Author Archive
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Reviving Low Tech High Tech Architecture
John Ochsendorf MIT Professor of Structural Engineering and Architecture proofs structurally stable, aesthetic structures built of mud as opposed to steel and concrete (reducing costs, energy consumption and pollution associated with traditional modern construction) See Smithsonian's With-Ancient-Arches-the-Old-is-New-Again “People assume that in the 21st century buildings should be made of titanium, because we have a narrow definition of progress. Maybe a 21st-century building is made out of dirt used in an intelligent and beautiful way.” Structural visualization ...
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Living Building Challenge
Jason McLennan at Bioneers conference 10/17/09 More on the Living Building Challenge at http://www.cascadiagbc.org/lbc
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House Plants, Living Walls and IAQ
While it’s well known that plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis, NASA's oft cited 1989 study showed that many houseplants also remove harmful elements such as amonia, trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air. In research designed to create a breathable environment for NASA orbiting space stations, scientist Dr. Bill Wolverton discovered that houseplants are ...
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MPC Models 2
presentations of students sketch models for Green Building Design class at Monterey Peninsula College.
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EDL Radio Interview with Deborah Lindsey on Tomorrow Matters (Jan 18th 2009)
Thomas Rettenwender speaks with Pacific Grove Council member Deborah Lindsey about the Ecologic Design Lab and the current state of the green building industry. [audio:TM20090118edit.mp3]
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Richard Register, President of Ecocity Builders, on Buildout vs Bailout
DON'T BAIL OUT, BUILD OUT OF OUR PRESENT ECONOMIC DEBACLE by Richard Register Once upon a time there was an economic disaster that laid low the United States of America and spread hardships from sea to shining sea and even out across the oceans blue. Then came a war of unprecedented proportions. But we beat back the Great Depression and won the Second World War. ...
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EcoLogic radio interview
Our live interview on Monday's "Empowered Perspectives" show at local KNRY radio - 1240am, is being rebroadcast on Friday, Dec 26, from 3-4 pm
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solar technology inspired by photosynthesis
"Compared to conventional silicon based photovoltaic technology, Dyesol’s technology has lower cost and embodied energy in manufacture, it produces electricity more efficiently even in low light conditions and can be directly incorporated into buildings by replacing conventional glass panels rather than taking up roof or extra land area." dyesol.com - manufacturer asknature.org - biomimetc products
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Biomimicry Guild goes large in the built environment
Biomimicry, the interdisciplinary practice of adapting nature’s solutions to human designs and inventions, has made a big move into the built environment. The international architecture and engineering firm HOK has announced an alliance with the Biomimicry Guild, the preeminent biomimicry consultancy, with the aim of integrating “nature’s innovations in the planning and design of buildings, communities, and cities worldwide.” The alliance has begun its work by exploring the use of “bio-inspired ideas” in ...
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AskNature.org from the Biomimicry Institute
Biomimicry brings nature’s solutions to design problems and AskNature.org brings current internet technology to the biomimicry discussion. AskNature.org, created by the Biomimicry Institute, offers the beginnings of an encyclopedia of nature’s solutions to common design problems such as structural support, adhesion, energy harvesting, and cleaning. Natural design solutions are linked to products based on that solution when they are available (an entry on photosynthesis, for example, links to an entry on dye-based solar cells). Each entry ...
