There's a push for density and urbanization and efficient use of space, but all too often a connection to nature is lost in the process. Luzinterruptus, a guerrilla style outfit out of Madrid, recently installed this Packaged Vertical Garden to make a statement about the importance of preserving urban greenery.
The accessory dwelling unit is in style these days, especially in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve seen this with Backyard Boxes in the Seattle and laneway houses in Vancouver, and now FabCab would like to help this market out in Seattle, too. FabCab – short for fabulous cabin –- is a new endeavor by Emory Baldwin to sell eco-friendly prefab and kit dwellings.
Recently, Zerofootprint held a global competition to reward market-disruptive improvements in the design and development of retrofitting and re-skinning technologies. To be eligible for the ZEROprize, projects had to be built with reinforced concrete construction between 1945 and 1990. Also, energy required to power all amenities, cooling, heating, and lighting must be on used on a net zero energy basis. After the jury deliberation, 355 Eleventh in San Francisco was able to take top honors.
PieceHomes, a prefab company started by LA architect Jonathan Davis, is using the current economic times to its advantage these days. The company designed a set of extraPieces, which homeowners can use to expand or remodel their existing home. It’s a great idea for those who want to do more with what they already have.
Today the EPA released its second annual ranking of U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest number of buildings receiving the Energy Star label in 2009. California cities took two of the top three slots, but that's no surprise as these cities are at the forefront of green building.
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