There was a fantastic article in the NY Times on a positive energy home dubbed Solar Harvest. Solar Harvest generated more electricity in 2006 than what it took from the grid, so Xcel Energy sent the owner a check for $8.45. Nice! Solar Harvest was built by Eric Doub and his company, EcoFutures, in Boulder, Colorado for $1.38 million, including land.
This is Tom Kundig’s first condo project, Eleven Eleven East Pike — a retail- residential use, urban infill structure in Seattle’s Pike/Pine neighborhood. Details of the project are being released today, but I have some inside bits of information for sustainability enthusiasts. In addition to being an urban infill project, Eleven Eleven East Pike will be Built Green 3-star certified and have a Walk Score of 98 (tops = 100). Which means sustainability is integrated with the culture and soul of the neighborhood. Owners will have an opportunity to use their cars less and stay active in the community.
The work of Tom Kundig is highly respected and widely celebrated. I see the same for Eleven Eleven East Pike, which will have five floors of residential (27 homes), ground level retail, and two floors of subsurface parking.
Check out these cool tile tapestry patterns from Heath Ceramics. I’m partial to the flemish bond gunmetal (shown top left and below). Heath Ceramics has a factory/kiln in Sausalito, California where they create these incredible tiles. Their Tapestry Collection has three patterns: argyle, stitch, and flemish bond, which can be face-mounted in 12×12" squares. Prices vary depending on the pattern, but if you’re looking for a specialty application, try the overstock tiles offered at 75% off retail.
This is Oulu Bar & EcoLounge in Williamsburg, home to Brooklyn’s first living wall installation. The 2,500 sf building was designed by Evangeline Dennie and it’s currently seeking LEED Gold certification. You’ll find a few different photos below, including a before shot, for your viewing pleasure.
What do you think? The green wall makes quite the design statement, doesn’t it? It’s tough to deny the modern appeal of vertical greenery, I say.
Maine Cottage is a Maine-based furniture company specializing in colorful, fun furniture. The company, which did not start out as an environment focused company, is actually quite green. 90% of their products are made by artisans in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and North Carolina. Of course, local production means less travel and fewer harmful emissions.
