Monthly Archives: April 2013

//April

Shipping Container Inspired Sauna is Prefab Relaxation in a Box

Yet another creative manifestation of the shipping container, the Sauna Box from Castor is entirely self-sufficient, getting its electric power from solar panels and heat from a wood-fired stove for sustainability. An insulated 96” cube of sculptural corten steel (it is not a true shipping container), the water-tight Sauna Box is a custom-built prefab structure, can be shipped anywhere, and requires very little in the way of site preparation.

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By |April 23rd, 2013|Prefab|2 Comments
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Bamboo Houses Float on Oil Drums to Protect Inhabitants During a Flood

Every inch of land on the planet has climate factors that present challenges when it comes to building a safe home. H&P Architects hopes to alleviate the displacement of housing due to nature’s course, particularly the extensive loss of homes due to flooding in Southeast Asia. The Vietnamese design firm has created a disaster-resistant housing prototype that actually floats atop a base of oil drums when water levels get too high.

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By |April 22nd, 2013|Modern design|3 Comments
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Vertical Garden at Spanish Hotel Ushüaia is a Green Air Conditioning System

This living wall vertical garden at Hotel Ushüaia de Ibiza in Ibiza, Spain was designed by Urbanarbolismo who were assisted in the construction by Alicante forestal and Alijardín, and was the first greenwall garden system of its type.

Ceramic terracotta containers are interconnected but can retain unique substrates and vegetation. and porosity of the terracotta permits exchange of humidity. Drip and hand irrigation methods accommodate varying watering schedules.

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By |April 20th, 2013|Vegetation|2 Comments
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This Week in Energy News for April 19, 2013

This week in Jetson Green Energy News, we’re reporting on wind power in Australia and California, the smart homes and solar job market in the U.S., solar power in Germany, Sweden’s plans to be oil-free, Panasonic’s Solar Lantern Project, and a French winery that is going to make toothpaste from its carbon emissions. Plus, we have updated our calendar of upcoming green events.

Southern Hemisphere’s Largest Wind Farm Opens in Australia
The $1 billion AUD, 420-megawatt Macarthur Wind Farm is now feeding Australia’s electric grid. Owned by AGL Energy and Meridian Energy, the farm features the the Vestas V112-3.0 MW wind turbine. More than 50% of the cumulative wind power capacity in Australia has been installed by Vestas.

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By |April 19th, 2013|Events, Week in Review|0 Comments
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Georgia Home Builder Receives 2013 Energy Partner of the Year Recognition

Earlier this year,  the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency held their annual ceremony to honor 118 companies on its list of 2013 Energy Star Partners of the Year and included Grayhawk Homes, the home builder based in Columbus, Georgia, whose production and construction standards consistently meet Energy Star guidelines. Last year, Grayhawk Homes was awarded the Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award.

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By |April 18th, 2013|HOME BUILDERS|1 Comment
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Tiny Tack House Transforms Tacks into Tiny Home Movement Advocates

Recently featured in Huffington Post, Chris and Malissa Tack worked in high-tech careers in New York City before relocating to Washington state where they determined to put the Tiny House Movement into place in their lives.

Researching possibilities online, Malissa, a 3-D artist with a specialty in animation, created mockup blueprints of favorite design elements. Desiring to build their home themselves, but lacking in construction skills, they learned what they could from other tiny home builders and looked for financing options.

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By |April 17th, 2013|Single Family|3 Comments
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