Archive for the ‘Interior Design’ Category
May 15th, 2008
Green Events Across the US, late May and June 2008
Here are some of the major green events going on across the US in the next six weeks.
Green Festival 2008–Chicago, May 17 & 18, Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois
Celebrating what’s working in our communities, Green Festival showcases more than 350 diverse local and national green businesses displaying and selling eco-friendly, fair trade and sustainable products. More than 150 speakers appear for standing-room-only panel discussions, presentations and main stage speaking events.
Greener Homes and Gardens Expo, May 17 & 18, Portland, Oregon
This year’s show features Green Home Building & Remodeling; Sustainable Landscaping & Gardening; Renewable Energy & Conservation; Alternative Transportation; speakers, hands-on workshops, food, live music and more!
Sustainable Arkansas 2008, May 19 & 20, Hot Springs Convention Center, Arkansas
SA08 offers three sustainable tracks for conference attendees: Commercial Green Building, Residential Green Building, and Public Awareness.
Green West Expo, May 20-22, LA Convention Center, Los Angeles, California
Green West will feature the full spectrum of green, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly products and services. Exhibitors and attendees include architects, builders, designers, renewable energy professionals, city and state government representatives and more.
Homing in on Green: Jumpstarting the Demand for Eco-Friendly Housing in Chicago, Friday May 23, Chicago
The USGBC - Chicago Chapter and the NIHBA are hosting a special event that features an open forum to explore the methods, programs, organizations, and resources available to encourage sustainable housing. This event is being held in Chicago on Thursday evening and in Lisle on Friday morning. The program will be the same with the intent on giving attendees in the Chicagoland area an opportunity to attend at the venue that is most conveniently located.
Drive Nowhere Day 2008– May 30, Nationwide
May 30 is Drive Nowhere Day. Join the fun! Sign the pledge here.
JUNE
Clean Technology 2008, June 1-5, Boston, Massachusetts
Clean Technology 2008 is the largest and most comprehensive technical and business event in clean technology world-wide.
Sustainable Brands Conference, June 2-5, Hyatt Regency Monterrey, California
The global move toward innovation for sustainability is alive and well, and companies big and small are capitalizing on this new opportunity to build sales and brand equity. How can you join their ranks? Come find out at Sustainable Brands ’08.
Greener by Design: Strategies, Tools, and Markets for Product Innovation, June 12 & 13, Alexandria, Virginia
The only how-to event that focuses on the greening of mainstream products. Participants will hear from leading companies, both large and small, as well as the top green product designers, and participate in innovative techniques that combine the best elements of a traditional conference and an experiential workshop.
The 8th Annual Ann Arbor Green Fair, June 13, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Downtown Main Street will be open to pedestrians for free entertainment and more than 100 exhibits with environmental information, hands-on youth activities, green energy construction and transportation options, Bike Fest 2008, WasteKnot Business Partners, walking tours and more.
The Green Living Expo, June 20, Las Vegas, Nevada
Free for the entire family. Find the latest in eco-friendly products and services. On June 20th & 21st from 10a to 5p both days. Don’t miss our live entertainment, educational seminars, eco-fashion show or our exciting Green Kid’s Zone!
Bronx Green Roof Tour, June 20, New York
Visit 6 Green Roofs in the Bronx.
Greening the Heartland, June 22-24, St. Louis, Missouri
This regional U.S. Green Building Council conference will promote sustainable design and construction strategies for the built environment by encouraging joint leadership by the private and public sectors. The conference will highlight the latest in green building techniques that achieve energy and operational efficiencies, apply responsible construction and demolition practices, and aim for carbon neutrality. It will also demonstrate how green buildings promote the “triple bottom line” of profitability, people, and the environment – without compromising resources for future generations.
May 7th, 2008
Are AIA COTE Winners Too Much of the Same?
Written by Philip Proefrock, courtesy of GreenBuildingElements.com
The winners of this year’s AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Green Buildings were announced this week, and there certainly are some very attractive buildings among the lot. Some of these buildings are certified, or in the process of becoming certified, to high LEED standards, in addition to their COTE Top Ten recognition.But while I’m excited by some of the design presented in this year’s lineup, there are some troubling aspects of the roster as a whole that struck me almost immediately.
There is a strong slant toward a certain general kind of public building in this year’s COTE Top Ten. Of the ten winners (plus one honorable mention) almost all of the projects are buildings with a strong visitor component. Most of the buildings are Visitor Centers, Galleries and Libraries. Only one is a residential building, and the only office building is the honorable mention Internal Revenue Service Center in Kansas City MO.
Of the remaining nine, there are a Sculpture Building and Gallery, a Botanical Garden Visitor & Administration Center, a Learning Center, a University Center, a Center for Science and Art, an Environmental Education/Visitor Activity Center, a Discovery Center, a Library, and an Environmental Center. These are buildings which typically have a sizable budget and which are showpieces, meant to impress visitors. The inclusion of green building elements in all projects like this should be a given.
But do these really represent the best “examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment”? Or should the best buildings represent the whole range of building?
As a program of the AIA, superior architecture and design are going to be key in any national awards, whether related to environmental issues or otherwise. So expecting these to be more ordinary buildings may be a bit much to ask of COTE.
The best examples of environmental design should be found in a range of buildings and building types. Monocultures are rarely a good thing in the long run. Too much of the same kind of building runs the risk of developing a public perception of green building being limited to only certain types of buildings, a niche, rather than a direction in which all building must start moving.
All of these projects are fine examples of green building, and I do not want to detract from any of this year’s winners. But if the AIA is going to “Walk the Walk,” it needs to promote a broader range of sustainable building projects. The Committee should take a closer look at its selection process and the methods it uses to arrive at its Top Ten award winners. A wider range of the implementations of green building needs to be recognized as part of the program. Without a greater representation from a wider variety of project types, the COTE Top Ten recognition runs the risk of becoming a marginalized and insignificant award, rather than a standard of excellence for all building design and construction.
My congratulations to all of this year’s winners.
See Also:
What Makes It Green? 2008 Winners
Architecture Week 2008 - Is It Sustainable?
Image: Pocono Environmental Education/Visitor Activity - Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Architects, via: AIA.org
May 5th, 2008
10 Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Do you like to come home and take a nice deep breath as you relax? You may be getting more than you bargained for! It may come as a shock to learn that according to the EPA the air in our homes is often two to five times more poisonous than the air outside.
There are many sources of indoor air pollution: furniture or cabinets made of pressed wood products, damp carpets, pesticides, cleaners, tobacco smoke, hobby supplies, mold and the list goes on. These chemicals can cause and aggravate allergies, some have been linked to nervous system disorders, and some of them are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Immediate effects can show up as sore throats, itchy eyes, headaches or fatigue. Longer term effects can be much worse.
Here are 10 ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
1. Open the windows — get some fresh air into your house! Best of all, it’s free.
2. Change your furnace/AC air filter at least a couple of times each year. Definitely do it before winter heat season starts– your air filter has trapped all kinds of junk while it has been sitting idle. Find replacement air filters here.
3. Don’t use chemical air fresheners. Most air fresheners sold at your local grocery or drug store are laden with chemicals. If you need to freshen your air, trying getting a natural essential oil and some of those wooden “soaking sticks” to spread sweet fragrance around your home.
4. Similarly, be careful about candles. Paraffin wax candles are made from a petroleum derivative, and the fumes from the paraffin wax have been found to cause kidney and bladder tumors in laboratory animals. “Gel candles” are also dangerous; they are the ones that are clear, often colored, and usually come in a glass container. Most gel candles are also scented with artificial fragrances. Many types of scented candles (not just the gel type) are unhealthy–some scented candles include acetone, benzene, trichloroethylene, and a host of other toxic chemicals. Be sure to try to get soy candles and read the labels carefully– do you recognize the essential oils they are using as scents? If not, ask or don’t buy it!
5. Use non-toxic home cleaners. More and more people are coming to realize that standard home cleaning supplies contain many chemicals which are dangerous to breathe or touch. You can either click here to buy safe pre-made cleaners, or consider making your own natural cleaners– it’s cheap and easy!
6. Consider getting rid of your carpets– or get natural carpets. Carpeting can be one of the biggest air-quality culprits in your home: most carpets are treated with chemicals that off-gas and carpets act as traps for dirt, allergans, mold and other nasty items. If you can stand to part with your carpet, it will improve your air quality. If you must have carpet, consider natural area rugs.
7. Consider getting room air filters for your home. A HEPA filter can seriously reduce the presence of toxins, allergens, and particulate matter in your home. See air filters here.
8. Limit or remove vinyls from your home. Did you know that your vinyl shower curtain is releasing toxic gas? Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been found to discharge softening chemicals called phthalates into home air, increasing respiratory problems.
9. If you’re doing any painting or staining, be sure to use no- or low-VOC paints and finishes. Volatile organic compounds are found in most traditional paints and their off-gassing can be dangerous for your family. Find safe paints and stains here.
10. Obviously, make your home a smoke-free zone!
May 5th, 2008
Top 10 Renewable Tech Gadgets
Today’s post on Tech Gadgets comes to us by Michelle Bennett and comes to us courtesy of GreenOptions.com.
There are a lot of cool gadgets out there, but there’s a fine line between what’s cool and what’s useful. This is a green list of gadgets that are useful, but boast the extra-cool factor of using renewable energy. No batteries required!
10. The Ship has Landed
The lightship is a solar-powered LED mounted on suction cups. Result: a portable, hands-free, solar light. It’s even weather proof and weighs a slim 8oz. For under $15, this is the best 8 hours of clean light I can think of, and I might just get one for my car/camping trips/travels.
9. High-tech pool toy?
If you simply must have hot water anywhere, at any time, try a portable solar water heater. Could it double as a heated water bed? A pool toy? Bring some towels if you decide to try. This gadget is designed to bring cheap, easy hot water to people and places without access to indoor plumbing or electricity. It rolls up small enough to fit in a backpack, and it’s supposed to be affordable enough for people or communities in developing nations.
8. The Fridge without Power
A little ingenuity paired with the laws of thermodynamics have made Mohammed Bah Abba a famous man. His invention is simple: place a pot into a slightly larger one. Pad the space between them with wet sand, and cover with a damp cloth. As the water evaporates, it will draw heat out of the containers and cool whatever’s inside. The system has already proved itself in northern Nigeria, a hot and arid region. Food lasts for days or weeks longer compared to the only alternative: room temperature. Here in the land of plastic coolers, I can think of a few common uses: Camping trips could be easier without the weight of heavy packs of ice and the danger of freezing more fragile foods. Egg-cicle anyone? Even if you don’t intend to leave the comforts of modern civilization, consider these for cooling food or drinks at your next BBQ, or even for a DIY kid’s science project.
7. Speaking of BBQ…
We’re putting heat in the kitchen with solar cookers. The benefit here is that some designs are lightweight with easy-to get materials, like foil and pizza boxes. They also offer a neat alternative for your next BBQ (and yes, they can get hot enough to cook meat) if, for example, you live in an area with frequent fire-bans. Since there are no flames involved, it’s much safer and there’s definitely something fascinating about watching the sun roast your food.
6. Crank your Gadgets
How about a MP3 player that you can crank? You’ll never run out of juice if you can charge your gadget by hand. Trevor Baylis, the inventor of the hand-crank radio, brings you an MP3 with plenty of whistles and bells. If a wind-up MP3 isn’t your cup of tea, how about a kinetic cell phone or phone charger? You might hesitate to buy anything that requires physical exertion on your part, but what happens when there’s no socket in which to stick your regular charger? Be the cool kid who can charge himself. Also, consider emergency applications. The MP3 comes with a flashlight, and the cell phone charger could keep you connected when you most need to call for help.
5. Personal Wind Turbine
We’re not talking about the huge wind-farm fodder; we’re talking about something you can strap to your house. Now I admit, gadgets tend to be smaller and more… gadgety. After much deliberation, I figured omitting wind power would be like forgetting Unix in a “Top-5″ for PC operating systems. Plus, they look really cool. For a mere $500 you could own this turbine, which is designed for charging batteries (the batteries would power a cabin or house). The Japanese turbine (shown here) hasn’t quite hit the American market yet, but it’d be my wind-power-of-choice. Airplane propellers are so last-year.
4. Sunlit Gadgets
Solar powered lighting aside, what about self-sufficient gadgets? Nowadays there’s a wide variety to choose from. There’s Msi’s solar’powered MP3 player, which you can also plug in when the sun won’t shine. How about a Bluetooth headset? You too could strut with all the style of a pocket-protector, smug in the knowledge that yours works indoors and out. Other self-sufficient gadgets include a mosquito repeller, tire gage, and all-in-one survival kit. However, some of the extreme deals associated with these makes me wonder if they’re worth the low price…
3. The Nerdiest Lights Around
Let’s play with fiber optics. You could have natural sunlight (sans UV and infrared) for your home or office, and it could come from fiber optic cables (pictured above). Among the gadget you don’t get to see (assuming it’s wired through your walls), it’s got to be the coolest. You even get a futuristic collector dish on your roof.
2. Lightcap 200
This is a solar-powered cap for your water bottle. So why power your Nalgene? It turns your translucent water bottle into a solar-powered lantern. Every backpacker knows that every ounce counts, so now you can combine two heavy but necessary items into one. There is also the cool factor: pick you color with your favorite shade of kool-aid.
1. Solar Battery Recharger… even your laptop
It was bound to be on the list. There are a range of solar-powered rechargers. Some come with battery packs (for when the sun don’t shine) or bells and whistles. Voltaic Systems and Burton’s Solar Roll claim the prize of recharging a standard laptop. As you might expect, prices range from $20 to “owch”. But if you carry a purse, tote your gadget horde, backpack, geocache, or travel through regions with less-than-reliable electricity, any one of these could be invaluable. Plus, they all come with a magnificent cool factor.
(images courtesy of Sunlight Direct Products, EcoGeek.com, and Solarjo)
April 28th, 2008
Art from Recycled Goods = Divine Decor
We have recently come across the outstanding artists who are using found and recycled objects to create their masterpieces. Their work is gorgeous, intriguing and sustainable– what could be better?
The first we want to highlight is the “mosaic fusion” of artist S A Schimmel Gold. She collects junk mail and incorporates it into her stunning portraiture. Some are pure pop, some are moody and moving. I saw them “in person” at the AltBuild Expo last week and was floored. The artist says of herself and her work, “I am a rabid recycler - I am compelled to upcycle unusual resources to create my art and give others’ images and words a new life in my work. Look closely for menu items, cruise itineraries, gallery openings… stand back to view the sum of the parts - a textural representation of beauty.” Please review the Schimmel Art collection here.
The second artist we love is Tammy Roy, who is the founder of OneEighty, an eco-art studio. Tammy takes used washers, rebar and other found metal objects and welds them into compelling pieces. She makes lamps, bowls, wall pieces– and the amazing fireplace screen shown here. Tammy and her mom love to go dumpster-diving together– she says, ”Unlike most mothers and daughters, you won’t see us in the malls, but instead pulling scraps of steel from salvage yards!” See the entire OneEighty collection here.
If you have not seen the plastic bag mandala art of Virginia Fleck, you have a real treat in store. Fleck collects brightly colored plastic bags and turns them into spiritual post-consumer gems. She is grounded in both the traditions of American quilting and the mandala art of Tibet. Some of the pieces are fanciful (including images of Scooby Doo’s face) and some are more abstract and modernist. Fleck’s work has met with great critical acclaim, and once you peruse her collection, you will have no question as to why.
Kwytza Kraft was the original idea of founder Bryan Parks, an American who lived in China for several years. He became disturbed by the refuse created by single-use chopsticks, and decided he needed to do something about it. Now he collects chopsticks, sanitizes them, and creates stunning lamps, bowls, and other objects. He even makes purses and necklaces out of chopsticks. Please take a look at the Kwytza Kraft collection.
April 13th, 2008
Eco-friendly Cabinets: The Definitive Guide
If you are considering any kitchen or bathroom remodeling, likely cabinets are on your list. In any green home remodel, incorporating eco-friendly cabinet choices into your plans is a great idea.
Fortunately there are many excellent options available to us now as green consumers. We are trying here to create the definitive list of eco-friendly cabinet options available across the United States.
First and foremost to embrace sustainability we should try to save as much of existing cabinets as possible– perhaps you can just put a new face on your cabinets and save the underlying ”boxes”? That can be a great way to reduce your use of new materials and cut your waste output. But if you need entirely new cabinets, here are some great options from the leading green cabinet makers in the U.S.
Bamboo Cabinets
AlterECO creates unique and beautiful custom bamboo cabinets built to high standards of craftsmanship, utility and sustainability. Based in San Francisco.
Grass Cabinetry creates custom, green cabinets in Sacramento, California. They also do work in hardwoods.
Laguna Bamboo is another leader in bamboo cabinets. Surprise– they are located in Laguna, CA.
Cabinet Makers Working with Mixed Materials (Bamboo, FSC Certified woods, reclaimed woods, etc.)
M8 Cabinetry is an innovative firm that is creating recycled and recyclable cabinet solutions. Their work is modern and beautiful.
Kirei board is a gorgeous option for cabinet fronts. Kirei is a unique material made from compressed sorghum stalks. Please give it a look!
Artistic Freedom Designs, based in San Diego, uses FSC woods, Smith and Fong Plyboo bamboo plywood, biocomposites, salvaged woods, and AFM safecoat finishes.
Sustainabuilt is based in Boise, Idaho and uses a wide variety of sustainable building materials in their cabinets, including Plyboo and FSC Certified hardwoods.
Neil Kelly Cabinets is a leader in the field and uses FSC certified woods, formaldehyde-free agriboard case/drawer material, and low VOC glues/adhesives/finishes.
Woodshanti is a wood-working cooperative based in San Francisco. They do gorgeous work in FSC hardwoods, and/or reclaimed woods.
CitiLog, based in New Jersey, reclaimed wood for use in their cabinets and other products. They also use non-toxic bonders and sealants.
Green Leaf Cabinetry, based in Cleveland, OH, manufactures cabinets using FSC certified woods, formaldehyde-free bonding agents, and low-VOC finishes.
Fiddle Head Designs, based in Brunswick, Maine, uses locally-milled, sustainable woods, and non-toxic glues and sealants. They also purchase 100% of the shop’s electricity from wind power!
Green Forest Kitchens & Baths builds cabinets from 100% reclaimed woods. They are based in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Humabuilt creates a line of cabinets from their Wheatcore product, a LEED certified wheat-board.
Breathe Easy Cabinetry uses responsibly harvested solid woods which are formaldehyde-free and non-toxic water-based glues and finishes. They are based on the East Coast but have reps across the country.
Case Green Cabinetry is based in Denver, CO, and builds cabinets out of wheat board composites or Medite II.
John C. Duval Designs offers custom casework using sustainable materials. They are located in White Post, Virginia. (Also a green builder.)
GreenTech Cabinety offers a variety of sustainable materials and finishes. They have dealers across the country.
Blue Plum Design offers a variety of eco-friendly cabinet options. Based in San Francisco.
We have eco-friendly cabinet resources listed across the country– search your area by visiting our cabinet category.
Also be sure to check our green retail outlets across the country as many of these stores carry mutliple lines of eco-friendly cabinets: search your area by visiting our green retail category.
Are you a green cabinet maker and would like to be added to this list? Please send an email to info@lowimpactliving.com.
