Named for the father of the modern environmental movement, the David Brower Center reflects its namesake's commitment to the environment.  The center is expected to receive LEED Platinum certification and hopes to bring together people committed to environmental and social action under one roof.  The 24,000 square feet of office space will house a number of nonprofits, including the Earth Island Institute, which was founded by Brower in 1982.  In addition, ground level retail space will have a public gallery, a state of the art theater, and an organic restaurant with locally sourced California cuisine.

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Inspired by the likes of Dwell and the 100k House, Deezine.ca and Shift Development came together with an idea.  They thought it would be interesting to have a modern, green, and affordable home designed by an entire community online.  Ideas are posted online and the community can make suggestions for changes.  Their idea became the Shift Home.  You can see how the design has changed in the past few months, but to be clear, this home is not just a thought experiment.  Shift Development breaks ground in late-May, or thereabouts. 

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On Saturday, the world descended upon Omaha, Nebraska for the annual shareholder meeting of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA and BRKB).  Clayton Homes is one of the company's subsidiaries and officially launched the much talked about i-house at the annual meeting.  We mentioned the i-house in January, and since that time, a number of readers have asked about specifics.  Well, the i-house website is now up, and Clayton Homes is giving us details:

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• The Green Design 100.
• Smart meter, dumb idea?
• Affordable home efficiency?
• Green buildings make good business sense.
• Building integrated wind does not make sense.
• Real estate industry looks to green homes.
• Congress considers building energy label.
• Raising the bar for Energy Star Homes.
• Leadership needed from architects/designers.

Follow @jetsongreen on Twitter for more news, links, and commentary.

The RainShine House — designed by Robert M. Cain, Architect, AIA, LEED AP and built by Pinnacle Custom Builders — has received LEED Platinum certification.  According to a recent press release, it's the first modernist residence in the Southeastern U.S. to achieve such a lofty green certification.  The Decatur, Georgia home will be featured in the Modern Atlanta Home Tour on May 16-17, so if you're in the area go check it out.  It's beautiful, and I have a feeling a media wave is about to hit.  Here are some of the green products and elements of the home:

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