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Taiwan University Team to Compete in Solar Decathlon Europe 2014
The next Solar Decathlon Europe will take place in Versailles, France in June and July of 2014. It challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost effective, energy efficient, and attractive. Each team spends up to two years in developing its house to compete in ten contests and eventually builds the…
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Passive House Tour in San Francisco Bay Area
On November 8 – 10, 2013, Passive House California is celebrating International Passive House Days by showcasing four Passive Houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. Four sets of homeowners will be opening their homes to the public to share their experiences. Passive House represents today’s highest energy standard, with the promise of reducing the…
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Juvenile Detention Home Revived As Green Home for Veterans
The historic landmark at 150 Otis Street in San Francisco, California has seen much in its lifetime. It was designed by architect Louis Mullgardt and built in 1916 as the City’s Juvenile Court and Detention Home. Throughout the years, it has served as an office for the City’s Department of Human Services, a storage space,…
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Build It Green’s Latest Green Product Directory
Build It Green has recently updated its online Green Product Directory, sharing the results from its research of thousands of building products. The easy-to-navigate Directory includes definitions, resources, selected recommendations of green products, and GreenPointers–practical advice on how to renovate or build green with green design strategies and products. Go to http://greenpointrated.com/products/ to access the…
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a.gor.a architects Win World Architecture Community Award
We recently featured Thailand-based architecture firm a.gor.a architects and its eco-friendly project, the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand. The firm has garnered much recognition lately and we would like to congratulate the team: Jan, Line, and Albert. It is one of the 19 winners of the 20+10X World Architecture Community Awards 14th Cycle…
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Insights from Architect Chuck Davis, FAIA
Online education provider, aecKnowledge, presents a video on Mr. Chuck Davis, FAIA, the youngest of the founding partners of EHDD, a fabled San Francisco Bay Area architecture firm with a distinguished international reputation. At age 78, he remains a partner in the firm, guiding a new generation of leaders. In this remarkably candid interview, curated by…
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Net Zero Energy Through Design and Operation Strategies
On October 15th, the Packard Foundation announced that it had “achieved the goal of operating its headquarters building at net zero energy by generating more than enough electricity to meet is needs during the first full year of occupancy.” It is the largest building to-date to receive Net Zero Energy Building Certification through the International Living…
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The Packard Foundation’s Headquarters Is a Conservation Success
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to take a private tour of The David and Lucile Packard Foundation’s newly built headquarters. It’s an elegant, well designed, and very green office building located in downtown Los Altos, California. It has an understated presence that respects its surrounding neighborhood and provides a strong anchor for the…
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Building Dormitories With Local, Recycled Timber and Renewable Bamboo in Thailand
The armed conflict that has persisted for decades in the Karen State of Myanmar results in a daily flow of refugees and immigrants to neighbouring Thailand. In the Thai town of Mae Sot, a few kilometres from the Burmese border, numerous schools and orphanages offer accommodation and education for the refugees and immigrants. One of…
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Don Hisaka, FAIA: Architect, Mentor, and Friend
Earlier this year, an architect very dear to my heart peacefully passed away at his home in Berkeley, California. The late Don M. Hisaka, a world renowned architect, was my professor at UC Berkeley, a former boss, a long-time mentor, and a friend who taught me many things about life. During the twenty plus years…
