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.
27
Jan
Jan
A futuristic hotel that can survive natural disasters and provide a healthy environment for its inhabitants is the idea behind Alexander Remizov’s “The Ark.”
27
Jan
Jan
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.
21
Jan
Jan
Dancing may not be seen as a way to save the environment, but at a London club it powers the air conditioning, saving precious energy. The science behind the technology, piezoelectricity, creates a current when crystals under the floor press against each other.
21
Jan
Jan
China and Singapore are the first countries to collaborate and come up with a suitable answer to what future cities may need to be with the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city.
19
Jan
Jan
The Atherton House in Atherton, California is an ideal example of how to incorporate manmade elements that pre-exist on a site to benefit that site.
14
Jan
Jan
Several projects were honored at Greenbuild in November, including a LEED Platinum house built for under $100 per square foot, an affordable housing project named after General Colin Powell, and the most prolific LEED for Homes provider in the nation.
13
Jan
Jan
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.
12
Jan
Jan
Modular homes or pre-manufactured kits (see left photo: Shelter-Kit barn and pool) may be appealing because of lower costs and the speed with which the final product can be assembled, but what differences do they have when it comes to measuring how green a home might be.
05
Jan
Jan
Two considerations for building a modular, or prefabricated home involve shipping size and cost.
04
Jan
Jan
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.
29
Dec
Dec
The Crossway House in Kent, UK, uses historical techniques intermixed with new modern ideals leaving a zero-carbon footprint.
22
Dec
Dec
We have written about some interesting portable power generating options available by plugging into the sun or from pedaling a stationary bicycle. We now look at some of the other options that might be considered “a little farther out there.” This list includes a portable wind generator and a hydro-powered backpack.
22
Dec
Dec
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”.
20
Dec
Dec
Wasco Skylights now incorporate electrochromic glass into their products. This allows the glazing system to be part of the energy management system, responding in real time to changes in light levels.
15
Dec
Dec
Energy and lighting efficiency questions are plentiful on whether or not to make a transition from traditional incandescent lighting systems to LED alternatives.
13
Dec
Dec
What to get the “greenie” on your list? How about a rechargeable flashlight that can charge your cell phone, iPad, and iPod? Great for emergency kits, too.
06
Dec
Dec
TSC Global, championing its innovative “Roofs for the World” program, met in Denver with a group of earth building advocates, including Partners Worldwide and Iowa-based Vermeer Tractors for a full production test run of the Vermeer’s mobile compressed earth block machine press.