AIA’s Top 10 Green Projects

Each year, the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment (COTE) awards ten super sustainable structures. Most of the winners are located in the United States, however one winner is in Canada and another in Saudi Arabia.  The outstanding eco-friendly features include:

Reuse of historic buildings
Non-toxic materials, healthier homes
Energy efficient design
Wind, geothermal and passive solar [...]

Today’s “Green” Homes Will Surprise You

Looking for something interesting to read this summer?  Author Sheri Koones highlights 25 high-style, eco-friendly homes in her new book titled, “Prefabulous + Sustainable.”  Here, you’ll see how energy efficiency and green materials are used to create beautiful, cost-effective homes.  Check out WalletPop for the full scoop.
photo by Roger Wade Studio

Green Garden Sheds

Thinking about adding a potting shed, storage shed, studio or playhouse to your yard?  Well, the good news is that these utilitarian outbuildings can actually be attractive, functional and even eco-friendly. The following sheds are made from recycled materials:

Green Home Tour Seattle Style

Looking for a new love nest?  This Saturday, you and your special someone can take a tour of the Beau Developments new urban lofts project in Seattle’s Judkins Park Neighborhood.  What could be more romantic than saving money on energy bills in your new pad?  These homes are estimated to have 40% lower energy bills [...]

Straw Building Products are Really Strong!

Straw, a waste by-product of, most notably, the wheat industry has been gaining in popularity for use in the green building industry, and for good reason.   It’s long been an environmental issue to dispose of straw, the remaining by-product of wheat grain after it is harvested.  Typically, it has been burned which causes serious air [...]

Eco-friendly Hotels are on the Rise

Recently, a chic hotel in downtown Philadelphia opened which is indicative of a positive, “greening” trend in the industry and the world today.  The former Architects Building in Rittenhouse Square was transformed into the luxurious Hotel Palomar.  It was constructed to the United States Green Building Council’s high performance LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental [...]

Tour Green Homes in North Carolina this Fall

Looking for something fun and interesting to do on Saturdays next month in the Tar Heel state?  The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association will once again host its annual Green Building & Solar Tour, in which everyday citizens can get a first-hand look at a wide variety of earth-friendly homes, buildings and renewable energy projects. [...]

Tour Innovative Homes at the Solar Decathlon

In this exciting event, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, 20 college and university teams compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive and efficient solar-powered house.  The homes are solely powered by the sun and are prime examples of the latest renewable energy technologies and artful design.  They will be displayed on [...]

Surplus, Salvaged and Green Building Materials

Planning a weekend home improvement or remodeling project?  It’s a perfect opportunity to use salvaged and surplus building materials.  Green building warehouses and architectural salvage yards are popping up across the country and are full of interesting, new and used items.  These building elements have been donated by local businesses and residents, as well as [...]

National Solar Tour

This fall, sustainable homes and buildings across the country will be open for touring as part of the American Solar Energy Society’s annual event.  Attendees will see first-hand how energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green remodeling, can help reduce monthly utility bills, support energy independence, protect against power outages, and reduce carbon emissions.  Here’s your [...]

keep looking »