Earlier this year, the World Record Academy awarded a home in Dillingham, Alaska with the record for the Tightest Residential Building.

In a video that documents the blower door test, the home’s owners and residents, Dr. Tom Marsik and Kristin Donalson, who designed and built the extremely insulated building, explain their motivation to push the limits of green building methods. The blower door test, which used a special attachment to get the most accurate reading, pressurized the building and then measured the flow that was needed to maintain the difference in pressure from the outside.

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There’s no question that the use of glass in interior design can add a stunning visual element, but did you know that interior sliding glass doors can contribute to the energy efficiency of your home? In addition to allowing living spaces to be closed off when not in use to save on energy costs, glass doors can permit the flow of natural daylight and improve overall living quality of your home.

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The new NASA Sustainability Base was designed by William McDonough + Partners to embody the spirit of NASA while fostering collaboration, supporting health and well-being, and exceed the requirements of LEED® Platinum with systems that will eventually use only renewable energy and closed-loop water maintenance facilities.

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When Nashville built its new stadium for the Tennessee Titans, the former headquarters of the Nashville Bridge Company were spared demolition. Built in 1908, with additions made to the 5,000 square foot building in 1924 and 1965, the compound was modernized by Hastings Architecture Associates as part of the Nashville Riverfront Master Plan. Renovations were recently completed, including a newly-built modern wing, and has been re-dubbed The Bridge Building.

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This week in Jetson Green Energy News, we’re reporting on a new green skyscraper in San Francisco, Top 10 Green Cities, Top 10 Green Projects, Donald Trump’s controversial (banned) anti-wind advertisement, environmental clean up in Wisconsin, new environmental funding in Minnesota, a new research facility in Colorado, and earthquake-resistant wallpaper. And, even though Earth Day is over, we still have plenty of green events for you to enjoy.

Transbay Transit Tower in San Francisco

Tallest Tower on the West Coast to be Built in San Francisco

Project developers Hines, Houston, and Boston Properties broke ground on the 1,070-ft-tall Transbay Transit Tower after closing a land purchase for $192 million. Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, it will be taller than the Wilshire Grand tower being built in Los Angeles and become the West Coast’s tallest building. Green features include integrated metal sunshades to reduce solar gain, low-E glass, heat-exchanging coils in the foundation, comprehensive water recycling systems, and high efficiency fresh air handlers.

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