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Independence Station, #1 Highest Scoring LEED Building
2008-02-08 16:00:00
This is going to be a cool development when it's complete.  Slated to the #1 highest scoring LEED building in the world by a fair margin (meaning: Platinum Certification at 64-66 points), Independence Station is 35% complete and should beat Oregon's strict energy code by about 74%.  Steven Ribeiro, developer and principal at Aldeia Development, energetically remarks on his project: "This retro-futuristic, mixed-use building will run on 100% renewable energy, primarily vegetable oil and the sun."  Sounds good to me.  Here's a list of some of the green features planned for Independence Station: 3rd largest solar PV installation in Oregon (130 kw) Time shifting energy system utilizing ice Extensive use of LEDs throughout the development Rainwater harvesting Greenroof and landscaped third floor courtyard Solar water heating; radiant floor heating and cooling Water-source geothermal heating and cooling Day lighting design Highly purified water ...
More About: Building

The Green Building Revolution, a Book Giveaway
2008-02-08 07:54:00
I really hate to do this, but I'm giving away a new, autographed copy of a book that I really like.  You know the drill:  leave a comment, and after 48 hours, I'll pick a winner based on the number of your comment.*  This book is particularly hard to let go, because I keep referring back to it for different pieces of information.  It's called The Green Building Revolution by Jerry Yudelson.  Yudelson is a serious expert in the industry and maintains an information-rich website at www.greenbuildconsult.com -- plug it into the feed, you'll be happy you did.  The book itself is loaded up with information, but it's not a chore to read.  It's accessible on the one hand and super thorough on the other.  Seems hard to do, but Yudelson finds a way to deliver the straight facts without leaving you lost.  Particularly, I was engrossed by three chapters:  the business case for green buildings, the costs of green buildings, and the future ...
More About: Green Building , Book

brio54, Unique Homes for Modern, Green Lifestyle
2008-02-07 16:20:00
I received an email today from one of the co-founders of brio54, a young, design-driven development firm providing unique homes for a green, modern lifestyle.  Their first prototype is in the final planning stage with construction projected to begin by late spring.  To get an idea of their design capabilities, their website has three different designs:  H1 suburban design, H2 urban infill design, and H3 high ranch rehab design (the most affordable option).  brio54 dwellings are aimed at design-conscious urbanites who are looking to build or rehab in a metro area or who are searching for a place in the suburbs (or beyond). brio54 plans a long list of green features for their homes, too, such as whole house allergen filtration, low VOC materials, on-demand water heating, dual-flush toilets, Energy Star HVAC and appliances, natural wood and stone flooring, 3Form countertops, and passive energy design.  They're also investigating the use of geothermal, photov...
More About: Lifestyle , Green , Homes , Unique , Modern

e3 House - Green Infill, Second Empire Style
2008-02-07 07:15:00
Steve Duncan and Leslie Avery, designers and owners of 3rdEmpire Design, are proud to have registered the first LEED project in Newfoundland & Labrador-Canada.  With the e3 Home, they're aiming for Gold Certification and plan on completion in September 2008.  Duncan and Avery say the home presents a unique challenge due to having to conform to local Heritage Area guidelines (because of its location in downtown St. Johns). From the renderings, you'll notice the second empire style architecture, which 3rdEmpire Design went with to complement the neighborhood.  The inside of the 3000 sf home will incorporate modern and innovative materials/technology, wherever possible, and will feature a more open design.  Proposed features include pervious hardscaping and landscaping, recycled construction waste, bamboo and cork flooring, thermostatically controlled radiant flooring, low E glass, low VOC paint, upgraded insulation, CFL and LED lighting, dual flush toilets...
More About: House , Green , Style

110 The Embarcadero, Simple and Viny Design
2008-02-06 17:20:00
This is a concept rendering for 110 The Embarcadero.  We're talking about very early stages here (this hasn't been submitted to the planning committee yet), but the San Francisco Chronicle just profiled the new design.  The building is a 10-story structure envisioned for Embarcadero and designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects for Hines.  The result, as you can see, is a glassy, viny, green mid-rise skyscraper.  I think 110 The Embarcadero is quite easy on the eye, to be entirely honest, and due to the simple design, it probably has excellent floor plates with great daylighting and views.  Can't beat the location either, with a bird's eye of both the city and the bay.  If you click over to the Chronicle article, you'll notice many of the comments take issue with the building's most prominent feature: the vines.  There are, however, environmental benefits to having that exterior greenery and I think it looks distinctive.    Th...
More About: Design , Simple

Old Warehouse Converted to Modish Green Offices
2008-02-05 19:04:00
Sometimes I wonder what kind of miracle it took to bring a deal like this to fruition.  You have this abandoned, 40-year old warehouse with contamination, structural, and code issues.  Nobody wants it.  And it's probably much easier to go somewhere else and just do what everyone else does.  You rent space or build a new building.  But Jeff Reaves, president of Group MacKenzie, and Jay Haladay, owner of Coaxis, saw major potential in this dilapidated structure now known as RiverEast Center.  They decided to buy the property and wanted to convert it to office space for each of their growing company's headquarters.  The result? At $17 million, which includes a 5% increase in the standard budget for the green features, the owners were able to renovate the building to obtain LEED Gold certification.  That's pretty incredible.  They added tons of new windows with special window glazing, daylight sensors, energy efficient fixtures, and r...
More About: Green , Warehouse , Offices

PaperStone, Earth's Multipurpose Solid Surface
2008-02-05 08:04:00
PaperStone, aka "the Earth's Surface ," is quite popular in green building projects.  It's most commonly used for countertops and currently available in three eco-options.  "Original" is made from 50% post-consumer materials, "Certified" is made from 100% recycled materials, and "Virgin" is made from virgin fiber sources.  PaperStone can also be used for a variety of other applications including partitions and exterior siding.  It has a smooth, matte surface similar to soapstone.  The Original series is available in 5 colors and the Certified series is available in 7 colors.  I prefer the colors in the Certified series -- they are a bit more modern where the Original series has a country feel.  PaperStone is highly heat resistant and almost impervious to water.  Standard panels are 60"x144" and you have the choice of 3/4", 1", or 1-1/4" thicknesses.  PaperStone costs abo...
More About: Solid

[Video] Walking Through a Modern Green Home
2008-02-05 01:47:00
GreenTeamTV is on the scene in Bend, Oregon with Cary Martinez, co-founder of Abacus GC, taking a tour through one of the homes in Newport District Modern House Project.  We wrote about Abacus GC's five-house project previously, which is pursuing LEED certification.  The video shows the developer's perspective of trying to build something to suit a lifestyle:  lighter footprint, less reliance on automobiles, and healthy, green living.  You'll also see some cool products, such as PaperStone counters, Eco-Terr tiles, wheatboard cabinets, Design Within Reach lights, and Jenn Air Professional Series appliances.  ++Newport District Modern House Project
More About: Video , Home , Green , Walking

Chartwell School Receives A+ from USGBC
2008-02-04 08:36:00
Although memories of elementary school for most of us may evoke images of stuffy classrooms, florescent lights, and playground bullies, students at Chartwell School located in Seaside, CA (near Monterey) are quite proud of their new school campus.  That’s because the USGBC recently gave them an A+ in green building.  In December, Chartwell students announced that they have the first complete educational campus to be awarded LEED Platinum, which makes them just about the greenest school campus in the country.  Congrats also to Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC for their LEED Platinum middle-school building. EHDD Architecture and general contractor Ausonio, Inc. helped Chartwell School achieve the high green building rating.  According to Chartwell, here are some of their green features:Daylighting/lighting controls – incorporates natural light to save electricity, reduce HVAC equipment, and contribute to an enhanced learning environment. 32kW photovol...

Green Infrastructure, Economics of Eco-Buildings, Rich Water Farmers, + GM
2008-02-02 22:10:00
Green building is more than efficient, it's economic. Lack of education, bureaucracy hinder green building progress. 'Green' buildings don't have to be new. Farmers make more $$ selling water to cities than using it in crops. EPA promotes green infrastructure for better water quality. A GM Exec receives LEED Platinum for 4,000 sf home. *WIR = Week in Review; a Saturday showcase of excellent links.
More About: Economics , Rich , Green , Infrastructure , Water

Ten Critical Steps in a Green Remodel
2008-02-01 08:53:00
Existing buildings have tons of embodied energy and we can't always go bulldozing them for brand-spanking new ones.  Lots of projects need to be rehabbed and renovated, but where do we go for best practices?  I like to follow other projects for ideas, such as this one that we recently featured:  World's First LEED Platinum Home Remodel.  The guys behind this project, after going through a major renovation of a traditional home, posted a list of the Ten Most Critical Things to Do in a Green Remodel.  They make some excellent points based on true experience, so here it is:Get an energy audit.  You need a base line to understand what is needed for your project.  Most states and utilities offer energy audits.  Fix or upgrade your insulation to keep out heat/cold.  Get better windows that seal out the heat/cold, watch the edges.  Get a highly efficient heating and cooling system to match your needs and ask the utility company to h...
More About: Steps

Discovery HQ Takes Rare LEED-EB Platinum
2008-01-31 11:30:00
Discovery, aka "the number-one nonfiction media company" and recent purchaser of Treehugger, now has legit green digs.  LEED-EB stands for LEED Existing Buildings, but the certification standard has recently undergone a renovation to LEED Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance.  Up until now, the LEED-EB Platinum certification has been pretty rare, but we'll see if that changes post-renovation.  The Clinton Library got a Platinum and so did the headquarters of both Armstrong and Adobe.  So, it looks like Discovery's 540,000 sf building is in good company.  Here's what they did to get the high distinction:First, they added new lighting and HVAC controls to minimize off-peak energy use.  Second, they advanced an employee engagement program to challenge and motivate recycling.  Third, they installed water tanks in the parking garage to water the building's landscape and save over 24,000 gallons of water per year.  Fourth, ...
More About: Discovery , Rare

[Video] What If You Could ...
2007-08-31 23:28:00
It's Friday -- why not enjoy a little video action?!  Via Equity Green, also filed in the JG Video Library.

Instant Built House, Rapid Deployment Shelter
2007-08-31 09:16:00
I like the idea of using things that we already have to create things that we need -- which is probably why the concept of container housing is so intriguing.  In Las Vegas, Arnie Stalk, in conjunction with METRO Development Group and SHARE, has created an actual prototype of the Instant Built House .  IBH is a rapid deployment shelter made from standardized, recycled ISO modules -- containers that can be transported via ocean cargo ships, railroad "piggy-back" trains, semi-trucks, helicopter airlift operations, and civilian and military jumbo air cargo transports.  In other words, an IBH can be shipped practically anywhere in the world in a moment's notice.  IBH Shelter s are built with the following:  fully insulated walls, photovoltaic solar array for power, wind-ventilated scoops and skylights, roof-mounted HVAC units, satellite cable and internet, and internal waste collector and water recycling systems.  IBH models are secured on conc...
More About: Rapid , Deployment

Green Building Videos All in One Place!
2007-08-30 10:07:00
I know you could probably surf around and subscribe to a few channels here and there, but I've found a fun way to put the best green videos from YouTube all in one place.  Introducing the Jetson Green Video Library.  If you have the time, click the first one and it'll take you through to the very end of all 17 videos.  And if you like a particular video, click the YouTube logo within the video and you'll go straight to that video's dedicated YouTube page.  Let me know if I missed one and I'll keep the page updated with great green content.
More About: Videos , Building , Green Building , Place

The Weather Channel Seeking LEED for HD Studio
2007-08-30 00:42:00
I wasn't able to find building images or renderings, but in noteworthy news, The Weather Channel recently announced plans to seek LEED Silver certification for its new, 12,500 sf HD studio.  According to Debora Wilson, president of The Weather Channel, "Constructing a new facility in a way that is environmentally responsible sends a strong message about our commitment to helping people learn more about the issues that the public faces in regards to the environment. We are extending our ongoing mission of keeping our viewers informed and safe during severe weather to a similar role in regards to matters of safety and well-being for life on this planet."  The Weather Channel's green building plans coincide with an overall corporate goal to be more environmentally conscious and some planned features include energy efficient lighting, low-VOC paints and sealants, and water saving fixtures and plumbing.  Completion is expected by February 2008. 
More About: Studio , Seeking , Seek

Top Three Free Reports on Green Building Costs
2007-08-29 08:40:00
Environmentalism is all the rage right now, isn't it?  It's good, but we need to sift through some of the noise and clearly identify correct information.  With respect to the costs of green building, depending on who you talk to, it's possible to get conflicting information.  To prove this point, try to survey a couple real estate pros (informally, of course) and you may be surprised by what you hear.  When I'm around seasoned real estate pros, I make it point to ask them what they think about green building.  The information is rarely consistent.  Below, we have three legitimate reports seeking to clarify the discussion on green building costs.  These reports are free, and by all means, email this post around to your real estate professional friends.  Let's make this information viral.  Let's get past any misunderstandings and start building better, more efficient buildings. Energy Efficiency in Building s: Business Realities and O...
More About: Green Building , Free , Green , Costs

Steve Wozniak, Notables to Speak at West Coast Green
2007-08-29 06:42:00
Today, it was announced that Steve Wozniak, 'The Woz', will be speaking at West Coast Green on Thursday, September 20.  On the same day, he will be joined by Bob Berkebile, a 30 year veteran of environmental innovation, and Sarah Susanka, the author of the well-known book The Not So Big House.  Then on Friday, Ray Anderson, CEO/Chairman of Interface Inc. and author of Mid-Course Correction, will speak.  He will be joined by Erin Brokovich.  And on the last day of the event, Ed Begeley Jr. will speak.  Attendees of West Coast Green also will be able to hear from Ed Mazria, Hunter Lovins, and Mayor Gavin Newsome, to name a few notables.  Because Jetson Green is a partner with West Coast Green, those that want to attend can have a 20% discount on your full conference registration.  Please enter the following promotional code when registering to receive discount:  jg3554.  Register at West Coast Green or call 1-800-724-4880.
More About: Notables

Jefferson Green Raises Bar for Commercial Buildings
2007-08-28 23:37:00
Jefferson Green , not to be confused with Jetson Green, is one of only twelve LEED-CS Gold buildings in the country.  It's also the first Gold commercial building and the largest and most energy-efficient LEED building in New Mexico.  AND it's expected to be the first commercial building in New Mexico to certify under LEED-CI (this one Gold, too).  That's a double Gold.  The three-story, 85,000 sf spec office building uses 30% less water and 45% less energy than the average local office building.  Designed by Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, Jefferson Green is a model for commercial buildings of the future.  The design called for some of the following features: underfloor air system, operable windows, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, xeric landscaping, low-VOC interior materials and applicants, IceStone countertops, Armstrong Dune ceiling tile, 3Form resin, and Forbo Marmoleum flooring.  The building received all the possible LEED points in the Indoor E...
More About: Commercial , Buildings , Merc

TrailerWrap Project, Mobile Home to Modern Pad
2007-08-28 05:27:00
Exploring issues of sustainability and energy efficiency, the TrailerWrap Project aims to provide simple, affordable solutions to improve conditions in mass-produced, low-cost mobile homes.  Mobile homes are a prolific form of living, and important one, but they can be inefficient, ugly, and uncomfortable to live in.  So the University of Colorado at Denver College of Architecture cooked up sketches and prototypes, a kit to transform the common mobile home.  And now, that process is complete and they have the first actual TrailerWrap home.  I'm completely blown away by the results.  I should say that even though this is called a 'trailer wrap,' that term may be a little confusing.  From the images on the website, which are very informative images showing the entire process, you can see that they stripped that mobile home down to the bone.  From what I can tell, the only existing part of the mobile home on the completed project is the chassis.&...
More About: Home , Modern , Bile

Michigan Home Skystream Video, Small Wind Benefits
2007-08-27 08:01:00
The Skystream here cost about $13k (including installation) and is intended to provide roughly 30-70% of the home's energy, depending on weather conditions.  The video is interesting in that it shows the community reaction to the turbine: they love it.  Skystream turbines are good for places that have more than 1/2 acre of land and zoning that allows structures more than 42 feet tall.  Experts say the system should pay for itself over time, even without Michigan incentives.  Also visit the Skystream website. 
More About: Video , Wind , Home , Small

The Tallest and Greenest Building in India (S2)
2007-08-27 03:28:00
Not only is this tower designed to be the greenest in India --it's shooting for LEED Gold certification, but it's going to have a little something for everyone.  On a small 3 acre site, Park Hyatt Tower will have retail, lodging, and residential apartments and penthouses.  As the models below illustrate, the retail component will be on the bottom, with the hotel and spa area in the middle, and the residential lofts near the top.  Each vertical use is sandwiched with garden level lookouts.  I bet those garden spaces have incredible views.  The 85-story (?) tower is currently under construction in South Mumbai, India, and is expected to be complete in 2010.  Environmentally speaking, the tower will incorporate solar shading, natural ventilation, daylighting, rainwater harvesting, and green interior finishes and materials.  FXFOWLE Architects designed the 882,000 sf green tower for Park Hyatt.  Via skyscraper city.  ::"S2" is sh...
More About: Building , Greene

Verdi Award-Winning Modular Landscape System
2007-08-26 18:35:00
First, it receives a 2006 red dot design award, and now, the Verdi Lawnscaping System has received a 2007 Gold IDEA Award .  Verdi is a low-maintenance, modular landscaping system that hopes to become the alternative to traditional grass lawns.  Verdi tiles are pre-seeded with built-in irrigation and they interlock for easy installation.  Once completed, the entire system can be attached to a grey water pump, which uses certain recycled water from the home to irrigate the landscaping.  The Verdi system also has other modular parts, such the solar-powered light tiles, shrub planters and path tiles, recycled glass composite inserts, and bamboo or molded recycled plastic inserts.  The technology is compelling because it has the capability to transform the process of landscape design in the backyard, terrace, or even on the roof.  And the built-in irrigation system reduces inefficient use of water, too.  This is a cool product concept to keep an eye on....
More About: Landscape , Winning

Green Building Costs, HGTV Green Home, Energy Efficiency, Green Lending + R
2007-08-25 20:25:00
A new report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development found that the costs of green building are often misunderstood, and even overestimated by as much as 300%.  HGTV announces the Green Home Giveaway - they will build a home somewhere using eco-friendly materials and give it away in 2008. Sun Microsystems completes next-generation, energy-efficient datacenters in California, the U.K, and India -- they expect to save over $1.1 million in energy costs per year.  Developing special lending programs dedicated to energy efficiency projects is a good way for banks to support green endeavors.  With climate change and 80% of the world's population living less than 30 miles from a coastline, Discovery talks about green principles in building a modern city. 
More About: Building , Energy , Green Building

Skyscraper Sunday: Las Vegas' $7B LEED CityCenter Project
2007-02-28 17:32:06
MGM Mirage is developing a 76 acre site between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo called CityCent er.  With about 18 million square feet of new construction (residential, hotel, resort, casino, etc.), CityCenter is being dubbed a "city-within-a-city."  If the project is completed according to LEED standards as planned, City Center will be the largest LEED project in the world.  MGM has lined up some of the world's best architects for the project, including Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects (61-story resort-casino), Studio Daniel Libeskind (retail + entertainment district), Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects (The Residences at Mandarin Oriental), RV Architecture LLC (Vdara Condo Hotel), Foster and Partners (The Harmon), and Helmut Jahn (The Veers).  Generally speaking, some of the sustainable design benefits include eliminating 48,000 tons of GHG per year, diverting over 80% of construction waste through re-use and recycling, and having improved indoor air quality by u...
More About: Las Vegas , Skyscraper , Project , Sunday

TXU: Golden Parachutes, Largest Private Buyout Ever, Green Leadership
2007-02-28 17:32:06
This is the craziest story of 2007.  It has to be.  A consortium of private investors, including Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), Texas Pacific Group, Gold man Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley, agreed to pay $69.25 per share to take TXU private.  The deal is valued at over $45 billion including debt.  As part of the deal, the new owners agreed to drop plans for 8 of 11 proposed coal plants in Texas, and everyone is talking about it:  Fortune's Marc Gunther, Dallas Business Journal, Treehugger, Dallas Morning News, Eco-Advantage, Associated Press, and MarketWatch.  Well, the Wall Street Journal did too, but you have to pay to read their stuff, so I'm not going to bother linking.  Is Anyone Irritated?  Laura Miller says the environmental groups that helped the private consortium broker the deal didn't have the right to allow the new owners to continue with plans on the other 3 coal plants.  Also, Fitch Ratings...
More About: Leadership , Green , Para , Ever

Skyscraper Sunday: Chicago's LEED Gold 111 South Wacker
2007-02-28 17:32:06
Since GreenBuild 2007 will be in Chicago , I wanted to showcase one the many green buildings in Chicago.  In 2005, 111 South Wacker in Chicago, Illinois, received an AIA Design Excellence Award and LEED-CS Gold certification for it's sustainability achievements.  Designed by Goettsch Partners, the 53-story tower is an incredibly handsome skyscraper.  The transparent base of the tower is particularly interesting with those seemingly dinky pillars holding up the entirety of the building.  The Financial Case:111 South Wacker gives me the opportunity to flaunt the business case for going green.  These numbers are incredible, so hold on to your pencils.  The John Buck Company spent about $270 million building 111 SW in Chicago's Loop market.  Interestingly, the Loop market had a vacancy rate of 18% for class A space, but 111 South Wacker leased up almost immediately to big name tenants.  After stabilization, in January 2006, the building was sol...
More About: Skyscraper , Sunday , Crap

WIR: Utah Edging Green, Energy Star Buildings, + Green Materials in Demand
2007-02-28 17:32:06
Green is Right for Utah 's Future, Sustainable Building Proponents Say - Peter McMahon joined Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, Rep. Ralph Becker and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon on the panel. Their topic was ?Build Green. Can you Afford Not To??  ?Not many people in certain parts of the U.S. get it yet,? McMahon said. ?I think we?re going to see a really huge shift in the next five years. It?s happening in a lot of countries.? EPA Awards Energy Star Awards to 53 Buildings in Midwest - Last year, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Energy Star status to 53 office buildings, schools, hospitals, public buildings and college dormitories in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.  "These buildings are among the nation's top energy savers, they use about one-third less energy than average buildings which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves money." Green Building Materials Gain Ground in a Soft Housing Market - Environm...
More About: Green

Flickr Friday: Office of Mobile Design's ShowHouse
2007-02-28 17:32:06
I've blogged about Jennifer Siegal's Office of Mobile Design (OMD) before.  What you see above is a picture of OMD's Show House , located at 1650 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, California.  Tag your photos with "jetsongreen," if you'd like to submit it for Flickr Friday. 

My Green Options: Toilets, Zero Energy Homes, Financially Smart Green Build
2007-02-28 17:32:06
I've been writing an article a week for Green Options and wanted to pass on the links to some of my articles.  I think the toilets article is the most light-hearted...go give them a look if you're interested in the content.  Flush It All Away - the Green Way [02/22/2007] USGBC's New D.C. Headquarters Go Platinum [02/16/2007] Collective Power Program + Solar Power to Mountain View [02/09/2007] Technology Adoption Goal: Zero Energy Home s [02/01/2007] Education is Fastest Growing Green Building Sector [01/28/2007] Top 20 Financial ly Smart Green Building Strategies [01/26/2007]