Moss walls are the latest interior design fad but their history lies with Buddhist monks in Japan who valued the calming affect of moss that grew in temple gardens. Today, they bring a natural element to the indoors: providing color, a natural escape, and tranquility. Here are some of our favorite ways to use moss walls.
Very often, when discussing green architecture we neglect to mention the greenest thing we can do - which is build less. This home manages to build small (smaller footprint means less embodied energy and future energy use), while also integrating some very green ideas. The 37mm thick walls create a thermal mass that keeps the house cool and warm depending on the time of year. Added to that are solar panels and triple paned windows, all decreasing the draw of energy off of the grid.
But really, for me, one of the big draws is the spare, yet eclectic - totally Scandinavian - interior design!
If anyone knows the website of the architect Torbjörn Hoeg, I'd love to check out more work!
Via Shoebox Dwelling via Wave Avenue










This new office by Doepel Strijkers Architects includes an auditorium, exhibition, meeting space, kitchen and flexible office space. The use of recycled materials adds a lot of dimension and texture... but my favorite space is the meeting room, enclosed by a series of salvaged doors, which could easily all be opened for shared meetings, or closed for private ones..



Why can't an energy efficient light bulb also be pretty? These bulbs are pretty good looking... I wouldn't mind putting them up in my house and my projects! Who needs a lamp shade when you've got a good looking light bulb like this!?!Plumen







I quite like this house in the trees by Martin Fernandez de Lema and Nicolas F Moreno Deutsch. Not being allowed to take down trees, the architects came up with a clever solution to work around them - incorporating the trees into the building itself. .
As much as their solution for the trees.. I really like their material selection. There is a lot of texture and warmth in the home, without the overuse of too many materials.
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1. Stop drinking from individual water bottles and use a reusable one instead.
2. Plant a tree that will provide shade and beauty for years to come.
3. Insulate all ductwork to minimize energy loss in your home.
4. Walk or bike to work for one week instead of driving.
5. Attempt to go one week without bringing any new plastic into your home.
6. Investigate alternative energy sources for your home - The government is still offering tax credits!
7. Go vegetarian at least once per week.
8. Visit your local farmer's market for locally grown groceries.
9. Use catch basins connected to downspouts to collect water for gardening.
10. Turn off your computer every night. This saves $$ and energy.
11. Build a microbial fuel cell and use it to generate electricity from compost.
12. Build your own solar panel from recycled aluminum cans.
13. Turn off the tv for a night and read a book.
14. Get rid of your windex and use water and vinegar instead.
15. Get an energy audit done on your home.
16. Cancel any catalogs you receive in the mail, especially any duplicates!
17. Buy a solar charger for your cell phone or ipod.
18. Stop using chemicals on your grass and get used to a varied lawn
19. Go out to dinner at a local restaurant rather than a chain where food is shipped in from across the country.
20. Use recycled toilet paper, otherwise old growth forests are being cut down for our toilet paper.
2. Plant a tree that will provide shade and beauty for years to come.
3. Insulate all ductwork to minimize energy loss in your home.
4. Walk or bike to work for one week instead of driving.
5. Attempt to go one week without bringing any new plastic into your home.
6. Investigate alternative energy sources for your home - The government is still offering tax credits!
7. Go vegetarian at least once per week.
8. Visit your local farmer's market for locally grown groceries.
9. Use catch basins connected to downspouts to collect water for gardening.
10. Turn off your computer every night. This saves $$ and energy.
11. Build a microbial fuel cell and use it to generate electricity from compost.
12. Build your own solar panel from recycled aluminum cans.
13. Turn off the tv for a night and read a book.
14. Get rid of your windex and use water and vinegar instead.
15. Get an energy audit done on your home.
16. Cancel any catalogs you receive in the mail, especially any duplicates!
17. Buy a solar charger for your cell phone or ipod.
18. Stop using chemicals on your grass and get used to a varied lawn
19. Go out to dinner at a local restaurant rather than a chain where food is shipped in from across the country.
20. Use recycled toilet paper, otherwise old growth forests are being cut down for our toilet paper.
21. Switch from paper napkins to cloth.
22. Take a walk and meet your neighbors, instead of sitting inside using electricity.
23. Turn off your ac or heat and bundle up or strip down instead!
24. Update your roof to support a green roofing system (or living wall instead).
25. Add shading devices to windows now, to help keep heat down in the coming summer.
26. Invest in wind turbines.
27. Donate a hippo roller - http://projecthdesign.org/ - to a community in need of accessible water.
28. Install a shower filter to eliminate chlorine, stop drying your skin, and improve the surrounding air quality!
29. Install a programmable thermostat.
30. Install a solar powered attic fan to reduce cooling loads.
31. Use a slow cooker for dinner - even though it is on all day, it actually saves energy!
32. Use salvaged materials whenever possible during both remodels and new construction.
33. Take a native garden design class.
34. Volunteer (or donate) with Habitat for Humanity, Builders without Borders, or Architecture for Humanity.
35. Attend a local Earth Day event - for Seattle check out http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/202870.asp?from=blog_last3
36. Donate used clothing to a charity in need, rather than throwing them away (or letting them take up space in your closet).
37. Vow not to kill bees for the summer - we need them for pollination!
38. Log on to your local freecycle to share and recycle in your neighborhood.
39. Switch your printer to print double sided instead of single.
40. Build a new birdhouse to encourage nature to visit you!

I've been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to review a few books lately... the latest being the Green Blue Book by Thomas M. Kostigen.
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As someone who is interested in all things green... I think this is a great little book! So often, we think about the easy way to save materials (and in this case water), but we don't worry about the embodied energy of those same materials. I mean, bamboo flooring may be certified green, but it is still shipped over from overseas, which isn't exactly sustainable. The same kind of thinking can be applied to water conservation and this book really shows you how.
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The Green Blue Book illustrates exactly how many gallons of water go into your daily foods, materials, resources, and more. Want to know how many gallons it takes to produce your tennis shoes? or your spinach salad? It's all in the book... Which by the way was definitely written by a man. In the clothing section it suggests women can save water by wearing thongs instead of briefs, but doesn't suggest the same for men!
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The book is a quick and easy read, and a great resource for future purchases. If you're interested check it out...
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And, in celebration of World Water Day... today I'm giving out one copy of the book (sent straight from the publisher) to the reader with the best idea for saving water. Put your idea in the comments (with an email address), and if I think your's is the best I will email you for your shipping info.
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Can't wait to hear your good ideas!
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I am loving these planting pockets by Woolly Pockets. Felted recycled plastic is handstitched to create each pocket... and can be used inside or out.
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Love it!
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Chicago is looking to decrease its carbon consumption by 30% (by 2030) and Smith Gill is leading the charge... They've developed 8 key strategies; Buildings, Urban Matrix, Smart Infrastructure, Mobility, Water, Energy, Waste, and Community Engagement. At the crux of their plan is the retrofitting of existing buildings, rather than the construction of new ones..
I'm excited to read more details about their plans...
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Via Inhabitat
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