Green Building Blog - Jetson Green

Is Las Vegas Planning a $200 M Vertical Farm?

Over the last couple weeks, news started floating around about a $200 M vertical farm planned for Las Vegas.  The vertical farm would house about 100 different crops and sell them to local casinos and hotels.  It would also have estimated annual revenues of $25 M from produce and $15 M from tourists.  At a whopping 30 stories tall, this vertical farm would be one of the first in the world. 

But I'm skeptical of this news because there is no reference to an architect, developer, or owner.  There is no info as to where the vertical farm will go.  And the original source used renderings of Chris Jacobs' vertical farm, pictured above.  We've written about skyscraper and agricultural farms previously and think they will be the real deal in the future, but I'm not sure about this one.  Anyone out there have more specifics?

Manifestation of Green in a Building

The look of this building is incredible.  I've seen living walls and how the growth can devour structures, but I like the look here.  Asia is so moist, what with the rainy season in the summer, etc., that I've seen walls growing a sort of perma-algae.  So, I think the design here in Seoul, Korea works and I like how the windows break through the calm chaos of green. 

The Mass Studies-designed building houses an Ann Demeulemeester store on the first level and restaurant above.  The design relies on a trifecta of colors:  deep green, coffee brown, and minimalist white -- all of which blend and dance nicely.  I'm not sure as to whether anything else is green (i.e., materials, systems, etc.), but nonetheless, I really like the manifestation of green. 

First LEED Platinum Healthcare Facility in World!

Green buildings, with their natural light and excellent indoor air quality, have the potential to make a big difference in the healthcare industry.  At some point, there's going to be the world's first LEED Platinum healthcare facility in the world and Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas just might be the location to do it.  The 32-acre, $200 M project is on schedule to take LEED Platinum, if everything goes as planned.  The pictures are magnificent and we here at Jetson Green think it would be great if no one ever had to go inside!  TBG Partners was kind enough to provide photos of the work they're doing on the project, which includes site planning, sustainable design, and landscape architectural services.   

Project7ten, The Real Green Deal

We're no longer in rendering stage, this is the real deal.  Project7ten is built and ready for viewing.  Actually, it's ready for sale if: (1) it hasn't already been sold, and (2) you're in the market for one of the greenest, most modern homes in California.  Interestingly, this house is the first conventionally- constructed LEED Platinum home in the state.  Located at 710 E. Milwood Avenue in Venice, California, it probably doesn't get much better than this.  Check the images.  I get this plush, radiant, rainforest vibe from the images.  So colorful and clean.  Anyone else agree?  This is definitely more contemporary than minimal, or modern even, but I really like what they've done.  If you watch the slide show, you'll see a NASCAR-esque wall of sponsors.  I bet your friends don't have that! 

Related Links:
++Project7ten Goes Platinum, Draws Celebrity Crowd
++Top Five Super Green Modern Homes

Green Labeling, Sourcing Wind Energy, Sustainable Development + Landscape Design Rating System (WIR)

• Most Americans and Canadians say "green" labeling just a marketing tactic.
• Harnessing the Wind to Fuel India's Growth - as nations examine their carbon output, wind turbines provide one alternative to coal.
• Will sustainable development "shake up" architecture?
• Clean energy can't meet growing demand, which is outstripping supply, pushing up prices, and raising the specter that some states may not meet clean-energy mandates. 
• Green Building Moves Outdoors - the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the development of a new rating system for landscape design. 

UMB Bank Colorado, Denver's Second Green Roof Building [Updated]

UMB Bank Colorado, a chartered bank of UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: UMBF), is getting ready to unveil their new “green” banking center at Stapleton, which opens to the public on Monday, October 1. The UMB Bank at Stapleton is Denver’s second building to incorporate a grass roof into the structural design. The banking center is located at 3515 Quebec Street in Quebec Square at Stapleton.  Speaking of the building's green roof, Mariner Kemper, chairman and CEO of UMB Bank Colorado, said, “Amidst growing concerns over the health of the environment and the rising cost of natural resources, there is a national trend to develop ‘green’ buildings ... green buildings are designed to reduce the impact on the environment by conserving resources such as water and energy while blending with the features of the natural landscape. Our new banking center in Stapleton further supports UMB’s commitment to a cleaner, safer, and sustainable environment.” 

NOTE: I wasn't able to find an actual picture of the building, but I know we have some JG readers in Denver on the scene.  Feel free to email me live pictures if you have them (jetsongreen at yahoo dot com).

Boxhouse, 40s-Era Home Converted to Modern Green Dwelling

This is Boxhouse, an award-winning modern home in Boulder, Colorado, designed and built by Rob Pyatt as a University of Colorado College of Architecture & Planning project (advised/sponsored by Rick Sommerfeld).  Boxhouse explores adaptive reuse and recycling of an existing 900 sf home built in 1948.  The home was reclad with a plywood rainscreen system and juxtaposed with a box volume that houses a new kitchen, bed, and bath.  The entry in between is clad in polygal and acts as a solar chimney for passive cooling through the clearstory vents and also allows for natural daylighting. 

Pyatt worked with Agriboard Industries to create a custom prefabricated compressed straw panel wall system and had the walls erected by crane in 4 hours.  With much lower labor costs and a nice solid insulated wall, the new footprint was reconfigured for a family of four with a total of three bedrooms, two baths, and exterior courtyard to the rear of the house.  Throughout the renovation, Pyatt specified environmental materials as a means of greening the home.  Tons of images below. 

Excellent Posts and DoD Notes at BLDGBLOG

Seattle Off-Grid Concept Combines Chickens, Crops + Sustainable Living (S2)

In the heart of Seattle, the design professionals at Mithun see a farm rising vertically into the sky.  Although it may never be built, the Center for Urban Agriculture (CUA) won “Best of Show” in the Cascadia Region Green Building Council’s Living Building Challenge.  Vertically constructed on a .72 acre site, the off-grid building is designed to be completely energy and water sufficient and will include 318 affordable apartments (studio - 2 bedroom).  And on top of that, there will be greenhouses, rooftop gardens, a chicken farm, and fields for growing vegetables and grains. 

Building the Goodwin-Wise Flatpak

It's taken about two years, but the Goodwin-Wise Flatpak is finally becoming a reality, as you can see from these images.  This home is in Massachusetts, and for those of you looking for prefab on the east coast, Flatpak is certainly an option.  I really like how the house is tucked into the enveloping landscape, almost camouflaged from the entry way.  See more at Amy Goodwin's blog and photo album; via MoCo Loco.