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A Green Transformation of Eichler House Model MS-134
My first in-depth encounter with Eichler homes was a few years ago on a blazing hot 90°F Saturday afternoon in Palo Alto, California. I participated in a self-guided Eichler Home Tour which benefited Habitat for Humanity. It was such a treat to get a glimpse into what lay within the Eichler homes that modernized the…
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Ecobuild 2011: A Global Exchange of Green Building Knowledge
Grey skies with a hint of spring and a peek of sunshine. I called London my adopted home for a few days last week while I attended Ecobuild 2011, held at ExCel London, from March 1st through 3rd. It was called “the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the…
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Cradle to Cradle and Beyond
Warren Buffet, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Ford, Brad Pitt, and me. What do we have in common? We all believe in the power of William McDonough—architect, instigator, and inspirer of change and optimism. During my senior year design studio, Professor Galen Cranz organized a field trip to New York City to meet architects at the forefront…
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Post-Occupancy Evaluation of a LEED Certified Building
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to experience a LEED certified building as a user. On our drive to Los Angeles, my husband and I had to stop by a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) so we randomly selected the DMV in the City of Tracy, California. Upon reaching the service counter after a…
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West Coast Green 2010: Brilliant Minds and Green Innovations
Every year, I look forward to attending West Coast Green in San Francisco. It’s a chance for me to learn about new building products/technologies, get inspired by industry leaders, and connect with fellow “green” enthusiasts. It will take place on September 30 – October 2, 2010 at the Fort Mason Center located along the San…
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Rubber Tires Find New Life as Modular Flooring Tiles
During a road trip from San Francisco to Southern California, I observed the many facets of the landscape: beautiful rolling valleys, pervasive big box stores, and stockpiles of vehicle tires piled high and awaiting their uncertain future. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, this is prevalent throughout the United States scenery. California has been actively finding ways…
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SchoolPictures.com Deconstructs Its Way to LEED Silver
Domino’s Pizza, Ave Maria College, and SchoolPictures.com. How are these 3 connected? The new headquarters of SchoolPictures.com is housed in buildings that used to belong to Ave Maria College which was founded by Thomas S. Monaghan, the founder of Domino’s Pizza. But more important than that fact is that SchoolPictures.com’s new home will become the…
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Introducing a Green Replacement for Plywood
Can the construction industry help divert plastics from the world-wide waste stream? Could a green replacement for plywood be one of the ways to help solve the problem? During my attendance at Ecobuild 2010 in London earlier this year, I came upon a smartly designed exhibitor booth. I was drawn to its interactive displays, see-through…
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New Directions for Living Roofs and Walls
The evolving technology of green roofs has been leading to the use of greater diversity in their designs. After years of implementing green roof designs, the industry has seen a steady move towards more diversity in both elements of construction and plant materials. What is most fascinating of the improvement in green roof design is…
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How Green Is Your Building’s Wood?
How can architects, developers and builders know for sure that lumber for building their projects comes from sustainably managed forests? Sustainability is defined internationally as: meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising that ability for future generations. Translated to forestry, sustainability strives to balance the interdependent and sometimes competing interests of the environmental,…