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.

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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.

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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.

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