It’s already February, but Look What Happened in January! Are you Ready for the Rest of 2012?

Stephen Bolling

Thank you for following on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.  In January 2012 these were a fraction of the tools I posted about building, energy, design, management and health.  Enjoy these links to the latest trends, products and services to expect in 2012.

RegenerativeHomes™ since 2003 San Diego’s First & Most Comprehensive Site for Green Living & Sustainable Design. 

TRENDS TO EXPECT IN 2012

What Happened in 2011 & How Will That Effect 2012?

Tech Trends

Green Building Trends

How to Boost Your Building’s Energy Efficiency

Smart Energy

Smart Water

Construction Outlook

Remodeling Outlook

A Synopsis of The State of Green Business ’12 Report

Why is Resilient Business Better Than Green Business?

The New American Home 2012

Why Money is in Rail, Roads & Infrastructure

Free On Line Books & Articles on 2012 Design Trends

NEW PRODUCTS

New Energy-Efficient Alternative to Spray insulation

New Zero-VOC Liquid Roofing Mastic

New Color System for Concrete Floors

New Solar Shingles

New Home Products

New Products to Help Developers

NEW SERVICES

New National Rating System for Sustainable Landscapes

New Consumer Water Efficiency Website           

New Service for Organic Retailers

New Plant Hardiness Zone Map from USDA

New Apps

HEALTH TIPS

Company Wellness Programs

Losing Weight by Going Green

How to Relax, Sleep Better & Live Better

MANAGEMENT TIPS

How Lifecycle Cost Analysis Makes Case for Green Building

Tips for Time Management 

PLUS

How Architects Hope to Protect Buildings from Earthquakes

Green Insulation Myths You Should Know

Solar Decathlon Relocates to Southern California!

RegenerativeHomes™ 

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Happy New Years 2012

Stephen Bolling

In October 2011 RegenerativeHomes™ began its 8th year as San Diego’s first and most comprehensive outreach and educational source for green living and sustainable design news and information.  RegenerativeHomes™  began in 2003 during the Cedar Fire to assist displaced homeowners locate shelter, services and programs. Through public requests it developed into a portal for green building assistance, the first of its kind in the county. This assistance helped those traumatized by horrific events to move forward and rejuvenate both themselves and the environment around them. Today, RegenerativeHomes™  has followers and participants from around the world.

I am the editor of RegenerativeHomes™  and an active member of several professional organizations and pubic agencies and represent a large network of designers, builders, suppliers, law makers and attorneys who are dedicated to the design and construction of projects that promote energy-efficiency, environmental-sensitivity and healthy environments.

I am also a building designer and take a holistic approach that is sensitive to one’s needs and accommodating to nature, inspirational and motivational, and allows for positive changes in one’s life.  I’ve been designing environmentally sensitive healing environments for over 30 years and it is my strengths in that area that I feel lacking in much of the new green technology.  I believe the more traditional aspects of green design such as orientation to the sun and breezes as well as relationship to the outdoor environment are not only the strongest elements of green design, but are also among the strongest elements of creating healthier environments that provide us stimulus to grow and to revitalize.  These environments provide a sanctuary from a stressful day, provide the elderly and physically challenged with visual stimuli and accessible features that drastically improves health and well-being, provides assistance for those recovering from short-term illnesses or injuries, and provides safe havens for babies and children to develop healthy and live calm, balanced lives.

In 2012 design across the globe will move beyond terms such as green and sustainable and incorporate a holistic approach to design. Doctors, yoga instructors, dietitians and healing practitioners will have as much to offer as engineers, plumbers and electricians for the most valuable resources of any building are the people who live, work and play in it and enjoy the natural environment around it.  There are small things every one can do to create the sanctuary of one’s dreams.  Solar panels, grey water systems, smart metering, energy-efficient windows and recycled cabinets will help the environment and possibly save owners money, but it takes much more to create a better environment for living.  The design begins within oneself.

Stephen Bolling. RegenerativeHomes™

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Happy 4th of July

Stephen Bolling

The 4th of July suggests independence and patriotism, the American Flag and “long may it wave.”  It also suggests BBQ picnics, the beach, pool parties, parades and fireworks.  Fireworks certainly aren’t the most environmentally sensitive way to celebrate but they do allow us to lift our spirits and our patriotism.  We may not have obtained all our goals, yet, but we should give applause to those goals we have achieved, individually and as a country.  I think there’s room to be Red, White and Blue as well as green. In the spirit of an old-fashioned friends-and-family newsletter I’m going to let you know what I’ve been up to lately.  Not the bad news, we all have too much of that, just the good news and the good news in the works.

We’re gearing up for the next phase of Blue Sky Ranch and it looks to include the design of at least two new houses and a new accessory building.  Expect something really special and innovative.  Since this is a work in progress we are always updating with the latest inspiration, methods and materials.  As always, we are open to ideas and participation from architects, designers, contractors and other building industry people with regards to green building.  E-mail me if you would like to get involved or have a great idea related to sustainability, passive design, alternative materials, fire-resistant construction and related methods for this and future projects.

Robert and Ingrid Coffin

Congratulations to Blue Sky Ranch owners Ingrid and Robert Coffin, the restoration of their historic house in Kensington is the featured story in this month’s San Diego Magazine.  If you have the magazine in your home check out “Hacienda with a History”, if you don’t you can read the story and see the photos on-line at San Diego Magazine,  The house was also the location of a gala and auction for architect/artist James Hubbell of ILan-Lael.

RegenerativeHomes at the Fair

I met a lot of great people at my booth at the San Diego County Fair this year.  Ingrid Coffin, helped host the table.  Check out all 10 photos.

Electra Condos and Station B

I had the opportunity to visit the Electra Condos during District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis’ Campaign for Mayor kick off event.  I’m not a resident of the city and can’t vote for mayor but it was being held at the historic electric power station Station B which is as good a reason as any to stop by and say hi.  This was the first time I was in the 1920′s neoclassical-Art Deco building since 1985 when SDG&E was a client and I was involved in the restoration of some of their early 20th Century buildings.  A couple years ago the Electra Condos, the tallest residential tower in downtown San Diego, was added atop the structure which was restored into an elegant meeting/dining facility for the residents. View 9 photos.

Among the dignitaries that attended were current Mayor Jerry Sanders who endorsed Bonnie, Supervisor Ron Roberts and Sheriff Bill Kolender.  Bonnie introduced me to a woman who lives in the Electra Condos who in turn invited me the following day to tour the entire building and visit with her and her husband.  I also have some great photos off her 22nd floor balcony, take a look.

USS Carl Vinson

Santa Fe Station

To the west off of North Island Naval Air Station is the USS Carl Vinson, the supercarrier that carried Osama bin Laden’s body to its ocean burial.  To the north is the historic Santa Fe Station.

Mission Brewery

In June I checked out the new location of the historic  Mission Brewery now at the historic Wonder Bread Factory.  This was the first time I was in this building since my 3rd  grade field trip  to the Wonder Bread Factory. It was interesting to  see the grain silo still being used, except this time for the production of beer. Check out all 10 photos.

Bob Hope Memorial

And finally, I’ll end with some photos of the Bob Hope Memorial in San Diego off the port side of the USS Midway.  See all 7 photos.

Drive sober and safe.

Steve

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The Future is Prefab Eco-Friendly Homes

Stephen Bolling

My experience with prefabricated structures began as a building designer for a manufacturer of classroom buildings.  The classrooms were built in a warehouse on a track system.  Glass fiber reinforced concrete walls were tilted up into a steel frame structure and as the rooms were pulled down the track electrical, plumbing, mechanical and finish materials were installed.  At the end of the line they were lifted onto trucks and delivered to sites where concrete pads were already poured.

This was quick, efficient and inexpensive.  We built entire schools using this system…in weeks not months. But there was still a stigma associated with the modular prefabs.  The main focus was quickness and cost.  There was an expectation that the units would be cheap in every sense of the word.  Today this system is a natural for green building practices.  Prefabricated and modular construction is a desirable option for those looking for a modern, affordable, energy-efficient design built with sustainable and responsibly-manufactured materials.

Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer.  Here she writes about prefab eco-friendly homes and gives us a good picture of how they have become a trendy option for homebuyers. You can contact Mariana at  mariana.ashley031@gmail.com.

The Future is Prefab Eco-Friendly Homes

by Mariana Ashley

Sunset Breezehouse by Michelle Kaufmann Designs.

To some this sounds like old news, to others this sounds like gibberish. What is a prefabeco-friendly home? The term prefab simply means prefabricated. Components of a structure are manufactured offsite in an industrial facility. Once the structure is designed and constructed offsite, it is shipped to the building location and erected there. Prefab housing is not a new concept. Having components of the building process take place in a factory has been a part of home construction for decades now. However, in recent years, prefab housing has become synonymous in many ways with a modernist aesthetic and sustainable design. There are four central factors that make prefab eco-friendly homes the wave of the future: smart design, smart materials, affordability, and fashion.

Many prefab green architects begin their structural design long before ever drafting a sketch of a room or deciding on building materials. Laying a smart foundation is the first step to building an eco-friendly home. Green architects use advanced computer modeling to site homes in locations that will maximize natural light and passive heating and cooling. Architects must design to build less, use interior spaces wisely, and design for longevity and flexibility. This means that architects design spaces that feel larger than they are by incorporating large windows and spaces with multiple functions. Through the use of large and numerous windows, green architects design to minimize the need to turn lights on during the day. Furthermore, smart design orients homes in the landscape to maximize both views and energy efficiencies, while at the same time avoiding extreme excavations or other invasive procedures when laying a foundation. Prefab houses are designed to last longer than traditional homes. Designed for longevity, these homes are typically made primarily from sturdy wood and steel frames. Because the structures are built offsite in a factory with controlled conditions, the materials are better cared for during vulnerable stages, producing higher quality construction and higher quality houses.

Using smart materials is the next step to designing a prefab eco-friendly home. Many builders focus on incorporating as many recycled and renewable products as possible into their home design. Furthermore, utilizing offsite factory construction allows builders and architects to reduce waste by 50 to 75 percent and use less materials overall. One of the staple materials used in eco-friendly building is bamboo. Because bamboo grows so quickly and easily, it is a wonderful renewable material to use in flooring and other design elements. Utilizing steel, wood, and cement as durable framing materials enables homes to withstand even the harshest weather conditions and allows for easier upkeep.

Not only is prefab more environmentally friendly than traditional building methods, it is also considerably less expensive. The elements of mass customization, mobility, and versatility in building materials make prefab homes ideal for low-income communities and areas that are prone to natural disaster. As established, prefab homes use fewer building materials, making them less expensive. Furthermore, prefab homes take a fraction of the time to design and manufacture because they are created within a controlled environment. This means that prefab homes can be produced more quickly for a lower cost. Recycled countertops and glass tiles are common within prefab homes. These materials make beautiful stylistic accents within a home without having a negative impact on the environment.

Do not be fooled by the terms “inexpensive” and “mass production” when discussing prefab housing. While prefab eco-friendly homes are extremely cost effective, they have also become iconic of the new desired modern aesthetic. Homeowners and architects alike value clean and simple design. In light of the ever challenging economy, many celebrity-status designers have redefined prefab for a market that values both cost and style equally. The fact that efficient, green housing is replacing oversized homes in the world of fashion is a huge step in the right direction. All over the world, architects are refining modern design elements to coincide with environmentally friendly techniques. These smart and hip new homes are essential to the eco-friendly revolution of the modern world. And we like them!

This article was originally posted on March 16, 2011 by Joyce Benson on GreenStrides.

 

If you would like to be interviewed or have your article posted on the RegenerativeHome blog please e-mail me at sbolling@me.com

Stephen Bolling

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Stephen Bolling

When I was a kid I always made sure I wore green on St. Patrick’s Day so not to be pinched.  As I’m getting older I don’t mind getting pinched so much, in fact sometimes its kind of nice depending on who’s doing the pinching.  However, I do mind getting pinched in the wallet.

That brings me around to energy-efficiency.  Not only is it good for the environment -  green – but it makes good economic sense – it lets us keep more of the green in our wallets.

I’m a sustainable building designer, an environmentalist, and a blogger.  I’m also the creator and editor of an educational website for sustainable living and building.  My Facebook and Tweets feature daily news on sustainability, green living, energy-efficient products and even a daily vegan recipe (or two).  My WordPress blog features guest bloggers in sustainable design, green living and other related fields to present a holistic approach to green living.

I’m located in San Diego and that’s noticeable on my website, but it touches on issues of interest to anyone anywhere.   I encourage everyone to connect with me on my various networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and WordPress by going to my website and choosing the sites and letting me know who you are so I can do the same.  I’m always interested in good people doing good things.

If you would like to be interviewed or have your article posted on this blog please e-mail me at sbolling@me.com

Stephen Bolling

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The PassiveHouse

Stephen Bolling

PassiveHouse is a voluntary standard that integrates the process of energy reduction into the architectural design of a house or any other building. Most notable for space heating or cooling the process is applicable for both new and remodeled buildings. The Passivhaus-Institut was founded in Germany in 1996 to promote and control the standards and since then over 25,000 structures have built under this standard, mostly in Germany and Austria, and only now beginning to catch on in the United States.

Superinsulation is used to reduce heat transfer through the walls, roof and floor. Due to its thickness this reduces the floor area within the existing or proposed footprint. The buildings are sealed air-tight and the windows are triple-paned. The buildings make use of passive solar gain but also collect heat from internal sources such as lighting, large appliances and people. Results are that the air inside the building is fresh and clean, the interior and exterior walls maintain similar temperatures, and opening windows and doors for a short period have very little effect to the temperature inside the building.

Benedikte Ranum

Benedikte Ranum writes from Stirling, Scotland about architecture, design, products and technologies as it relates to the UK, Europe and the world in general.  I have enjoyed her articles for some time and have enjoyed exchanging messages and tweets across the pond.  She recently examined “the post-occupancy realities of living in a certified Passive House” and I found her article to be a great inside look at homeowner experiences.  The first homeowner is from Hudson, Wisconsin, and wrote the book Passive House in the Woods,  the second homeowner is from Wales and keeps an on-line diary documenting his home’s efficiency levels.

(August 17, 2011 update:  Passivhaus Institute Ends Relationship with Passive House Institute US – see article here.)

The realities of living in a PassiveHouse

By Benedikte Ranum

Thermal image of a PassiveHouse (Young Germany)

PassiveHouse as a concept

The concept of the PassiveHouse (or PassivHaus for the internationalists amongst us) is becoming increasingly well known amongst British architects, contractors, developers and clients. It has moved from being yet another forward-thinking construction method that is adopted in mainland Europe but largely ignored in this country, to being championed by a number of UK built environment professionals.

Information abounds when it comes to PassiveHouse certification requirements, test results, design detailing, building physics and heat capacities. The Passipedia website is a good resource in this respect. It also gives an interesting historical review of  passive houses from the past. Did you know, for example, that Fridtjof Nansen’s 1883 polar exploration ship Fram functioned like a PassiveHouse? Nansen wrote:

The Fram is a comfortable abode. Whether the thermometer stands at 22° above zero or at 22° below it, we have no fire in the stove. The ventilation is excellent, especially since we rigged up the air sail, which sends a whole winter‘s cold in through the ventilator; yet in spite of this we sit here warm and comfortable, with only a lamp burning. I am thinking of having the stove removed altogether; it is only in the way.

The ice-bound Fram – a “PassiveShip”

PassiveHouse as a reality

But once the scaffolding is down and the blower door test has been passed, what is it actually like to live in a PassiveHouse? How does it feel to occupy a house that can be heated with a hair dryer or your own body heat; a house that is completely air-tight and needs no conventional heating system? How does it change your habits, your needs and your behaviour?

Perhaps the best way of finding out the post-occupancy realities of living in a certified Passive House is to read the owner/occupiers’ blogs.

Gary Konkol lives in a Passive House in the Woods in the American Mid-West. After a cold winter’s month of occupancy, he writes:

My biggest surprise has been the amount of heat the windows allow into the house.  Sitting in the sun a few weekends ago, it was clear that this was not a typical indoor sun experience.  The sun was warmer than what I had previously noted in my other houses.  It was comfortably warm. … Earlier in the Fall, I needed to lower the exterior shades to prevent the house from overheating.  After this experience, I thought I would see how long I could have my in-floor heating mats unplugged before the house became too uncomfortable.

On sunny days the house temperature goes up 10-15 degrees using only solar heating through the windows along with the heat my two dogs and canary contribute, with an outdoor temperature of 10-30 degrees.

Similarly, the solar hot water and photovoltaic systems are very sensitive to the cloud cover.  But even on the 10 degree days, the solar hot water tank gets up to 100 degrees.

This relationship of the house to the sun, outside and weather has heightened my awareness of the outdoors in my day-to-day living.  …

The cold weather brought house contraction sounds; some quite loud.  It took a me a while to determine this was the cause of my dogs being skittish and on a hunger strike last week.  Fortunately, they and I have become accustomed to this “house talk”, as well as having less of this settling as time has passed.

One of Norway’s first PassiveHouses.  Design by Steinsvik Arkitektkontor.       Photo by Ravn Steinsvik.

Here in the UK, Mark Tiramani keeps a diary of daily life in his Welsh passive home. There are beautiful photos of life in the house, as well as live energy monitoring with heat graphs. Enthusing about his house’s energy performance, he admits that others might not find this quite as gripping as he does:

I’m slightly embarrassed to admit how excited I am. Everyone else around me is being very polite and tolerant. To most it’s just a little less interesting than watching grass grow.
I’m jubilant actually … Given how low the average temperatures have been this year, especially compared to our PHPP climate model, the house is performing magnificently.

He makes an important point here, I think: a large number of PassiveHouses have already been built. According to their occupiers, the houses work. The information, technology and skills already exist. Why is there still so much confusion about how to build sustainable, comfortable housing? Tiramani writes:

… after all is said and done, it’s not rocket science. It is simply good design based on coherent energy conservation principles, following PHPP. I find it more and more incomprehensible that the UK is still discussing how to create a model for designing and building houses with a reduced energy footprint.

PassiveHouses are not without their problems, of course. In an air-tight house, the right level of ventilation is key. Healthandenergy.com raises a few points in Is your house too tight? Their advice is:

  • Have a blower door test done on on your house.
  • Avoid natural-draft combustion appliances
  • Beware of open fireplaces.
  • Try to minimize sources of indoor pollutants.

For those who want to have a wander around a PassiveHouse or two, this year’s Ecobuild exhibition will feature its own PassiveHouse Pavillion:

The UK SIPS Association, the trade body representing the Structural Insulated Panel manufacturers in the UK, will be constructing a pair of PassivHaus compliant dwellings at Ecobuild.
The two-storey dwellings will include room in the roof space and will each provide an internal floor area of 135sqm.  The design of the units, by Miller Hughes Associates, will be taken from a live Passivhaus scheme of 38 units being built for Saxon Weald Housing Association in Horsham in January 2011.  …
Over 35 suppliers will be represented on the PassivHaus pavilion, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about the detailing and performance requirements involved in delivering Passivhaus dwellings in the UK.

For more on PassiveHouse occupant experiences:

  • Geoff and Kate Tunstall write about life in their Denby Dale home (Building).
  • Passipedia lists ‘unvarnished’ quotes from PassiveHouse residents about their experiences.

Do you live in a PassiveHouse, an underground house or an earth dwelling? I would love to hear about your experiences of an active, everyday life in a passive house.

Comment on Benedikte Ranum’s blog here:  BUILDING

If you would like to be interviewed or have your article posted on this blog please e-mail me at sbolling@me.com

Stephen Bolling

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Accessible Homes could be the Norm for Future Homes – PART 2

Boyce Thompson is editorial director of the BUILDER group of magazines published by Hanley Wood, LLC and writes about homebuilding, architecture and retailing.

Stephen Bolling

Recently he has taken on a subject I wrote about in my September 10, 2010 blog Accessible Homes could be the Norm for Future Homes – PART 1.  In Boyce Thompson’s blog out this month he writes about the possibility of big changes in the housing industry driven by an active but aging population.

As a bonus I also added Boyce Thompson’s companion piece A FRESH LOOK AT GREEN BUILDING which looks at changes needed in the housing industry to attract buyers.

He writes “It’s not just about using sustainable materials and recycling jobsite waste…it’s about creating an exciting home environment where people can recycle with ease, easily control their use of energy, grow their own herbs and vegetables, enjoy clean indoor air, and harvest rainwater…”

Baby Boomers May Revolutionize Housing–Once Again

by Boyce Thompson (February 1, 2011)

Boyce Thompson

It seems like only yesterday that, amid much hoopla, the leading edge of the baby boom turned 55 and was suddenly eligible to live in active adult communities. During the last 10 years, we saw shifts–some subtle, some big–in the types of communities developed for boomers who were looking for a more active and maybe more interesting lifestyle than the Eisenhower generation that preceded them.

But there really wasn’t much change in the home features designed for these buyers. Now that the leading edge of the baby boom is turning 65, and actually grappling with impaired mobility, eyesight, and hearing, we may finally see some big changes.

Or not see them. Because a consensus seems to have emerged that the best way to approach so-called universal design is to cloak it in secrecy. No one wants to be confronted at any age with institutional-looking grab bars, ramps, or high-profile alarms that remind them of their less-than-perfect health. As Jenny Sullivan recently reported, there were several excellent seminars on this topic at last month’s IBS.

The function that institutional-looking features serve sure can come in handy when they are needed. Levered handlesets today look more like a design statement than a response to arthritis. A strategically placed, reinforced towel bar not only makes drying off easier, but it provides a way to steady yourself in the shower. A pull-out shelf under the microwave is a godsend when you are ready to drop a hot dish.

We explored many of these concepts in a show home that we dropped on the floor of the IBS way back in 1999. We were probably too far ahead of our time. But it’s amazing how many of the concepts in our Lifestages home are still talked about–as if they were fresh–today.

One of them was to eliminate thresholds wherever possible, including in the master bath. The tile floor in the shower sloped gently to a drain, and you could enter it from either the bath or the bedroom. There were no thresholds on either side. Pretty cool–especially if you are using a wheelchair.

Many principles of universal design work for people of all ages. We lowered the rocker switches for lights, so that even children could reach them, and raised the height of wall sockets, so that the youngest children would have more trouble reaching them.

We thought about task lighting everywhere, a process that’s often overlooked in home design. The kitchen was exceptionally well-lit for preparing food, and for reading the paper. It was easy to turn on outdoor lighting.

Maybe it has reached the point where builders can gain a significant marketing advantage from using universal design. You will need to do something to convince boomers, who lost a ton of equity during the recession, to move in the years ahead. Surveys show that boomers, like previous generations, want to age in place.

What about a house they can live in forever, that they won’t have to spend a fortune to remodel when they are 70 and living on a fixed income? When you think about it, that’s the ultimate in sustainability.

You can read Boyce Thompson’s blogs here:  BOYCE THOMPSON: BOYCE ON BUILDING

A Fresh Look at Green Building

by Boyce Thompson (January 6, 2011)

Boyce Thompson

Builders and home buyers seem engaged in a finger-pointing battle when it comes to green building. Surveys show that consumers think builders should provide sustainable materials and construction free of cost. Many builders argue that it doesn’t make sense to spend the extra money to go green because most buyers won’t pay for it.

But maybe the root of the problem is that the industry hasn’t done a good enough job demonstrating the lifestyle benefits of green living. Because it’s not just about using sustainable materials and recycling jobsite waste, though those things are important. It’s also about creating an exciting home environment where people can recycle with ease, easily control their use of energy, grow their own herbs and vegetables, enjoy clean indoor air, and harvest rainwater, among other things.

We worked with KB Home and Martha Stewart to bring these lifestyle options to life in our 2011 Builder Concept Home, which will debut at IBS next week. We’ll be running buses to the home every 30 minutes from the Westwood Entrance of the West Concourse. We hope you make some time to see it. Dubbed the KB Home GreenHouse: An Idea Home Created with Martha Stewart, the home will also be open for virtual tours starting next week at builderconcepthome.com

The first thing you’ll notice about the home is its conventional appearance in the Lake Burden subdivision of Orlando. Modeled after one of Stewart’s personal residences, the home’s design would fit comfortably into nearly any new home community. The home doesn’t scream “Zero-Energy,” but that’s what it is. With the help of an 8.57 kW, flat-panel photovoltaic system, and a laundry list of inspired energy details, the home produces all the electricity it will need.

You could say the same thing about all the green features in the home; they are largely inconspicuous. The energy monitoring system is web-based. From a big-screen computer near the great room, home owners can see and control their use of electricity, water, and propane, as well as their production of solar energy. Motion detectors trigger hot water in the bathrooms. A sealed attic maintains a constant temperature within 5 to 7 degrees of the house. Water is heated by rooftop panels.

There are a bunch of inspired green touches in the house. The countertop features a recessed, compost bin with a bucket inside for transporting vegetable scraps from kitchen to garden. There’s a small plot outside the kitchen to grow herbs. A sun tunnel brings natural light into what would otherwise be a dark laundry room.

Sunlight pervades the home, reducing the need to operate lights, and creating a fresh, healthy indoor environment. That was key for Martha Stewart, who also wanted an open floor plan. The heart of the home is a large entertaining area that blends a dining room, entertainment room, and kitchen. If you need quiet you can escape to a den/flex space.

The most exciting aspect of the home, though, may be financial. With the help of strong production controls and value engineering, KB Home managed to spend only an extra $70,000 to reach a zero-energy goal on this $380,000 home. About $60,000 of that involved the photovoltaics, which are eligible for a tax credit.

To finance the extra $70,000 at 5% would add only $350 a month to a mortgage payment. The owner of a home built to Florida energy standards would pay that much for electricity and gas anyway. So the added investment costs nothing extra each month.

We think the home is way cool. We invite you to come see it for yourself.

You can read Boyce Thompson’s blogs here:  BOYCE THOMPSON: BOYCE ON BUILDING

If you would like to be interviewed or have your article posted on this blog please e-mail me at sbolling@me.com

Stephen Bolling

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GREEN is the NEW BLACK…Sustainability Comes to Corporate Real Estate

Stephen Bolling

Sustainability Roundtable Inc (SR Inc) is a private, mission driven, research and consulting company based in Cambridge, MA.   SR Inc’s mission is to accelerate the development and adoption of best practices in more sustainable business. Through SR Inc’s flagship Sustainable Real Estate Roundtable (SRER) service, SR Inc advises a growing number of the companies leading the global move to more sustainable real estate.

I would like to introduce you to Larry Simpson, SR Inc’s new Executive Vice President.

GREEN is the NEW BLACK…Sustainability Comes to Corporate Real Estate

by Larry Simpson

 

Larry Simpson

The facts are irrefutable that America’s companies have embraced sustainable business practices that are translating into corporate real estate strategies.

 

According to the recent UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study, “93% of CEOs believe that sustainability issues will be critical to the future of their business and 96% of CEOs believe that sustainability issues should be fully integrated into the strategy and operations of a company.”

The role of corporate real estate to adhere to the C-suite’s commitment to sustainability results from:
A) Real estate is a significant component of company’s Plant, Property and Equipment net value and often comprise 20-50%+ of corporate assets on the balance sheet

B) Buildings and facilities account for 70% of electricity consumption and 40% of greenhouse gas (GHC) emissions

C) Owned and leased CRE portfolios house a company’s most precious resource – their staff. And, enable operations therefore, it is critical that they be managed in the most efficient manner possible.

But, the most important underlying reason for the movement to sustainability beyond social responsibility, environmental stewardship and its relationship to alternative workplace strategies is that it makes good business sense by accelerating near and long-term value creation.

I’m writing to encourage you to take a look at a new post written in the CRE3 Forum that details how CRE professionals like you are converting corporate objectives into real estate strategy through the use of sustainability principles. The article highlights measurements being used, case studies/results and suggests how you might gather the necessary information to create your own sustainability strategy.

To read the post GO TO >>> http://cre3.wordpress.com/2010/12/02/green-is-the-new-black%e2%80%a6corporate-real-estate-has-moved-to-sustainability/

For more about SR, Inc.:  http://www.sustainround.com/

If you would like to be interviewed or have your article posted on this blog please e-mail me at sbolling@me.com

Stephen Bolling

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Eco-Event Planners Practice What They Preach

Stephen Bolling

In search of the latest breakthroughs in sustainable design and green living I’ve been to many seminars, lectures and product fairs.  It’s surprising how many event planners don’t use sustainable practices in their events.  Wedding planners sit down with hotel staff to work out every little detail so why shouldn’t all event planners? From the smallest private event to large conventions it’s important that your business, your product and your lifestyle be reflected.  As more and more entrepreneurs are finding it advantageous to green their business, we now are beginning to see event planners use green practices and using those green practices to plan events.

I would like to introduce you to Johanna R. Walsh.  Johanna is an eco-event planner and founder of Twirl Management in San Francisco and sits on the Board of Directors for the Northern California Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council.  For her, “marketing, product launches, holiday parties, conferences, trade shows and special events are typically the informative and celebratory portion (of a brand’s) life cycle.  The risk of not having a green event brings criticisms of green washing.  Eco-savvy attendees know the difference between organic and not, farmed verses fresh water, seasonal versus imported.”

For eco-event planners it’s all about going the next step and presenting the lifestyle not just the product.  Johanna offers some great tips to follow when planning your next event:

Gorgeous and green: sustainable event design

By Johanna R. Walsh

Johanna R. Walsh

What fun is going green if you can’t look great while doing it?

Design makes its way into every type of event, whether it is the professional aesthetic of a corporate meeting or elaborate creations for high-end weddings. Adding eco-friendly practices to creating event ambiance is much like greening other aspects of your events. Start by asking yourself: Where are your products coming from? How are they being used during an event? What happens once the event is done?

Rental décor items are easy to reuse. A variety of linens, serving ware, furniture, vases and the like are available from event rental companies. By renting items, you can eliminate tons of waste from landfills as plates and serving ware replace Styrofoam cups and plastic utensils, and linens replace bolts of fabric that would be custom-cut, stapled to tables and then thrown out. To go a step further, ask your rental companies ask about their internal sustainability practices, such as their cleaning process, hanger collection, prop recycling and delivery practices.

If you must custom-design pieces, consider sourcing green materials. Cost, availability and client approvals all can become, dare I say, trickier when factoring in the environment.  For now, sustainable building materials cost more than traditional materials. Cost trades in other portions of your budget may need to be considered to afford things like FSC-certified wood and VOC-free paints.  If reclaimed or found props are requested, the idea of pre-approved design goes out the window. It’s also important to keep in mind that good sourcing of recycled materials takes a great deal more time than placing an order with your typical supplier. Many companies have attempted to go down this route for design, only to turn around and ask for props that look recycled instead of actually being recycled, due to time constraints.

Sustainable floral design mirrors sustainable food and beverage. Local, seasonal and organic are key words when speaking about flowers. Choosing seasonal flowers ensures that the arrangements are much richer and fresher for your event. Drought-resistant plants, like succulents, offer innovative design possibilities. Try to move away from fresh-cut flowers; instead, consider renting plants, shrubs or trees.

I know I’ve focused more on the difficulties of green event design in this column, and not the fun part. But, there is a lot of creativity and innovation that can come from eco-parameters. One of my favorite examples of thoughtful event design was when the Robin Hood Foundation designed their entire gala out of school supplies that were in turn donated to the New York City education programs they support. The tables centerpieces consisted of One Lap Top Per Child laptops, while they were doing a buy one, give one program. The laptops on the table went to local schools, while an equal amount were sent to children in the developing world.

This was a great example of incorporating responsible design practices as well as designing with the client’s goals and objectives at the core.


For more about how to put on a green event you can check out more advice on Johanna’s website:

http://twirlmanagement.com/

If you would like to be interviewed or have your article posted on this blog please e-mail me at sbolling@me.com

Stephen Bolling

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Accessible Homes could be the Norm for Future Homes – PART 1

Stephen Bolling

You might have a key fob that automatically turns off your car’s security system and unlocks the door.  Most drivers with newer cars do.  Despite its increased cost over a manual key it has become a standard in the auto industry.

You might have a remote that opens your garage door and turns on the garage light.  Most homeowners, especially those in the suburbs, do.  And very few would opt to save a few dollars by selecting a manual door, even with the added incentive of reducing the household’s energy bill.

But here’s something you don’t have.  A key fob that triggers a sensor by your front door, turns on the porch light, turns off the security system, and unlocks and opens your front door.  Some homeowners actually do have similar devices.  Today they’re expensive, but if installed on a large-scale in new developments they could be as common as your car’s key fob or your garage door’s remote.

The entry sensor is the type of product that was designed out of necessity to help disabled homeowners.  Creating products and homes for people with special needs is not new, but the growing industry is coming up with solutions that are attractive to anyone and could be in many homes by the end of the decade.  Installing them in greater numbers will drive the prices down and owner enthusiasm will encourage developers to provide them as standard products in new homes.  There is a need and a profit to be made.

ADT door sensor unlocks and opens door.

 

As people mature their homes need to adapt to their health needs.  Building homes that meet that need requires greater levels of skills and knowledge.  Gone are the days of products that looked as if they belong in the emergency room of the hospital.  Teams of medical and design professionals are coming together to create products and spaces that are warm, attractive, exciting and desired by both able and disabled users.  They are being designed to be the norm for all home environments and in turn they are increasing the desirability and value of the home.

All disabilities and clients are not the same and cannot merely follow disability standards.  From arthritis (the most common functional disability in the United States) to back problems, heart disease, respiratory disease, learning disabilities, speech impairments and deteriorating conditions such as ALS, MS and spinal cord injuries it is not uncommon for most homes to house someone with a disability at some time.

As people get older their vision deteriorates, their balance and coordination decreases and their strength and endurance diminishes.  Memory loss requires special considerations such as glass or open cupboards to reduce misplaced items.  23% of people between the age of 45 and 54 have a disability.  That percentage rises to 45.4% for ages 65 to 69.   This spikes to 72.5% for those over 75.  3.3 million people use wheelchairs or similar devices.

Developers should build homes with solutions that meet these challenges because the need is there and there is a profit in providing something new, useful and exciting.

In my previous article I wrote that for the real estate market to rebound the housing industry needs to sell a newer, better product.  They need to find their equivalent of the iPhone, Blue-Ray or Bluetooth.  Here are some products that help the disabled but could be used useful to anyone and be attractive selling tools for new homes:

A kitchen with self-cleaning or adjustable height counters, cabinets on rails, remote-controlled appliances with automatic shut offs and ovens with side-hinged doors.

Remote-controlled adjustable counters by Baselift

Portable grab bars for the injured or sick and towel racks, toilet paper holders and bathtub soap trays that hold a person’s weight and can be used as permanent grab bars.

Shower heads with adjustable heights and bathroom vanities on casters that pull out from under the sinks.

Pull-down clothes poles in the wardrobe closet and lighting that turns off when the door is closed.

Wider doors, space-saving pocket doors and easy sliding windows

Stairs with contrasting color at the nose and double height railings for kids and adults.

Gates at the top of stairs for toddlers and those with balance needs.

Today’s homes need to reduce energy costs but they will also need to provide for the elderly, the sick, the injured and the permanently disabled.   Homes will need to make our daily lives easier and less stressful.

Invisia Collection with Integrated Support Rail by HealthCraft

Sources:

Specialized Home Design (Scott Anderle, Physical Therapist): http://www.shdesigns.net/

Institute for Human-Centered Design (Kathy Gips, Director of Training): http://www.adaptenv.org/

Pierce Lamb Architects (Deborah Pierce, AIA): http://www.piercelambarchitects.com/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/

The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University: http://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/design/sod5/cud/

Data Accountability Center:  https://www.ideadata.org/default.asp

Trace Center, University of Wisconsin: http://trace.wisc.edu/

Products:

Remote-controlled adjustable counters by Baselift: http://universal-design-products.com/baselift_worktop_lift.htm

Invisia Collection with Integrated Support Rail by HealthCraft:  http://www.healthcraftproducts.com

Stephen Bolling

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