Green Building : Jetson Green

The Green Living Manifesto: Truly Sustainable Living

If we position true sustainable living as the goal, or the objective, then green buildings and infrastructure are only half the way we can get there (not to put the cart before the horse because we still have a long way to go in that regard, but ...).  To really get to true sustainable living, the idea continues, lifestyles must evolve and everyday habits and behaviors must change.  The Green Living Manifesto presents Self Evident Truths, a Mission, Loaded Questions, and a Commitment: We, the Green Living Movement, pledge to make sustainable lifestyles more convenient and attractive through every aspect of our work.  Go check it out ...

Deconstruction Grows in Popularity, Spawns New Businesses

In her Teardown Diary, Wall Street Journal columnist Nancy Keates forgoes the common practice of demolition and instead opts for "unbuilding."  Usually referred to as deconstruction, unbuilding is when you disassemble an old structure piece by piece and salvage the usable parts.  Ms. Keates found that the deconstruction of her home will cost about $4,000 more than straight demolition, but costs can vary project to project.

Anna Sova, a Luxurious Line of Home Eco-Products

Anna Sova is a Dallas, Texas based company offering organic bedding, towels, paints, and bath and body products.  The bedding uses materials such as eco-silk and US-grown organic cottons and usually at least a 600 thread count.  Their towels are 100% organic cotton with spa-quality, 900 gsm (grams per square meter).  This compares to conventional towels which have 300-400 gsm.  Other products include soy candles, aromatherapy, and bath and body products.  My favorite offering, however, is their paint, which is made from 99% food grade materials and is VOC free (or as close as is currently possible). 

Green from the Ground Up Review and Giveaway

I've just received an excellent new book, and as is the tradition here at JG, I'll be giving the book away to one random commenter.*  Published by The Taunton Press, Green from the Ground Up is incredibly thorough and more helpful than I ever imagined it would be (to be entirely frank about it).  I really shouldn't have been surprised, though, because one of the authors, David Johnston, has another book out on green remodeling that's very popular.  So I expect Green from the Ground Up to be just as successful.  It has over 300 pages and 300 color images that provide a way for the reader to see that (1) green building actually works and (2) green buildings don't have to be ugly.

Indiana Green Bank Uses Wind, Solar + Geothermal

I call dibs on this prediction: to the extent that banks can keep themselves from drowning financially, we're going to see a huge proliferation of green branches over the next five years.  The guy on the video uses the word "fad", but I think we all know it's more than that.  This branch here, First Federal Savings Bank, is located in Mishawaka, Indiana and just opened last week.  The local press gave the retail pad some pretty positive coverage, as you can tell from the images, video, and diagram.  The LEED Registered, $2.5 M branch relies on a wind turbine, solar panels, energy efficient windows, Agriboard compressed-straw panels, permeable pavers, and geothermal heating and cooling.

++A Different Green for Banks [South Bend Trib]

2008 AIA/COTE Top 10 Green Projects Announced!

Every year, the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) invites electronic submissions of built projects and announces ten (10) award winners.  I've included direct links to each project below -- after the links, you'll find detailed case studies and background information.  Here they are ...

8 Chifley Square Adds Color to Green Tower Design [S2]

Soon there could be a new, sustainable tower rising in the Sydney skyline at 8 Chifley Square.  Subject to council approval, the colorful building would seek both a six-star Green Star and five-star ABGR rating, the highest level of certification available under both systems.  With design like that, it won't surprise many that 8 Chifley is expected to use 50% less energy than a comparable Sydney CBD building.

Sprawl Home Discounts, Big City LEED and Codes, + Future of Green Buildings [WIR]

• Housing expert sees green building as growth area.
• R.K. Stewart talks about future of sustainable design.
• Does LEED have a big city bias?
• Home prices drop most in areas with long commute.
• Green building codes hitting major cities in 2008.
• Country aims to make Energy Star mandatory for new homes.
• LA and SFC vie for title of "greenest city."

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

Help Project H Design Give 100 Lifestraw Systems

Last February, we mentioned Project H Design and Emily Pilloton's project to provide 50 Hippo Rollers to a community in South Africa.  They met the initial goal of 50 and ended up providing something like 75 Hippo Rollers.  Project H Design is now working towards providing over 100 Lifestraw Family systems to a community in Mumbai, India.  If you are interested in contributing to the cause, please feel free to donate at Project H Design. 

Method Homes Debuts Modern, Green Prefab Design

Update 7/24/08 - The Method Cabin is now complete!

We have a new company here, Method Homes, that just announced the construction of their first prefab model, The Method Cabin.  Method Homes is targeting LEED-H Gold certification for the five-module abode, which will be about 1811 sf with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  I've been navigating through the blog a little bit, studying the details of this first design, and I definitely like what I see so far.  Designed by Seattle architectural firm, Balance Associates, The Method Cabin will have that trendy cantilevered roof and efficient, functional floor plans.  It will also have some nice green touches with Kliptech Ecotop countertops, Bamboo Hardwoods cabinets and flooring, and the Warmboard radiant sub floor.