Sound Shore

Architect Michael Molinelli will talk about historic landmarks and how to keep them, at the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum, 20 Sicard Ave., New Rochelle, at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Not to put the pressure on the Briarcliff Manor-based designer, but there’s a good chance there will be a humorous note to his talk, called “Historical Preservation: Darwinian or Act of God.”

The note about the talk from the Huguenot & New Rochelle Historical Association calls Molinelli “an amusing speaker known for his humorous approach to serious architectural design.”

Putting an emphasis on New Rochelle landmarks, Molinelli’s talk “will beg the question: How do we preserve them while wondering if anyone else cares?” the note from the historical association says.

In 2009, Molinelli wrote an opinion piece on saving energy for The Journal News. Here’s how it began:

“Recently, for a house renovation, my architectural firm specified a central, computerized control system that has the capacity to control temperature in each of the rooms. According to a complex schedule, the system turns lights on and off, opens and closes windows, raises and lowers shades, and operates televisions, DVRs and radios. It cost about $65,000. I have a similar system in my house that costs $0: me, the Dad. I am shutting off lights, closing windows and doors, opening shades and turning off electronic devices. I realize that I could be considered ‘green’ simply because I am cheap and lazy.

“When my kids ask why we don’t have a big-screen TV, I used to bluster about how hard I had it when I was a kid. Our TV was black and white until I got to high school or about how our remote control was a pair of pliers we kept on top of the TV because the knob had broken off the channel changer. But after some research I learned that plasma TVs consume four times the electricity as a regular TV. So now we don’t have a giant flat-screen TV because Daddy is saving the planet.”

So, if you’re interested in the talk, here’s the full note from the historical association, with details on the cost and how to reserve a spot:

Michael Molinelli, AIA, LEED ap, NCARB, an established Westchester architect, is an amusing speaker known for his humorous and accessible approach to serious architectural design.  Michael will lecture on a review of local historical landmarks with an emphasis on New Rochelle.  He will beg the question: How do we preserve them while wondering if anyone else cares.  Light refreshments served afterwards will provide an opportunity to look at the historic house museum and speak with Michael.

 Price: $10.00 per person,

H&NRHA Members: $5.00 per person

 For Information & Reservations Call: 914-633-1776