If you haven’t heard of green architecture, you might be living under a rock, which is actually a pretty green way to live, taking advantage of the natural coolness of a rock-formed shelter. And if you’ve heard more than enough about eco-conscious, environmentally friendly and green stuff, test your knowledge and see if you’re retaining the information or are still green behind the ears. To take the quiz go here.

Haitian Orphanage March 31, 2010

Yes, we are back safe and sound from Haiti. During our brief stay we surveyed eight orphanages, all unique, with varying degrees of needs. Some would benefit from paint and some plumbing fixtures. Bunk beds so that kids didn’t have to sleep on the floor of a tent. Other orphanages are so ravaged by the earthquake that naked children sit in the dirt eating meager portions of rice with their hands from metal bowls. There is not one orphanage that is not deserving of our assistance but our resources are limited. These decisions are tough.

Have you connected with Trilogy Partners on Facebook yet? If not, be sure to stop by our page the next time you log into your Facebook account and click the like button on our page. By liking our Facebook page, you’ll receive our posts in your newsfeed, so you’ll never miss an update. Our Facebook page is the place to be for all the news and information in sustainable building practices, design tips and trends, events and happenings, and so much more!

Once you’ve liked our page, do us a favor by suggesting it to all of your Facebook friends. We currently have 78 people following us on Facebook, and we’d love to see that number rise to 100 over the weekend, but we need your help to accomplish that goal. Also, be sure to like The Haitian Orphan Rescue Program on Facebook, too. The Haitian Orphan Rescue Program is a charity co-founded by Trilogy Partner Michael Rath that provides permanent shelter for orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti.

We hope to see you around the Trilogy Partners Facebook page soon!

I don’t know if it’s just me or what but almost every design magazine I come across seems to feature the same interior designers doing approximately the same thing over and over again. Elle Décor looks like Better Home and Gardens looks like Traditional Home. Even the new Lonny Magazine seems to have fallen into the same trap. The website is very cool. But as for the contents: have we really exhausted creativity to the point that we need to publish the same basic design concepts over and over again? And why do all of these designs make the rooms look cluttered?  Does every square inch of space have to have something in it?  What about clean emptiness? As homes get smaller and space becomes a scarce commodity do we really want to be cluttering up each and every room with multiple layers of accessories?  I think not. In the case of design, I say we go back to the idea of less is more. For once I’d like to see a room featured in an interior magazine that actually looks lived in. The worst are the staged rooms. I mean, fantasy is fine. But not at the expense of beautiful but practical design.

A couple of months ago we told you about a huge milestone the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) reached with one billion square feet of LEED-certified space. Recently, the USGBC announced that over 10,000 homes in the nation have attained LEED certification through the LEED for Homes program.

Nate Kredich, vice president of residential market development for the USGBC, said “Reaching this milestone signifies the continued transformation of the home building industry towards high-performing, healthy homes that save home owners money. Market leaders across the production, multifamily, affordable and custom home segments have recognized that there are green homes, and then there are LEED Homes, and they are acting accordingly.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Salishan 7 project took place earlier this year. The Salishan 7 project was the 10,000th project to receive certification through LEED for Homes.

Green Building Pro reports that since the program’s launch back in 2008, 10,161 homes have been certified. The 10,000th home to earn LEED certification was the Tacoma Housing Authority’s 91-unit development, Salishan 7. That project was also the first federally funded HOPE VI Redevelopment project to achieve LEED Platinum status.

This is a huge moment in the LEED for Homes program and Trilogy Partners is thrilled to have contributed to over 10,000 homes becoming LEED-certified!

Photo credit: Tacoma Housing Authority.

All that glitters at Toronto show

BY DANIEL DROLET, POSTMEDIA NEWS | What’s hot in interior design this year? The recent Interior Design Show in Toronto highlighted four scorching trends:

Bling, the show was awash in glitter and gleam.

Crystals, often Swarovski, were embedded in bathroom fixtures, sprinkled on window blinds and wallpaper, sparkling as ember beds in gas fireplaces and twinkling as buttons in upholstered furniture. What wasn’t decorated with crystals was shiny, as in gleaming glass kitchen counters, polished surfaces and flashy accessories.

“We treat faucets like jewelry,” says Robert Calabrese of Aquabrass (aquabrass.com), a Concord, Ont.-based distributor whose new line of bathroom faucets called AquaCristal brings bling to the bathroom.

Sun Glow Window Coverings of Canada (mysunglow.com) is adding Swarovski trim and pulls to some of its window blinds for what the company calls “delicate shimmer.”

“It’s a fun decorative element,” says Sun Glow’s Diane Nevins of the crystal, adding the bling is particularly popular with young people -“a generation of bling and everything that sparkles.”

Black

Black is still a big neutral. IKEA, for example, cast aside its Swedish reserve and presented an all-black kitchen that positively radiated edge: black counters, cupboards, sinks, faucets, pots, pans and backsplashes, even a black stove (well, anthracite, actually).

“Black is sexy and cosy,” says IKEA’s Andrea Mills, explaining that with its black kitchen, IKEA was trying to “kick it up a notch and show the maturity of IKEA’s design.”

Anna Portanova of Frini Furniture in Woodbridge, Ont., says black speaks to glamour, which is coming to the fore as we shake off our recent economic funk. It is also -along with white and grey -part of a palette of neutrals that can be used to show off textures, geometric patterns and shapes, and be a base for bursts of colour.

Things may be black, but they are often shiny, or accompanied by gleaming mirrors, metals, Plexiglas and acrylics. (See Bling).

Bespoke

The word means custom made, and it speaks to the sense of luxury that is finding its way back into design.

Paul Smith of Kravet Canada (kravetcanada. com), a firm that sells fabrics and furnishings, talked of “quiet sophistication and understated elegance” in the new fabric designs, which include linens, silks and ethnic motifs.

He also talked of a return to colours, including lilac, mauve, and strong greens and blues.

Strong colours were in evidence at Elte (elte.com/ Furniture), a Toronto furnishings company whose Second Life rugs combine the green mantra of “reduce, reuse” with cuttingedge appeal and unique products.

Second Life rugs are Persian carpets that are 40 to 80 years old, explains Elte’s Ken Metrick. The carpets are stripped of their initial colour and redyed in vibrant contemporary hues.

Metrick explains that people are buying neutral furniture and using the carpets to give their rooms a colour pop.

As for carpets that are too worn to be reused in whole, they get cut up and the pieces are sewn into patchwork carpets and redyed.

Also very distinctive -and high-end -were gorgeous textured wallpapers by Roya Manufacturing and Supply Canada (royacanadainc.com). Roya’s Prime Walls wallcoverings (primewalls.com) includes its Shardana collection featuring embossed metallic surfaces and handplaced beads. (Did I mention shine was a trend?)

British

One of the most visited collections at the show was of British-inspired furniture from UpCountry, (upcountry.com).

A traditional-looking sofa upholstered to render a Union Jack attracted a lot of attention -and so did travel trunks with the same design.

UpCountry’s Andrew Ward says the wedding this April of Prince William and Kate Middleton is stirring up interest in all things British.

There was a vintage feel to the British collection, and it made use of several reclaimed or repurposed pieces. (Repurposed or reused pieces were every-where at the show).

Like so much else, the UpCountry collection -however traditional in feel -was set off by shimmering crystal lamps.

That British appeal wasn’t limited to the living room: Victoria + Albert (vandabaths.com) is a British company that was in Toronto to present a new line of luxury bathtubs and sinks. Made of South African limestone, the tubs and sinks are actually a mix of powdered rock and resin crafted in slim, fluid forms.

The company’s Jonathan Carter says the rock and resin mixture is naturally warm to the touch and as a result these sleek bathtubs keep their heat longer.

After a weekend at the show, a nice hot bath sounded like a fine idea.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Sturm College of Law | As the “green movement” in America progresses, many devotees of architecture and preservation are envisioning tall glass buildings made of copper, stone, or other materials that will save the environment or our wallets.  However, one inevitably wonders why we are building new “green” structures when we could just use the ones we already have.  Reusing an old water bottle instead of buying a new one is a great idea.  Why not reuse the old building instead of building a new one?

That is exactly what the National Trust for Historic preservation and preservationists across the country are advocating.  America has thousands of commercial and residential structures simply lying in ruin or waiting for new use or restoration.  The catch phrase amongs preservationists is now, “the greenest building is the one already built.” Many historic structures are uniquely suited for being brought up to LEED certification.

With this in mind, the National Parks service is considering cost effective options for many of its historic sights including Ft. Sumter, which sits in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.   A preliminary project is underway to evaluate the feasibility of installing solar panels and a backup fuel cell generator.  The Fort currently runs on diesel and saps power from the local power grid.  The team is considering installing the panels on a pier or on the roof of the museum as to not disturb the historic structure.

The major challenge facing green builders is striking a balance between new green construction, refurbishing historic structures in a sustainable way, and outright traditional preservation efforts.  Many warn about confusing a building fad with the true work of preservation.

These two schools of thought clashed recently in New Orleans.  Against the wishes of the Vieux Carré Commission (a preservationist group that works to protect New Orleans’ famous French Quarter structures), the New Orleans City Council approved the first use of solar panels on a house in the French Quarter.  The Council required panels to be black and angled in a particular way to best blend in with the house’s roof.  And despite the protests of the Vieux Carré Commission, many New Orleans residents remarked that the Council’s decision is consistent with the goal of making the French Quarter a vibrant, livable community.  One remarked, “The French Quarter is not some sort of outdoor museum.”  People live and work in New Orleans and it should not be made into Williamsburg, Virginia.  Also expressed were the property rights of an owner of a historic structure

In the meantime there is still no better way to build green than using what already exists.  Building techniques can be utilized to reduce harm to the original structure while newer and more efficient technologies can be integrated into the building.  Green buildings allow their occupants to appreciate the past and utilize a sustainable structure that has its place in the modern world.

Royce DuBiner majored in History at Goucher College and is currently pursing his JD at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.  His interests are History, Preservation, and the South.

Source: triplepundit.com

By Susan DeFreitas | It was a fateful day, forever etched into the memories of those who live on the American Gulf Coast, and beyond: August 29, 2005. This was the day Hurricane Katrina flooded 80 percent of the City of New Orleans, killing 1,577 people. Ground zero for Katrina, so to speak, was the historic Lower 9th Ward, where more than 4,000 homes were destroyed by a combination of surge-water (caused by the breach of the Industrial Canal levee) and the effects of the storm itself.

Two years later, you would expect that much of the area wiped out by the storm would be re-built and re-inhabited. But such was not the case when Brad Pitt–yes, the world-famous actor, of both cinematic and Brangelina fame–toured the City of Dreams. He found the Lower 9th Ward, a once-vibrant neighborhood, was still silent, desolate and destroyed.

Brad Pitt and Bill Clinton, NOLA

image via Make It Right

Frustrated by what he saw as both a failure of government and a general lack of progress, Pitt met with local community groups and families to see what he could do–and shortly thereafter, established the Make It Right Foundation, a non-profit organization charged with a mission to build 150 green, affordable, high-quality homes in the neighborhood closest to the levee breach–a.k.a., the Lower 9th Ward.

The organization was first envisioned in December of 2006 and officially launched a year later, bringing national attention (and $12 in donations) to the need for re-building in New Orleans. Make It Right broke ground on its first project in March of 2008 and since that time, has completed over 70 new homes designed by 21 local, national and international architects, who donated their designs for single family homes and duplexes. (Make It Right’s architects were selected largely by Graftlab, an architecture firm and founding partner in the organization.)

Lower 9th Ward home

image via Make It Right

Talk about a comeback: because all of the homes built by Make It Right to date have been certified as LEED Platinum for their energy efficiency and sustainability, the section of New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward rebuilt by this organization is now “the largest, greenest neighborhood of single family homes in America,” according to the U.S. Green Building Council.

Those who benefit from the program are, of course, the area’s former residents. In order to qualify, applicants must have owned a home in the Lower 9th Ward prior to Hurricane Katrina. They are expected to contribute as much of their own financial resources as possible towards their new, green homes, with state programs likeRoad Home helping to close the gap to securing a loan for those in need. (Make It Right has full-time social workers and financial counselors on staff to support families through the process of qualifying for loans.) But if a former homeowner simply can’t swing the down-payment, Make It Right can subsidize housing as well.

Make it Right Home2

image via Make It Right

Make It Right homeowner Ethel Fletcher of 1637 Tennessee Street was impressed by the organization’s professionalism. A Lower 9th Ward homeowner since 1957–when she moved to the area with her husband–Ms. Fletcher said, “Make It Right seemed legitimate compared to other programs. A lot of people would get your money and rip you off. With Make It Right, you feel like you’re dealing with friendly family people and that’s important when you’re spending a lot of money.”

Ms. Fletcher selected a three bedroom home designed by Billes Architecture. She says it was her number one choice because it was the best design. “It was up high so I could drive my car underneath it, and it has a front and back porch,” she said. “I’ve always wanted a back porch.” Ms. Fletcher is set to return to her old neighborhood in April of this year.

NOLA4

image via Make It Right

Green features of Make It Right homes include a 2.7 to 3.0 kilowatt-capacity solar photovoltaic systems; low-VOC paints, carpets, adhesives and finishes; and recycled materials wherever possible. They feature metal roofs to reduce heat gain and capture rainwater; native plants, rain gardens and green roofs; low flow plumbing and dual-flush toilets; cabinets made from wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council; tankless water heaters; Energy Star Rated appliances and light fixtures; spray foam insulation; and low-e windows and doors.

These homes also take the potential for another Katrina seriously. Each is built 5 or 8 feet off the ground to ensure it stays beyond sustained flood levels, and features a roof hatch, which gives residents a safe way to a secure area on the roof. Other “hurricane-proof” elements include Hurricane Fabric (made of Kevlar) fitted to all windows; advanced framing techniques and specially-engineered wall sections, allowing homes to withstand winds of at least 130mph; an innovative drainage system that keeps water out of the wall system; fiber cement board siding designed to last 50 years against cracking, rotting, hail damage, termites and many other possible problems; Bluwood, an eco-friendly treated lumber product that resists moisture, mold, fungus, wood rot, and termites; and mold-resistent drywall.

What’s Make It Right going to do, once it achieves its mission of building 150 green homes in the Lower 9th Ward? Taylor Royle, Director of Communications for the organization told us, “Make It Right is frequently asked to serve as sustainability consultants on affordable housing for communities around the country. We are interested in helping in other communities, but our main focus for now is on completing our work in New Orleans.”

Information on Make It Right’s homes-in-progress is available online.

Source: Earth Techling LLC

 

Source: http://thebuzzkuzuka.com

By Glenn Meyers – The annual savings resulting from improvements in home energy efficiency provide a compelling reason to launch their own energy-efficiency plan.

The logical next step is to conduct an energy efficiency audit for the home or buildings according to Energy Star, a government program dedicated to energy-efficiency.

Many believe the home energy audit represents the first step in making a person’s home more efficient. According to Energy Star, while an audit can assess how much energy a home uses and evaluate what measures to take for improving efficiency; an audit alone won’t save energy.

ENERGY STAR can provide extensive information about home improvement projects to enhance energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and increase comfort. For do-it-yourself enthusists, it is relatively easy to perform a simple energy audit. Many sites including WellHome provide simple energy surveys that can take only minutes to complete.

For others, it makes more sense to have a professional energy auditor perform a more thorough audit. A home energy auditor can provide specific recommendations for improving the efficiency of a home. WellHome provides energy audits across the US, and is the leading provider of energy retrofitting and energy-efficient installations.

Jocelyn Broyles at Care2, an energy-efficiency company in California, points out that other basics need to be considered:

“While I’m all for energy audits, I’m also all for starting by cutting back on our energy usage, and making our homes more efficient, which can be done without an audit: turn off lights when not in use. Replace all bulbs with CFLs or LEDs. Weatherproof your windows and doors – this one is an amazing money and energy saver.”

Independent Energy Consultants (IEC) who is a partner in the U.S. Energy Star Program employs a number of practical means to lower energy costs in commercial and industrial facilities. IEC begins with low or no-cost initiatives to determine the best and worst performing facilities for companies and corporations.

For inefficient facilities, IEC will then progress through a series of logical steps to identify cost saving measures that provide rapid paybacks. As home owners and companies walk the pathway to energy efficiency, keep these key word in mind. Savings or paybacks, they add up to a very good end.

Source: Energy Star, Care2, Independent Energy Consultants

Source : Greenbuildingelements.com

Photo Source: The Buzz Kukuka

We like to keep up with everything that’s going on in the world of LEED certification here at Trilogy Partners, so we found this news to be really cool. Students studying architecture at Tulane University, along with their professors, have built the first LEED-certified residential project for a first-time home buyer in New Orleans.

According to Editor at Large, this project was a collaboration between URBANbuild, a design-build program at Tulane University in which students take part in, designing and constructing prototypical homes in neighborhoods throughout New Orleans, and the Neighborhood Housing Services.

The home’s owner, Tami Hills, was thrilled to receive a certificate honoring her home’s energy-efficient design. She noted having insulation as one of her favorite aspects of her home because for the first time since she began living in New Orleans, she is “warm in the winter and cool in the summer.”

The porch of Tami Hills' LEED-certified home in New Orleans.

Additional green features of this LEED-certified home include low-E windows, Energy Star electrical features, an energy-saving air conditioner, and sustainable materials such as bamboo flooring and zero-VOC interior paint.

We think this is awesome news for the LEED program! You can learn more about this project at Editor at Large.

Photo credit: Editoratlarge.com.

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