Believe Walk

On Sunday, October 2, 2011, Stater Bros. Charities and Inland Women Fighting Cancer are teaming up to present the 4th Annual Believe Walk in the historic district of Redlands.  BELIEVE – INSPIRATION – MIRACLE – HOPE – TRANSFORMATION – COURAGE!

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

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…)

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.