Wooden pallets and plastic zipties seem unlikely candidates as building materials. But, as this post on the blog dinosaursandrobots.com attests to, sometimes genius comes in the unlikeliest form. See this pallet paradise come to life here.
Image via dinosaursandrobots.com
I saw a company that makes retro silkscreen-printed textiles called Red and White Kitchen featured on an episode of Food Network's "Unwrapped" last night. I cruised over to their website and see that they not only make a variety of brightly colored, nostalgic towels, aprons, etc. but they like to "Go Green" as well while making it! Check them out here.
Image copyright Red and White Kitchen
I just read about this great not for profit organization Trash for Teaching on The Scout blog in the L.A. Times. They collect donations of what they affectionately call “dumpster diamonds”. These are discarded materials from various manufacturers such as empty cardboard tubes and scraps of holographic paper. The beauty comes when these materials are put into the hands of children to use as art supplies. They do this through different services such as their Treasure Truck visits, school programs and even birthday parties.
Continue reading after the jump...
MocoLoco gives us a peek at Architect Franklin Azzi's "Shelter House" in its realized form. As described on the website, Shelter House is
"a sustainable design for a house in Normandy in Yport, where the
structure is entirely made of wood, with water recuperation and solar
panels for all domestic needs. The external skin will be made of a
fabric, it's a convertible house." Check out more photos here.
Image via MocoLoco
Apparently the Sears Tower in Chicago will be undergoing a green makeover including: solar panels to heat the buildings water, wind turbines and green roofs on the towers various levels, as well as replacing 16,000 windows and metal panels to save heating energy.
One of my favorite changes will be transforming the granite plaza that surrounds the tower with green space, new retail, and permeable pavement. Read more about renaming the Sears Tower here.
Eric Hughes of Image Design, LLC thought PrairieMod readers might be interested in coming to the 2009 Michigan Energy Fair this weekend June 26th-28th in Onekama, Michigan. There will be a tour of the 2009 Michigan Energy Fair Show Home (which his firm designed) and is a projected LEED for Homes "Gold" project. Check out more about it here.
Image copyright Image Design, LLC
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is urging everyone to urge their Congressperson to vote for the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Why? Because..."this bill includes the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance Program (REEP), which would provide financial incentives in the form of state block grants to help owners of homes and businesses save money on energy upgrades, including weatherization or window repair. And, it would provide additional incentives for owners of older and historic properties to make these upgrades in keeping with the historic character of our homes, buildings, and neighborhoods." Follow the link, find out more and pass it on!
Image via The National Trust for Historic Preservation
Check out this slideshow of Sunset's Modern Cottage demonstration house that's all about creating an affordable eco-friendly living space.
Image copyright Sunset
Kudos to our pal, Lee Diamond at Big Shoulders Realty who was written-up in today's Chicago Tribune for his unique Chicago neighborhood tours and Go Green approach towards showing real estate. Lee helped us find The Little Red House, so he knows Mod-minded clients and architecture. Check out Lee's next planned excursion at his website and if you're looking to buy or sell a home, give him a call!
Image copyright Big Shoulders Realty
During World War II, "Victory Gardens" were popular in the yards of many Americans as a way to both grow needed food and to reduce food demands on the war effort. Today, there is renewed interest in the eco-friendly act of growing food at home. According to a recent TreeHugger.com article, US seed sales are up 19% this year and the number of homes growing vegetables is up 40%. Read more here and let us know: What do you plant in your "Victory Garden"?
Image via TreeHugger.com
Cute, urban, sustainable. In an attempt to get away from the toxic vinyl that usually comprise the collectible designer toy figures, Noferin has substituted wood instead to great (and adorable) results. Check out the PecanPals here.
Image copyright Noferin/via H2O Visions
One of our readers sent us a link a while back to this awesome green home in Brazil. Follow the link to see more images and learn more.
Image copyright Greenhome
Have you always wanted your own backyard garden? Well check out the Raised Garden Box Kit.
Image copyright Scout Regalia
Anneli Rufus & Kristan Lawson at the blog Scavenging were given a special sneak-preview of downtown Berkeley, California's David Brower Center,
a 50,000-square-foot experimental “green from the ground up” building that opens to the public on May 10th. 53%
of its construction involves recycled materials, making this
the world’s biggest
scavenged building complex. Read more and check out the photo tour by following the link.
Image copyright Scavenging.com
Eric Hughes, RGBA of Image Design, LLC sent us some info and images of their newest Net-Zero residence design in Paw Paw, Michigan they've dubbed the "Vineyard Project" because it is nestled in South Western Michigan's wine country and is located next to one of Paw Paw Winery's vineyards. The home features Prairie stylings and is projected to be a minimum of LEED "Gold." Find out the details after the jump...
What is Fidoodle? Well, besides being a fun word to say, Fidoodle (according to their website) is:
"a small design company that produces artful objects based on stories; some of them, adaptations of classic fairy tales and myths, and others, made up. Everything is made in Toronto with natural materials. Jen Bulthuis, maker of Fidoodle products builds these objects from birch of well-managed forests, sheep wool, organic cotton and some recycled fabrics."
I say it's just plain fun! I especially enjoy the city and farm blocks. check out more of these fun, cool and sustainably minded playthings here.
Images copyright Fidoodle
Well, several do, actually--but one particular tree is grabbing some headlines. It the "Triumph Elm," set-up in down town Chicago in honor of Arbor Day and as part of a tree planting awareness campaign by the Morton Arboretum. When the event is over, the disease-resistant elm will be planted on the spot where President Obama spoke on election night. Read more about it here.
Today is the 39th annual Earth Day: grab your tote bags, reusable water bottles and CF light bulbs! It's easy to focus only on what you should do to be "Green" and overlook the no-nos. Here's a list put together by Treehugger.com on the things NOT to do on Earth Day (or any other day for that matter). Read it here.
Image copyright Treehugger.com
Design*Sponge posted a great interview with Bay Area garden and "green-guru", Flora Grubb. There are also plenty of photos of her absolutely amazing floral planters, wreaths and other creations. Check it all out here.
Image via Design*Sponge
Earth Day (week, month, year..etc) is upon us and with it are a multitude of ways to participate and celebrate. But which U.S. cities are the best venues for such a "green" occasion? Follow this link to find out. Spoiler alert: Chicago was number 8 and climbing...
Image copyright Daily Mail/via Treehugger.com
If you gotta grow, Grow Green! Here's a short article about the new, ecologically-aware addition to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Unitarian Meeting House in Madison, Wisconsin.
Image copyright First Unitarian Society of Madison
John Muir was one of the most important naturalists our country has ever produced. Without his drive to save wild places, we would not have natural wonders like Yosemite or the giant redwoods in Muir Woods (which is named for him). Check out this list via TreeHugger.com of 10 cool things about Mr. Muir to learn more.
The next time you are beguiled by a new plastic dish or votive at Target, consider going vintage instead. Plug in "Vintage Housewares" into an etsy.com search and you'll come across some really cool and cost-effective items. I especially dig these mid-century mod wooden bowls. Whether for yourself or a gift, vintage is always a great choice! See more here.
Image copyright elizabethwrenvintage
The iconic Empire State Building is a staple on the New York skyline ever since it was built in 1931. Over the years other buildings have surpassed it in size--making it seem a quaint reminder of a bygone era. Well, the Art Deco beauty is back in the headlines for being a new leader in energy efficiency. Treehugger.com recently posted on a
series of green renovations for the building that will reduce its energy usage by 40%. Read more about this green transformation by following the link.
Image via Treehugger.com
Inhabitat.com reports on a way to utilize a greywater system without breaking the bank. Sloan Valve Company has developed a compact greywater system for existing bathroom fixtures that is easy to install. The Sloan® AQUS® Greywater System
filters water going down the sink drain and then uses it to
flush the toilet, potentially saving up to 5,000 gallons
of potable water each year. check it out here.
Image copyright Sloan Valve Company
Here's a New York Times article about a California makeup artist who built the addition of his house around an old sycamore tree. Check out the slide show that accompanies the article.
Image copyright Ethan Pines for The New York Times
Taking a shower is likely one of the most energy-intensive activities you do in a day. Every steamy hot shower cost you money and uses lots of natural gas or electricity. Yet, it's money and resources that go right down the drain. Enter the EcoDrain: a unique patent-pending heat exchanger which transfers heat from hot shower waste water to cold incoming water. With no cleaning and no moving parts, this little baby can cut water heater use by 25%-40%! Check out more by following the link.
Image copyright EcoDrain
I had to write more about the Power House by Thames & Kosmos, which was featured in the Smart Home. The kit was designed by physicist Uwe Wandrey and cleverly combines science and adventure. Instead of a regular instruction booklet on how to build the house, you get a manual that follows the story of a “group of island dwellers who must learn to live sustainably using the resources available to them.” You then build models based on entry journals of the islanders. There are more than 20 projects to make life comfortable on the island, some of which include building a solar cooker and a sail car.
Photo by Allison Coffee
The Smart Home reopens today at the Museum of Science and Industry. I
had the pleasure of getting a tour of the house early and was excited
by the updates. I would like to thank Anne Rashford, Beth Boston, Steven Beasley, Brian J. Parker and Jeff Buonomo for the time they spent guiding me through the house and answering
all of my questions. Here are some of the highlights. Continue reading after the jump...
Images copyright Allison Coffee
According to a recent post by Blair Kamin, the idea of turning Chicago's famously tall Sears Tower from brooding black to shiny, happy silver was an idea tossed around on how to "green" it up. It's not likely to happen, but it's still an interesting topic of discussion. You can read about it here. Thanks to PrairieMod Reader Jen B. for the heads-up!
Images courtesy of Blair Kamin and Chicago Sun Times
Ever wonder how much energy you're using? Well then check out TED. TED is a simple home energy
monitor that allows you to see electricity usage in real-time. TED will
accurately tell you what your bill will be before it arrives. Plus, you'll learn about conserving
energy, saving money, and helping save the environment. Check it out here and turn off those lights!
Image copyright Energy, Inc.
Gen XY aren't the only ones thinking Mod and Green. Baby Boomers, Amy and Ben Bonham admire the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and are highly aware of their impact on the environment,
right down to the number of kilowatt hours they use. Their goal of building economical, ergonomic and
energy-efficient housing prompted them to create a development called E
Lane. Check it out here.
Thanks to Paul R. for the link.
This is cool, green and adorable. Get your kids excited about saving energy with the BugPlug. It's a simple energy saving gadget which prevents unnecessary
(and often accidental) energy consumption. The device has a built-in
motion sensor, turning off all connected devices (through powerstrips)
when it detects no motion. (Time periods can be easily adjusted from 0
to 6 minutes.) Check it out here.
Image copyright Kamil Jerzykowski
In response to my post yesterday about the move towards "Living Small," Eric Hughes of Image Design, LLC sent us a link to a small 1,328 sq. ft. cottage in rural Michigan called "Turtle's Hope". This small cottage is going for LEED for Homes "Platinum" certification. Check out the construction blog for "Turtle's Hope" and let us know what you think!
Image copyright Image Design, LLC
Recycle Now has a great video on how to gift wrap with Furoshiki. What is Furoshiki you say, well it's a creative way to gift wrap using fabric. This fabric can be reused to gift again or, as you will see in the video, be used to create a bag. How cool would it be to use Amy Butler fabrics for this!
Image copyright Wikipedia
Found this interesting blog entry about Wright's eco-friendly choice of utilizing cork as a building material in his Organic Architectural designs. Check out the entry by following the link.
Image copyright smartplanet.com
Toxic chemicals, strip mining, blood diamonds--who knew getting engaged and married could involve so much death and destruction? Well, the symbols of your love can now be symbols of eco-responsibility. Check out Green Karat, a place to find sustainable jewelery for your special occasion, by following the link.
Image copyright Green Karat
Want to save the earth and make a buck at the same time? Well, if you live in one of the areas where the RecycleBank program operates, you could take advantage of turning your trash into cash. Read about it by following the link.
Image copyright RecycleBank
If you've been conscious of the news lately, there's been a lot of talk about "Drill Here, Drill Now!" Treehugger.com recently posted this info graphic from Architecture 2030 based on U.S. Energy Administration Information that shows that all this hot air about drilling would only amount to a drop in our consumption bucket. Seems like our time and tax money might be better spent on finding and funding economically realistic alternatives. Check it out here.
Graphic copyright Architecture 2030
Despite the recent stabilization of gasoline prices, filling your tank can still be a pain in the wallet. This recent New York Times article gives some helpful tips on planning a gas-free vacation, whether by bicycle, public transportation or mule-drawn wagon! (I kid you not.)
Continue reading after the jump...
Summer's coming to a close and soon it'll be time for changing leaves, sweaters and back to school. Inhabitat posted their top 5 picks for eco-friendly back to school supplies. Check it out here and be sure to stock-up!
Image copyright Inhabitat.com
Frank Lloyd Wright's Unitarian Meeting House located in Madison, Wisconsin is an architectural tour de force. With its new addition, it's also an environmentally aware tour de force as well. Find out more after the jump...
Every year, Americans discard tons of perfectly good clothes due to trend chasing or conspicuous consumption. Pivot, Chicago's first boutique devoted to eco-fashion, is trying to do something about that mindset. I heard about them on a Chicago Public Radio feature and was intrigued by their ideas of smart design fused with sustainable living. Check out the clothes and what Pivot is all about by following the link.
Image copyright Pivot
Want to cool your home without having to crank up the A/C? This article takes a cue from Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater to give you solutions when the heat is on. Check it out here.
Photo copyright Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
We were lucky we moved into a house that had a garden already planted and was beautiful. But that's not the case for everyone, here's a link to About.com on how to start your very own garden. Topics include:
:: Start Small
:: Evaluate and Choose a Site
:: How's the Soil?
:: Prepare the Bed
:: Choosing What You'd Like to Grow
:: Planting
:: Mulch
:: Label Your Plants & Keep Garden Records
:: Garden Maintenance - What to Expect
:: Enjoy! You've Created Your First Garden
Image copyright PrairieMod
Our friends at Inhabitat recently posted on Chi-town's Eco-Bridge initiative. The plan is for it to act as a breakwater for Monroe Harbor, create additional recreation space for rowing and swimming, add an observation tower for skyline viewing and incorporate some eco-friendly wind turbine features as well. Sounds like a fantastic idea, huh? Hard to believe, but the concept was originally envisioned in the 1909 Burnham Plan for Chicago. Old school is the new school!
Check out the full post here and learn more about why Chicago is quickly becoming the 2nd-To-None City!
Photo courtesy of Inhabitat
In honor of Earth Day, I thought I'd share a little article I found in last Sunday's Chicago Tribune about the little town of Stelle, Illinois. So where the heck is Stelle?
Continue reading "Earth Day Is Every Day In Stelle, Ilinois" »
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