DAtE is a global architectural competition meant to find solutions to the problems occurring due to climate change. “Climate change refers to the variation in the Earth’s global climate or regional climates over time scales ranging from decades to millions of years. Changes may be driven by internal processes, external forces or, most recently, by human activities.” This is the third competition of its kind all originating in the Philippines with the winner being announced in early 2011.
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Jul
Jul
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.”
As temperatures climb higher and the summer sun shines brighter, many people look for a well-deserved vacation destination. Water parks are a high demand attraction and a costly one to the environment in most cases. But one water park is as entertaining as it is environmentally friendly. It is AquaCity Poprad in Poprad, Slovakia. This…
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.”
The hotel is Propeller Island City Lodge in Berlin, Germany. All of the 31 rooms, reception area, Gallery, meeting room, decor and objects in these areas were designed by German artist, Lars Stroschen.
Cement is everywhere. The foundations of our buildings, the driveways that lead beyond suburban garage doors, the walls of our schools, and the mortar joints between every brick we lay contain a binding substance we call Portland cement. Cement is the binding agent used to hold together the tough aggregate (rocky gravel) in the concrete…
Sometimes, the best technologies are the ones that are largely developed, but have yet to be widely embraced. An excellent example is the monolithic dome technology. A building technique that is faster and more materials efficient than traditional methods of building, yet produces a structure with enviable energy efficiency, low maintenance and near perfect disaster resistance.
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Jul
Jul
In a small town remotely located on the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley large eco-friendly ideas are taking root. The place is a close-knit community of approximately 130 people, called Crestone, Colorado and the concept is a better living and built environment for everyone.
Many different elements are part of the everyday life there. They are internationally known for alternative buildings and have approximately 100 sustainable homes is the area.
Prestyl USA has introduced a new form of art to the world, one that doubles as an energy-efficient way to heat a home or business. Prestyl USA's Radiant Artwork heating panels are state-of-the-art infrared panels of customizable thin-film artworks that provide enough heat for any room in a residential or commercial setting.
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Jun
A locally sourced place for customers and clients to go to purchase a large variety of natural materials, consult experts and experience the ‘green’ materials first hand is Originate. This is a natural building materials’ showroom located in Tucson, Arizona. “Originate specializes in interior finishes that are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, durable, and made from natural and renewable resources.”
Astonishing new advances in clean energy production are happening worldwide with the experimentation and understanding of piezoelectric technology.
A company that was established in 1953 in Flores de Cunha, Brazil, called Fábrica de Móveis Florense is a leading example in a business that thrives on sustainability. Fábrica de Móveis Florense, or more commonly known as simply Florense, is an international company. Florense is a furniture manufacturer and producer of high quality wood veneers.
A house built by Morris Partnership in rural Australia is a natural retreat with minimal impact on the environment and wildlife surrounding it. The house is known as the Hinterland House, for the region it was designed to be a part of.
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May
May
The events that make the biggest impact on the attendants do not have to leave an impact on the earth. Executive Director, Jan Hamilton with the CARTM Recycling Center in Manzanita, Oregon, developed an event which produces almost entirely no waste.
They started it in 1998 and on Friday, May 20, 2011 it will be their 13th annual Trash Bash. This is a community party with dancing, art and a fashion “Trashion” show all dedicated to recycling, re-using, and the non-wasting of materials.
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May
May
Architects are trained to look at the smallest details and those details in turn make the buildings unique and beautiful. If one looks close enough, the small elements can be the most surprising. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, those small elements seem to have taken on a life of their own. Throughout the city miniature doors can be found.
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Apr
Apr
There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a new appliance – this is especially true with refrigerators. Before buying a new fridge, make sure you know about the different styles and which will give you the best energy efficiency.
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Apr
Apr
Custom homebuilder Clark Johnson, founder of Apex Mountain Homes in Silverthorne, Colorado, is living in one of his very own sustainable creations. Johnson’s states his NET ZERO home is one of the most energy efficient homes in the country, producing more energy than it consumes.
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Apr
Apr
Inspired by requests from architects around the world, Alcoa scientists in Merxheim, France, developed the Reynobond Design Line, a collection of Colorweld DL paint finishes so realistic that they’re almost indistinguishable from real granite, wood, travertine and terra cotta.