Articles tagged with: Architecture
Posted in Architecture, Energy, Green, Solar on 4 September 2008
There are not many LEED Platinum certified green homes across the US and while the number is growing, it probably needs to spread more rapidly in order to really help the planet cool down. While US is still trying to switch to green, California seems to the leader in renewable energy and green architecture in the country. The 4600 sq ft Margarido House is by no means a small home, but with the addition of a plethora of green building features it will become the first LEED-H Platinum certified home in Northern California.
Posted in Architecture, Eco-Friendly on 3 September 2008
Large metals containers that have been used for years at the port and left as scrap can be turned in to your dream home! That is by no means a lie and a brave venture Peter DeMaria of DeMaria Designhas proved this to the world. While many artists and designers intend to create furnishings for your home from scrap, Melinda has gone out and made a wonderful home out of nothing but used and discarded shipping containers. Large metal shipping containers that are left empty at ports around the US are being repurposed into modern, eco-friendly housing.
What began as an experiment for emergency housing has become a realistic and less costly option to traditional construction. Logical Homes offers nine models of container homes for construction around Southern California. The homes will average about $150 to $200 per square foot; in comparison to $220 to $250 per square for traditional construction in the area. Started by Peter DeMaria, the firm provides the amazing and exquisite homes to all those who need them at a price that is far less that those of regular spaces.
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Posted in Architecture, Green, Technology on 3 September 2008
Nigeria would not really be a place where you would be a place where you would go searching for green homes but with Aero Energy Design making the movement of global green living truly global, even the most remote location of the world can now harbor a green structure. The important aspect of the homes is that one needs to feel as if they truly are in the lap of nature. ZED designed 4500 sf concept home as the first of two thousand planned residences in a modern village in Akodo Ise, Nigeria. The TechVille project is both inspiration in design and effective in efficiency.
Posted in Architecture, Green, Technology on 1 September 2008
This is one house that I would really love to own as it seems to combine two of my passions with elegant ease. The Garden House is a perfect combination of environment with sports and when I say I mean a lot more than the boring indoor sports. The Garden House has a roof that is covered by a green blanket and it is not just for the look of it. The green top acts as a mini-golf course and you can have loads of fun and fine tune your shots and angles on your own terrace now.
Designed by ADD+ Arquitectura, the Garden House is a good example of designer houses. The project is designed to be located in the city of Igulada while overlooking the overall landscape. The big glasses all over the house ensure that the house does not have dearth of light and air. The house overall is supported on steel tubes and is quite strong in holding the whole house. Also the interiors are done very aesthetically with wooden flooring taking the overall feel to a new level.
Posted in Architecture, Eco-Friendly, Energy on 1 September 2008
This really is nothing beyond a symbolic way of saying that France intends to go green and that the French government is ready to embrace eco-friendly technology. But the good thing about cutting the sizzle off of the Eiffel Tower is that it is actually being acknowledged as just a ‘symbolic gesture’ and no one is trying to make a big deal out of it in terms of energy saving. While many might welcome the move, one could surely save plenty of power somewhere else rather than dim the lights on Paris’ most striking monuments.
Since January 1, 2000, every hour after dusk, the 20,000 bulbs twinkle brilliantly for ten minutes in what has become a tourist hit. But starting next month, Sete, the company subcontracted by Paris to run the tower, has decided to half the time the bulbs are on, cutting illumination from 400 to 200 hours per year. The decision is part of a plan to make the Eiffel tower and other monuments more environmentally friendly.
Posted in Architecture, Green, Infrastructure on 31 August 2008
It is ironic that 90% of the ‘natural’ disasters that we see today are actually a culmination of man’s callous exploitation of the planet. Yet, every time there is a disaster that strikes the civilized world, our heart goes out in support of the needy. It is not easy to face the fury of the elements and as kind as the planet can be, it can also unleash moments of madness that can and often do leave millions homeless. Matthew Malone’s innovative new green disaster shelter is a wonderful option which provides shelter to the homeless.
Posted in Architecture, Green, Tourism on 13 August 2008
Nothing can beat the freshness quotient of a hot-water bath! Better still, if this bath is situated in natural settings in form of a thermal spring. Located in the womb of dense forest cover of the Villarrica National Park (Chile) the Geometric Hot Springs is one green destination which every one would love to visit atleast once in their lifetime! German del Sol have designed the whole hot springs complex in a manner that the architecture bearing the 17 pools (over a stretch of 450 meters) can bring you as close to nature as that fantasized by you in your dreams! The Geometric Hot Springs project got completed in 2005. Since then it has been open to visitors who love to gel in the abundant greenery of the region.
Posted in Architecture, Designer, Earth, Eco Art, Eco-Friendly, Eco-friendly products, Environment, Fashion, Go green, Green, concept on 4 August 2008
The concept of eco-interiors was talked about at great length by Jeanie Pyun, editor of Sprig along with famous eco-interior designer Kelly LaPlante on Discussion on WashingtonPost.com. The strongest point of the show was the little tips that were offered to help you green your style. And that was not all as the hosts gave guidelines on finding healthy food and products. Even FAQs like “What is a green roof” and “What does VOC mean” were answered by them. Since the discussion was hosted online, the two eco-friendly women could post web-links directly to the chat to give readers easy, direct access to the tips being discussed. Other areas of concern were, “why it is still so difficult to find healthy products and why are they not cheaper?” as well as “what is a single mom hoping to green on a limited budget?”
Posted in Architecture, Green on 3 August 2008
While we ponder over making our dream home, an inevitable mania would be to pick appealing and elegant colors for the background. And in making this choice of colors and coats we just overlook the malicious effects of noxious constituents associated with them. We just contemplate on a classy and pleasing look without bearing in mind the ailing effects of the coats & paints brand which we would be going to use.
Even today majority of people are not sentient about indoor air quality which is appallingly vital for creating a hearty and calm environment. Headaches, Exhaustion, disabled immune system, asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer are few of the severe infirmities which could be added on by poor indoor air quality. Another unfamiliar but imperative matter is Volatile Organic Compounds, VOCs which are there in paints and accountable for outlining poor indoor air quality.
Posted in Architecture, Companies, Eco-Friendly, Eco-friendly products, Efficiency, Electric, Electricity, Energy, Gadgets, Go green, Green, Power, Products, Technology on 27 July 2008
Tired of a soaring electricity bill? Concerned for nature, want to reduce global warming but are a victim of lousy habits, always forgetful about switching off the lights or fans when you leave a room? For all those who are perfect example of “old habits die hard” notion but are willing enough to adopt greener ways, California based Agilewaves has come up with a smart device- The Resource Monitor. The device is native integrated system which functions in real time to monitor the electricity, gas and water consumption of your house. With the real monitor, you can carry out your chores without being worried about a hefty bill at the end of the month as you can set specific monthly targets for consuming these three facilities. The device uses behaviorally-driven quantitative feedback by the users for effective monitory. It is fit for use inside homes and offices. Resource monitor displays the consumption details and carbon footprint of a household/office via a built-in touchscreen interface or a password protected web page.