EQUITY GREEN

Plans For A Green Mega City [Popular Science]

Whether we are talking urban sprawl or the Ghostburb phenomenon, our nation and global economies and enviornments are definitely in flux.  Our reliance on big oil has us feeling the pinch every time we fill up.  The energy and economy crisis of '08 provides a great opportunity for advancement...advancement in new technology and business ventures.  Odds are, something huge is going to hit...but who knows when.  In the meantime, there are a lot of ideas of what life may be like in the future.  Popular Science has a cool site describing what they call the "Green Mega City."  The Green Mega City integrates a pod car, driverless bus, energy highway, Maglev Skytrain, Algae Park, power sidewalks, etc. into the whole city's infrastructure.  Just click the navigation arrows for descriptions of each.   

++The Green Mega City [Popular Science]
++McCain Offers $300 Million Prize For New Auto Battery [FoxNews]
++Ghostburbs [ABC News Video]

Signal Tower by Architect Jean Nouvel [Paris]

The Signal Tower, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, will be the 2nd tallest structure (behind the Eiffel Tower) in Paris, featuring 71-stories and 1.5 million square feet of retail stores, offices, apartments and hotels. 

"One of the most innovative aspects of the Signal Project is its original design of the facade and internal energy systems. Every piece aims for maximum optimization of energy by the use of passive systems using natural light and air force as natural sources of energy. The project also uses the principle of reuse & recycling to minimize the energy required for the functioning of the whole. The result is a significant saving of 40-45% on the average energy consumption."--OMA website

++Office For Metropolitan Architecture [Signal Tower feature]

Sweden: Building A Green Economy

Great story of how Sweden has tried to create an energy independent country and economy.
++One Country's Success Story:  Building a Green Economy [eGov Monitor]

Venture Capitalists Eye Green Construction

Venture capital funding is out there and it is showing signs of life in the green world.  I read an article today on CNN Money about a company called Hycrete, which makes concrete more sustainable by reducing the carbon-based energy required in manufacturing and using recyclables in the actual materials.  Interesting article.  If the green industry today is where the computer industry was in the late 70's/early 80's, then both green innovators and green input providers alike are poised for huge growth in the marketplace (Microsoft scored big with the computer and so did Intel by supplying the processor.)  I came across an article talking about green inputs being a big market mover...if I can find it, I will post it. 

++Green Construction Red-Hot With VCs [CNN Money]

Greening a Brownstone in Brooklyn [video]

I hit the jackpot today with green videos.  I have been on a dry spout lately trying to find really cool, information videos about green building and green trends.  Anyway, this video is about Blaken Holden and his efforts to restore an old rundown Brooklyn Brownstone (an old brown sandstone which was once a popular building material especially in NYC) into a vintage green home.  Very interesting.

Studies Show Natural Light Increases Sales And Worker Productivity

Studies have shown that people are happier and more productive when they are exposed to natural sunlight during the course of their workday as opposed to artificial light.  In 1999, the California Board of Energy Efficiency commissioned a study and found that increased sales, increased productivity, increased wellness and reduced energy costs resulted from companies using natural solor lighting instead of artifical light.  Enter in Sunlight Direct. 

Sustainable + Natural + Affordable: Seattle's First LEED-certified Residential Project

The Alcyone apartments are located in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood.  Built as a joint venture between Vulcan Real Estate and Harbor Properties, the Alcyone apartments were Seattle's first LEED-certified residential project.  They are very urban and designed for the young and hip who prefer walking to driving.  The Alcyone features energy efficient windows, a central gas-fired domestic hot water system, steel framing (instead of wood) for increased durability, low-VOC paints, electric vehicle charging stations, bike storage stations and a rooftop garden that recycles rainwater.  In building the structure, 80% of the construction waste was recycled.  All of this results in lower utility bills, cleaner air, more natural light, increased sustainability and healthier indoor living environments.  Heads up from Urban Ashley. 

++Alcyone Apartments [Website]

Modern "Pavilion" By Richard Schultz Creates Great Backyard Space

How about a very modern structure for your backyard.  The Pavilion (by Richard Schultz) is a modular gazebo that is made of stainless steel.  The pictures are awesome.  The vinyl sides move up or down to block the sun and provide relief during the hot summer months.  Since the components are modular, you can design your own layout if you want.  Definitely cool looking...done right, you could even add a little value to the house.  I think it would be really cool to put one poolside or stack a few side by side for an outdoor party.  Price:  $2,000 to $7,000 or more depending on the configuration.

++Richard Schultz [website]

2008 Beijing Olympics Will Feature Grasscrete!

Well, its definitely not a surface you will want to play football on but its more pleasing (and more sustainable) than staring at a empty parking lot.  Its grasscrete...a hybrid of sorts combining grass and concrete.  And CNET reported that the 2008 Olympics will feature grasscrete footpaths as part of the 680-hectare Olympic Forest Park development.  Pretty cool.  Actually, I could use some grasscrete on my driveway...when I wash my car, the water runs into the neighbors yard.   

What's cool about grasscrete is its durability.  Grasscrete areas can handle large amounts of foot or vehicular traffic (strong concrete infrastructure) while maintaining a cool grass appearance.  Its perfect for parking lots, driveways, or other access roads.  With the price of concrete going up (driving up construction costs) this permeable pavement could be an interesting alternative.  From a design perspective, all the holes (meant for grass) don't have to contain grass.  Crushed stone or other recycled materials can be used in place of grass.  Grasscrete areas typically drain in similar fashion to that of ordinary lawns...the type of soil used and the slope will affect water drainage more than the presence of concrete.

   

Grasscrete.com

Discussion: Do Pawn Shops Create Or Promote Sustainability?

This is a question that I have been mulling over for about two months.  I am curious as to what people think.  FYI, this question isn't about the pawn shop structure/building itself.  Obviously, you could construct a pawn shop out of sustainable/green products with various energy efficiencies.  But my question is more focused on the socio-economic impact of pawn shops.  On one hand, pawn shops recycle various products and sell them at a price that is extremely affordable because of the wear and tear a particular item has experienced (note: sometimes you can find inexpensive gems).  On the other hand, pawn shops typically don't increase relative property values and many times they are located in high crime areas, which offer patrons easy cash now in exchange for collateralized items or very high interest rates.  The following cartoon is very telling (btw, hock means pawn).