University of California, San Diego is in the process of installing Solar Trees by Envision Solar on the roofs of two of its parking garages.  The Solar Trees are designed to provide clean energy for the campus, shade for vehicle parking, and future infrastructure for electrical vehicles.  Each Solar Tree at UCSD will generate more than 17,000 hours of clean energy per year, which is enough to power more than four single-family homes.  In aggregate, with two parking garages topped with Solar Trees, you can imagine the power they’re generating. 

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There's an interesting story to the green building certification of the historic Mutual Building in Lansing, Michigan.  Not only did it receive LEED Platinum certification in both the LEED-CS and LEED-CI ratings systems, making it the world's first building to do so, it's also an historic building that's been preserved, renovated, and certified.  People will, in all likelihood, discuss the building's double platinum certification, but I think it is more commendable and noteworthy that they did all that in the context of a building listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.  It's quite incredible …

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• NRDC Report: Green investment now = 2 million jobs.
• Demand is growing for low-impact "green" homes.
• Building integrated solar cells could make solar more attractive.
• Nature is inspiring green design for pretty much everything!
• Eco-friendly loft project reuses industrial site.
• Green buildings gaining steam, albeit slowly.
• Sustainable buildings are virtuous, but they can be ugly.
• Oregon building opts for Green Globes instead of LEED.
• Can a building be LEED certified without being green?

Blogs worth reading: The Greeniest, designTURF + GroovyGreen.

As an interesting example of adaptive reuse, I thought it would be fun to showcase the design of Menefee + Winer’s office in Atlanta, Georgia.  Located at 1075 Brady Avenue near Georgia Tech, the 4,100 sf building used to be bland, gray muffler shop (see bottom) — but now with its vibrant colors and fierce shape, how about the transformation?  This LEED Silver building is also, interestingly, the first LEED-NC certified architect’s office in Georgia.  Here are a few things they incorporated through the gut rehab:

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We’re proud media sponsors of West Coast Green and I know some of you would like to attend.  The event is fast approaching on September 25-27th at the San Jose Convention Center and we just received word from WCG that a little more volunteer help is needed!   In exchange for working a 6-hour shift, volunteers receive a full conference pass (a $575 value) and West Coast Green tshirt.  Volunteers provide crucial support enabling the success of the conference.   You’ll be able to check out over 400 exhibitors of the latest innovative building materials, hear from the 150 leaders and visionaries in green building, and experience the West Coast Green Harbinger Showhouse designed by SG-Blocks. 

To volunteer, please fill out the form at http://westcoastgreen.com/register/volunteer-register.php.