New old-fashioned housing the subject of museum talk

JUNEAU - Bob Banghart, chief curator at the Alaska State Museums, will discuss "Sustainable Shelter" during a brown-bag lecture set for Wednesday at noon at the Alaska State Museum. The illustrated talk will show how traditional and indigenous architectural concepts are influencing contemporary housing design. The one-hour talk is free to the public.

In June, the first of a new style of affordable, green, partially earth-sheltered, single-family homes was constructed in the village of Anakatuvuk Pass. The program will explore the community-based collective design process used to develop these innovative structures and how they align traditional knowledge with contemporary demands.

Images of the new "soddy," and examples of traditional earth-sheltered houses from around Alaska will be presented.

The lecture series takes place every Wednesday, from noon to 1 p.m., through March 31. It is sponsored by the Alaska Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums. For more information call 465-2901 or visit www.museums.state.ak.us.