As of last month, The Home Depot in conjunction with the U. S. Green Building Council has rolled out a new online database of The Home Depot's over 2,500 products and materials that can be used towards points or prerequisites on LEED for Homes projects.
Be sure to check out the site here: LEED Home Depot
Even if you're not involved with LEED or green building in general, the benefit of this database is truly great for folks looking to use green or Eco-friendly products and materials and aren't looking to spend all day at their local Home Depot searching labels.
Showing posts with label green building. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green building. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Green California Summit next month April 26, 2012
It's that time of year again, the Green California Summit is back once again, taking over the Sacramento Convention Center. This year the summit has been scaled back to 2 days rather than the normal three, taking place on April 26th and 27th. This years theme is, "Building a Green Future for the Golden State".
Registration opened last moth for attendees, and currently key note speakers have not been identified for this years summit. Please check the site for a list of scheduled vendors and sponsors.
The Green California Summit usually has a little bit of everything allowing for attendees to find something to perk their interest whether it be new technology, automobiles, contractors, or educational materials. Make sure you check it out and explore to find out what perks your interest.
Registration opened last moth for attendees, and currently key note speakers have not been identified for this years summit. Please check the site for a list of scheduled vendors and sponsors.
The Green California Summit usually has a little bit of everything allowing for attendees to find something to perk their interest whether it be new technology, automobiles, contractors, or educational materials. Make sure you check it out and explore to find out what perks your interest.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Building Green Doesn't Mean It Has To Be Modern
I think there's a group of folks out there that are apprehensive about green building and sustainable design due to the number of projects that have a very modern, minimalist design aspect to them. To some folks modern design can have a sterile, cold feel to it, especially for folks that are drawn to traditional styles such as Victorian or Cape Cod.
On a recent visit to New Orleans I witnessed many green building projects that were embracing the traditional Spanish and French styles of city such as Creole cottages and "shotgun" homes. A city like New Orleans strives to preserve it's architectural heritage and even when it comes to modernization of building components or sustainable upgrades, the builders, designers, and architects still manage to protect architectural aesthetics and historical design significance. Witnessing this evolution of building and design really gave me a lot to think about with regards to Sacramento and those who have a stigma against green building and design.
Green building and sustainable design does not have to consist of metal, concrete, and wood slathered interiors and exteriors. Sacramento architecture is known for it's wonderful American Craftsman style and Spanish Revival homes, and we could easily use some of the design features of these architectural styles in new green homes or green remodels... some features of these older homes were "green" before "green" existed!
Take Spanish Revival and its Mediterranean cousin: passive solar and excellent thermal design qualities, use of courtyard design for maximum air circulation... constructed using thicker, plaster covered walls, use of tile for longevity and wear, and the list really does go on. American Craftsman architecture gives us wonderful large eaves and overhangs for shading, excellent use of interior space with the incorporation of built-ins, deep set window casings for natural shading, beautiful porches to protect from the elements, and the list also goes on too.
I believe the best route for going green is to first develop an architectural style and then find a way to work in green materials and products, reclaimed and recycled materials, and sustainable principals so that you don't let the materials dictate the outcome. You can get all the LEED points in the world, but if you're not truly comfortable in your home or with your home's aesthetics you are only asking for trouble down the road with regards to the sustainability of your home.
Check out these links to see what's happening in New Orleans:
The Green Project
Make It Right
Musicians' Village
On a recent visit to New Orleans I witnessed many green building projects that were embracing the traditional Spanish and French styles of city such as Creole cottages and "shotgun" homes. A city like New Orleans strives to preserve it's architectural heritage and even when it comes to modernization of building components or sustainable upgrades, the builders, designers, and architects still manage to protect architectural aesthetics and historical design significance. Witnessing this evolution of building and design really gave me a lot to think about with regards to Sacramento and those who have a stigma against green building and design.
Green building and sustainable design does not have to consist of metal, concrete, and wood slathered interiors and exteriors. Sacramento architecture is known for it's wonderful American Craftsman style and Spanish Revival homes, and we could easily use some of the design features of these architectural styles in new green homes or green remodels... some features of these older homes were "green" before "green" existed!
Take Spanish Revival and its Mediterranean cousin: passive solar and excellent thermal design qualities, use of courtyard design for maximum air circulation... constructed using thicker, plaster covered walls, use of tile for longevity and wear, and the list really does go on. American Craftsman architecture gives us wonderful large eaves and overhangs for shading, excellent use of interior space with the incorporation of built-ins, deep set window casings for natural shading, beautiful porches to protect from the elements, and the list also goes on too.
I believe the best route for going green is to first develop an architectural style and then find a way to work in green materials and products, reclaimed and recycled materials, and sustainable principals so that you don't let the materials dictate the outcome. You can get all the LEED points in the world, but if you're not truly comfortable in your home or with your home's aesthetics you are only asking for trouble down the road with regards to the sustainability of your home.
Check out these links to see what's happening in New Orleans:
The Green Project
Make It Right
Musicians' Village
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Check out my new column at the Sacramento Examiner
Along with my own blog here at It Pays To Be Green In The Valley I am now writing for the Sacramento Examiner as their Green Building Materials Examiner. If you have time you should definitely check it out:
http://www.examiner.com/green-building-materials-1-in-sacramento/benjamin-griffin
http://www.examiner.com/green-building-materials-1-in-sacramento/benjamin-griffin
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Green California Summit is here!
It's that time of the year again... the annual Green California Summit and Expo is here again at the Sacramento Convention Center March 15th through 17th.
I strongly urge everyone to attend and take advantage of this yearly convergence of technology, innovations, and education. The expo is comprised of a lot of commercial and institutional suppliers and companies, but there are some small companies and business' geared towards residential projects and homeowners to check out.
Most of all... the expo is free to attend! I will be personally attending the expo on March 17th to celebrate St. Patty's Day and all great things "green". I hope to see a big turn out and lots of great new products to review.
For more information, please check out the site below:
http://www.green-technology.org/gcsummit/index.html
I strongly urge everyone to attend and take advantage of this yearly convergence of technology, innovations, and education. The expo is comprised of a lot of commercial and institutional suppliers and companies, but there are some small companies and business' geared towards residential projects and homeowners to check out.
Most of all... the expo is free to attend! I will be personally attending the expo on March 17th to celebrate St. Patty's Day and all great things "green". I hope to see a big turn out and lots of great new products to review.
For more information, please check out the site below:
http://www.green-technology.org/gcsummit/index.html
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