Green Building : Jetson Green

Haptik Sustainable Suite Design by WATG

The USGBC, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and The Network of the Hospitality Industry (NEWH) together announced the winner of the first ever Sustainable Suite Design Competition.  The purpose of the competition was to showcase the best hospitality design strategies that boast environmental responsibility while enhancing the guest experience.  Out of 65 professional design entries, WATG and IDEO took the top prize for their suite, Haptik. 

Let Dyson Elegantly Keep You Cool

Check out this incredible new fan from Dyson called the Air Multiplier.  It's unlike any fan you've ever seen -- the Air Multiplier has no blades and delivers a smooth, uninterrupted flow of air without buffeting.  Dyson has three versions that will sell from $299-$329.  And according to the Architects' Journal blog, Footprint, the Air Multiplier uses 1/50th of the electricity of an air conditioning unit and can be used to keep someone comfortable.  It also has touch tilt, 90 degree oscillation, and a dimmer switch power control.  See how it works below ... you'll be blown away just like these folks.

Kebonization Process Creates an Alternative to Tropical Hardwoods

The photograph above may not be what you would expect.  The outdoor bench in this detail is not made from an unsustainably harvested tropical hardwood.  The wood itself is actually maple, a widely available species that can be farmed and harvested without ripping up acres of rainforest.  But maple and many other similar woods are too susceptible to decay and rot when used unprotected outdoors.  The usual alternative has been treatment with chemical pressure treatment.  Now, through a method called kebonization, a Norwegian company, Kebony ASA, treats soft woods in a non-toxic process that allows readily available woods to be used for outdoor uses.

Elements, a New Green Surface Option

When it comes picking a green surface material, there's a lot out there to choose from.  And we're going to give you another option, Elements by Durcon.  Elements is made with 10% post-consumer recycled glass, an epoxy resin, and fine quartz.  Available in five main colors, Elements is non-porous and has inherent anti-fungal and anti-microbial characteristics.  The surface does not require sealing, and according to Durcon, it will not off-gas. 

Get Kirei with Chocolate Bamboo

Alright, so it's not exactly brand new -- Kirei introduced Chocolate Bamboo back in September 2008 -- but it has this deep, sophisticated look and we just haven't had the chance to mention it yet (well, Re-nest jogged our memory).  The dark color is obtained through a secret, dark carbonizing process.  The bamboo is made from sustainably harvested Moso bamboo grass and a low- or no-added urea formaldehyde adhesive to create the panels.  If you're looking for something like this, look up a dealer. 

Modern Green Studio NOLA Pieces

If you're in the market for green, modern, designer-built furniture, make sure to check out Studio Nola.  You can see a few examples below.  These pieces are built with FSC certified woods, 90% recycled steel, zero-VOC powder coated paints, low-VOC sealers, and locally sourced materials.  Plus, if you need one or a few shipped, Studio Nola will send them out on a carrier using the EPA's SmartWay transport system. 

Writing on the Green IdeaPaint Wall

IdeaPaint says it has the most environmentally friendly dry-erase product on the market.  As you can see from these images, the product is applied to your choice of walls, and about seven days later, it's ready to be used.  It's just perfect for the brilliant, A Beautiful Mind types, but I realize that many of you never have and never will use a dry-erase product.  If you do, give IdeaPaint a look.  The company claims green attributes in three main areas.   

New Green Loll Outdoor Furniture

Loll Designs makes contemporary, durable outdoor furniture from recycled materials.  You've probably seen their 4-slat Adirondack chair, but the company has a number of other pieces, as well as some new ones, too. They're made from 100% recycled post-consumer HDPE, and 90% of the manufacturing waste is sent to a recycling plant (or remember when the guys from Hive Modular recycled Loll pallets to create a barn?).  Loll uses recycled packaging and does a number of other things to reduce the environmental impact associated with business.  Here's a preview of some of the new work:

LOFTwall Mod Green Custom Partitions

I noticed some chatter about these LOFTwall dividers following the news rush that accompanied ICFF 2009.  They're made by a Dallas-based company for use in residences, office spaces, retail, or pretty much anywhere else you can think of.  LOFTwalls are modular, lightweight, and most importantly, customizable.  Take a stab at designing your own using their frames and material swatches -- you'll even get the price. 

1960s Split Level Gets Green Makeover

Remodeling is big these days, and Boulder-based VaST Architecture has a knack for transforming rundown places into vibrant spaces (as they did with a co-work space called the Candy Shop).  VaST recently helped Gregg Olsen convert his Boulder, Colorado, 1960s, split-level home into an efficient abode with modern interior design.  The interior and exterior renovation was completed at a cost of $107 psf ... check out how it was transformed: