sustainable

The 'Sonoma House' is a gorgeous, barn-style, 1200sqft granny home with a modern interior that is healthier, more energy efficient, and better for the environement! Additional environmental products featured with the home are: reclaimed local wood installed for floors, PV solar system, rainwater catchment system, built in recycling system, ICF foundation forms, smart vents, cool metal roof (as seen in example photo), lime plaster, and more! In 2002, Nichoel Farris founded American Home Sales, a local prefab home design company specializing in factory built custom homes and cottages. Because of the lack of affordable green building options available to the average family, she worked with the EPA's Energy Star New Homes program to design and develop the first Green Manufactured Model Home. The Sonoma House will be open daily for tour at the Spring Auburn Home Show. May 16- - May 18 For more info or to tour the other Green Model Homes on display: American Home Sales 530.885.4555. Custom Home Design Services and Full Construction Available Serving California and some neighboring states.

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GreenerBuildings News: March 27, 2008
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Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.
A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST GREEN BUILDINGS NEWS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

TIAA-CREF to Improve Energy Efficiency of its Portfolio by 10 Percent
The institutional real estate investor plans to improve the energy efficiency of
its portfolio, which consists of 43 million square feet of office buildings and
other properties, by 2010.

German Parliament Heading for 100 Percent Renewable Power
The German Reichstag is set to become the first parliamentary building in the
world to use only renewable energy.

Wal-Mart's Latest Green Store Slashes Energy Use
Wal-Mart unveiled a new store prototype Tuesday that will use nearly half as
much energy as a conventional Supercenter. Its HE.5 prototype is the first to be
designed around a specific climate.

San Francisco Officials Move Green Building Codes Forward
The city is on its way to imposing the strictest green building codes for new
large construction and renovation.

Travelers Expands Property Coverage to Support Green Building
The insurance company is now one of many to promote the use of green building
alternatives when rebuilding.

CU-Boulder Researchers Turning Waste Into Building Materials
Architecture researchers at the university are using cellulose -- paper,
cardboard and wood waste -- to create high-performance building panels.

Green Building is Best Bet for CO2 Cuts in N. America: Report
A report from a trinational group says green building can cut carbon emissions
fastest and most effectively, but also warns about what barriers are holding
back widespread acceptance of green building.

Energy Star Developing Data Center Rating
Dozens of companies and organizations are helping create an Energy Star rating
to provide standards and benchmarks for data centers.

New Regs Aim to Control Construction Waste
All construction projects in England costing more than £300,000 will soon need
plans setting out how building materials and other waste products will be
removed from the site.

San Diego State University Offers Green Building Education Online
A new online course at San Diego State University offers training on green
construction and design.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

I read an interesting article in Metropolis last night, "Going Local" by James Howard Kunstler.

I encourage you to read it.

It sent me off on a slightly different tangent of reflection. We are inundated by "green" and we all try to stay on track as encouraging gentle lifestyles in a positive way without sinking into greenwashing’s shiny consumerism or the hoarse blaring of a death-toll message shouted in spittle mouthed fear.

But there was just something there, in this article, that made me think about what my own identity of "green" is, and how it has changed.

Many here were green before there was "green"- I mean, you’re talkin’ to a girl who grew up with a family farm, who always had a vegetable garden and composting, and whose family had solar panels in the ’70s.

What changed?

For myself, my vegetables became not just a pleasure and addition to our table, but where, in an urban environment, I carefully plan and rely on fresh produce from our garden.

It was the perplexing realization that I do not have the *right* in my city to have minigoats for milk or hens for fresh eggs in my large, fenced-in back yard- that just bothers me! I strongly feel that every human should have the right to rely on themselves for sustenance, and as someone committed to helping those less fortunate, it frustrates me that these families with meager incomes don’t have the right to provide their families with fresh eggs and milk.

Having children, it was the knowledge I gleaned from information on GMOs, hormones in meat and milk, pesticides, and the horrible factory farm conditions and the great respect for life I have that led me to only purchase meat from people I know whose animals are free-range and naturally fed, to raise heirloom vegetables, save seed, and patronize our neighbors’ farms.

It was the shock of reading about how our seed companies are purposely creating vegetables and grains that will not produce viable seed so that you (and farmers) will have to purchase their seeds each season!

It was the fun of a science experiment:
I giggle over solar cooking, yet it has changed my life. With two young children whining to stay outside instead of forcing them indoors so momma can make dinner, I now just throw food in the solar oven and… go off and play!

The cold frames I use enable me to defy cold weather, giving the seeds just enough more heat to resist freezing and get an early start on production.

And as someone in the green building industry, it was the disgust I felt as I saw endless tracts of vinyl, huge, ugly, inefficient houses being the major choice a home buyer has, and even then they are out of financial reach for most first time home buyers.

So, there you have it, my latest musings as I stand up on the cafeteria room chair to rant…

So, who is gonna kick me off today?
; )

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GreenerBuildings News: March 13, 2008
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Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST GREEN BUILDINGS NEWS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

SMBs Save Energy and $700K
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55695
More than 2,500 businesses in a suburb southeast of San Francisco participated
in an energy efficiency program that will save one megawatt of energy annually.
That translates to roughly $700,000 a year in energy savings.

New Software Helps Companies Control Energy and Emissions
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55705
PeopleCube and Building Sustainability Ltd. have joined forces to offer software
that will help companies better manage their energy consumption and greenhouse
gas emissions.

AMB Opens Southeast's First LEED Industrial Building in Port of Savannah
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55718
The real estate investment company's 347,000 square foot facility will be
certified to LEED-Silver levels, and is the first building in a planned green
business park at the fast-growing shipping facility.

ACE USA Offers Green Restoration Policy
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55694
The insurance company is now one of many to allow certain policyholders to
upgrade their buildings in environmentally friendly ways after being damaged.

Insurance Company Adds Eco-Friendly Coverage for Commercial Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55674
Lexington Insurance Company's Upgrade to Green coverage now applies to
commercial buildings, allowing sites to meet green building standards.

London Aims for a 25 Percent Energy Cut in Public Buildings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55662
Through the Clinton Climate Initiative, London is partnering with energy service
companies to reduce the energy use of its public buildings.

ICC to Develop Green Building Certification
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55686
The International Code Council will unveil a certification program to ensure
that code officials understand the application of green building technologies.

Summit Boasts Green Real Estate Opportunities
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55698
The most cost-effective ways to use green building practices and available
incentives for sustainability were some of the topics at the 2008 Green Real
Estate Summit.

New Green Building Classes Added in Pacific Northwest
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55683
A Pacific Northwest green building group will add a nine-month certification
course to the newly formed Cascadia Sustainability Academy.

Calif. Awards Green Schools Grant
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55670
California's State Allocation Board issued the first award under the High
Performance Incentive Grant program aimed at encouraging green building
practices in schools.

CarbonLite Programme Boosts Low Energy Building
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55659
CarbonLite offers resources and assistance in building low-energy and low-carbon
residential and commercial buildings.

U.K. Group Helps Builders Meet and Exceed Waste Legislation
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55653
The Waste & Resource Action Program is offering a free template for Site Waste
Management Plans, which will soon be mandatory for construction, as well as best
practices for cutting waste.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Users' Guide to Green Performance Contracting
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=97382
This guide from the Leonardo Academy addresses how all interested parties can
bring sustainability into performance contracting.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/tools.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-= NEW FEATURES & COLUMNS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

How BIM and Green Tech Will Change the Construction Industry
By Scott Boutwell
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55702
Building Information Modeling, coupled with an array of alternative energy and
green building technologies, is quickly changing how construction and
renovations happen, and bringing high performance buildings to a new level.

LEED Certifi-able vs. LEED Certified
Simi Hoque, Environmental Design + Construction
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55720
In Boston, a new code requires all new construction over 50,000 square feet be
LEED certifiable (note the suffix), which is a little like saying that buildings
must be greenish. The code's stipulation of certifiable is a missed opportunity,
a weak gesture by city leaders to promote sustainable development in Boston.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ecobuilding 2008
http://greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=94969

Host: ANAB-Brasil
Date: May 23-25, 2008
Location: Paulista University/Sao Paulo/SP/Brazil

The conference is designed to enlarge the knowledge and discussion national and
international level on sustainable construction and design, since the basic
concepts up to the most advanced and contemporary architecture.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/search_events.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have received this e-mail because you (or someone) subscribed your
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GreenerBuildings is produced by Greener World Media, Inc., Copyright
2007.

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: February 28, 2008
===========================================================

Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST GREEN BUILDINGS NEWS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

Over 40 Facilities Join EPA's Performance Track, Add New Environmental Goals
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=55648
Forty-two facilities have made goals ranging from reducing carbon emissions to
cutting water use as part of the Performance Track program.

U.K. Could Have Zero-Carbon Future
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=55644
The United Kingdom will reportedly announce this week a call for all future
non-domestic buildings, such as schools, supermarkets and hotels, to be zero
carbon.

Southern California Gas Company Earns Fourth LEED Certification
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55633
Improvements to its Monterey Park facility's water, lighting and waste recycling
bring the company its fourth LEED certification.

Seattle, Los Angeles Announce Green Building Plans
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55626
Los Angeles will require all new buildings to meet LEED certification standards,
while offering expedited permits to projects that aim for LEED-silver or higher;
Seattle's plan is more comprehensive, covering existing and new residential and
commercial buildings.

ASLA Creates Climate Policy Recommendations
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55622
The American Society of Landscape called on Congress to incorporate principles
of sustainable design into future climate change public policy.

Mumbai's Largest Mall Gets Energy Retrofit Through Clinton Climate Initiative
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55613
The Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, run by the Clinton Climate
Initiative, is helping India's Inorbit Mall cut its energy use.

New BIM Solution from Autodesk Aims to Bring Teams Together for Greener Projects
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55608
Autodesk unveiled a host of upgrades to its Building Information Modeling suite
of applications at an event last week, allowing architects, engineers and owners
to work together more closely on environmental issues in building projects.

GeoSun Helps Buildings Reduce Emissions
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55598
A company specializing in renewable energy systems for corporate customers
launched "Zero Solution" Thursday to eliminate energy costs and carbon emissions
from office buildings.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Doing Good: Business and the Sustainability Challenge
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=97307
Energy efficiency has become one of company leaders' three most important
priorities when it comes to greening operations, and bringing down energy use in
offices and facilities is a significant way of achieving that goal, according to
this new study.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/tools.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-= NEW FEATURES & COLUMNS =-=-=-=-=-=-=

Sustainable Facility Management is the Next Wave
By Christopher P. Hodges, The McMorrow Report
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55656
Green buildings have taken off in a major way, but the drive to renovate and
improve the millions of existing commercial buildings has lagged behind. Not for
long: here is what facility managers should expect in the coming months.

When Buildings Talk, People Listen
By Peter Sharer
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=55654
The green economy is bristling with new technologies that have to the potential
to lead us into a new sustainable economy, but when people change their
behaviors, change will increase exponentially. New technologies in Building
dashboards -- think a Prius display for your office -- aim to jumpstart
behavioral change.

The Father of LEED Takes on China and India
By Violet Law, Plenty Magazine
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36636
Robert Watson aims to make green building standards global with his
recently-founded enterprise EcoTech International, a consultancy that provides
green technology and project development expertise.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ecocity World Summit
http://greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=92134

Host: Ecocity Builders
Date: April 12-26, 2008
Location: San Francisco

Ecocity World Summit 2008 will bring together the key innovators, decision
makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation
around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and
development.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/search_events.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

You have received this e-mail because you (or someone) subscribed your
e-mail address to this e-letter. IF YOU WISH TO UNSUBSCRIBE, please
e-mail GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com with the subject line
"Unsubscribe GreenerBuildings News".

IF THIS MESSAGE WAS FORWARDED TO YOU BY OTHERS, we'd appreciate it if
you would sign up for your own subscription. This helps us track our
circulation and attract sponsors.

TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply enter your email address in the space provided on
the homepage and click "SUBSCRIBE." We promise NEVER to sell, rent, or
swap your address with others without your permission.

GreenerBuildings is produced by Greener World Media, Inc., Copyright
2007.

I have just completed a beautiful Energy Efficient, Compresses Earth Block home in Colorado and would like to exchange ideas with any other Green Builders / Constructors. I will continue to post pics / vids and information on this type of construction, in hopes to expand public knowledge of better building concepts that are environmentally healthy inside and out, as well as affordable.

Visit us at www.SolsticeDev.com

Find more photos like this on Knol Stuff

Find more photos like this on Knol Stuff

Building Green is one of the most important things we can do. When it is done on a neighborhood scale the advantages are multiplied exponentially. One inspiring example of building green on a neighborhood scale is the New Urbanist sustainable community of Oshara Village now under construction in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This unique New Urbanist environmental village, the first to combine New Urbanism and Sustainable Neighborhood Design, is the first example of its kind in the United States. Oshara will allow residents to drastically reduce their use of non-renewable resources and overall energy consumption. Studies by New Village Institute in Santa Fe estimate that energy used for driving will be cut by 60% and home energy use by over 50%. Through wise land planning, mixed-use zoning, green built homes and commercial buildings, and water recycling, Oshara Village will become one of the most green communities in the Unites States.