Author Archives: Susie Kim-Carberry

Straw Bale Homes Offer Energy-Efficient and Cost-Effective Remedy for the UK Government

We all know the story of the three little pigs. The first pig who made his house made with straws got eaten by the big bad wolf. However, for homeowners and builders, homes built with straw bales may have redeeming qualities of being energy-efficient and cost-effective. It has become such an attractive green building material that even the UK government believe it has the potential to bale out the economic crisis felt even abroad.

“A typical straw bale wall is roughly three times as efficient as conventional framing,” says Andrew Morrison, owner of Straw Bale Innovations. “Over the life of a typical thirty year mortgage, this superior insulation can reduce energy costs by up to 75%, saving money and vital natural resources.”

Let Them Eat Cake and Build a Solar-Powered Recording Studio

Cake decided to use renewable energy source to produce their sixth album, “Showroom of Compassion” which debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200. The band installed 13 photovoltaic solar roofs on top of their recording studio in Sacremento, Calif.

“We hired a company with great experience and competence, Borrego Solar, and they set us up with a way to break away from our dependence on the city’s energy grid,” said members of the band, “Working on a new album, we feel satisfaction in the common denominator of together embracing the unlimited resource of the sun.”

Truro House in Cape Cod is the Perfect Energy-Efficient and Modern Beach Home

The Truro Home in Cape Cod is a stunning combination of modern architecture that works in harmony with nature rather than against it. Environmentally conscious as well as energy-efficient, the Truro home takes full advantage of the west facing view of the ocean.

Architectural Staircases That Defy Gravity and Beauty

Back in my early 20's, when I used to live in the city (that's what New Yorkers call Manhattan); I had a brief stint at the Mercer Kitchen as a hostess. Besides their impeccably delicious and perfectly prepared food, I always loved the interior design of this iconic hotel, especially the floating stair case. Designed by Parisian designer, Christian Liaigre, This all revealing sub floating staircase was what started my love for modern zen architecture and passion for beautiful builds.

An Ecovillage, Dancing Rabbit Puts Green Building Ideas and Materials to Good Use

Ever wondered what it felt like to live in a truly sustainable community? Wonder no more, because Dancing Rabbit, an Ecovillage based in northeastern Missiouri can be a life changing experience for anyone who’s willing to learn, live and work under their Eco-minded philosophy.

Green Building 101: Debunking Myths of Green Building and Remodeling

As we take on the project of green building from the ground up, we focused on consideration of space in week 1 and the use of Bioclimatic design on week two. This week, we take a closer look at some of the myths green building and renovation. We debunk false ideas and take a detailed look at what it really means to build sustainably after defogging the cloak of smoke and mirror behind green building myths.

Green Building 101: Using Bioclimatic Design to Build a Passive, Sustainable Dwelling

Bioclimatic Design

Building a greener dwelling isn’t some lofty idea but practical solutions we all must make to build a more sustainable future. As we started with consideration of space in Green Building 101-Week 1; How Defines Us in Terms of Sustainable Building; Now, we look at the environment around us as we build our Eco-conscious dwelling. By building in harmony with the natural environment and cooperating instead of fighting with the regional climate; Green Building takes a passive approach which requires less energy to run once the building is erected. Bioclimatic design is utilized during the design phase of a home or building.

Zero VOC and Formaldehyde Free, PureBond Plywood, Gets a Nod from the Green Parents’ List

As the first building product to receive the Green Parents’ List Healthy Home check mark, the PureBond Plywood has no VOC, especially no formaldehyde, a well known respiratory and skin irritant. In order to meet the Green Parent’s List requirement, product must pass the VOC restriction set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and also meet additional third party validation.

John Marshall Roberts Spreading the Message, Empathy is the Key to Greener Society

Empathy can be a powerful agent in changing the world. Just ask John Marshall Roberts who is a bestselling author, social scientist, and CEO of Worldview Learning. Roberts describes himself as “a renegade social scientist who refused to fit in in the academic world that I came from”.

E-Waste Recycling Made Easy

Electronic waste, otherwise known as E-waste, is one of the largest cause of waste stream by humans due to advances in technology in which electronic appliances becomes obsolete in a short amount of time. Another significant factor is our need to have the “latest gadget” so even if the electronic isn’t obsolete, it becomes useless in the consumers’ eyes. “Disposing of e-waste in landfills has the potential to cause severe human and environmental health impacts,” says California Department of Toxic Substance Control. Therefore it is essential that e-waste is disposed in the proper manner not only for environmental sake but for health reasons as well.

Sustainable and FSC Certified Wood Floors from Mafi

Wonderfully natural in every sense and one hundred percent Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood floors are here with Mafi, a company that specializes in sustainable, engineered wide plank flooring. FSC is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation that supports environmentally-oriented, socially acceptable and economically sustainable use of our earth’s forests.

An Urban Masterplan Community that Consumes More Carbon than It Emits

A master designed urban community in South Africa was chosen as one of the sixteen real estate project by the Clinton Climate Initiative Development (CCI) . The Zonk’izizwe Town Center, a development of planned urban community in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa is participating in this CCI program which will strive to reduce the amount of…

EKLA HOME Offers Sustainable and Eco Furniture Option

EKLA HOME created by Emily Kroll in 2007 is a great sustainable minded furniture company that uses reclaimed wood, Organic fabrics, and low VOC binders. Kroll comes from an established line of furniture makers; furniture designer on one side, and an architectural and scrap metal recycler on the other. Kroll uses this knowledge, as well…

Introducing Lumboo, First Engineered Dimensional Lumber from Bamboo

Bamboo has gotten a lot of accolades in the green building and construction. They are renewable, has natural antibiotic properties, and are biodegradable. The biggest perk is that renewable factor; it only takes three years for bamboo to reach their maturity whereas a tree can take up to 150 years. Another reason to celebrate Bamboo…