In this post by architecture critic James Russell, he tours Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation’s homes in New Orleans 9th Ward. I agree with his conclusion that they are symbolically invaluable, but does it make sense to build these homes in a place that will most likely be devastated once again. He also has some excellent points about the architecture and the surrounding area. Ultimately the foundation is doing something down there that is having a real and profound effect, and this is one of my credos: Just Do Something.

Full Story: Brad Pitt’s Architects Give New Orleans Safer, Snazzier Homes

Whether you agree with it or not California’s new green building code (CALGreen) is looming on the horizon (going into effect January 1, 2011) and developers, architects, planners, engineers, plan checkers, inspectors, building officials and others involved in designing and approving new construction are scrambling to wrap their arms around the new code and what it means to each tier in the development process. This is the nation’s first mandatory state-wide green building code, intended to encourage more sustainable (more…)

Ever wonder about those people who spend $2 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backward.  — George Carlin

Everyone needs water and most of us are concerned about where our water comes from, not to mention our addiction to the convenience factor, that’s why we Americans choose bottled water to the tune of more than 16 billion dollars a year.  Amazingly today, in our high tech modern world, still over one sixth of the world’s population does not have access to reliable and safe drinking water, including more (more…)

Plastic for Good

This is a fun, powerful and inspiring video clip (with great music as well) about THE HIPPO WATER ROLLER, made of plastic, a barrel-shaped container which holds 24 gallons of water and rolls along the ground.  (more…)

Helping with Daddy's Pile - a compost lesson.

By Brett G. Varner

For the five years we have lived in our house, I have thought about composting.  Our relatively small yard has 3 large and mature trees:  a fruit producing mulberry, an elm and a California Oak.  All three, combined with the lawns, are very prolific at producing green waste.  It is far more than our green waste bin from the City can handle each week.

Composting seemed like a very good idea, but I didn’t know anything about it.  I always assumed the first step was to learn how to build, and then actually construct, a composting bin system.  Each year, I would look at the piles of leaves in the yard and think, (more…)

The new California Green Building Code (CALGreen) goes into effect January 1, 2011 and it has a lot people are wondering how this is going to effect the building industry in California. Another big question is now, with this new green code going into effect, do we really need other green building standard, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System™)? This presentation that took place last month on “Where Does LEED Fit with the New California Green Building Code?” given by Malcolm Lewis of CTG Energetics for the USGBC-Orange County gives a very good overview of the subject.

LEED vs CALGreen Bottom Line

Direct comparisons between LEED and CALGreen are tough to accomplish in detail.  The structures, language and rating levels are very different.  In order to achieve LEED certification and CALGreen it will require additional documentation.  Here are some of the key points from the presentation:

• Mandatory elements in CALGreen satisfy 10 LEED points according to a CTG Study.
• CALGreen may not satisfy LEED prerequisites.
• Depending on which options you take Tier II in CALGreen may get an additional 25-40 LEED points.
• LEED is a voluntary private green building rating system that is fee based.
• CALGreen is a mandatory code with voluntary components.  Extra bureaucratic costs will be a burden passed to local jurisdictions who may pass that on in a processing fee.