This week on Burning Down the House, Curtis B. Wayne is discussing volunteerism with architect Leah Kreger. Leah has been donating her time to relief efforts in Breezy Point and The Rockaways in Queens, New York in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Tune in to learn about the roles that professional architects and laypeople can play in terms of rebuilding these devastated areas. How does the architect's social contract factor into the idea of volunteering? Hear about some of the construction and rebuilding techniques that are being used to fix and insulate homes in Breezy Point. Leah speaks about Storm Enormous and her experiences working with the populations in Queens, and how architects can design to serve the community in emergency situations. This program has been sponsored by The Heritage Meat Shop.

"Architects have this thing where sometimes we work these crazy hours... but one of the things that I have learned is that working longer hours does not necessarily serve our clients. I want to put a push back into being efficient and effective with our resources and our energy." [60:00]

-- Leah Kreger on Burning Down the House

On this week's edition of Burning Down the House, Curtis breifly explores concepts of sustainable aspects of constructions. How green is steel? Is there such a thing as rot-proof wood? Find out more about advances in building materials and how you can make sure your building live a long healthy life. This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.

This week on Burning Down the House, Curtis B. Wayne has a modular-minded conversation with Joseph Tanney of Resolution: 4 Architecture. Joseph specializes in modular, panelized and sustainable prefabricated homes and explains his thinking behind this method of home-building. Find out why he sees the kitchen island as the hearth of the home, and how budget and restraint play into the role of the architect. This program was brought to you by Fairway Market.

"We consider the kitchen as the plan generator. Frank Lloyd Wright used to think of the fireplace as the hearth of the home, we think of the kitchen island as the same."

"One of the problems [architects] have is not knowing how much something will cost before we design it."

--Architect Joseph Tanney of Resolution: 4 Architecture on Burning Down the House