Hawk House in Big Sur – Passive Solar Micro Cabin for Simple People
If you ever tried to book a reservation in Big Sur, California then you know first hand how scarce and expensive accommodations there can be. If you really love the…
Beauty and Brains Build a Seductively Efficient Building in Fayetteville
Kristin Musgnug, an art Professor at the University of Arkansas and independent painter, wanted to extend her favored mix of beauty and brains to the construction of a self-sufficient home.…
Ecodrain and Evolve Showerhead: Two Ridiculously Awesome Inventions that can Save Big Bucks (or Extend Shower Time by 33%)
We all know hot water costs money. We’re accustomed to paying for comfort and there is nothing wrong about it but if you’re like me – you’ll have your comfort…
Warka the Life Saver – An Ingenious Low-tech Solution for Capturing Water from Thin Air
Imagine travelling six hours a day and having to scoop water with a trashed plastic bottle from a worm infested stagnant pond contaminated by human waste. For some people in…
Slotnick Residence: How Neighbourhood Aesthetics and Sustainability Can Go Hand-in-Hand
When it comes to aesthetics, a green home doesn’t always have to stand out from the rest of the properties on the street. If you approached this new LEED platinum…
Qatar is Building First Passive House Project but is There Hidden Agenda Behind It?
Qatar has the highest carbon emissions per capita in the world; three times as high as the United States. According to the World Wildlife Fund, “if every human being lived…
Berkeley Architects Build a Funky House out of 104 Salvaged Cars
Architects Karl Wanaselja and partner Cate Leger have a goal for every project – shrink the ecological footprint while creating lyrical and enduring buildings. Following their aspirations they built a…
Midori House: Couple Transforms Century-Old Bungalow into a Passive House, Energy Bills Drop by 80%
These days, it’s easy to see that the focus is on saving energy and reducing costs associated with rising energy prices. But let’s face it, there is a huge difference…
Cool Idea: Integrating an Energy Fence into Your Home’s Heating Needs
When most people think of a fence they imagine privacy and aesthetics and few associate it with incorporating it into their home’s renewable energy needs. However, there is a different…
One Man’s Trash…is Another Scrounger’s House (if You Know How to Live)
Jim Juczak, a middle-school shop teacher, hates mortgages. When he decided to build his own home on his 50-acre property, he decided to do away with debt. What resulted from…