Green Building Blog - Jetson Green

GreenMobile® Ultra-Affordable, Modular Green Homes

We featured GreenMobile® last year when we blogged about the Lifecycle Building Challenge winners.  GreenMobile® was a winner in the Professional Unbuilt category.  Now, mounting success upon success, Michael Berk, creator of the concept, has a prototype in the works to be unveiled in March 2008.  Can't wait to see that!  GreenMobile® was awarded $5.8 M from FEMA to further develop the prototype and roughly 80 units are in the pipeline right after that prototype comes through. 

Enviro Board, an Affordable Green Panel Product

Enviro Board is not only a product but a technology.  As you can see from the video below, Enviro Board is able to process up to a ton of straw at one time and convert it into a panel product to be used in construction.  The process can convert many varieties of waste fibers, such as wheat, rice, rye, barley, oat straws, flax, cane, elephant grass, etc., into low-cost building panels.  The award-winning product is non-toxic; resistant to fire, termites, mold, and mildew; earthquake and hurricane stable; and qualifies for LEED points.  And it can be used in the construction of virtually any type of structure in various applications.

Green Financing, Building Codes, Irked Lumber Dealers, + Other Trends (WIR)

• Green standards irk (lumber) dealers. 
• A foundation for green building. 
• Finding financing for you green building project.
• Affordable housing advocates build green and inspire innovation.
• Planner says going green has its advantages.
• S.F. to have greenest building codes in the nation?
• 67% of consumers willing to pay for green power.
• One writer finds it's not easy building green.

Make it Right Project: 13 Designs, 150 Houses

If this project doesn't exhibit the power of celebrity, I don't know what does.  Brad Pitt has been able to bring serious innovation to the Lower Ninth Ward -- this cool concept is becoming a serious reality.  The Make It Right Project ("MIR Project") involves some of the most talented architects in the country, and they're building low-income, high-design, sustainable homes.  It's incredible.

The homes you see below present a new picture of the American Dream.  It's green and looks good.  It's built in response to the environment, not in the face of the environment.  It facilitates the community, too.  There are 13 home designs for 150 total homes.  You can sponsor a home for $150,000.  As much as we'd like to sponsor an entire home in the name of Jetson Green, I'm going to just donate some personally.  Maybe some day this blog will get to that point.  I've included images of the designs for you viewing pleasure (click the firm name for background and more images).  Any favorites?

Breaking: Brad Pitt + Make It Right NOLA Plans

Update:  Make It Right Project: 13 Designs, 150 Houses

Today, actually within the last couple hours, Brad Pitt announced more specific plans and designs for his Make It Right NOLA project.  Last night, I was looking at their website, but it didn't have any new announcements.  Today, their site is redesigned with all sorts of information.  More information to come later tonight, but make sure to sponsor a home and check out the Pink Project.  Also, check out this N.Y.Times story on the announcement.

Urban Rio, Panama's First Affordable Green Container Project

Aaron Newman, founder and managing partner of Urban Core International, sent me the details of his latest project, Urban Rio.  Specifically, Urban Rio is a product of Urban Core's prefab and container division called Envision Prefab.  It's easy on the eyes, to say the least, and just so happens to be the first sustainable, affordable, container project in Panama.  Urban Rio units will have energy-efficient appliances, HEPA filters, energy-efficient split air conditioners, smart lighting controls, a water recycling and reclamation system, low-flow faucets and toilets, tankless hot water heaters, and a living green roof.  Urban Rio will be located in Rio Abajo, Panama City, and will have 5 units in total.  Units will have two bedrooms and 1 bathroom and start selling upon receiving the local approvals.  Can't wait to see the real thing.

The Kalahari, Affordable Green Luxury Living

There's an interesting article in the November issue of Inc. Magazine about Full Spectrum NY and their low-income, green development, The Kalahari.  Located at 116th Street in Harlem, Kalahari has an interesting design -- it's actually inspired by designs of the Ndebele tribes of southern Africa.  The building is currently under construction and is aiming for LEED Silver certification; some of the green technology used in this building include wind and solar power, low-flow water fixtures, energy-efficient appliances, vegetated green roofing, and bamboo floors.  About half of the 249 units are set aside for families earning in the $56,000 per year range.  The article goes on to explain how successful Full Spectrum NY has been developing in the low-income, green housing niche.  Very cool.

$20B Green Homes Market, Efficiency Audits, Low-cost Technology, + Green Retail (WIR)

• The market for true green homes is expected to rise from $2B to $20B over next five years.
• Energy-efficiency audits can find savings in places where consumers might never think to look.
• USGBC certifies the world's first carbon neutral building.
• Clinton Climate Initiative and Wal-Mart team up to provide low-cost green building technology.
• Regency Centers launches formal green building program for retail developments.

WAV Project, Affordable Artist Green Loft Living

The Working Artists Ventura (WAV) Project by PLACE is a $57 million, state-of-the-art community designed by Adele Santos, Dean of Architecture at M.I.T.  In total, the project will include 69 affordable artist spaces with monthly rent from $388-963; 13 market-rate, for sale lofts from $686,000-1,050,000; and 6,000 sf of arts-friendly businesses.  The 130,000 sf, 4-floor building will be LEED certified and two blocks from local transit.  The community will also have the area's first car sharing program.  Also check the video below.   

++Working Artists Ventura Project PDF Brochure [PLACE]
++Affordable LEED Live/Work Space for Artists [Building Green TV]

Nodul(ar) House: Simplicity, Efficiency + Variability

This weekend at Dwell on Design (this is a sneak peak), Jeriko House and Patrick Tighe are going to announce a watershed collaboration on a new kind of prefab, the Nodul(ar) House.  Readers of Jetson Green are familiar with Jeriko House, a Louisiana-based prefab company that we've written about here and here.  Architect Patrick Tighe is well known and highly accomplished, including two major achievements:  National AIA Young Architect (2006) and Rome Prize fellowship in architecture (2006-2007).  I've had the pleasure of speaking with both Patrick Tighe and Shawn Burst, the CEO of Jeriko House, about the Nodul(ar) House.