Portland has tons of LEED buildings, but they’re hoping to claim the greenest residential condo tower in the United States.  The Casey Condominiums is on track to be the first residential building in the U.S. to receive LEED Platinum certification.  Sitting on the corner of NW 12th and Everett, which is smack dab in the Pearl District, this 16-story tower will have 61 units averaging just over 2,000 sf in size.  Word is they’re 70% pre-sold, too.  And in addition to 4,200 sf of ground-floor retail space, the luxury, eco-tower will feature a multi-faceted glass art installation (as you can see in some of the images).

Read more »

If this project doesn't exhibit the power of celebrity, I don't know what does.  Brad Pitt has been able to bring serious innovation to the Lower Ninth Ward — this cool concept is becoming a serious reality.  The Make It Right Project involves some of the most talented architects in the country, and they're building low-income, high-design, sustainable homes.  It's incredible.

Read more »

Update:  Make It Right Project: 13 Designs, 150 Houses

Today, actually within the last couple hours, Brad Pitt announced more specific plans and designs for his Make It Right NOLA project.  Last night, I was looking at their website, but it didn’t have any new announcements.  Today, their site is redesigned with all sorts of information.  More information to come later tonight, but make sure to sponsor a home and check out the Pink Project.  Also, check out this N.Y.Times story on the announcement.

You’ve probably heard of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company … their houses have been featured in Time, Domino, USA Today, and the New York Times, to name a few publications.  The home pictured above is different from their other homes, which have that traditional, A-frame-esque shape.  All Tumbleweed homes are sufficiently small, but this home is modern.  It’s 400 sf of green modern.  The Z-Glass House is a stationary house, meant to be affixed to a foundation.  You buy the plans and find a contractor to build it for you (with costs ranging in the $100 – $200 psf range).  Or you can build it yourself.  Check the layout, too.  Such a great looking home, with a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom, what else do you need?  Add a little solar on the roof, or maybe even a Skystream, and call it done.

Read more »

Recently, Former President Bill Clinton announced a joint partnership of the Clinton Climate Initiative and the City of Chicago that will give the 1,450 feet tall building a green makeover.  Through the partnership, the Chicago landmark will be retrofitted, making it more cost-effective and energy efficient.  The project is part of Clinton’s message:  going green can save some green.  He said, “This is not a big bottle of castor oil we have to drink.  This is the greatest economic opportunity that our country has had to mobilize and democratize since we mobilized from World War II."  Clinton also predicts that in the next 18 months, there will be a race to build structures that produce energy instead of consuming it.  The move from energy-consuming buildings to energy-producing buildings is intended, at least in part, to wean the country of its coal addiction.  Let’s hope this momentum continues beyond 18 months, too.  Via Equity Green + Medill.

(S2) = Skyscraper Sunday, a weekly article on green skyscrapers.