Federal Buildings Going Green
05.19.2011
Agencies face many mandates to become more environmentally friendly: Reduce gasoline consumption in cars and trucks, lower water use and greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt more renewable energy sources, among others. But the mandate that agencies struggle with most is one to convert their existing buildings to meet green standards. That means decreasing energy use […]
Ralph Lauren’s Telluride Home on Oprah Today
05.18.2011
The Oprah Winfrey Show is heading to the Rocky Mountains today to interview celebrity designer Ralph Lauren at his Double RL ranch in Telluride. Ralph Lauren has granted Oprah a first time ever look inside his Colorado mountain estate that he built from the ground up. Lauren told Architectural Digest that “Colorado was for us […]
‘Net zero water’ sets highest standard yet for ‘green’ buildings
05.18.2011
In one of Seattle’s most urban neighborhoods, a small elementary school is trying to wean itself off the city’s water grid. The toilet composts and treats waste on site rather than flushing it into city sewer pipes. Water washed down sinks doesn’t flow into storm drains but recirculates to a 14-foot-high wall filled with plants, […]
Home Radon Facts and Cures
05.17.2011
More than a decade ago a spec home we’d built went under contract. As a part of the sales contract the purchasers requested a radon test. When the test came back higher than that recommended by the EPA, the buyers requested mitigation. So we installed a foundation fan that completely cured the problem and the […]
Children’s Groups sue US government over atmospheric pollution
05.16.2011
Coalition of environmentalists claim government has failed to protect the atmosphere Lawyers representing children and young adults filed a series of lawsuits against the US government alleging that its agencies have fallen short in their duty to protect the Earth’s atmosphere for future generations. Cases are to be launched in every state and Washington DC, […]
Let the Sun Shine In
05.16.2011
Here in the Colorado High Country, it’s been a long, cold winter. It’s mid May and it snowed the last two days. Which is why today, with the sun out and temperatures rising, I’m reminded of just how important the sun is. And it’s not just about passive heating, I’m talking about how sun warms […]
iPad home automation built-in to new custom homes in Colorado
05.14.2011
The Denver Post recently ran a story about a custom home builder that is turning the iPad into a built-in control center for an entire home automation system. The system can control your lights, motorized shades, music and TV systems, baby monitors, and even the swimming pool. Automation systems controlling everything in your house have […]
Americans are Downsizing
05.13.2011
Smaller homes are big these days, according to Build Direct. Studies show that Americans no longer want or need large floor plans and more square footage than necessary. These days, homeowners and buyers are downsizing for four main reasons: Economic/financial reasons People want to live simpler lives, partly because of the struggling economy Parents have […]
Green Building Materials Demand To Expand 13%
05.13.2011
Demand For Certified Lumber, Recycled Content Concrete, Green Floor Coverings, And Other Efficient Fixtures Will See Double-Digit Growth Through 2015. International business research company The Freedonia Group released an industry forecast detailing the growth of demand for green building materials through 2015. According to the report, U.S. demand for green building materials (products which can contribute […]
