In addition to the Minibox, Oregon-based Ideabox is readying a new prefab in collaboration with IKEA Portland for the Portland Home & Garden Show slotted for February 22-26, 2012. Called “Aktiv,” the home is a new design centered around IKEA products, such as their kitchens, lights, furniture, and other materials. The intent is a cost effective home with great open spaces, soaring vaulted ceilings, and clean modern lines.
This is The New American Home — a project built every year in conjunction with the NAHB’s International Builders’ Show — in Orlando, Florida. The 4,000 square-foot home collected eight green building certifications, including LEED Platinum and NAHB Emerald, and is expected to consume 52% less energy than a standard home of similar size. Plus, a 4.0 kW solar array provides about 18% of annual energy needs.
Reader Randall Otulakowski walks around town in Toronto scavenging for gems thrown away by others in the community. He then takes that stuff to his 747 square-foot home and forms it into furniture and art — like the lath pieces here. Randall told me in an email he’s been getting good feedback on his reclaimed art made with hollow core doors and a lath patchwork. I think the feedback is right on; these are rich and full of statement.
Today, part three in a water-wise bathroom project that I’m blogging is live on HouseLogic. If you’re just catching up, I have an old 1958 bathroom that I’m remodeling while incorporating new WaterSense fixtures. The whole process is shared and documented in partnership with HouseLogic; plus, with each article each week, HouseLogic is offering commenters a chance to win $100 (check their rules).
The Green Button initiative, which gives customers access to their energy consumption data, is gathering steam as three California utilities announced in January they are offering the standardized energy use data to more than 10 million customers. The initial announcement by San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and Pacific Gas & Electric was followed by Glendale Power and Water, and Pepco Holdings, Inc., which said it will provide the streamlined data by summer of 2012 as it continues to deploy smart meters in its service area.
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