Green Building Blog - Jetson Green

Reclaimed Space Prefab Minimizes Impact of Construction

Why not build a prefab almost entirely out of reclaimed materials?  That's what Reclaimed Space founder Tracen Gardner wants to do.  Mr. Gardner was in between contracting jobs and began constructing a portable building using primarily reclaimed materials.  In the process, he liked what he was doing so much that he decided to create Reclaimed Space to continue building modular, passively-designed cabins.  To start off with, the company will build spaces from 240 square feet and at prices in the range of $115 to $160 psf (min. $25k). 

Big Box Reuse, Carbon Neutral Zone, Green Tricks, + Smart Grid Money

• Blue is the new green.
• Green gap: who's doing all the green work?
• First carbon neutral zone created in U.S.
• Boston: an old city learns new green tricks.
• Debating the green building premium.
• Smart power grid will create ~$65 B industry. 
• Why are green apartments so rare in D.C.?
• Tired of high water bills?  Harvest the rain.
• Big box reuse grows as a phenomenon.

Blogs worth reading: Sustainably + Design Green.

Photo Tour: FROG Zero Classroom

The classroom of the future was on display throughout Greenbuild 2008 and it's safe to say that attendees were impressed.  Project FROG built the classroom using their FROG Zero system of modular construction -- a zero-energy building system.  What's interesting, though, is that the contractor, Fisher Development, assembled and finished it in six days.  And it's beautiful inside and out.  The company has received venture funding and can sell their classrooms for 25% cheaper than the competition.  Soon enough, we'll all be able to watch the proliferation of healthy, architecturally-designed learning environments. 

Top 10 Tidbits from Greenbuild 2008

Although not really a convention-type person, I must say that Greenbuild 2008 was quite enjoyable.  By official count, it appears that 29,752 people attended, which is absolutely phenomenal.  There's seriously something, I don't know, magical, for lack of a better word, about being surrounded by such diverse people with a similar interest in green building.  I spent the entire time talking with and learning from those around me -- which is why I certainly plan to attend next year.  If you weren't able to attend, you'll be able to catch some videos on Greenbuild365 in the future.  In the mean time, I've listed a few news tidbits that you may find interesting:

2008 Top-10 Green Building Products

For the seventh year in a row, BuildingGreen has just announced their list of Top-10 Green Building Products.  The products, as you will note, have various and multiple environmental attributes.  BuildingGreen culls the ten products from new additions to the GreenSpec Directory, a print and online guide that organizes green products according to LEED credits.  Although the GreenSpec Directory has over 2,000 products in total now, BuildingGreen is selective in choosing those that get in.  As a result, Top-10 selections are regarded as the cream of the crop.  Without further ado, here they are:

LEED Platinum Home Breaks Records

We've seen a ton of LEED Platinum homes on this site, but today's home achieves something new.  USGBC founder David Gottfried and his family recently finished the green renovation of their 1440 square foot Craftsman bungalow, a home that was originally built in 1915, and took it through the LEED for Homes certification process.  In doing so, they received a total of 106.5 points (out of a total 136) and the noteworthy accomplishment of being the highest-scoring green home renovation since LEED-H launched earlier this year.  The Platinum home is designed to be net-zero energy and utilizes technology such as solar photovoltaics and a solar- and hydronic-powered water heating system. 

Smart Tech Helps NY Times Building Cut Lighting Costs Dramatically!

Last summer, it was the ceramic rod curtain wall.  Now, it's the lighting system.  Various green aspects of the New York Times Building continue to make high profile news and it's only been a year since the modern building opened.  Here's the deal: The Times Company installed Lutron's Quantum solution, a total light management system that includes daylight, occupant, target set point, time clock, and emergency lighting controls.  Although the building was originally designed to use approximately 1.28 watts per sf of lighting power, with the Lutron technology, it's actually using only 0.38 watts per sf of lighting power -- a 70% reduction in lighting use.  That means, based on New York City electric rates, they're saving ~$315,500 and preventing the emission of 1,250 metric tons of CO2 annually.  These are some serious numbers.  Here's where they recognized the most in terms of lighting energy savings:

Natural Design for a Creative Exchange

This building in Cambridge, England is not only called “Creative Exchange,” but it functions as one, too.  Designed by 5th Studio, the structure has a purposely small footprint and smart design that allows natural light to flood into interior spaces.  The interior spaces are open and function more flexibly than a typical office so occupants can collaborate and share ideas.  Similarly, the top floor has a working garden that also facilitates congregation and interaction among the occupants.  Other than the few private workspace areas, everything is quite open and communal at Creative Exchange. 

Builder LivingHome Green Prefab Planned for Las Vegas IBS 2009

Well, if you didn't have a reason to visit Las Vegas in January 2009, maybe we could give you one now.  Builder is teaming up with LivingHomes and KieranTimberlake to place this beautiful, green prefab on the exhibit floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center at the International Builders' Show (IBS) 2009.  The modern 2000 sf prefab will be built with steel-wood modules and an abundant list of sustainable materials.  Its ostensible purpose, I believe, is to show the industry that modular construction can be financially accessible, sustainable, and optimal for eliminating construction waste and debris. 

Greentainer Project in Gandino Italy

The Greentainer Project in Gandino, Italy is yet another expression of container architecture, albeit this time it's for a more whimsical application.  The project used one, standard-sized, 40-foot container and transformed it into a structure that's mobile, flexible, and self-sufficient.  In its current form, Greentainer is perfect for multiple uses and almost infinite locations, plus the rooftop solar panels provide all the energy necessary to run the heating and cooling system, lights, and other devices.  So you could potentially use it for a party, event, grand opening, art show, or any other scheme you can come up with.