"Dilbert" Creator Tries to Build Green House

Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, walks readers through the planners, planning commissioners, architects and builders that plagued him through his quest to build a sustainable home.

1 minute read

August 25, 2010, 11:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


After clearing numerous hurdles in persuading his architect and builder to use sustainable materials, Adams faces the planning commission:

"They like to approve things that are similar to things they've approved before. To do otherwise is to risk unemployment. And the neighbors don't want to live next to a house that looks like a compost pile. But let's say, for the sake of this fascinating story, that everyone in the planning commission is heavily medicated with medical marijuana and they approve your project over the objections of all of your neighbors, except for the beavers, who are suspiciously flexible. Now you need a contractor who is willing to risk his career to build this cutting-edge structure.

Good luck with that."

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 in The Wall St. Journal

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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