Living Green in the 21st Century

Hjarta In my post of February 26th, I looked at how builders and developers are tackling the challenge of building green for the residential market. A good case study from the Pacific Northwest is the company of Pryde + Johnson, whose Ashworth Cottages were the first homes in the state of Washington to achieve LEED for Homes Platinum Certification (in August of last year).

Ashworth Cottages offers traditional, craftsman-style homes grouped around an outdoor commons. Somewhat different in feel are two condominium projects which Pryde + Johnson currently has underway. Florera (in Greenlake, like Ashworth Cottages) and Hjarta (in the historic town of Ballard) are located in two of Seattle’s best-known urban neighborhoods. And as some of the first homes in the country to be designed according to LEED principles, these projects give us a glimpse at the changes that green design — and green living — will bring to our daily lives.

For the residents of these condominium complexes, life will be different ‘from the top down’. One can spend a day on the rooftop, hanging out in the recreation area or digging in the community garden, then bring some of the produce down to the kitchen and cook it for dinner. And while urban neighborhoods offer plenty of amenities for pedestrians, these green communities also offer responsible ways for people to meet their driving needs. Basement garages offer chargers for electric cars, and Florera provides a Flexcar, a low-emission, fuel efficient vehicle that is available for an hourly rate. And on the way down to the garage, it’s easy to get rid of recyclables — a sorting center is located in the basement.

While some green features are (happily) invisible — think hot water on demand and energy-efficient appliances — others bring a whole new aesthetic to the built environment. For example, recycled content in construction materials and finishes brings a fresh look to these 21st century buildings. Florera’s countertops are made of recycled glass and buttons… definitely a novelty. And structures built to sustainable standards will be a part of our landscape for a long time: in a video on their company website, the developers discuss the fact that their buildings are constructed of steel and concrete, giving them a lifespan of 100 years as opposed to the 25-35 year lifespan of a wood-frame building.

Innovations in green home design will continue to bring innovations to everyday living, so look for more of my upcoming posts to highlight residential projects.

Photo Credit: http://www.moderngreenliving.com/International/Local/Online/Eletronic/Directory/Hjarta.html

GT RUNS WITH A ‘MANY’ CROWD.(Cars and Trucks)

The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, NM) May 21, 2005 Byline: DENISE MCCLUGGAGE Primeval man, so it is said, counted “one, two, three, many.” I can relate to that. For me, if a car’s price is in six figures, it simply costs “many” dollars and thus is the same as any other car in that range. Thus the Bentley Continental GT is a competitor to every other performance car priced at “many.” In the same week I drove the Bentley in Santa Fe I also drove the Aston Martin DB9 in California. Odd that these distinctly British firms should now be owned by foreigners. Ford in the case of the Aston and Volkswagen for the Bentley. The erstwhile Brits are better for it, too. Legend comes with stirring yarns, but only modern innovation can keep stories from moldering. here aston martin db9

Being partial to power, I’m pleased to note that these cars are both driven by 12-cylinder engines, though both resulted from the marriage of a pair of V-6 engines. The engine in the Aston is of Ford origin; the Bentley’s is much like the top engine in Volkswagen’s Phaeton.

Both cars are low and sleek with an appearance that states a promise edging on a threat. Under way they are indeed stirring and stimulate the pleasure centers with rich sound and visuals, satisfying tactile input and an array of kinesthetic cookies. this web site aston martin db9

Which car did I find most satisfying? Hard to say. I particularly liked the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifting on the DB9. But the seats were not comfortable for me from the start and became bothersome over time. (Hey, with not too many dollars more, a buyer can get custom seats.) The DB9 on a textured highway was filled with road noise of industrial strength. Not pleasant. But then I did not drive the Bentley on such a road. My annoyance at that in the DB9 seemed a sign that my preference was tipping toward the Bentley.

The GT in the Bentley’s name stands for Grand Touring, and the Continental certainly delivered. The smooth performance and creature comforts suggest aiming at the horizon — and then the next and the next.

Also in the many-dollar category of high-performance coupes are the Ford GT, Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Turbo S and the Mercedes-Benz CL coupes (the AMG versions). Indeed, this is probably the hottest segment in the industry right now despite two inescapable facts: The dollars are many, and the miles to the gallon are few.

– Denise McCluggage CAPTION(S):

1. Aston Martin DB9 6.0-liter V-12, 450 hp Manual or automatic Coupe or convertible $156,350-$174,350

Comments

Paul Smith says:

March 13, 2008 at 6:06 pm

I think something like Ashworth Cottages is a nice bridge for those that want their house green, but not in capital letters. The website is one of the most beautifully designed I’ve seen in a long time.

Paul Smith says:

March 13, 2008 at 1:06 pm

I think something like Ashworth Cottages is a nice bridge for those that want their house green, but not in capital letters. The website is one of the most beautifully designed I’ve seen in a long time.

Daryl says:

March 16, 2008 at 9:55 pm

“giving them a lifespan of 100 years as opposed to the 25-35 year lifespan of a wood-frame building.”

And producing way more CO2 in their manufacture than the CO2 sequestration capacity of wood.

I better call my friends in New Brunswick who live in a 150 year old wood framed house and tell them it is 120 years past it’s life expectancy.

At least try and give facts.

2005 Housing Census

54.29% of homes were built prior to 1975 and before metal struss and stud technology (33 years +) and should all be replaced?

Daryl says:

March 16, 2008 at 4:55 pm

“giving them a lifespan of 100 years as opposed to the 25-35 year lifespan of a wood-frame building.”

And producing way more CO2 in their manufacture than the CO2 sequestration capacity of wood.

I better call my friends in New Brunswick who live in a 150 year old wood framed house and tell them it is 120 years past it’s life expectancy.

At least try and give facts.

2005 Housing Census

54.29% of homes were built prior to 1975 and before metal struss and stud technology (33 years +) and should all be replaced?

Kristin Dispenza says:

March 17, 2008 at 11:41 am

Right now concrete is definitely enjoying its heydey as the ‘durable’ material of choice — a lot of builders are getting LEED points by using concrete. But the most interesting point in all of this is well-presented by a research scientist in Canada who conducted a survey (http://www.cwc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/67D42613-BF5D-4573-BD43-C430B0B72C08/0/Service_Life_E.pdf) which showed “no relationship… between structural material and service life of a building”. For non-residential structures, especially, where land values change, buildings come down. No matter how old they are.