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…)

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 Last Sipper - Frog's Leap Winery - Napa Valley

Sustainability, Organic Grapes, Green Building and Fine Wine

Venturing into the heart of the picturesque Rutherford region of Napa Valley we wine “disciples” meandered past an old historical red barn towards the Frog’s Leap Winery “green” hospitality farmhouse. We weren’t here looking for green wineries or organic wine, nor were we looking for frogs.  We were, of course, looking for good wines, new discoveries and a great time with friends. We entered the farmhouse and were waiting to be seated when I noticed a “LEED Silver” green certification plaque on a little table in the back (it is the first LEED certified building in Napa County). I asked about what things were green about the building. The answer I was given and the fact that there wasn’t a lot of hoopla about it made me realize that (more…)

Uncle Sam Wants You(r)... Green

Your home improvement may be green without your knowing it.

“The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.” – Mark Twain

The tax man cometh, so in an effort to help you gain back some of your hard earned green and reducing your energy bills I bring The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which extended and expanded earlier laws.  Make sure you have consulted your tax consultant or accountant if you have made or plan to make any improvements or upgrades to your home,  especially if you purchased or are in need of expensive items such as new air conditioning, water heaters or windows.  Your improvement maybe green without (more…)

Solar Panels on top of a parking structure at LACCD

$6 billion dollars to spend on building and they’re doing it green

I attended a U.S. Green Building Council-Inland Empire meeting at the Frontier Project (a green demonstration building at CVWD) in Rancho Cucamonga last Thursday night.  The guest speaker was an innovative out of the box thinker and doer named Larry H. Eisenberg, the executive director of Facilities Planning and Development for the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), the largest community college district in the nation.

Eisenberg begins by showing slides of early 1900′s New York, the buildings in the picture were narrow and had awnings, two green building strategies that are being used today to save energy, improve cross ventilation and bring in daylight.  Its interesting to note that in 1904 New York City passed a law that all vehicles in the City were required to be electric, (more…)