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Remodeling?

By
Woody
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0

An important aspect of sustainability is preserving the buildings we can and transforming them into renewed and efficient structures. The unfortunate reality is that remodeling can be a tiring and cumbersome process that leaves a bad taste in your mouth (that’s the mold). Thankfully, remodeling homes is now being recognized and aided. The USGBC and the ASID (that’s the US Green Build Council and the American Society of Interior Designers), the two premier organizations in their respective fields, have joined forces to offer guidelines that cultivate green practices and support proper planning.

Titled REGREEN Residential Remodeling Guidelines and released last weekend at the Interiors 08 conference in New Orleans, the 182 page document covers topics such as home performance, major addition, gut rehab, and deep energy retrofit. In the interest of definitions, the guidelines state that “green remodeling is the design and construction of projects that reduce environmental impacts of remodeling, including energy, water, and materials consumption; waste generation; and harmful emissions, both indoors and out.” Clearly the effort is focused on a whole-systems approach, denouncing the thought that bamboo floors and recycled glass countertops make a home ecologically responsible. Planning is stressed, and the document is presented in a project-based approach, helping the reader see similar projects, including case studies, and hear comments of those involved. The format is designed to offer specific and thorough help with examples and an extensive strategy library. Consider this a must-have for anyone tackling a remodeling project.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of this guideline is that it’s a guideline. Don’t confuse this with the USGBC’s LEED for Homes. This is not a certification program, just some helpful hints from those who know the most. In a residential situation, certification doesn’t always make sense. Homeowners can still know they’re following the experts without spending extra money on a certificate that doesn’t hold any real value. Now certification will probably help out your equity, and I can see the importance of LEED for Homes with new construction especially. This may become an issue of codes before long. However, the reassurance that we don’t always need to be labeled by the state is a good thing.

Thanks to the USBGC and the ASID. This may be one of the most important steps in the battle for middle-class earth we’ve taken so far.

Building Nature: SMIT’s GROW project

By
Woody
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0

SMIT, a sustainable design start-up company, has developed an interesting, potentially ground breaking, and completely simple idea called GROW. Solar energy scientists have been trying to imitate photosynthesis for a while now. They’ve done an excellent job of it, and I’m continually impressed with newer techs and better availability. In this sense, GROW is not a novel idea. However, in its literal interpretation, that being solar leaves, GROW is probably one of the most thoughtful products yet.

Let me be clear when I offer my praise (I don’t want to go soft on anybody). GROW’s innovation isn’t in the photovoltaics – it’s in the leaves themselves and their hybrid capabilities. See, not only do the leaves produce solar-electric energy, but the stems have a wind powered generator inside. These hybrid generators are also small and modular, easy to hang, and quite easy to replace singularly. The flexibility and duel capability of GROW make the design.

According to SMIT’s website, the first product will be solar only. To be specific, GROW.2 is the product shown and is strictly solar. GROW.1 is still awaiting efficient and profitable production. Other standout features are the recyclable materials. While the PV material and the generator are, for now, un-recyclable, the plastics can be put back into the production process.

Via ecogeek

The Shape of the Future

By
Woody
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0

I write here fairly often, but my main job is with the bosses over at www.theplancollection.com, where I answer questions about residential design and construction. I received an interesting email the other day. It was a slightly critical young man who claimed that all the designs on our website were “old school” and that he was aspiring to be a professional home designer of the future. He then went on to denounce boxy design and spoke of fifteen sided triangles and gothic/art nouveau themes. I emailed him back a few times and the conversation we had was quite silly, but it got me thinking. What will the residential shape of the future be?

First I found myself asking, what’s wrong with a square? It’s a very space efficient and economically efficient building model. It works structurally and most building materials are adapted to its rigid nature. Is it boring? I definitely can be. I decided it was also quite conventional and not often flexible enough. I then remembered the geodesic dome. Yes, that’s the one, with a do-it-yourself kit and triangular skylights. The dome performs very well structurally and is potentially more energy efficient. Is that the proper shape of the future? The moment I started thinking of Star Wars and geeking out, I knew I was in trouble.

Predicting the shape of the future has its problems. First of all, there is a lot of conflict between modernist designs and the historic and traditional pieces of the past. While the media praises new projects and their creativity, many feel that these spaces are uncomfortable and unwelcoming. I read some great criticism to the U+A house by Atelier Tekuto that said it offered no real storage space, resulting in a cluttered lifestyle (even with those pristine photos?). How can you predict how much tension a certain design is going to receive? How can you justify moving away from economical means of building just because odd shapes look cool? Frank Ghery has.

I’m excited to see how the built environment takes shape, both physically and otherwise. I’m relieved to know that there are some amazing architects and designers out there, and that consumers are demanding more from them. However, while I look forward to innovations and new possibilities, I don’t know if I want a 15 sided triangle.

Silicon Valley, or Solar Valley?

By
Woody
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0

What can Microsoft, Intel, Dell, and others teach the solar industry? Many think the solar industry could learn a lot from the chip world. It all goes back to what is known as Moore’s Law, made famous by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore. Moore’s Law states that as technology improvements advance, the price of computer chips would drop and performance would go up. His statement has so far been proven as your ipod has more storage than my first computer. Will this happen to photovoltaic panels? The idea isn’t that far-fetched. “A solar cell is just a big specialized chip, so everything we’ve learned about making chips applies,” said Paul Saffo, an engineering professor at Stanford (CNET).

Silicon Valley is gearing up for what many think will be an energy revolution. “This is the biggest market Silicon Valley has ever looked at… For entrepreneurs, energy is going to be cool for the next 30 years,” said T. J. Rogers of Cypress Semiconductor (CNET). However, questions regarding the validity of these statements are everywhere. Number one on the list is consumer behavior. Will consumers want to switch to solar energy? That could mean even throwing out the old water heaters for a solar heating system. It’s not like buying a computer and plugging it in. It’s a complicated system that has several large components. How will government actions influence consumer behavior? Federal tax breaks have, starting in 2009, been lost as they were not renewed in the latest Energy Act. Another question mark on the page involves reliability. Current systems are plenty durable, but the panels of the future are sure to be different. When we reach that cheap and efficient technology, will it be effective enough? Will they stand up to abuse and last? These and others are sure to be answered as investors are opening up their wallets to the idea of Solar Valley.

We all hope we can enter the solar age, where energy is as widely produced as information is shared today, and a solar infrastructure explodes as quickly as the internet. The fact of the matter is that this time the stakes are higher. Let’s hope the Silicon minds can find the Solar solution.

Useful + Agreeable + Atelier Tekuto

By
Woody
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0

useful + agreeable house by Atelier Tekuto is available exclusively through useful + agreeable (www.ua.tv).

useful + agreeable (u+a) is a multimedia company that specializes in travel and design. Their purpose is to “present a useful + agreeable world.” As part of their quest, they have recently paired up with Japanese architect Atelier Tekuto to bring answers to a greening world. Tekuto’s expertise in urban design creates a tranquil haven in a lively setting.

An important concept of green architecture is developing a dense population. Urban sprawl is the current practice, where huge tracks of land are developed into large neighborhoods. Not only does this practice diminish our natural surroundings, but it requires longer road trips to work, and to the market, and to the gas station, and to everywhere else. The challenge, then, is to create a peaceful and private home in a population dense city, preserving the lifestyle of urban sprawl while putting us in walking distance to our favorite stores.

Tekuto’s brilliance comes from his experience in land-scarce Japan, where they’re used to coming up with small solutions to big problems. In this case, his masterful design offers indoor and outdoor space all within a private shell. Notice the concrete walls beyond the glass and how the exposed windows are all second story. This open feeling of privacy is an exciting sense of serenity. It’s a lot like skinny-dipping when no one is around. Urban sprawl is a direct result of our desired lifestyle. useful + agreeable has brought that lifestyle to the city, where we can walk and let the trees grow.

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