Today Michelle Kaufmann announced and released details of mkDesign’s newest modular design, a modern farmhouse home called mkHearth.  I like the rendering above because it illustrates how an entire neighborhood of modern, green, mkHearth homes could look … imagine plush gardens in lieu of turf, home fronts instead of garages, and greenroofs in the place of shingles.  The mkHearth centers on a hearth space where a cabinetry / fireplace unit extends and connects the first through third floors. 

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This is the initial rendering for a project called EcoLogic Lofts in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago, a project that developers plan to break ground on in early 2009.  Shooting for LEED Silver certification, the 7-story, 94-unit condo building will source two percent of its power from rooftop wind turbines that look like those made by Aerotecture International (and which are also on Near North Apartments).  Located at Bucktown, Lakeview and Lincoln Park, EcoLogic Lofts will have one and two bedroom units with prices ranging from $239k – $499k. 

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On Friday Rick Fedrizzi, founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council and current President and CEO, sent out a letter to USGBC constituents to address general market concerns relating to the economy and future of green building.  I thought the letter was interesting because he mentions something I’ve been thinking about for over a year now: the allocation of sustainable accountability.  Whether it’s the newest green ad campaign or some politician’s promise, I feel the prevailing mentality is that the government or businesses or someone else, someone other than me, is going to help us figure out the toughest of tough issues.  Anyway, I don’t want to put words in the venerable Mr. Fedrizzi’s mouth, so here’s the letter if you didn’t get the email yesterday:

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• Why can’t we build an affordable house?
• Thom Mayne warns Dubai is set for "ecological disaster." 
• In Dubai, raw sewage is flowing into sea near beaches.
• Green homes: building on eco-friendly solutions.
• A dozen PNC Bank branches earn LEED certification.
• Scientists seek a more sustainable model for growth.
• On the path to passive survivability. 

Blogs worth reading: Green Your and Matter Network.

Every now and then, Michelle Kaufmann gives us a rendering or a glimpse of a development she’s working on in Colorado.  Part of the development involves the design of new housing for the Sisters of St. Francis.  The other part is a private, multifamily townhouse development adjacent to the Sisters’ housing.  The townhouse community called Aria Denver promises to bring clean, green, and pure living to northwest Denver starting in 2009.

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