.....
Sorry for your property loss. I hope you & your friends & family are all unharmed & safe. When you have your health & your friends - you will REBUILD.
Your DA friends could already be a part of a community relief network in your area.
Organizations that may assist not only you but your community that has been affected & possibly give your DA community a chance to help include but not limited to Architects Without Borders.
Attached also is a link to the AIA Flood Damage-Assessment procedures.
http://www.aia.org/about/initiatives/AIAS075276
whenever I find a computer...
I will try to give you an update.
First of all your reactions are moving me to tears. It is difficult not to feel the genuine warmth and concern that inspires your generosity. But to be honest there are people that need your help more than I will ever need it, so your concern is already more than one could hope for.
We are still not allowed to visit the house to pick up some of the daily necessities that one starts to appreciate more and more. The house is still standing, not horisontally as usual, but few things are as usual so... Right now the public safety autority presumes that the water in the basement is holding up the remaining walls so for some time we will not be able to use the very well written instructions after flood water damage and recovery (thanks for looking it up and sharing)
The news from the insurance companies (one for the house, one for the workshop) is still uncertain. But it starts to look better on the house side. Although we already got used to the idea not to rebuild the house and to transform the workshop in our new residence there seems to be some hope.
Both my wife and I are doing well. She got some flying object on her head and I show some remains of a battle with some garden equipment that came floating in while I tried to get out, but that to is minor.
When evacuated you are more or less in the hands of the proper autorities for meetings of the victims, etc. so even if I can not work, I have only sporadically access to a computer but I will use that time to return some of your kindness.
Oh Koen
Of all people to have this happen to them. I know you will not agree, of course -- but the old phrase "why do bad things happen to good people ?" naturally appears to me now. No one could have been kinder to others, here, nor more generous, and useful, and (at the same time) humble, than you have been.
If there were anything I could do, I hope somebody would tell me. Should I send you dry socks ?
The hint of bureaucratic red tape is sad to hear -- all too familiar to people in your (damp) shoes, I suppose. A mini-Katrina victim ?
What is the body of water that insulted your property ? I'm not sure we know just where you are. As could be expected, the news of flooding north of the border didn't make the front pages this far away.
Red Cross
I'm attaching the link to the Canadian Red Cross which is helping the victims of the 2009 Manitoba floods. If you designate your donation to that specific cause, I am sure that Koen and his neighbors will directly reap the benefits of your generosity.
Koen, if there are any more specific ways we can help, let us know, if you can. Keep up the good fight, Riki
http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=31211&tid=001
Koen is actually in Quebec
in the town of St-André-Avellin.
Here's a recent news article on what's happening:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Flood+waters+rise+Saint+Andr%C3%A9+Ave...
First, thank you very much...
First, thank you very much to all of you who have offered their assistance here on the forum or by email.
By reading the last message of Koen, it is clear that he will need our support to put the Atelier Orange back on its rails. Even if it's a modest contribution, Alix and I very much want that Design Addict takes part in this objective. Of course, nobody here must feel obliged to take part but your reactions make us believe that some of you would gladly take part in our effort.
Among us, many are collectors and we are well placed to know that almost all collectors have extra pieces. Others are designers, artists who have their own creations. Perhaps one could organize a sale on eBay of which the benefit would be donated to l'Atelier Orange? Those of you who want could sell one or several objects on their ebay account. We would decide a date for the sale and Design Addict would make the promotion of it. We could also show the objects on the Radar or in new a thread on the forum where all the lots would be visible together. Those who don't have objects to sell or are not ebay sellers could contribute by buying an object or by helping us to promote the sale among their friends, etc.
Does that seem a good idea to you?
Koen
I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts are with you. Bill
To patrick and alix; I am on board to help. My wife and I are about ready to roll out our initial glass designs (which we will open for a critical eye on DA first, of course!). I will happily donate one of mine to an auction effort. You have my e-mail yes?
You'll be back, Koen
As I have been a beneficiary of your generous industry knowledge and your innovative design consulting, it was inspiring to see you set up your own shop, and it is very saddening to hear the news..
Your items for your Atelier possess qualities not found in the mass production world - the world in which you resided for so long. Your fusion of design and studio production - each at the highest level - is an inspiring model of practice for young designers (and hopefully design-challenged craftspeople!)
Here's hoping your studio is back on it's feet in due time, and that the flood exposed a lifetime supply of clay in your backyard.
Regards,
Geoff Lilge
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com