Photo caption: The Living Roof, a 2.5 acre rooftop above the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park on November 5, 2009. Some say the new 'Calgreen' voluntary rating system clashes with the museum's LEED rating system. Robert Galbraith/Reuters/File California continues to take the national lead in environmental protection. The California Building Standards Commission voted unanimously…
For Seattle resident Andy Luk, it's always been about his dog, Spiff. The massive mutt is as much a fixture in Luk's home as his collection of Asian- and nature-inspired artwork and delicate antique furniture. The reason Luk found his hillside home in the first place? Spiff. Almost a decade ago, Luk was taking Spiff…
Posty Cards, Inc., a manufacturer of personalized business greeting cards in Kansas City, has broken ground on a $6.4 million expansion/remodel that is being built to LEED v3 Gold green building standards. When the project is completed in July 2010, the new facility will feature a large solar photovoltaic array, solar heated water, high efficiency HVAC,…
Mari Strain, owner of Flooring Alternatives, a green flooring retailer that offers consulting services and ships products across the country, says that the range of sustainable flooring options continues to grow. For example, there are now more Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)–certified wood flooring products available. “It’s also more recognized,” she says. “LEED helps bring awareness…
It's hard not to feel that your old house renovation project has gone astray when you find yourself scuttling around inside a rain-soaked Dumpster. And that's exactly where I was a few weeks back, sifting through tons of old plaster, brick and demolition debris after an essential piece of original bathroom plumbing from our 1924…
A new national survey released today finds Americans once again prefer aesthetic home improvements – a refinished kitchen or bathroom – over money-saving improvements, such as energy-efficient windows or a high-efficiency furnace. The survey, the fifth annual Energy Pulse survey conducted by Shelton Group, found that consumers are reverting to their old priorities as the…
Los Angeles’ North Central Animal Care Center has officially become the first LEED Gold certified animal shelter in the United States. An extensive remodel of the center, first constructed in the early 1970s, was unveiled in October of 2006. Originally awarded silver certification, the addition of more sustainable features and their documentation has recently led…
A project helping New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina, fronted by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, will build what's being dubbed as the 'largest and greenest community of single-family homes' in the world. The post-Katrina housing initiative Make It Right New Orleans has already built 13 homes that meet the highest standards of the US Green…
U.S. homes waste a lot of energy, but who has the money to remodel? The White House is pushing for financing mechanisms to ease the burden. Joe Biden wants to remodel your home and help you figure out how to pay for it. The Vice President today unveiled Recovery through Retrofit (full report here), a…
A performance by environmental advocate and nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow will help open the Greenbuild 2009 Conference, which will be held Nov. 11 to 13 in Phoenix. More than 25,000 people attend Greenbuild every year, and its increasing profile and size led the U.S. Green Building Council to open this year’s event at Chase…