Though this may not be the car in your garage, hybrid cars have evolved to enable substantial reduction in fuel consumption and pollution. They receive their power from a regular gasoline engine and a battery powered electric motor. They offer high mileage by balancing the load on the engine and with some hybrids the energy that is otherwise lost in brakes, is actually recovered. Read more »
Branches of the solar tree are decorated with solar lamps, each one comprising of several solar cells; they also have rechargeable batteries and electronic systems. Sharp Solar and Artemide joined forces to turn the design into reality. Read more »
Great floors do not just serve a function. Natural cork happens to be a floor covering option that substantially enhances the ecological sensibility of the space. Cork is a renewable resource that is harvested from the bark of the tree every nine years, causing no damage to the tree.
The cork oak tree primarily grows around the Mediterranean basin and Portugal is the largest producer of cork. The benefit of cork is derived from its honey-comb cellular structure where each cubic centimeter comprises of over 40 million hexagonal cells. 90% of the cork tissue contains an air-like gas that makes it lightweight and low density. Read more »
The Uptown apartments, a transit-oriented, sustainable development located in the heart of Oakland’s historic arts and entertainment district, has been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as Oakland’s first LEED Silver certified multi-family project. LEED is the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is the nationally recognized standard for sustainable real estate development. Read more »
Designed by Anthony Marschak, the Modern Bamboo Spring chair retails for $690-$710, Amuse dining table retails for $3500-$4500.
Sleek and sexy lines describe the furniture from Modern Bamboo. Using reclaimed wood and bamboo with the latest manufacturing techniques they have created designs that are elegant and environmentally friendly.
The Spring Chair is described as offering “a flexible ’spring effect’ thanks to the strength and flexibility of bamboo, and provides a unique response to the weight and movement of each individual. This dining chair is a single ribbon of 100 percent laminated bamboo, gently contoured and tapered to fit the body.”
Educational sessions to provide homeowners and industry professionals with green remodeling solutions
There are 125 million single family homes in the United States, with only one to two million added each year, remodeling existing homes is the area with the largest potential impact for increasing energy efficiency and “going green.” The Michigan Association of Home Builders and Green Built™ Michigan’s Great Lakes Green 2008 conference/exhibition August 22-23, 2008 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, will provide both industry professionals and the public with educational sessions focused on green home remodeling.
“Homeowners that choose to remodel green can lower their energy consumption by 30 to 50 percent,” says Rich Kogelschatz, president of Heartland Builders LLC and chair of Great Lakes Green 2008. “By retrofitting an existing home with green techniques and products, homeowners will save money on energy bills and conserve our natural resources.” Read more »
The Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (LPCCD) is leading by example by taking the low-income neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey from an area in need of repair into an urban eco-village. Leading the revitalization of an emerging arts and cultural district, Lincoln Park could be considered one of the nation’s best practices in sustainable urban development. Read more »
