Green Building : Jetson Green

Green Cartoon: Hiroshi Takatsuki + Blog Updates

I hope you're enjoying the holidays, this is another cartoon from High Moon. I'm not in contact with the internet, so I will be back posting next week when I get to a connection.

Brad Pitt + Global Green USA Seeking Partners for New Orleans Green Community

This is fantastic news--we have a little quid pro quo that could change the future of a company forever.  Seriously.  Pitt + Global Green USA have partnered to build a sustainable community in New Orleans.  They are seeking cornerstone partners, each with category exclusivity, to help create a prototype for affordable, green housing.  Housing will be energy-efficient with environmentally conscious and weather-resistant materials.  Here's how the deal works:

Potential Partner Company Provides:

• $1-2 million in year one, with right of first refusal in years two-four
• Support for green initiatives through employee education
• Support for green initiatives through consumer awareness program, sales of iconic products, etc. 

Potential Partner Company Receives:

• Inclusion in Global Green USA stories with media outlets such as "The Oprah Winfrey Show," People Magazine, "The Today Show," "Dateline NBC," VH1, etc. 
• Earn consumer trust and brand loyalty through commitment to Go Global Green
• Affiliation with celebrity spokesperson Brad Pitt

The deadline to act on this is January 31, 2007.  That's about it as far available information, but I think this could be a great opportunity to get your company going on an explosively green track.  Will it be profitable?  Hard to say, but there looks to be substantial upside.  Via PRNewswire via 'razzi. 

Video: SCIPs + Green Sandwich Technologies

[Runtime = 28:46 min.]  You probably heard about Green Sandwich Technologies (GST) earlier this year when William (Bill) McDonough, FAIA, announced that he'd be on the company's advisory board.  Structural Concrete Insulating Panel (SCIP) technology, also known as Welded Wire Sandwich Panel, has been mentioned in most popular magazines and has the unique achievement of meeting the Cradle to Cradle design protocol.  This video shows Green Sandwich panels in action. 

GST panels have 7 main advantages:  (1) strength - wind load capacity of 200 mph+ and earthquake tolerance of 8.0+; panels resist pests, mold, and vermin; have the highest fire rating in the industry and are water resistant; (2) speed - allow buildings to be erected in 1/2 the time of conventional construction; (3) flexibility - panels can be used for residential, commercial, and industrial uses for floors, walls, roofs, ceilings, pools, and fences; (4) superior sound insulation - they transfer 66% less noise than wood and steel frame walls; (5) superior temperature performance - delivers R-40 performance, good for both hot and cold climates; homeowners can save up to 60% on home energy costs; (6) environmental friendliness - panels contain about 60% recycled/reclaimed materials by volume (40% by weight) + all waste is 100% recyclable; and (7) affordable - builders recognize value in cost savings such as 50% less construction time, 4-12% labor savings, 4-12% material savings, equipment savings, loan carrying cost savings, and energy savings up to 60%.  Click here to see a list of building applications. 

Merry Christmas + Happy Holidays

Skyscraper Sunday: The Modern + Green Skyscraper Movement

[Runtime = 4:13 min.]  I wanted to include this video within my post, but E&ETV disabled the embed function, so head over to Youtube this jolly Christmas eve to watch a good primer on green skysrapers.  With modern skyscrapers, everyone is focused on sustainable, energy-efficient structures.  These days, most skyscraper design integrates LEED, as an overlay to the rest of the design process.  The video narrative goes through some of the most popular green skyscrapers, such as World Trade Center Complex, Hearst Tower, and Bank of America Tower.   

Noteworthy Green News: Week in Review

1. Wind Energy Scores Major Legal Victory in U.S. (Texas) - Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in Texas, currently the world's largest wind farm, did not create enough noise to be considered a private nuisance.  Via Hugg. 
2. Google Plants Solar Trees - About a third of the 9,000 solar panels (total 1.6-megawatt solar system) Google's installing will take the form of overhanging parking shades at the million-square-foot campus in Mountain View. The others will be mounted on rooftops.
3. Boston Ready to Go Green - Boston is expected to become the first major city in the nation to require private developers to adhere to a strict set of so-called green-building standards, officials said yesterday.  (I need to fact check to determine whether it's the first city). 
4. Green State v. Brown State: Report Details California and Texas Energy Use - Despite its size California's per capita energy consumption ranks 46 out of the 50 states. Texans, on the other hand, are power hogs, with the state the 5th largest consumer of energy. Texas produces 10.2 percent of the country's coal-fired electricity; California a tenth of 1 percent. California, however, generates the most power from solar, wind and other non-hydro sources, accounting for about 26 percent of the U.S.'s renewable energy.

On that last note, I'm a Texan and I must say, doesn't it feel good to know that our state has become the laggard in terms of modernizing energy infrastructure and sourcing?  If we can find a way to boot out the rich executives that are hamstringing Texas' energy situation, there's a growing population of innovative leaders and thinkers that will generate returns for our future.  The question is, would you rather take the profits on your 35mm film sales OR would you like to own the patent on the digital camera? 

Blog Tagged by Ben Rowe's Blog

Well, I've been tagged by Ben over at Ben Rowe's Blog...I hesitate to do these blog tag memes--similar to an email chain letter--because I don't want to cry wolf to all you readers that come back for green building information.  BUT, in the spirit of Christmas, I'm gonna go for it.  Here are the rules:

Once you are tagged, you need to mention 5 things about yourself that others don’t know. Then you need to tag 5 other people.  I'm fairly open + people not just about everything about me, so here's what I have:

1. I've never smoked a cigarette or drank a drop of alcohol.  Never will. 
2. I occasionally let my trusty beagle sleep on the couch when the wife is at work.
3. I'd like to be monetarily successful to have a high-end music room in our future house; I'm an old school drummer like Ben: percussion, marching snare drummer, drum set, etc.
4. I was big-time addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper for about the past 4 years and finally gave it up 2 months ago.  Gotta stay dry. 
5. I'm a lifetime fan of the Dallas Mavericks, but Mark Cuban's perpetual banter/whining is driving me to hate the NBA.

There you go.  I feel totally exposed.  Now it's your turn --> Geekwhat (Tony), Stephen Schenkenberg, Equity Green (Garrett), green LA girl (Siel), + Celsias (Craig). 

Modern Rammed Earth: Red Hill Residence (Australia)

I'm a big-time proponent of green buildings, but if I hear straw bale, adobe, tee pee, or the like, I tend to lose interest.  And the same goes for rammed earth.  That is, until I saw the Red Hill Residence, which happens to be a modern rammed earth home, designed by Christopherchris Architecture.  Not sure what rammed earth is?  Wikipedia + Earth Architecture.  Here's the home's description straight from an article translation:

A contemporary new home for a young family relocating from a busy city environment to the Mornington Peninsula. Constructed primarily from locally sourced rammed earth and ship lapped cedar paneling, the house is sited across the ridge of the property.  The elemental form of the building is enhanced by the contrasting and intersecting selection of material, textures and colours, threaded together by the linear rammed earth wall. Key views to the valley are enjoyed from all living areas and bedrooms, whilst the master bedroom is privileged to a unique vista down to the peninsula and onwards to bass straight.

This Australian home is a beauty!  Tell me this:  would you buy it?  I think I would, but I'd like to hear more about the pros and cons of rammed earth building.  So far, we know that rammed earth can be molded and contoured to create modern, expressive buildings.  Feel free to drop a comment so everyone reading will gain from your insight and experience.  Via Moco.

Hive Modular Video: Modern, Semi-Affordable + Light Green

[Run time = 2:21] If you're a prefab enthusiast, you've probably heard of Hive Modular--they're pushing the envelope on modern, highly-customized, affordable modular homes.  I've included a short video with Paul Stankey talking about some of the benefits of modular building.  Notice, prices are going to be variable due to extreme variations in land costs, but a Hive Modular will run about $100-200 per square foot, generally speaking.  And while the company makes it's homes energy-efficient and has less construction waste (than site built homes), their focus is on modern design.  As the company's relationships grow, they plan to incorporate more green amenities into their plans.  Via Moco.

Market Style Apartments: Comfortable, Green Apartment Community for Naval Personnel

The Navy has commissioned a $39.5 million, 2-level, 6 courtyard apartment community for about 420 Naval service members in Norfolk Naval Station.  What's most impressive is that the community will use environmentally friendly design and pursue LEED certification.  Dubbed Market Style Apartments, the apartments were designed by VOA Associates, a Chicago-based firm with considerable LEED experience.  In addition to the spacious courtyard areas, there will be 3 two-story lounge areas for social gatherings.  Generally speaking, the design is part of an overall movement towards friendlier, welcoming military housing.  In addition to using recycled materials in its construction, the apartments are expected to consume 20% less energy.  There will be low-VOC paints, carpets + other indoor products and the fixtures will be chosen for water savings (low-flow fixtures, efficient shower heads, and automated water shut-offs).  Construction begins in the Spring 2007 and finishes 2008-2009.  Via MHN.