Charles originally intended the space to be an art hub where creatives could work on their projects and passions. Within a few months of use, it was evident that the current state of the building was not sustainable.
The energy bill was costing Charles more than $5,000 of his personal savings. Despite his desire to keep the building alive, his monthly electricity bill was too high. It took a lot of energy to make the old high school work.
Instead of giving up on his dream, Charles decided to get creative. He installed LED lighting throughout the building. He also started controlling the ventilation system with motion sensors. This ensured that rooms only used power when people were present.
Additionally, Charles installed solar panels to power the entire building. With all of these changes, Charles was able to reduce his monthly utility bill to less than $400. These creative solutions helped keep his dream alive.
Charles currently lives in the renovated high school with his wife and their young child. There are many other artists and non-profit organizations that also live in the same space.
The area has been dubbed the “Smiling Building” and is a landmark in the small town of Durango. After seeing the photos of this amazing building, everyone will want to visit this amazing place.
