There’s a beautiful collection of sustainable furniture called JH2 OneTreeHome that launched at ICFF earlier this year. Founded by John Houshmand and Jack Donenfeld, New York-based JH2 OneTreeHome offers beds, benches, coffee tables, side tables, consoles, dining tables, and desks — all made with a blend of glass, steel, and wood, FSC-certified Nanciton and Cedro Macho, from Nicaragua.  In fact, some of this wood comes from trees felled during Hurricane Felix in 2007. Prices vary by item.

Read more »

This is R-House, a recently built prototype home in Syracuse that is pursuing both Passive House and LEED certification.  It was recently honored with a 2011 AIA Housing Award, and one of the jurors said the 1,100 square-foot home presents “A new slant on sustainability!“  R-House was designed in partnership by Della Valle Bernheimer and Architecture Research Office and is an interesting case study for the next generation of smaller, greener, ultra-low energy homes.

Read more »

Perhaps you’ve seen renderings of the Hudson Passive Project among trees in the middle of a scenic green field.  The project was designed by New York-based Dennis Wedlick Architect LLC, and it just so happens that construction is all complete.  Certification paperwork is all in order, and this is officially the first certified Passive House in the state of New York.  It’s also one of the highest performing homes in the country.

Read more »

New World Home brings modular technology and sustainability to traditional home design, and, as far as traditional is concerned, these homes are quite nice.  So when you think about it, the collaboration between Country Living magazine and New World Home is perfect. 

Read more »

According to a recent press release, a sustainable energy company called Beautiful Earth Group just unveiled this containerized electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  With a soaring array of photovoltaic panels, the BMW Mini E pictured runs exclusively on fresh, green power generated by the off-grid, modular station.  You’ll note that the station just so happens to be built with recycled shipping containers, too.

Read more »