David Gulyas

Architecture 2030: Green Design Imperative

Architecture 2030 is a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization established in response to the global-warming crisis by architect Edward Mazria.  Because "buildings are the major source of demand for energy and materials that produce by-product greenhouse gases",  Mazria is calling on everyone in the field of design and architecture pledge to change to sustainable design. Architecture 2030's  research page is sobering:

"Think you're making a difference?  Think again: There are 151 new conventional coal fired power plants in various stages of development in the US today.  Home Depot is funding the planting of 300,000 trees in cities across the US to help absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions...  The CO2 emissions from only one medium-sized (500 MW) coal-fired power plant, in just 10 days of operation, will negate this entire effort."

 

Green Renovation

Ecovation shares case studies from owners who have renovated their homes to make them more ecologically sound.  It's right on target with advice for those who want to update their existing home -- and let's face it, there are more old houses than new ones, and if we're ever going to make an impact we have to be able to save the old houses, too.  Since this site is from the UK, we're talking really old homes, like from the year 1700.

Green Home Renovation

Realizing that I spend a lot of time talking about new green homes, I was glad to see this article in the LATimes on  Green Homes in the Los Angeles area.   Helped by the generous California incentives for installing energy-saving features, homeowners of all kinds -- from the owner of a 2,200 square foot "green dream" house to a woman who has painstakingly remodeled her 1,000 square foot house -- are taking steps to change the way they live at home.  Materials for green renovation are getting more and more affordable.

" 'Five years ago, the environmentally healthier or higher-performing building materials and products were harder to find. It was still a niche market, and they were more expensive,' said Charles Lockwood, a Santa Monica-based environmental real estate consultant. Now, you see Home Depot offering eco-options. 'This brings it down to everyday Americans. You don't have to go to a special place to find it. It's right there and at a good price.'

Home builders and buyers also have a better way of identifying environmentally friendly homes, thanks to the U.S. Green Building Council's seal of approval.  The group's residential Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System will be formally launched this fall after a two-year pilot program. It was designed to encourage builders to keep the costs of green homes similar to those of traditional new houses, the council said."

When you consider the money you'll save on energy costs, green renovation becomes even more affordable.