Author of Healthy Stables by Design Discusses Sustainability and Health Factors of Stabling Horses
Wellington, FL – Oct 3, 2013 – Award-winning equestrian architect John Blackburn spoke at his alma mater, Clemson University, to a group from the School of Architecture, the Department of Landscape Architecture, the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, faculty and staff on Sept. 27 as part of Sustainability CAFé.
Sustainability CAFé is a Clemson University initiative to develop and strengthen the networks of those involved in sustainability research and/or advocacy and to build the social capital needed to address the most pressing issues of the 21st century. Clemson faculty, staff, students and community members participate in discussions to benefit from the rich, diverse knowledge base present in the campus community and to offer an opportunity for direct communication with members of the President’s Commission on Sustainability.
“Each Sustainability CAFé offering plays to a broad spectrum of disciplines from across campus and John’s talk was enthusiastically received by the overflow audience of students, teachers, design professionals and equestrians,” said John Jacques, Executive Director of the Clemson Architectural Foundation and Professor Emeritus of Architecture. “His casual manner served to encourage questions, and the give and take was very lively, indeed!”
Blackburn’s firm is known for creating a group of four distinct regionally-sensitive and pre-designed Blackburn Green Barns designed to utilize local materials. Blackburn works to responsibly select construction materials and preserve rare and endangered materials.
Not only is Blackburn concerned with the health of the environment, he is deeply concerned with the health of the horse. He is the author of the recently released book, Healthy Stables by Design, a museum-quality coffee table book that illustrates Blackburn’s approach to equestrian architecture. It introduces the concepts of aerodynamic ventilation, strategic natural light and passive solar heating and cooling into significant horse barn designs ranging from exquisite to functional, all designed with the health of the horse in mind.
The Clemson event was one of the first in a cross-country tour over the next year to celebrate the launch of Blackburn’s book. Blackburn will travel to many of the farms featured in the book for private signing events. In addition, he will make public appearances at bookshops, museums, equestrian venues and major horse shows. All author profits from the book will be donated to various equine charities.
The Healthy Stables by Design fall calendar of events planned:
Oct. 10 Mettawa, IL – private event
Oct. 15 Southern Pines, SC – The Country Bookshop
Oct. 16 Camden, SC – Books on Broad
Oct. 18 Ridgeway, SC – private event
Oct. 19 Waxhaw, SC – The Gracious Home
Oct. 20 Rock Hill, SC – private event
Oct. 22-27 Washington, D.C. – Washington International Horse Show
Oct. 29 – Nov. 3 Lexington, KY – Alltech National Horse Show
Nov. 6 Rancho Santa Fe, CA – private event
Nov. 9 Salinas, CA – Steinbeck County Equine Clinic – private event
Nov. 10 Pebble Beach, CA – The Lodge at Pebble Beach – private event
Nov. 12 Woodside, CA – private event
Nov. 19 Washington, D.C. National Press Club Book Fair
Nov. 21 Leesburg, VA – private barn
Healthy Stables by Design by John Blackburn is now available for purchase. Click here to order your copy.
About John Blackburn
John Blackburn serves as the President and Senior Principal of Blackburn Architects, a Washington, D.C. firm. He has 35 years of expertise in architecture and 30 years of work focusing specifically on equestrian architecture with more than 160 horse farm designs to his credit. His award-winning work is widely known for its beauty, functionality and sustainability.
Blackburn has built facilities for racing, polo, hunters and jumpers and Quarter horses in a variety of climates and evolving site conditions.
Blackburn’s work has been featured in dozens of equestrian, architecture and luxury lifestyle publications. Most recently, the fall edition of Equestrian Quarterly included “How to Get the Best Barn While Working within a Budget,” in which Blackburn shared his thoughts on planning a safe, efficient and budget-conscious barn. Equestrian Quarterly’s summer issue also featured a Blackburn article, “Let There Be Light,” about current trends in equestrian architecture and the importance of ventilation and natural light.
Click here to learn more about Blackburn Architects.
For more about Healthy Stables by Design by John Blackburn, click here.
Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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