Jetson Green

Leave a comment below through the end of Friday, September 3, 2010, to be considered for this random book giveaway.*

Jerry Yudelson is a green building leader, but he's also a professional engineer with a master's degree in water resource development.  Relying on this background, Yudelson authored a new book called Dry Run: Preventing the Next Urban Water Crisis.  The truth is, as he explains, the global human population is expected to quadruple from 1950 to 2050, placing more and more stress on water resources.  Swift action is necessary to prevent a water crisis, and Dry Run provides a timely set of solutions. 

New Society Publishers provided us with a review copy of the book, which focuses on urban water use, as opposed to agriculture or industry use.  Yudelson discusses water crises all over the world (including Australia) and concludes that the general public needs to develop a "culture of conservation." 

Gathering research and information from interviews of industry experts, the author deftly handles a variety of topics, including the difference between water efficiency and conservation, the linkage between energy and water use, and the relationship between various certification systems and water usage. 

Yudelson devotes a solid portion of text to what he calls the colors of water: blue water, graywater, brown water, blackwater, green water, zen water, and new water.  After that, Yudelson examines two Texas cities and two California cities -- all hit with varying degrees of drought -- and how each city successfully managed water issues. 

Speaking to activists, citizens, building managers, homeowners, designers, developers, and officials alike, Yudelson concludes with a 10-step program to drastically reduce water consumption and create green jobs at the same time.  It's an important book for our generation and worth reading, particularly if you're interested in doing something about water scarcity before it becomes a massive societal problem. 

[+] Buy Dry Run by Jerry Yudelson on Amazon.

*To participate in this giveaway contest, leave a comment here by midnight MST on Friday, September 3, 2010.  One comment per person; use a valid email; available only in the United States.  By leaving a comment, you agree to the terms and conditions relating to giveaways on Jetson Green.

Recently I had the opportunity to talk with Kevin Romano of SquallCo Development about his new website and modern green homes offered on Long Beach Island. The development company has two home plans, the smaller called Akamai and the other called Ohana, which have been designed in a joint venture with Steve Midouhas. With these, SquallCo hopes to make warm, modern, sustainable homes more approachable to folks in the area.

Akamai, pictured in the first three renderings, is a 1,250 square foot home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. At roughly half the size of typical new construction, Akamai uses natural lighting and indoor/outdoor spaces to provide a larger experience.

Ohana, pictured in the bottom two renderings, is a 2,250 square foot home with multiple living areas, two bedroom suites, and abundant outdoor space. This design works well in the multi-generational context by offering some privacy to each side.

SquallCo uses a hybrid model of on and off-site fabrication and expects to be able to build these homes in less than four to five months. With all design fees, permits, construction, landscaping, and finishes considered, cost of construction should be about $250 per square foot.

In terms of environmental strategies, SquallCo prioritizes reduction of energy use, reduction/elimination of toxins, reduction of water waste, and facilitation of 100% water permeability. Through design and construction, the idea is to reduce the environmental impact of each home from the beginning.

[+] Get more info on SquallCo Fresh Shore Homes.

Credits: SquallCo.

If Apple were to sell a homes, perhaps they would look something like this.  The v100 Mod Box is a 10' x 10' x 10' cube made with green materials, state of the art appliances, and stylish fixtures.  It's a new kind of structure that can be assembled by anyone -- no tools required -- and lives comfortably despite the fact that its footprint is so tiny. 

Shown is a pair of Mod Boxes.  One box has the kitchen and living room, while the other has the bedroom and bathroom.  Amenities include walnut cabinets, an induction cooktop, a Fagor refrigerator, and Duravit sinks and shower and toilet.  

The company that makes the v100 Mod Box was co-founded by Vincenz Saccento, an industry veteran behind the V2 Flat.  Saccento told me in a telephone conversation that v100 Mod Box will cost about the same as "stick and stucco" construction but the real value is in quick and easy assembly. 

Mod Box can be used for larger applications, such as for hotels and multifamily projects.  Saccento is working on a few such projects with builder and co-founder Robert Antonio Mazzullo and will share more detail in the coming months. 

In the mean time, keep in mind that this tiny prefab requires no nails, no screws, and no paint.  It's low-maintenance and can be built anywhere in the world.  If it is what it sounds like, it could be the next generation of prefab and completely revolutionary. 

[+] Get more info on the v100 Mod Box.

Credits: Andrew Urban.

Roughly 39 articles later, it's hard to believe it's September with the new season fast approaching.  Last month, our most popular article on Facebook was this one on i-house 2.0, while the most shared article on Twitter was this one on an edible living wall.  For more green coverage, stay current with our weekly email newsletter delivered every Saturday.  Below you'll find a gathering of links from last month. 

Developments & Projects:

• Natural Green Townhomes on the East Coast
• Fantastic Monastic Modules in Big Sur, California
• The Belmont Earns LEED Silver in Dallas
• Green Maxie Moderne Townhomes in Houston
• New Luxury LEED Vineyard Resort in Oregon

Prefab & Homes:

• Prefab Green Home Office in East Bay
• Net Zero Energy Sungazing House in Park City
• Clayton Homes Previews Stylish i-house 2.0
• LEED Platinum Remodel in North Carolina
• California LivingHome Earns LEED Platinum
• Traditional Style Passive House in Oregon
• Modern Green Courtyard House in Florida
• New Zero Series Prefab from Studio 101
• Flexible Kpod Tiny Studio from KitHAUS
• Low Impact Container Studio in Texas
• Compact Modern Fortino of Dreams
• Green Showhouse Planned in Missouri
• Smart Green Homes from Minimalist+
• Net Zero Playhouse in Orange County
• Blu Relaunches Glidehouse Green Prefab
• Modern Green LVL Prefab in British Columbia

Technology & Products Innovation:

• No-flush Touch-free Urinal for Homes
• Lush Edible Living Wall in Los Angeles
• Home Depot Selling Cheap LEDs Online
• Using Smart Insight to Conserve Energy
• Express: New Recycled Content Ceramic Tile
• RUBBiSH: Old Tires Now a Sink Surface
• Dune Stylish Wall Tiles by urbanproduct
• Vibrant Succulent Wall in Newport Beach
• Easy Plug-in Solar from Clarian Power

Interesting & Green News:

• Taking the Pulse of Green Consumers
• The (Green) Tiny House Movement
• Three Affordable Tiny Houses without Borders
• Finding and Selling Reclaimed Building Materials
• Best Comment: Square Footage Bashing
• Week in Review Archives

August Monthly Word Cloud by Wordle.

Planted in the middle of a new vineyard in Newberg, a small town in Willamette Valley, The Allison Inn and Spa is doing some amazing things in terms of reducing the ecological footprint associated with typically high-impact hospitality operations.  The resort and vineyard was designed by GGLO to save 48% on utility costs, as well as reduce potable water use by 78% and overall water use by 37%, compared to a comparable non-green project. 

The Allison was completed in September last year and has been certified to the LEED Gold level.  The project includes 85 guest rooms, conference space, a spa, and a restaurant that sources a portion of its herbs, fruits, and vegetables on-site. 

In addition to a 10,000 square green roof (pictured below), which helps control stormwater runoff and minimize the need for energy, The Allison is powered in part by a 55 kW photovoltaic array.  Also, 3,800 square feet of solar hot water is collected on the roof for use in the kitchen, laundry, guest rooms, and spa. 

All together, The Allison received everything but two points in the energy category of LEED certification.  Other elements that contribute toward energy conservation include double-pane windows, variable refrigerant volume heating and cooling, and energy-efficient lighting and controls. 

About nine acres of the total project has a unique eco-turf that requires no fertilizer and little water, while providing a natural habitat.  There's also a purple pipe system that will be connected to the city's reclaimed water line in the future to completely eliminate the use of potable water for landscape irrigation at The Allison. 

The resort features 325 pieces of art from local artists.  Furthermore, 24% of materials are regionally sourced and manufactured, 28% of materials contain recycled content, and just over half of wood products are FSC certified. 

[+] Stay at The Allison Inn & Spa in Willamette Valley, Oregon.

Credits: Barbara Kraft Photography (#2); GGLO (all others).

Consumption: watts up? How I (almost) saved the earth. Saving energy by conserving water. Thinking green: it's not black and white. Marketers should heed FTC Green Guidelines. Good-bye McMansion, hello tiny house. Deconstruction versus demolition. Also, subscribe to our weekly newsletter for updates, article summaries, newsworthy links, and other site news. Preston Koerner

• Consumption: watts up?
• How I (almost) saved the earth.
• Saving energy by conserving water.
• Thinking green: it's not black and white.
• Marketers should heed FTC Green Guidelines.
• Good-bye McMansion, hello tiny house.
• Deconstruction versus demolition.

Also, subscribe to our weekly newsletter for updates, article summaries, newsworthy links, and other site news.

It's been a great week for prefab enthusiasts -- with news from LivingHomes, KitHAUS, and Blu Homes -- but there's still more.  Recently, developers at Kootenay Lake Village completed this LVL prefab near Nelson, British Columbia.  The new home has double insulated walls, high grade energy efficient windows, low-flow bathroom fixtures, and a green roof, just to name a few of its green features.  

The LVL is about 25 x 60 feet and has approximately 1,453 square feet.  Included in the floor plan is an open living room, dining room, and kitchen, as well as three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and some closets.  If you're in the market, pricing for the LVL starts at $42,950.

The open house is on September 4, 2010, from 10:00 - 4:00 pm, and the home is sited within a waterfront development surrounded by 300 acres of preserved community park space and forest ecosystems.

[+] More on this Rocio Romero LVL Open House in British Columbia.

Credits: Kootenay Lake Village.

It's been a great week for prefab enthusiasts -- with news from LivingHomes, KitHAUS, and Blu Homes -- but there's still more. Recently, developers at Kootenay Lake Village completed this LVL prefab near Nelson, British Columbia. The new home has double insulated walls, high grade energy efficient windows, low-flow bathroom fixtures, and a green roof, just to name a few of its green features. The LVL is about 25 x 60 feet and has approximately 1,453 square feet. Included in... Preston Koerner

In his Cool Product of the Week article, Alex Wilson has the story on this Baja urinal designed for residential use by the Waterless Company.  The no-flush, touch-free toilet retails for $248 and has to potential to save about 3,250 gallons of water per year, assuming a home with two males, three uses, and 340 days, according to Building Green.

Baja is made with a patented EcoTrap system.  Basically, fluid flows down into the drain insert and passes through BlueSeal, which is a biodegradable trap liquid that's lighter than water or urine.  After about 20 seconds, waste liquid overflows into the central tube and down the drain. 

In marketing materials, Waterless Company touts two main benefits -- other than water conservation -- to its no-flush EcoTrap toilet: (1) odor elimination through the use of BlueSeal (pictured above), and (2) inhibited bacteria due to fixture dryness.

Baja, made with vitreous china, is smaller than what you may be accustomed to seeing in commercial or retail establishments.  Several colors are available through custom orders as well. 

Waterless Company estimates the payback on Baja is anywhere from one to three years, depending on a variety of factors.  So, I guess the question is: can you see using a no-flush urinal in your home?

[+] Get more info on the Baja Waterless Urinal for Home Use.

Credits: Waterless Co.

In his Cool Product of the Week article, Alex Wilson has the story on this Baja urinal designed for residential use by the Waterless Company. The no-flush, touch-free toilet retails for $248 and has to potential to save about 3,250 gallons of water per year, assuming a home with two males, three uses, and 340 days, according to Building Green. Baja is made with a patented EcoTrap system. Basically, fluid flows down into the drain insert and passes through BlueSeal,... Preston Koerner

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to tour this newly-built net-zero energy home in Park City, Utah.  The Sungazing House, built by Tall Pines Construction and designed by Jean Yves Lacroix, is home to the O'Meara family of four and features impressive views of the surrounding area.  Perhaps more impressive, however, is the fact that it's pursuing Passive House, LEED Platinum, and NAHB Emerald certifications. 

Sungazing House was designed and built to minimize the need for energy.  It does this with site orientation, quad-pane Serious Windows, insulated 12" walls and a 16" ceiling, airtight construction, an HRV, Energy Star appliances, all LED lighting, a reflective roof, and thoughtful overhangs. 

In fact, the ultra-efficient home is not a net user of electricity from the power grid.  Moreover, according to the builder, Sungazing House doesn't require gas for space or water heating because it's ultra-efficient and relies on solar hot water panels and underground water storage tanks. 

One side of the home has a thick concrete facade lined with phase change wax that absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night.  This wall is certain to help with heating bills when the best snow on earth arrives in a few months. 

The O'Meara's home is in the desert, so water conservation is as much a priority as energy efficiency.  Products used include dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets and shower heads, and drip irrigation for native, drought-tolerant plantings.  

Sungazing House puts aspiration into practice, incorporating passive solar design and pretty much every green building certification system on the market.  The 3,800 square foot home has four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.  If you're in the area, it's one of nine homes on the Park City Showcase of Homes continuing the next two weekends. 

[+] See more photos of this Net-Zero Energy Green Home in Park City.

Credits: Jetson Green, LLC.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to tour this newly-built net-zero energy home in Park City, Utah. The Sungazing House, built by Tall Pines Construction and designed by Jean Yves Lacroix, is home to the O'Meara family of four and features impressive views of the surrounding area. Perhaps more impressive, however, is the fact that it's pursuing Passive House, LEED Platinum, and NAHB Emerald certifications. Sungazing House was designed and built to minimize the need for energy. It does this... Preston Koerner

Yesterday, LivingHomes announced that this modern prefab in Newport Beach received LEED Platinum certification. Designed by KieranTimberlake, the KTLH1.5 model home was a showcase for TED 2009 and features stylish, contemporary interiors from Kristin Kilmer Design. Steve Glenn, CEO of LivingHomes, said the home "uses far less energy, water, and materials resources than most homes and ... has far better indoor air quality." The Newport Beach prefab was built with blown-in insulation, high performance windows, low-flow fixtures, dual-flush toilets, bio-composite... Preston Koerner

Yesterday, LivingHomes announced that this modern prefab in Newport Beach received LEED Platinum certification.  Designed by KieranTimberlake, the KTLH1.5 model home was a showcase for TED 2009 and features stylish, contemporary interiors from Kristin Kilmer Design.  Steve Glenn, CEO of LivingHomes, said the home "uses far less energy, water, and materials resources than most homes and ... has far better indoor air quality."

The Newport Beach prefab was built with blown-in insulation, high performance windows, low-flow fixtures, dual-flush toilets, bio-composite wood siding, recycled glass tiles, recycled steel, engineered lumber, mini-duct air distribution, and a central vacuum system, according to a press release.

The owners also installed rooftop solar photovoltaics to reduce the amount of energy used from non-renewable sources.  Indeed, as with other homes by LivingHomes, this one is a low-impact showcase that keeps showing off. 

LivingHomes has several other homes in production and anticipates more in the Orange County area.  If you're on the West Coast and want to tour a green prefab, the public is invited to tour this one in Newport Beach, which will be open October 9-10, 2010. 

[+] Configure your own KTLH 1.5 through LivingHomes.

Credit: Scott Mayoral Photography.

Blu Homes continues to dominate the green prefab world.  Today the company announced the relaunch of Glidehouse, a gorgeous home originally made famous by Michelle Kaufmann.  Glidehouse will be available nationally and built in Blu's own factory using the company's proprietary steel and wood framing system.  The new Glidehouse retains all of the signature features of the old design and can be purchased for $360,000+.

When constructed, Glidehouse will be airtight, energy efficient, and built to the standards of the American Lung Association Healthy House program.  More specifically, green elements include no-VOC paints, dual-pane windows and doors, FSC certified woods, bamboo flooring, PaperStone countertops, etc. 

Massive window walls give Glidehouse fabulous panoramic views, while retractable cedar sunshades can be used to filter light and air as needed. 

The home is available with 2-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, and anywhere from 1,632-2,244 square feet.  Moreover, an optional pod is available from $75,000. 

Pricing includes the house, standard materials and finishes, delivery, set up, and finish work by Blu Homes.  Pricing does not include permits, excavation, foundation, finish painting, outdoor elements, and some engineering aspects. 

[+] Learn more about the new Glidehouse from Blu Homes.

Credits: John Swain, Blu Homes.

Blu Homes continues to dominate the green prefab world. Today the company announced the relaunch of Glidehouse, a gorgeous home originally made famous by Michelle Kaufmann. Glidehouse will be available nationally and built in Blu's own factory using the company's proprietary steel and wood framing system. The new Glidehouse retains all of the signature features of the old design and can be purchased for $360,000+. When constructed, Glidehouse will be airtight, energy efficient, and built to the standards of the... Preston Koerner

Minarc recently took an R+D Award from Architect Magazine for this sink made of recycled rubber tires. RUBBiSH, as it's called, is made through a process whereby tires are melted, stripped of particulates and impurities, and stretched in a lightweight layer over a sub-material to create the surface. RUBBiSH is available in a 1/8 inch sheet of rubber or in a framed option where the product is held in place by two sheets of aluminum at the countertop edge. [+]... Preston Koerner

Minarc recently took an R+D Award from Architect Magazine for this sink made of recycled rubber tires.  RUBBiSH, as it's called, is made through a process whereby tires are melted, stripped of particulates and impurities, and stretched in a lightweight layer over a sub-material to create the surface. RUBBiSH is available in a 1/8 inch sheet of rubber or in a framed option where the product is held in place by two sheets of aluminum at the countertop edge. 

[+] Read more about RUBBiSH in Architect Magazine.

Credits: Minarc.

KitHAUS, a California-based prefab company, recently introduced a tiny new design called the Kpod.  The 117 square-foot structure is made with bolt-together aluminum framing, SIPs, dual-glazed windows, cement board siding, and either a wood or steel clad sliding barn door.  KitHAUS specially designed a solar power and HVAC system for the Kpod, though solar is not included in the sub-$20,000 price tag.  Perfect for shedworking, Kpod is ideal as a backyard studio, workout space, or something similar. 

[+] Get more info on Kpod from kitHAUS.

Credits: kitHAUS.