Green buildings

in Green Buildings

Three Stacks eco-hotel are especially interesting, in addition to their energy-efficient lighting and architectural form that is native to the region.

Conceived by Ukrainian designer Levko Davydyuk, the Three Stacks eco-hotel complex consists of three buildings, a concept which is intended for various heritage sites around the Ukraine. Two of the project's buildings will offer four-storey guest accommodations, while the other building will house a restaurant.

Made from natural materials (which we assume will be sourced locally), Yanko Design states that the site's design -- demonstrated by a curving fence that weaves throughout the property -- will "[link the three buildings] through modern energy-efficient lighting in combination with landscape elements also native to the region."

in Green Buildings Recycling

I'm creating an environmental education program at an intercity school called DIVINE Institute in St Paul, Minnesota to reach at risk students. The program will feature a $12,000 green roof equipped with solar panels, algae photo-bioreactors, and solar heating for the building. So far, I have raised $8,000 in grant funding!

I'm looking for people interested in donating to this non-profit effort or people interested in contributing information you would like included into the curriculum, so I would love to here from you all!

in Biodiesel Algae Fuels Green Buildings Biodiversity CO2 Sequestration Public Transportation Cleantech Education in Schools Cleantech Careers and Jobs

The ‘Sun-Root’ living green roof system optimizes Photovoltaic (PV) element energy production by creating a cooler surrounding micro-climate through evaporation and evapotranspiration.

“Heat is the enemy of energy production.” said Jorg Breuning. “Any time atmospheric temperatures on a roof begin to rise PV elements lose their efficiency and can shut down if temperatures rise too high. We sought a way to counteract this negative phenomenon by combining solar modules with an extensive green roof. People have been using green roofs for centuries to keep their roofs cool in the summers and warmer in the winter. It was a no-brainer combination.”

Read More: http://www.earthtechling.com/2012/01/green-roof-plants-help-solar-panels-chill/

in Solar PV Green Buildings

Make energy as possible as simple to construct...

in Green Buildings

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/narendra-modis-rs-78000-cr-hi-tech-city-gift-to-try-new-concepts-may-shape-future-city-technologies/articleshow/11368455.cms?curpg=1
AHMEDABAD: Narendra Modi would not have thought of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) as the test-bed for future city technologies, but his dream project in Gandhinagar may well have this interesting spillover. Work on the proposed Rs 78,000-crore nano city has now started, and the first occupant may move in by March. By the time the first phase is completed in three-and-a-half years, this special economic zone (SEZ) would have tried out, on a small scale, some contemporary urban design ideas. GIFT would have a command and control centre to monitor the IT infrastructure and respond quickly during emergencies…

in Green Buildings Anaerobic Digestion of Waste Water Conservation and Reuse Clean Development Mechanism

Italian architecture firm Stefano Boeri Architetti hopes to merge vegetation and urban architecture, with its Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) project. The Milan-based firm has designed a model that could see the "reforestation and naturalization" of metropolitan cities, by growing forests sky-ways. "Bosco Verticale [is a] device for the environmental survival of contemporary European cities," says Stefano Boeri.

http://www.gizmag.com/bosco-verticale-vertical-forest/20194/

in Green Buildings

Participants plant rice on the Roppongi Hills' rooftop rice field, in Tokyo, in 2008. Around 130 participated in the rice planting event, held on the top of the building, which was built for environmental education purposes, and also helps to keep down electricity usage as the garden on the roof helps to insulate the structure in summer.

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Green Buildings

Simon Dale is a family man in Wales, the western part of Great Britain. His interest in self-sustainability and an ecological awareness led him to dig out and build his own home—one of the loveliest, warmest, most inviting dwellings you could ever imagine. And it cost him only £3,000

Read More - http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2011-12-21/man-builds-fairy-tale-home-for-his-family-for-only-3000/

in Green Buildings Sustainable Homes and Communities

Retrofit projects could be the answer to meeting and exceeding energy efficiency goals set by the Obama Administration. - http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/12/pushing-retrofits-closer-tipping-point/

in Green Buildings

Construction had the worst percentage loss of jobs in the country. One would have thought that green building and energy retrofitting might have been a good place to do some effective job creating, and indeed that was the plan with the Home Star Act of 2010, which would have put six billion dollars into energy retrofits. But the bill was killed early on.
Now we have President Obama's plan for energy upgrades to Federal buildings " using long term energy savings to pay for up-front costs, at no cost to taxpayers".


http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/green-building-key-rebooting-economy.html?campaign=daily_nl

in Green Buildings

President Obama today announced nearly $4 billion in combined federal and private sector energy upgrades to buildings over the next 2 years. These investments will save billions in energy costs, promote energy independence, and, according to independent estimates, create tens of thousands of jobs in the hard-hit construction sector.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/02/we-cant-wait-president-obama-announces-nearly-4-billion-investment-energ

in Green Buildings

Is China’s rapid economic and industrial growth pushing its building industry too fast? - http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/design-architecture/the-growing-pains-of-chinas-building-industry/2458?tag=nl.e660

in Green Buildings Corporate Social Responsibility

This comprehensive video features Green Building case studies, explains concepts, highlights the types of green building measures, and illustrates the green building value proposition.

in Green Buildings

Architecture firm HOK has designed Porsche Cars North America’s new headquarters in Atlanta, which is a 200,000-square-foot complex that will accommodate up to 400 employees under one roof on a high-profile, 26-acre Aerotropolis site near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Energy conservation measures include fine-tuning the building orientation and creating a highly efficient building envelope. The team will explore opportunities for natural ventilation and on-site energy generation and green roofs that reduce the heat island effect and filter rainwater before it returns to Atlanta's water system.


http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/porsche-american-headquarters-has-green-roof-natural-ventilation.html?campaign=weekly_nl

in Green Buildings

Buildings consume 70 percent of all U.S. electricity and emit 40 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gases. Retrofitting existing homes and businesses for energy efficiency, would reduce waste and pollution, jumpstart an economic recovery, create good jobs and deliver energy cost savings, while reducing global warming too believe the pundits!

in Green Buildings

Retrofitting commercial buildings can lead to an increase in their value. Companies can not only expect average savings in operating expenses of 10 per cent, but commercial buildings can also potentially see an increase in capital value of about 2 per cent.
http://www.eco-business.com/news/green-buildings-make-value-propositions/

in Green Buildings

The new Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment at the Cape Breton University is a 35,000-square-foot green building that features renewable energy technologies like solar panels, a geothermal system and wind turbines. The building’s design, result in energy savings of around 50 percent compared to a conventionally constructed building of similar size and function.

You can read more about the building at: http://www.cbu.ca/news/cbu-creates-global-legacy-opening-verschuren-centre-sustainability-energy-and-environment

in Green Buildings Cleantech Education in Colleges

On average, the 22 GSA buildings studied by the Department of Energy’s research lab used 25 percent less energy than those not managed with sust - http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/business-brains/green-government-buildings-cost-19-percent-less-to-maintain/20132?tag=nl.e660

in Green Buildings Global Warming and Climate Change CO2 Sequestration

A basic introduction to green building practices from energy savings to finish material

in Green Buildings