Design

Came across this luxurious and Eco-friendly LEED certified home on DigsDigs. Using vertical design, it integrates energy efficiency such as LED lighting, Energy Star Appliance and abundant use of natural and raw materials. The house is incredibly breathtaking with very minimalistic furnishing that compliments the house well. Built on the hills of San Francisco, the architects worked with the natural surroundings as well as its limitation to build this green masterpiece. According to DigsDigs,

This contemporary residence LEED Platinum home that spans four levels on a hill of Mill Valley, California. It is designed by San Francisco-based SB Architects, and built by well-known green builder McDonald Construction. The total area of interior spaces is 2,116 square feet while balconies and decks took up 1,567 square feet. These outdoor areas features stunning views of the bay and the San Francisco skyline beyond.

Although I previously discussed the LEED certification limitation; this splendid design certainly makes up in terms of design, structure and space. 2,116 square feet of interior space is well thought out in terms of energy efficiency and broad use of exterior to make more living space is ingenious. You can see rest of this green house tour after the page break.

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In an Op-Ed piece for the New York Times, Alec Appelbaum, questions the efficiency of LEED Program in the United States. Considered the highest standard in sustainable building and Environmentally friendly practices in green design; Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)  is the certification that any business hopes to attain for green certification purposes. According to Appelbaum,  “The LEED program, which awards points for incorporating eco-friendly material and practices into buildings’ design and construction, has led to a sea change in the industry, introducing environmental awareness into everything from regulatory processes to rents.” So what does Appelbaum finds lacking in this standard for Environmentally conscious designs and buildings? Appelbaum feels that LEED program is more like a snapshot rather than the concrete foundation which government awards these certification to sustainable minded businesses and homes.  As Appelbaum states:

But while the standard is well-intentioned, it is also greatly misunderstood. Put simply, a building’s LEED rating is more like a snapshot taken at its opening, not a promise of performance. Unless local, state and federal agencies do their part to ensure long-term compliance with the program’s ideals, it could end up putting a shiny green stamp on a generation of unsustainable buildings.

One of the biggest deficiency of LEED standard is that it doesn’t measure the energy performance or can predict how much energy will be required to keep that LEED certified building running. The output of energy required can be much greater than originally predicted. As Appelbaum surmises, “Bike racks merely encourage cycling to work, and operable windows merely offer the opportunity to use less air-conditioning.” Another drawback to LEED certification is the way it is being used by marketers and developers to upsell their development. Environmentally conscious consumers are usually more than willing to shell out extra money to support environmentally friendly products, so it is with no surprise that LEED certification has become a marketing tool for developers rather than a foundation to truly build a sustainable dwelling. Not to say that all developers are using LEED certifcation for profitable purposes; but without a follow up of how efficiently LEED certified buildings fare; it does not seem to reach the actual potential that it was designated for. Reading Appelbaum’s op-ed was an eye opener for me. Since LEED has become the leading certification for Eco-concious construction and buildings; there hasn’t been much question of its efficiency and standards. While I do believe LEED certification is the right step; it is obvious that it needs a closer look of its aftermath in terms of energy efficiency. Source: New York Times

I love reclaimed items which can be repurposed to be something else. Here’s a brilliant way to take old bowling alley and make something beautiful and functional. These Counter Evolution reclaimed wood dining set are stylish and can fit into many different types of designs from urban to more rustic settings. According to Uncrate, the original source which I found this gem, “the Gutterball Table  is the perfect centerpiece for your Lebowski-themed home”. So could also work in a bachelor pad. A bit of a splurge with price point between $2,320-$3,580, however; it’s really hard to find a piece of furniture that is not made out of MDF or compressed wood, and this set had an added advantage of having a sense of history behind it. Not to mention it is all handcrafted as well. The reclaimed wood dining set is made by Counter Evolution which is based in New York City.  Started in 2004, Counter Evolution prides itself in providing sustainable options to residential and commercial abodes.  Major companies like Starbucks, Sweet Green, and green minded homes are already a fan.

Honestly, I researched small sustainable home building options for three years and was not sold on a yurt until I realized the fabric kits are the least expensive and fastest way to build a home. That was 2008 August. Architectural plans, finances, property construction, etc. caused me to store the yurt until I moved in 2009 April. My new home was erected in three days. This is 2010 February (almost a year of yurt dwelling) and I just recently completed this fabulous book.

Read rave reviews on Amazon Books from people who may have never stepped into a yurt. They express how wonderfully written this book, YURTS Living in the Round by Becky Kemery, is. I’m here to tell you it is also excellent from an existing yurt dweller’s perspective. (more…)

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Above, creative architecture student Magnus Larsson shares his incredible idea to help settlers along the harsh Sahara desert. His proposed process of re-structuring sand is a building material process already researched for helping strengthen earthquake prone land with sustainable bacteria that turns shifting sand into a solid mass.

Looks like Larsson is creating sandcastles out of desert land. Brilliant! His Holcim Foundation winning proposal could very well transform life in that region as the Sahara green wall shelterbelt is planted across the African continent. The possibilities are endless as the quality of life will improve for so many along the Sahara. (more…)