Remember when we mentioned project7ten? We were probably one of the earliest to mention the wildly popular home, so we were interested to notice that some of the same folks behind project7ten just finished another green home called 737conserve. Located at 737 Milwood Avenue and designed by Patrick Tighe, 737conserve has the same warm and modern feel that project7ten has. Here are some photos and a list of of its many green elements:
We've heard about ecocities in far away lands, but now there's one planned for the Unities States. Located near Fort Meyers, Florida, Babcock Ranch will be powered entirely by solar power. It's a bold and progressive plan, and if Kitson & Partners can secure all the necessary regulatory approvals, construction will begin this year. The city includes a 75-megawatt, on-site, photovoltaic facility constructed by Florida Power & Light for nearly $350 million.
This week, the west expansion of the Vancouver Convention Centre celebrates its grand opening, and we thought you should know a little about this incredible facility. Designed by Seattle's LMN Architects, as well as MCM and DA, the green convention center's most visual feature is the massive, six-acre green roof. It's Canada's largest and the biggest non-industrial living roof in North America! Set directly on the waterfront of Burrard Inlet, the west expansion is 1.2 million square feet and seriously enlarges the city's ability to provide greener conference space. Here are some of its green features:
Just recently, the new headquarters for the Barton Group was awarded LEED Platinum, a noteworthy achievement for an historic building originally built in 1865. The building appears to be only the seventh Platinum building in New York (and the 105th in the country) and was a finalist for ED+C's 2008 Excellence in Design Awards. The 16,000 square foot building now has a green roof, energy-efficient windows, a raised floor for air and electrical, a rainwater collection system, and a number of other green features:
If you've ever been to Taiwan, you'll probably agree that this design for Chinatrust Bank's headquarters is spot on for the region. Taiwan is so lush and green -- the extensive allowance for green roofs, vertical courtyards, and open space in the central plaza likely blends right in to the terrain. Designed by the LA office of NBBJ, with the assistance of local firm Fei & Cheng Associates, the development includes a 30-story headquarters building, 21-story commercial office building, 10-story hotel, and four-level retail center. The development just broke ground earlier this month and will end up with 2.5 million square feet by about 2012.
Green Screen is certainly not a new product, but the modular trellis panels are versatile enough to, in my estimation, inspire someone to put them to new use. Or use them to create something unique or innovative. The elements of the system are simple, with just the planter, panels, and the plants -- if you have the time to wait for the design to grow in, you can create a pretty unique looking living wall, fence, column, curve, or practically any other shape. The panels are made with 14 gauge galvanized steel and are available in ~ six colors.
A lot of people in Pennsylvania have been talking about green building, but according to my quick research, no one in the state has received the USGBC's highest certification under the LEED for Homes program yet. But that could change if the stars align for Thin Flats -- the developer is seeking LEED-H Platinum for all residences and waiting on Energy Star certification. Thin Flats includes eight, market-rate, up-down units split between four rows. The newly completed project recently received case study treatment by GreenSource Magazine, and from what I've read, observers either love or hate the exterior facade. Personally, I like it, but what do you think?
We've seen some interesting living walls and green roofs, but this goes beyond these applications and into the realm of being a complete living house. Referred to as the Lost in Paris House, the structure took five years to complete and was designed by R&Sie architects. The unique living envelope comprises 1200 ferns (or Dryopteris filix-mas) in a hydroponic system – the plants are not sustained by soil but by a chemical mixture of bacteria, nutrients, and rainwater.
The Pacific Garden Mission has been a steadfast anchor in the Chicago community since 1877. The Mission has served as a safe-haven for homeless men and women, offering nourishment for both body and soul. Today, the Mission continues it's work in a newly constructed 156,000 square foot facility. It was designed by Tigerman McCurry Architects to obtain LEED Silver certification and includes 100 solar-thermal panels, green roof with native vegetation, low flow water fixtures, locally sourced materials, and recycled construction waste. The solar panels were donated by the City of Chicago's Renewable Energy Program, which all together, over $245,000 in clean energy grants were donated by the City of Chicago.
If you know us, you know we like to introduce cutting edge projects, even in the rendering stage. But we also like to follow up on completion, too, and there's nothing better than seeing a finished project. Take for instance this 1940s Cape Cod home in St. Paul that was converted into a modern, green home. We mentioned it back in April of last year and now look at it. It's ultra stylish and so green! EcoDEEP is using the home as their offices, too, so potential clients get to see and experience first-hand what a green home feels like.
