Jetson Green

Terralite is a Light New Insulative Cement

By archives | Topics: Energy Efficiency, Materials | 0 Comments

Portland-based Terra Bona Materials launched Terralite Cement at Greenbuild this year hoping to deliver a product that meets the energy-efficiency demands of the greater building science community. Terralite is a “lightweight” product made with cement and an aggregate that includes expanded polystyrene. Marketing materials claim the product is 20% of the weight of traditional concrete and, according to company president Terry Cotton, insulative with an R-value of 1.8 per inch.

Paradigm Sustainable Prefab at Greenbuild

By archives | Topics: Modern architecture, Prefab | 3 Comments

This is a prototype prefab — Paradigm — recently on display at Greenbuild 2012 in San Francisco, California. The modular home was designed by Bogue Trondowski Architects and built by Seattle-based Method Homes. The stunning little home of just under 700 square feet is eligible for 5 of 6 petals of Living Building Challenge and will also be certified LEED Platinum, according to Method Homes.

Simple Water Collection for a Retrofit

By Mark | Topics: Products, Water Efficiency | 2 Comments

If you’re looking for a cost effective alternative to a below ground rainwater cistern, the Rainwater Pillow, which was on display at Greenbuild NEXT, may be your answer. Easy to locate under a deck or in a crawl space, the Rainwater Pillow is ideal for a retrofit project where placing a typical above or below ground cistern may prove difficult. As long as you have a flat surface with no obstructions the Rainwater Pillow can be laid out tied into your landscape irrigation system with ease.

Smith & Fong Expands Line at Greenbuild

By Mark | Topics: Materials, Surfaces | 1 Comment

Smith & Fong debuted SoyBond, a bamboo flooring and plywood line with a soy-based formaldehyde free adhesive system, at this year at the USGBC’s Greenbuild. Smith & Fong has always promoted and offered non-urea formaldehyde resins; however, the step to a soy-based formaldehyde-free adhesive advances their product line further.

Recap: 10th Annual Greenbuild in Toronto

By Mark | Topics: Editorial, Events | 1 Comment

Greenbuild 2011 marked the first international Greenbuild Conference and Expo, driving the importance of a global solution to sustainability. It was also, quietly, the 10th annual Greenbuild, where was that celebration? While the mood was upbeat, we were also alongside over 23,000 leaders of the green building industry, or as Thomas Freidman put it in his opening plenary (31:00 in), the dumb ones who keep on fighting for a green revolution!