to the American people and to the world for us to participate in a national remembrance like that.

Tulips

Repurposed Materials

Throughout our trip we have seen beautiful, creative, and practical uses of recycled materials. Below are a couple of examples of items restored to their former glory. Tulips in an old bathtub in front of an old double decker bus. Art from an old shipping container. Student housing from shipping containers. Each container houses one student. Display from old textiles. A restaraunt that used found materials for their patio.

Ideas from Squatters

We have ideas to take an old warehouse and renovate it into a space for organic food and markets. More information to come when we have more details worked out. ~ Food Group!

Architecture in the Netherlands

These photos illustrate the diversity of architecture in the Netherlands. The first three photos were taken in Amsterdam, the fourth photo was taken just outside of Amsterdam, the next photos were taken in Leiden, while the final photo was taken in Rotterdam.