Whether you are looking for organic fabric for upholstery, curtains, or a headboard, it is definitely a challenge to find.  You would think that by now there would be plenty of companies to choose from with selections similar to regular fabric, but there aren’t.  Pick Hemp, founded in the early 1990′s, has one of the best collections of eco-friendly fabrics on the market.  They offer a range of materials including hemp, silk blends, organic cotton, and soybean and bamboo.  Pricing is incredibly reasonable compared to the other options on the market with a range from $4 – $14 /yard.

Read more »

This is a preview of what William McDonough (you know, Cradle to Cradle and Time’s Hero for the Planet) will be talking about this week in Abu Dhabi at the World Future Energy Summit.  Dubbed the "Tree Tower" by Building Magazine, a leading UK construction magazine, the speculative Office Building of the Future was originally just a concept for Fortune Magazine in 2006.  There is no commission for the building, but at the very least, it illustrates principles of good design for all buildings.

Blending nature and man-made construction, the Office Building of the Future will positively impact the environment.  Solar and geothermal power create energy, tree-filled terraces recycle water, and multiple skins weatherproof and insulate the inside of the building.  The building, designed with materials that can either be reused or returned safely to the earth, is made to absorb natural light, too.  In all, it’s a super showcase of principles necessary to build something that doesn’t take more than it gives.  We’ll see if McDonough makes any announcements this week.  Thoughts?

Read more »

Hey there, pardon the interruption, but we’ve got some fun news.  As of 15 minutes ago, the Jetson Green Facebook Group just went live.  I invite you all to join, if you’re interested in Facebook.  This will be a fun experiment.  It’ll give us a chance to get to know readers and it’ll give readers a chance to rub elbows with like-minded individuals.  I hope you’ll drop by and contribute.  Everyone’s invited!  You may even try a few of these things:

• Post a picture,
• Post a cool video,
• Ask a green question, or
• Share an insightful link/tip.

• Wind Power booms with 45% growth in 2007!
• GE Financial targets $6 Billion in renewable energy investments.
• N. Cali homebuilder group mandates 50% energy reduction by 2020.
• Natural Home Top 10 green housing developments.
• Going green can attract and keep employees.
• Greening developers may not be that easy.

*WIR = Week in Review; a Saturday showcase of excellent links.

We featured GreenMobile® last year when we blogged about the Lifecycle Building Challenge winners.  GreenMobile® was a winner in the Professional Unbuilt category.  Now, mounting success upon success, Michael Berk, creator of the concept, has a prototype in the works to be unveiled in March 2008.  Can’t wait to see that!  GreenMobile® was awarded $5.8 M from FEMA to further develop the prototype and roughly 80 units are in the pipeline right after that prototype comes through. 

Read more »

I know, I know.  I’m treading on thin water with this one, what with all the haters and anti-sprawlsters out there.  But strictly to make the point that businesses can use less and save money, I like this story.  Next week, Wal-Mart will open the first store of the company’s next generation of green stores in Romeoville, Illinois.  Where their first generation of two green stores saved about 20% energy, this store will save about 25% energy.  The energy savings result from experimentations in refrigeration and heating/cooling systems in their first generation of green stores. 

Read more »