I know, I know.  I’m treading on thin water with this one, what with all the haters and anti-sprawlsters out there.  But strictly to make the point that businesses can use less and save money, I like this story.  Next week, Wal-Mart will open the first store of the company’s next generation of green stores in Romeoville, Illinois.  Where their first generation of two green stores saved about 20% energy, this store will save about 25% energy.  The energy savings result from experimentations in refrigeration and heating/cooling systems in their first generation of green stores. 

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The excellent bloggers at Scribe Media just posted a video of Miami-based architect Chad Oppenheim.  Oppenheim is the designer of COR Tower, an eco-tower that has wind turbines at the peak.  Please note, this post and the video have been modified slightly to protect confidential information not released publicly.  We respect that.  Enjoy!

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Live Green, Live Smart just received Platinum certification on one of their green home projects, The Sustainable House.  The Sustainable House is a remodeled, 1948 rambler that’s been converted to one of the greenest homes in the United States.  And they were kind enough to document all the details with a construction diary of the process and before/after photos, too (view below). 

The Sustainable House has a slew of green features that will one day be common in every abode: energy-efficient appliances, CFLs, natural Quartz countertops, Aquia dual-flush toilets, fly ash cement where used, four 130 feet closed-loop wells for geothermal energy, greywater system, super insulation, passive solar, photovoltaic panels, solar hot water system, Solatubes, and triple-glazed argon windows, to name a few.

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I’d probably prefer cleaner lines and a few more windows in a home like this, but I like it as an example of what Mr. Tom Friedman calls, "building up not out."  The home is called the useful + agreeable house.  Moco Loco called it a mini hi-rise, which is kind of catchy.  I kind of like sound of midget mid-rise, but I’m not really sure if that word is off limits.  Designed by Neil M. Denari Architects, the u+a house should fit in a variety of locations, including weird and/or small lots that allow some height. 

I really like the roof lookout, too (pictured below).  Every home deserves some chill space in the top spot, don’t you think?!  Any thoughts? 

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3form has a line of great eco-friendly materials.  One of their products, Chroma, is a solid surface material suitable for countertops, tabletops, vanities, and anything else your imagination can dream up.  The best part about the Chroma line is the color choices.  There is a beautiful palette of brights, bolds, neutrals, and earth tones to choose from.  The bright colors are candy-like and would make a truly unique and bold statement in an otherwise neutral room.  The fascinating thing about Chroma is it’s reclaim potential.  Chroma can be sent back to 3form and they can change the color of the material — and this can be done over and over again.   

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