Starting this Wednesday, the USGBC’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo will convene and I’m geeked to take some time to fly out and participate.  The USGBC and LEED, I believe, should take a lot of credit for creating new opportunities in this exciting green building movement in which we all participate.  At the same time, though, I try not to forget that many of our neighbors, friends, or family may not have an idea as to what’s growing into a watershed moment in building, design, and construction.  To get an idea of how far this movement has evolved, the USGBC just released eight, short videos in a series called 15 Years, 15 Stories.  The video highlights various leaders and their collective perspective over fifteen years of working with the USGBC. 

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• Debunking five half truths about recycling.
• Green building is the state of the art.
• Cheap green: home rating systems.
• Report: grid overhaul needed to handle solar/wind power.
• Man-made energy island conceived to supply green energy.
• Costco aggressively pursues options to reduce impact.
• LEED for Existing Buildings helps owners compete in tough market.
• President-Elect Obama looks to establish Office of Urban Policy.
• Many consider benefits of taking the LEED.

Blogs worth reading: Remodelista + Real Life LEED.

Check out these modern green town homes being developed by Yolande Nicholson called Nzinga Town Homes.  Designed by Garrison Architects (the same firm that brought you the Tread Lightly House), each Nzinga Town Home residence consists of 2900 total square feet with 2000 sf of living space and 900 sf for a separate apartment space.  The homes are open, airy, and abundant with natural light, but if you’re looking for a little privacy, the vertical trellis work seems just right for a green wall and some natural shading. 

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Meyer Wells Furniture, based in Seattle, Washington, is an impressive model of sustainable business practices.  Owners John Wells, a furniture designer, and Seth Meyer, a master craftsman, teamed up to start this company which produces beautiful furniture from reclaimed local wood.  This reclaimed wood has a unique story — it comes from "urban trees". 

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Over a year ago, we mentioned Verdier Van & Camper’s Eco-Camper, the posh recreational throwback to VW’s Westfalia, and it looks like the Solar Power Eco-Camper has a new look.  Verdier now offers five different personalities of the award-winning vehicle: Woody, Geeky, Ebony, Blueberry, and Purity.  The eco-camper configuration is an add-on package available in any personality and entails solar panels, hybrid engine, Sun Tracker system, two gazebos, a second floor area, sliding door with integrated ladder, folding furniture, cargo storage, etc.  The price?  $129,000. 

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