Pringle Creek Community is comprised of 32 acres of re-developed land, including protected wetlands, in Salem, Oregon.   The community boasts a wealth of sustainable features.   More than 80% of the existing trees have been preserved and the homes will be constructed using 100% FSC certified wood.  The streets in the community are narrow, allowing for more green space and their well-designed "green street" system means that 90% of the rainwater will filtrate through the soil, recharging the aquifer. 

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Back in February 2008, Ideabox exhibited their Confluence Modern design at the Portland Home & Garden Show.  The images above and below are of the Confluence Modern at this show, with Design Within Reach furnishings and Nick Williams / Sycamore Canyon landscaping.  Confluence Modern, like the other Ideabox designs, is built to be just the right size.  It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home that maximizes all of its 840 square feet.  And if you're not familiar with Ideabox (we mentioned them way back in August last year), they strive to build smart, efficient, and modern homes.  Energy Star everything.  Use less of everything and when used, using locally sourced, natural, and renewable materials. 

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A while back when we heard about MoMA’s prefab exhibit, Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling, we were pretty psyched.  I mean, if you can’t tell by our archives with over 135 articles, we’re pretty obsessed with green prefab as the future of home building.  The MoMA exhibit will tell an interesting story of the history of prefabrication starting in 1833.  I’m sure we’ve come a long way in over 175 years, but there’s also the possibility that we’ve forgotten a few lessons in the process.  So I like the juxtaposition of the historical with the modern.  The modern will include five contemporary prefab structures, all of which have been assembled on the museum’s 54th street lot.  Starting this Sunday, July 20 through October 20, visitors will get the chance to tour the below designs in real life. 

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So I have some renderings and information on Blu Homes, and I've also spoken with the folks in charge of this company.  They're serious about building homes that are green, convenient, affordable, and also perfectly sized.  The management team has considerable experience in this industry and I expect to see great things.  Plus, with homes in development in both Utah and Massachusetts, you may be able to catch a live walk-through as early as this winter.  So let's get a small preview. 

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I just noticed this interesting building designed by a college student in Australia and had to mention it.  Andrew Southwood-Jones conceived and rendered the building, actually a green dormitory, for an Autodesk competition and he took the prize in the architecture category.  Called UniCube, it was designed to maximize space, be sustainable, and look good.  Andrew designed the conceptual structure to use a number of sustainable strategies: drought-tolerant plant wall in checkerboard pattern on exterior; exterior "gabion walls" filled with rubble and stone; inner walls made from straw bales; a copper roof that catches wind for ventilation and air circulation (without requiring air conditioning); rotating solar panels generating power for the building’s lights; and rainwater collection for use in irrigation, toilets, and laundry. 

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