Planted in the middle of a new vineyard in Newberg, a small town in Willamette Valley, The Allison Inn and Spa is doing some amazing things in terms of reducing the ecological footprint associated with typically high-impact hospitality operations.  According to projections, the resort and vineyard was designed by GGLO to save 48% on utility costs, as well as reduce potable water irrigation use by 78% and fixture water use by 37%, compared to a comparable non-green project. 

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If you follow Michelle Kaufmann’s blog, you’ve probably seen completion photos of this residential care facility for the New Camaldoli Hermitage Monks in Big Sur, California. The 1,737 square-foot facility originally began as mkDesigns project but – due to market realities we’ve mentioned previously – Studio 101 Designs guided it through completion.

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These Baltic Townhomes at Rivers Edge recently hit the market, aiming to provide a unique green living experience for folks in the New England area.  Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, roughly 45 minutes from Boston, the four-unit project is the first American project by developer Super Bebris of Latvia, which uses a proprietary system of timber and steel construction. 

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One of the entries this year in Project Playhouse, an annual fundraiser by HomeAid, is a net-zero playhouse called the Ocean Adventure Lab.  The structure, designed by LPA Inc. and built by Turner Construction, will be auctioned off in early September.  In the mean time, it's on display at the Irvine Spectrum Center illustrating a number of sustainable elements. 

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Earlier this week, West Elm introduced the Pratt Home Office collection of eco-friendly and affordable furniture.  Created in collaboration with The Pratt Institute, the five-piece set includes items made with FSC certified wood, non-toxic glues, water-based stains, and powder-coated steel that can be recycled.  There's also a clever LED task lamp in the mix and, although some pieces are on sale now, prices range from $99 to $299. 

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Update: See the completed Passive House retrofit in California!

This is the first Passive House in California and the first retrofit Passive House in the entire country, according to a press release issued by Solar Knights Construction earlier this week. The airtight retrofit was accomplished with, among other things, superior insulation, triple-glazed windows, and an energy recovery ventilation system.

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