If you’re even slightly interested in natural building, earth construction, or green design, you should probably read The Rammed Earth House by David Easton.  We’re giving away our copy provided by Chelsea Green, so leave a comment before midnight Friday, October 17, if you’d like to be entered for the giveaway.*  Chock full of helpful and colorful photos by Cynthia Wright, The Rammed Earth House is a fantastic read.  Easton and Wright founded Rammed Earth Works (REW Associates) and over the past thirty years, they’ve designed and built more than 200 residential and commercial rammed earth structures around the world.  With all this experience in a form of construction that dates back to prehistoric times, Easton enunciates the case for earth building and rammed earth houses rather cleverly:  they’re quiet, comfortable, sturdy, durable, timeless, natural, and locally made. 

Read more »

It’s *interesting* to hear story after story coming out of the Middle East, almost as if there’s no shortage of capital in that part of the world.  This project was announced during Cityscape last week, but the news was lost among the clamor for information on Jumeira Gardens, a development we’ll mention later.  These two so called Eco Towers have been designed to be the first mixed-use towers in the Middle East with LEED Platinum certification.  The 23-story Eco Towers are being developed by Connection Real Estate for ~$245 million USD. 

Read more »

• Green tech industry will create local jobs.
• Prince Charles attacks architects for green "gestures."
• If you build it green, they will come.
• Rethinking home design for sustainability.
• Contractors rush to become LEED experts.
• Sustainability moves beyond buzz toward smart business.
• Are today’s green buildings green enough?
• Federal judge halts Albuquerque’s green building code.

Blogs worth reading: Green by Design and 360 Winnett Ave.

Earlier this year, we mentioned the high desert, off-grid itHouse by Taalman Koch Architecture and readers loved it.  Now, Taalman Koch has launched their new itHouse website and announced news of their Three Junipers development project.  Three Junipers is a planned community that will have three, 5-acre properties for pre-sale.  The properties come with a building pad, foundation, and plans for a 1600 sf, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom itHouse.  At Three Junipers, itHouses will be off-grid and powered by both solar PV and solar thermal systems.  Plans include a Poliform chefs kitchen, covered dining patio, outdoor solar heated Plunge pool, suspended indoor Fireorb fireplace, outdoor courtyards with fireplaces, and covered 2 car carports. 

Read more »

There’s something about modern townhouses that I’m just drawn to.  Like these here in a community called IndigoMODERN.  IndigoMODERN is being developed in two phases with a total of 22 residential units.  Phase one had eleven units and nine are gone already.  The remaining two are being sold in the $299 – $350k range.  Better hurry (if you can get a loan)!  Designed by Rob Paulus Architect, these 1800 square-foot homes are uniquely green.  Make sure to check the photos below:

Read more »