This week in Jetson Green Energy News, we’re reporting on recent energy-efficient design awards, a reinstatement of New Mexico’s eco-friendly building standards, new wind power coming to Canada, U.S. GSA sustainability goals, and America’s continued concern for the economy over the environment. Plus, our calendar of upcoming green events gets some new additions.

Carbon Challenge Providence winning design by ZeroEnergy Design

Carbon Challenge Won by ZeroEnergy Design and Cho Benn Holback + Associates

A home design competition that challenges entrants to choose building materials with minimal environmental impact, Carbon Challenge, has been won by ZeroEnergy Design for a Habitat for Humanity home in Providence, Rhode Island, and by Cho Benn Holback + Associates for its updated row hoses in Baltimore, Maryland.

Read more »

The first spec home in the Pacific Northwest to meet Passivhaus standards is in the Columbia Station green micro-community built by the award-winning design+build boutique firm, Dwell Development. Passivhaus is an energy standard that is more difficult to achieve than LEED with respect to energy efficiency. Homes that meet the Passivhaus standard must reach thermal comfort levels by postheating or postcooling fresh air without necessitating recirculation.

Read more »

Last month, Seattle homebuilder, Greenfab, showcased two of its green, prefab modular, home designs at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Almost 7,000 people visited the two homes that were set up outside of the main entrance.

It took only five hours to complete the initial installation of the 2100 and 2300 Series homes, which arrived in five modules apiece, for a total of 4,400 square feet, and were completely finished in just six days.

Read more »

Located on a 26,000 square meter agricultural smallholding in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, the New Jerusalem Children’s Home aims “to become one of the best children’s homes in Africa in the provision of holistic and integrated quality care to orphaned, abandoned, abused, traumatised, vulnerable and HIV positive children.” Founded in 2000 by two sisters, Anna and Phina Mojapelo, the current facilities include nurseries, dormitories, a communal kitchen and dining area, a crèche, a Montessori preschool, play area, and a permaculture vegetable garden.

Read more »

Milan, Italy is one of Europe’s most polluted cities, its air quality frequently breaching safety limits set by the EU and causing city officials to install a ventilation system in 2009 in an effort to reduce damage to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper that resides in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. In 2003, a medical study compared breathing air in Milan to smoking almost a pack of cigarettes each day. On top of that, there is less space dedicated to vegetation in Milan than any other Italian city. Read more »