http://www.trendir.com/green/ Sustainable Home Building en Copyright 2008 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:15:09 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Eco Friendly Flooring offers a selection of green flooring options to accommodate just about any design aesthetic. Cork flooring naturally repels many allergens and provides excellent insulation. Sustainable bamboo flooring is a popular choice that is available in six options. Constructed from natural ingredients, linoleum is soft, quiet and biodegradable. Reclaimed woods, milled into a tongue and groove configuration, provide solid, natural warmth underfoot. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/walking-on-green-with-eco-frie.html http://www.trendir.com/green/walking-on-green-with-eco-frie.html Building Materials Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:15:09 -0600 In downtown Chicago, Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects succeeded in turning a stark 14,000 square foot rooftop into a spectacular eco-friendly retreat that captured a 2008 Green Roof Award of Excellence. The modular, living green roof is composed from hardy, low-maintenance plant materials such as grasses, tall verbena, phlox and nodding onion, which are arranged in patterns to facilitate views from above. The design also incorporates small trees, including Japanese tree lilacs and cranberry cotoneaster, to provide seasonal changes and additional texture. A generous “patio” is constructed with recycled concrete and sustainable, toxin-free ipe wood. Sleek pergolas - also constructed with ipe – provide shelter for stylishly comfortable seating and dining areas. In addition to providing a serene outdoor space with stunning views of the Chicago skyline, the green roof insulates the building from both heat and cold, absorbs storm water runoff and offsets noise pollution. Photos courtesy of Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects and The Residences at 900. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/2008-green-roof-award-of-excel.html http://www.trendir.com/green/2008-green-roof-award-of-excel.html Green Roofs Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:46:18 -0600 With the introduction of the Quiet Revolution QR5 wind turbine, two major deterrents to the use of wind power – undesirable visual aesthetics and noise - have been resolved. The elegantly twisted design of the QR5 is more reminiscent of a moving sculpture than the hardworking machine that it is. This helical design is also credited with virtually eliminating noise and vibration. The compact size of a the Quiet Revolution QR5 – a little over 16 feet (5 meters) high and just under 10 feet (3 meters) in diameter – makes it easy to integrate into urban environments. The base unit adds about 29 feet (9 meters) to the overall height of an installation. Due to being constructed with a single moving part, maintenance is limited to an annual inspection. Construction professionals across the United Kingdom have responded enthusiastically to the QR5; specifying a diverse variety of projects with the turbine as a source of wind power. Quiet Revolution ]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/urban-wind-turbine-qr5-from-qu.html http://www.trendir.com/green/urban-wind-turbine-qr5-from-qu.html Wind Turbines Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:31:47 -0600 The Botanist Blank Canvas project is the brainchild of Dario Antonioni and Brandon Lynne, whose vision is to “bring together innovators in a collaborative effort to create socially responsible products that raise funds and awareness for charitable organizations”. 2008 participants included notable designers such Yves Behar, Margo Chase, Milton Glaser, Kahi Lee, Karim Rashid, Joe Ricchio, Claude Zwelleger and Massimo and Lella Vignelli. Botanist matches each designer’s royalty to the charity or foundation of their choice. On the environmentally conscious side, Botanist benches and nesting tables are constructed from a single sheet of aluminum, with an eye toward minimizing waste. The manufacturer uses recycled and recyclable aluminum to produce their super thin, yet surprisingly strong, modern and eco-friendly furniture. By eschewing liquid paint in favor of powder coating with no VOCs, Botanist provides additional durability and eco-friendliness. Wood veneers harvested from sustainable managed forests are used to envelope the Natural Collection. A selection of Botanist designs and finishes may be used outdoors as well. And, if personalization is a high priority, custom colors and designs are available. Photos courtesy of Botanist by Orange22.]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/socially-and-environmentally-c.html http://www.trendir.com/green/socially-and-environmentally-c.html Green Furniture Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:59:45 -0600 Enviro Bath offers a unique selection of vanities, sinks and faucets for the bath; which, according to the company website, are produced with 100% recycled materials. Enviro Bath products are cast from salvaged brass, aluminum and other alloys that may have added to an already overburdened landfill load. The company’s diverse selection of 100% recycled designs ranges from the clearly modern Fantasia sink (below) to the intricately organic Bella Flor drop-in sink (above). Sierra brings a rustic aesthetic to a gently patinated sink and is available in many finishes including this classic Mystique. Faucet designs at Enviro Bath are distinctly varied as well; with exotic choices such as Tree Frog, Giraffe, Peacock and Bird of Paradise. Photos courtesy of Enviro Bath.]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/recycled-sink-casted-from-100.html http://www.trendir.com/green/recycled-sink-casted-from-100.html Plumbing Fixtures Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:01:59 -0600 At Environment Furniture, Inc., the mission is to “propel eco-conscious design out of the aesthetic doldrums, creating breathtaking, environmentally sustainable furniture for a diverse array of consumers.” Wood for the construction of the modern furniture line comes from three sources: reclaimed, recycled or certified. Reclaimed wood is procured from the deconstruction of existing structures, including houses, sheds and barns. Recycled wood is obtained from salvaged boards or trees and is repurposed to produce items such as flooring and particleboard. Certified wood is sourced from forests managed in an environmentally responsible fashion and evaluated by third parties - such as the Forest Stewardship Council. In addition to creating sustainable furniture, the company is also making strides to reduce their carbon footprint by implementing recycling programs within their offices, greening the materials and lighting in their stores, and screening vendors for their environmental performance. Environment Furniture, Inc. has retail locations in New York City, Los Angeles and South Coast Plaza, located in Orange County, California. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/sustainable-furniture-doesnt-h.html http://www.trendir.com/green/sustainable-furniture-doesnt-h.html Green Furniture Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:37:50 -0600 By deriving their name from the Cheyenne Indian word meaning “your home”, Enovo pays homage to “the Amerindian peoples’ profound respect for nature”. The modular homes, designed by a team of Canadian architects which includes IME Habitat president Karl Mongrain and Pierre Leclerc, offer a variety of configurations that optimize available space and feature evolutional capacity. Self-sustaining vegetation carpets the roof, providing natural insulation against heat and cold. Rainwater is collected beneath the green roof, filtered and recycled. Grey water is also collected from the kitchen, bath and laundry room. Enormous windows of high performance glass let in natural light to minimize the need for interior lighting during the day. Other green features of Enovo’s eco-friendly modular homes include solar-powered radiant heating, energy efficient appliances and a bio recognition home automation system designed by IME. Photos courtesy of Enovo ]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/enovo-modular-homes-at-one-wit-1.html http://www.trendir.com/green/enovo-modular-homes-at-one-wit-1.html Sustainable Homes Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:57:07 -0600 Budget-friendly and easy to apply, transparent Energy Film window insulation helps to decrease heat loss through windows in the winter and block incoming solar heat in the summer – without reducing the amount of natural light a room receives. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “an estimated $30 billion or more of energy is lost per year through single pane windows”. Installation of Energy Film requires three simple steps: 1) measuring, 2) applying a mild dish soap and water mixture and 3) removing the excess moisture with a squeegee. For larger windows, multiple sheets of this inexpensive window insulation can be applied side by side for a nearly seamless application. To accommodate unusually shaped or small windows, Energy Film may be trimmed to fit with a utility knife. Sheet sizes include 24” x 48’, 36” x 48”. 48” x 84” as well as a 49” x 100” roll. Energy Film can be purchased online or at your neighborhood Home Depot. Photos courtesy of Energy Film.]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/energy-film-provides-inexpensi.html http://www.trendir.com/green/energy-film-provides-inexpensi.html Building Materials Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:58:32 -0600 There are several aspects to producing a green product and Conrad Handwoven Window Coverings cover the majority. The company’s richly textured selection of window coverings is woven on traditional hand-looms which use very little energy and create minimal waste. Sustainable materials such as bamboo, natural flax, hemp and vetiver are rapidly renewable, have little or no VOC emissions and support local economies. Hemp and flax are strong, durable and resistant to ultraviolet exposure; which makes these materials ideal for letting in light while reducing heat exposure.]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/weaving-green-window-coverings.html http://www.trendir.com/green/weaving-green-window-coverings.html Window Coverings Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:54:28 -0600 Sometimes to think “out of the box”, you need to be in the box. Literally. As Melinda Fulmer at MSN Real Estate reports, large metal shipping containers that are left empty at ports around the country are being repurposed into modern, eco-friendly housing. What began as an experiment for emergency housing has become a realistic – and less costly option – to traditional construction. Peter DeMaria of DeMaria Design in Manhattan Beach, California has launched a home building company, Logical Homes, which will offer nine models of container homes for construction around Southern California. The homes will average about $150 to $200 per square foot; in comparison to $220 to $250 per square for traditional construction in the area. ]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/repurposed-shipping-containers-1.html http://www.trendir.com/green/repurposed-shipping-containers-1.html Sustainable Homes Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:20:12 -0600 Team 7 of Austria has been crafting award winning, modern European furniture for more than fifty years: with a focus on sustainability since the mid-80s. The wood sourced to construct their elegant designs is harvested from government-managed forests and non-toxic natural finishes are used to complete the process. This family-owned and operated company makes each piece to order - with a keen eye for detail and quality. By combining modern design with old-world craftsmanship, Team 7 blends the best of both eras into sustainable European furniture that is as functional as it is beautiful. The Eviva Dining Table and Sideboard are currently on display at Vivavi’s Riverhouse, in New York. For more information, call 866.848.2840.]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/sustainable-european-furniture.html http://www.trendir.com/green/sustainable-european-furniture.html Green Furniture Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:49:55 -0600 Founded in 1997 by green interior designer Cheryl Terrace, Vital Design Ltd utilizes Fenh Shui, cutting-edge innovation and sustainable design to remodel their clients’ homes. Non-toxic materials such paints, wallcoverings, fabrics and flooring contribute to a healthy indoor environment, as do superior air filtration systems. From Ms. Terrace: “Vital Design Ltd is dedicated to health, both for the client and for the planet. With this in mind I’ve assembled the leading experts in various disciplines so that Vital Design can fully manage all aspects of the design process - end to end - with the highest standards. A notable example of my work was the renovation of a bedroom in Battery Park City with bamboo flooring, organic bedding, a plant-dyed silk wall hanging, and sustainably harvested wood furniture from responsibly managed forests. The room’s makeover was sponsored by Natural Home magazine. Vital Design Ltd presents the future of design with innovative solutions that are exciting, unique and respectful of our planet." ]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/green-renovation-by-interior-d.html http://www.trendir.com/green/green-renovation-by-interior-d.html Green Designers Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:31:13 -0600 Tough and eco-friendly, Knu furniture for kids features rounded edge for safety. Constructed with Forest Stewardship Council certified Baltic birch ply (whenever possible), the set is then dyed with bright, lead free dyes and finished with a high gloss low-VOC varnish. The legs are composed of steel that contains an average 40% recycled content and powder coated with an aluminum finish. And if you need a different color – give them “a shout and we’ll talk about color options”.]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/knu-american-made-ecofriendly-1.html http://www.trendir.com/green/knu-american-made-ecofriendly-1.html Green Furniture Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:59:32 -0600 Uniquely graceful, John Wiggers’ Kidney Shaped Desk is crafted from exotic hardwood that is Forest Stewardship Council certified. A long-time proponent of sustainable forestry, Wiggers has served as Treasurer and Chair on the Board at FSC Canada. In addition to being environmentally responsible, he also brings spiritual and philosophical values to his work. Winner of the Adex Platinum Award for excellence in design, the Kidney Shaped Desk is available at vivavi.com for $14,050. According to Wiggers, “The curvilinear shape and exacting dimensions of this award-winning desk are carefully proportioned to be consistent with the holistic design principles of Feng Shui and the Vastu Shastra of the ancient Vedic tradition in India.” The small, lidded box within the desk is constructed from Hawthorn; a hardwood attributed with the aromatically therapeutic property of relieving stress. Dimensions: 35" Tall x 75" Long x 30" Wide. Shown in Macassar Ebony finish and top inset with black Tuscany leather. Delivery: 18 to 20 weeks. Wiggers Custom Furniture]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/exotic-hardwood-desk-by-john-w-1.html http://www.trendir.com/green/exotic-hardwood-desk-by-john-w-1.html Green Furniture Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:59:20 -0600 Tucked inside a vanity cabinet, the AQUS Greywater Recycling System is a diminutive 13.5” x 15.5” x 9.5” and 5.5 gallons in size. This water conservation product captures water from a bathroom sink drain, treats it and sends it over to the loo for a second use. The system is composed of two units: the Fill Control Unit and the Vanity Tank Unit. The Fill Control Unit basically keeps the toilet valve in the “off” position allowing recycled water from the Vanity Tank to fill the tank. It does not shut off the fresh water supply or connect to it. Although, the AQUS Greywater Recycling System is compatible with a large number of toilets on the market, it is not currently compatible with dual flush or one-piece toilets. The company site provides information on compatibility. Easily installed by most DIYers, the system operates with 12-volt DC pump with an estimated annual cost per year of 50 cents.]]> http://www.trendir.com/green/aqus-greywater-recycling-syste-1.html http://www.trendir.com/green/aqus-greywater-recycling-syste-1.html Greywater Recycling Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:41:39 -0600