I was very pleased to find the University of Pennsylvania has stepped up and is leading the nation in sustainable campuses. I found on their website an article about the newly dedicated Kings Court English College House. When constructing the building they decided the usually rubber roof covering would not do. Instead, they produced a green roof with a mix of grasses, sedum and mosses. Not only did this beautify the area but they have a longer lasting roof and a reduction in temperature control costs in the building.

I was impressed with the desire to design with green factors in mind. I was even more excited to find that this wasn’t all they were doing in this area. The article showed a long list of procedures taken to have environmental sustainability. These actions had not gone undetected either. The University was one of eight organizations honored by the state of Pennsylvania for green-power purchases. They were also recognized as one of the top 15 colleges in North America in sustainability.

It will take large organizations like this to bring green architecture to the masses. The fact that larger universities are accepting and improving the process of this design is amazing. Hopefully, with help from schools and other institutions, we will be able to cut down everyone’s carbon footprint.

When house hunting, it may seem as a drawback to buy a home that can be 10-15% more expensive. It is possible to find a home of relative size for much cheaper. This initial cost is a stumbling block for many budget-consumers.

If you can get past the cost of the home, then you will see how much these truly profit you. The components of these homes are stationary and require very little maintenance. When you install green items to a home they can be expected to last 30 to 40 years. When you are selling a home, having these additions can greatly boost the value of the home.

Residing in a green house is finally starting to have the misconceptions and myths blown away and people are realizing what these designs really give. Now you just need to find a green house that is right for you.

Smart Home has furniture made of everything from crates and barrels to a dining room table fashioned out of a fallen Ask Tree. The architect, Michelle Kaufman, designed the home with large windows and motorized skylights to maximize temperature control. A garden on the roof of the home keeps the home cool and absorbs rainwater. Water use is cut to a minimum with low-flow appliances. A nontoxic collection of rugs and bedding complement an air filtration system.

But, not only is this home a just another green home. It has technological advances seen in few normally constructed homes. The home uses the motorized skylights and and lighting to reduce your energy consumption. The PC driven system of the home has many great features that will leave you with lots of extra time and peace of mind.

If your in the Chicago area I would recommend checking out this house. You will learn about both green architecture and smart houses in one location.

Recent posts detail this rollercoaster of triumphs and downfalls. A week ago, in his post titled “PV Solar Panel Quote for 100K House”, he laments the $53.9K price tag on the solar system he wished would make the house a zero-energy home (a solar/grid system that would produce enough power to cancel his electricity bill). My favorite line is a heart-wrencher “We wouldn’t even have enough room on the roof to fit enough solar panels…”

Check out Chad’s blog 100khouse.com and see what it takes to build a green home with a tight budget.

I wrote about using old shipping containers to build houses with a few weeks ago. Well here is a great example of a proposed project in Detroit. Designed by architect Steven Flum, in partnership with developer Leslie Horn, the project is waiting city approval. Once received, the condos will end up near Wayne State University.

Other highlights of the story include a 25% cost-to-build savings over condos of similar size and quality, complete re-use of old shipping containers (no new ones), and that cool NASA developed paint insulator.

I was looking for a good example to show how something like this can actually look nice. The condos show an aesthetic that has obviously moved beyond container while remaining refreshingly industrial. For more photos of this kind of construction, visit Container City.

Via Jetson Green and Freep

Though it may not be the hot topic of the century, building residences with storage containers is getting a lot of attention right now. Let me tell you why.

Structure: The biggest reason the idea has caught on is that the structure is already done. No need to worry about structural support. You also don’t need to worry about fire, mold, or termites.

Customizable: You can put these containers together in just about any configuration. You’ll need a good foundation and a good welder, but that’s about it. The rest can be finished and insulated pretty easily.

Creative: This isn’t exactly a new idea, but it is a creative one. This sort of unique housing is not only fun to live in, but it’s a refreshing statement of modern lifestyle. It’s also a unique solution to conventional housing. Let me put it this way, you can get a 40 foot container with 9 ½ foot ceilings for about $3,100.00 (www.storageaz.com). That’s pretty inexpensive and the work is half done. Cut it open a bit, add your windows and doors, and you’ve got a framed house.

Now I know this still sounds crazy for a lot of people. Take a look at the video by G Living with architect Peter DeMaria for further information on building with storage containers. Visit DeMaria’s website to see more of what he’s talking about.

Cooler than you thought, huh?

Via www.jetsongreen.com(see the video here) and www.storageaz.com

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.

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.

I find the comparison surprisingly interesting and increasingly accurate. Organic food has swept America, but still hasn’t put a dent in the “Micky D’s” of the world. Green architecture is a movement on the rise and is becoming so very available to every home owner, but the vast majority of homes are built without thought for sustainability. I wrote about the slump in the housing market about a month ago. At that time, I was conducting research on the connections between our society’s drive for homeownership, and the steps we take collectively to satisfy it. Essentially, we want it bad enough that we sign the dotted line on sub par mortgages which lead to foreclosure, and builders want it bad enough that they build too many too fast. The solution is better planning, patience, and an acute awareness of our home’s affect on our families, society, and the environment. Where we choose to live is a profound statement of who we are. Our houses build us just as much as we build them. When the environment and personal well-being is taken into consideration, we end up with high performance homes that are sensitive to our needs. It just slows the process down.

Check out www.theslowhome.com and see what they’re all about. While you’re at it, take a look at www.slowfood.com. These thought provoking sites will help you understand the big picture, and the value of your home.