Harvest your own produce at this solar-powered wellness retreat
Sep 20, 2018: The Inn at Moonlight Beach puts a fresh spin on wellness retreats. The inn, located near San Diego, California, was built with the WELL Building Standards in mind, a practice that uses the nearby environment to improve the well-being of its guests. Here’s a look at how the inn, built by architect Shangwen Kennedy, is a perfect destination for your next wellness vacation. Biodynamic Gardens The gardens do more than just grace the perimeter of the inn, lending a lush backdrop to view the ocean....
LEED-targeted condos bring Scandinavian design to a Quebec forest
Sep 19, 2018: Montreal-based real estate developer KnightsBridge has recently unveiled Arborescence, an eco-friendly condominium project on Quebec’s Bromont Mountain that will likely be the latest addition to their line of LEED-certified properties. Quebec design practice ABCP Architecture designed the residential development, which will comprise approximately 260 units all for four-season use. The gabled structures are inspired heavily by Scandinavian design both inside and out and will embrace the outdoors...
Sustainable desert home has a small water footprint in Nevada
Sep 19, 2018: Las Vegas-based Hoogland Architecture designed the Arroyo House, a forever home for a couple with a penchant for the outdoors and sustainable design. Located in the tiny town of Blue Diamond just outside Las Vegas in the Mojave Desert, the Arroyo House enjoys panoramic views of the landscape with nary a neighbor in sight. The 3,875-square-foot dwelling takes advantage of the views with full-height glazing that’s protected from the sun by large overhangs, while the water conservation and recycling...
Frank Gehry tops Facebook HQ expansion with a 3.6-acre rooftop park
Sep 19, 2018: Facebook recently unveiled a peek inside MPK 21, their newest campus building designed by Frank Gehry that was built in less than 18 months. Created as an extension to their headquarters in Menlo Park, California, this striking addition blurs the distinction between the indoors and outdoors with its massive walls of glass, expansive 3.6-acre rooftop garden, and sheltered courtyard—named The Town Square—planted with 40-foot-tall redwood trees. In addition to its abundance of plant life, the building...
Coop launches fragrance that smells of old milk to combat food waste
Sep 19, 2018: Food waste is a major issue all across the world but one Swedish-based company is doing something about it. A Swedish chain named Coop officially launched an old milk fragrance to urge citizens to use their sense of taste and smell before throwing away outdated food. A study by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency shows that 30 percent of food waste in Sweden is still edible. To combat wasting this amount of food, Coop, a popular grocery chain in the country, developed a spray that smells...
Origami inspires highly efficient solar steam generator
Sep 19, 2018: Water covers most of the globe, yet many regions still suffer from a lack of clean drinking water. If scientists could efficiently and sustainably turn seawater into clean water, a looming global water crisis might be averted. Now, inspired by origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, researchers have devised a solar steam generator that approaches 100 percent efficiency for the production of clean water.
Fight food waste with these 11 ways to use leftover greens before they spoil
Sep 19, 2018: Salads are one of the healthiest foods out there. While they are chalked full of nutrients, salads usually do not make good leftovers. Luckily, there are other uses for these tasty foods that won’t make you feel like you’ve wasted money. Here are 10 different ways you can use leftover greens before they spoil. Sautéed Greens Certain types of greens, like arugula, kale, chard and spinach, are ideal for making stir fries and sautés. You add these greens with shallots, peppers, and garlic,...
Stefano Boeri Architettis iridescent tower breaks ground in Tirana
Sep 18, 2018: Stefano Boeri Architetti, the Italian architecture firm behind the vertical forest towers, has unveiled designs for the Blloku Cube, a mixed-use high-rise marked by its distinctive energy-efficient cladding. Located in the heart of Albania’s capital of Tirana, the Blloku Cube is a multifunctional center instrumental in the Tirana 2030 master plan—also designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti—that aims to breathe new life into one of the most prestigious districts in the city. Construction on the...
Germany premieres the first hydrogen-powered train in the world
Sep 18, 2018: At last, the world’s first hydrogen powered trains have made their global debut in the northern countryside of Germany. As of Monday, two Coradia iLint locomotives have been transporting passengers back and forth between the towns of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude found just west of the majoring Hamburg. The eco-efficient models were produced by French transportation engineers at Alstom, the same manufacturers who amazed the world in the early 1980s with their world record setting...
This 1970s Airstream is an off-grid oasis for a family of six
Sep 18, 2018: Jonathan and Ashley Longnecker Related: Couple restores an old Airstream into a chic tiny home on wheels + Tiny Shiny Home Via Dwell Tiny Shiny Home, Airstream Renovation, Jonathan and Ashley Longnecker, airstream renovation into home, tiny home on wheels, living in an airstream, airstream design, tiny home design, tiny home DIY, interior design, tiny home interior design,…
Cities around the world lay the groundwork for a zero-waste future
Sep 18, 2018: Cities around the world are pledging to reduce waste over the next 12 years in an effort to curb global warming. During the Global Climate Action Summit, the C40 announced a new initiative that encourages cities to eliminate waste production and end the practice of waste burning. So far, 23 cities have agreed to become zero waste and will work towards that goal by the year 2030. Each city has agreed to cut down on waste that ends up in landfills by half over the next decade. The cities – which...
We love electric scooters but is the Bird trend actually bad for the environment?
Sep 18, 2018: The debut of city electric scooter programs within cities such as Austin, Washington D.C. and San Diego has been making headlines with promises of cleaner air and greener pastures, but is this really the case? Between LimeBike, Waybots, Spin, and Bird which has been newly introduced to the Los Angeles area, there are a plethora of companies jumping on the trend of promoting eco-friendly scooters to city planners and residents. As of late, however, urbanites have been asking why the craze? With public...
California plans to launch its own satellite to monitor air pollution
Sep 17, 2018: California is planning to launch its own satellite to track air pollution. Governor Jerry Brown announced the major initiative amid President Donald Trump’s bid to decrease NASA’s part in monitoring climate change. Brown has not announced when the state will launch the satellite or how much it will cost taxpayers. Brown has long stood in opposition to Trump’s conservative administration, which has fought California’s tough emissions standards. With Trump cutting NASA funding for climate...
France moves to reshape infrastructure and promote bicycle transportation
Sep 17, 2018: France plans to launch a major endeavor in order to triple the amount of cyclists on its streets within the next five years. The action will include building better bike lanes, providing financial incentives for commuters to switch to bicycle transportation, and cracking down on bike theft. The plan was announced by the French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe at a speech in Nantes, revealing that cycling accounts for only 3% of transportation in the European nation. Related: How to make American...
Passive House-inspired home ushers in spectacular Grand Tetons views
Sep 17, 2018: The sublime beauty of the Grand Tetons are fully embraced in the stunning House of Fir, a forever home that boasts sustainable and durable elements throughout. Designed by Wyoming-based architecture firm kt814 for a pair of retirees who actively volunteer for the National Park Service, this Jackson Hole abode was crafted to prioritize low-maintenance comfort with passive house design principles and universal design for aging in place. In fact, the home’s energy-efficient construction was put to...
An off-grid cabin on a remote island is inspired by Japanese design
Sep 17, 2018: Related: This tiny off-grid cabin in the UK is clad with reclaimed slate tiles + Maguire + Devine Architects Via Dwell Maguire + Devine Architects, Bruny Island Cabin, tiny cabin design,…
Get ready for an adventure with this ultimate checklist of backpacking essentials
Sep 17, 2018: Lace up your hiking boots and trod into places inaccessible via horse, quad, or car. Backpacking allows you to explore the outdoors while enjoying a little distance from the crowds squished together at the state campgrounds. There’s just something about planning for, and carrying in, all the supplies you need for backwoods camping that is empowering and exciting. Once you’ve decided to give backpacking a try, make sure you’ve got the essentials covered. You will find that you can survive with...
Passenger service Gett launches carbon-free travel in the UK
Sep 14, 2018: The black car transportation service, Gett, which is used as an alternative to Lyft and Uber in the United Kingdom is embarking on a new endeavor - implementing carbon free and carbon positive rides for all of its passengers. The company, recognized by Forbes as one of the "top 15 explosively growing companies" has raised over $700 million in funding overall, including contributions for its various carbon offset programs that will achieve this new mission. The company's Sept 13 announcement featured...
Azure Roof Power Annouces Major Government Projects
Sep 14, 2018: NEW DELHI, INDIA--(eSolarEnergyNews)--Azure Power, one of India’s leading independent solar power producers, announced it has won 11.2 MW and 600 KW rooftop solar power projects in bids conducted by Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) and Indraprastha Power Generation Company Ltd (IPGCL) respectively. Azure Power will provide power for 25 years to various Government establishments in…
DIY fall decor using upcycled items from thrift stores
Sep 14, 2018: Fall is a great time to bust out new decorations, but you don’t have to break the budget to make your house stand out. Making your own fall decorations is a great way to save money and help the environment at the same time. From floating shelves to fall clothing accessories, here are 8 fall decorations you can make from common thrift store items. Cake Stand Display Nothing says fall like fresh pumpkins. You can proudly display these fall staples using an old cake stand, or build your own from...
Henning Larsen unveils green, mountain-inspired buildings for Shanghai
Sep 14, 2018: Henning Larsen Architects has unveiled designs for the first phase of the “The Springs,” a mixed-use development currently underway in Shanghai that aims to embrace a “green living” lifestyle. Inspired by a style of traditional Chinese landscape painting called ‘shan shui,’ the Danish architecture firm crafted the buildings in the image of the dramatic mountain landscapes found throughout rural China. Trees and gardens will grow on top and around the stepped towers to create an immersive...
Retro-inspired beach hut rotates to catch the sun's rays all day long
Sep 14, 2018: Related: + Jak Studio Via Dezeen Jak Studio…
Shipping containers become a spectacular plant-covered gallery
Sep 14, 2018: São Paulo-based architecture studio SuperLimão and architect Gabriela Coelho recently completed GSC, a massive multi-use collectors gallery built from shipping containers and other metal materials. Located in a lush area of São Paulo, the spacious complex also contains an office, a gym, a small workshop, a kennel and additional gallery space for the client’s other prized items. The industrial character of the cargotecture project was softened with the addition of turf and potted plants while...
Global movement will call out consumer brands most responsible for plastic pollution
Sep 13, 2018: The Story of Stuff Project is launching its global call to action in combatting plastic pollution worldwide. The ambitious initiative plans to identify the most pervasive polluter companies found in waste while simultaneously cleaning up costal and inland communities across the country. The plastic waste brand audit is the first of its kind and intends to underline responsibility and accountability at the very source of our world’s growing trash crisis. Related: Indonesia mobilizes 20,000 citizens...
Google Street View cars will map air pollution in cities worldwide
Sep 13, 2018: Air quality sensors are coming to a Google Street View car near you. The tech giant just announced plans to introduce sensors from a San Francisco company called Aclima that test air quality in cities and towns all across the globe. The Google Street View cars take photographs and incorporate them into Google Maps. Aclima is installing the air quality sensors in vehicles based in Mexico City, Houston, and Sydney. The sensors will detect amounts of carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide,...
A green-roofed underground extension breaks the mold for school architecture
Sep 13, 2018: When Singaporean architecture firm Park + Associates was tapped to design an extension for Nanyang Girls’ High School in the heart of the city, they knew that they’d have to think creatively. The brief called for two large four-story blocks that would house a variety of programs, including classrooms, a large performing arts center and a multipurpose indoors sports hall. To meet these requirements without overshadowing the school’s existing architecture, the firm built the spaces below ground—an...
NY man spends 6 years building this incredible, energy-efficient hobbit home
Sep 13, 2018: Related: + Via…
This beautiful Washington cabin meets net-zero targets even in extreme temperatures
Sep 13, 2018: Nestled in a historic mining area in Washington State’s Cascade Mountains, a holiday retreat offers luxurious comfort without compromising sustainability targets. Despite the region’s freezing cold winters and extremely hot summers, Bainbridge Island-based Coates Design Architects crafted the Tumble Creek Cabin to net-zero energy standards using renewable energy and passive solar strategies rather than traditional energy consumptive cooling and heating systems. Powered by solar energy, the energy-efficient...
Mobile app Karma tackles food waste with discounted meals
Sep 12, 2018: The 2016 launch of Karma in Sweden has brought about a new way of fighting food waste. Since then over 1,500 businesses such as restaurants, bakeries, cafes and hotels as well as the three largest supermarket chains in Sweden have joined the battle to reduce produce and meals that are thrown away despite being perfectly edible. The mobile app offers restaurateurs and retailers the opportunity to sell their otherwise wasted products at a fraction of a price to hungry Swedes and now Londoners as well. Related:...
Hurricane Florence could cause dangerous floods of toxic sludge and animal waste
Sep 12, 2018: Torrential rains are not the only thing Hurricane Florence will bring once it hits landfall. The massive storm is expected to dump record amounts of rain in the Southeastern United States, rain that could overflow toxic waste and animal manure sites along the coast. One toxic waste site in North Carolina is particularly vulnerable to the incoming storm. The state tasked Duke Energy Corp. with cleaning up coal-ash ponds in the area because they posed serious hazards to nearby communities. The...
A 6-foot-tall man lives comfortably in this custom tiny home
Sep 12, 2018: Related: + Via…
Two design students build a charming, off-grid summer cabin in a remote Finnish forest
Sep 12, 2018: https://vimeo.com/119255501 Related: Norwegian cabin weathers a harsh climate for breathtaking views + Studio Politaire Via Houzz Photography by Andre Boettcher Photography Studio Politaire, Summer Cabin Norway,…
Striking, solar-powered LA roundabout manages stormwater runoff with art
Sep 12, 2018: Public art and stormwater management go hand in hand in the Riverside Roundabout, a circular intersection that’s far more functional and eye-catching than your average traffic rotunda. Designed by local art studio Greenmeme, the Riverside Roundabout is the “first modern roundabout in Los Angeles” that doubles as a stormwater detention landscape vegetated with native, water-wise plants that also help fight air pollution. Powered with solar energy, the bio-retention installation is also marked...
Natural Habitat Adventures launches world's first zero-waste vacations
Sep 11, 2018: In a travel-industry first, Natural Habitat Adventures is spearheading the first ever zero waste vacation package. The groundbreaking trip will take place in summer 2019 where 14 travelers are set to visit Yellowstone Park from July 6-12. The Safari America: Yellowstone Country adventurers will pioneer the sustainable travel industry, refusing, recycling, composting, upcycling, and reusing at least 99% of all waste produced during the trip. Sponsoring organisation, Nat Hab hopes to be able to avoid...
Climate change is expected to bring more intense storms like Hurricane Florence
Sep 11, 2018: Hurricane Florence is on a collision course with the Southeastern United States. The immense and powerful storm will create high winds and surges along coastal towns and cities, but scientists are more concerned about how much rain Florence might produce. James Kossin, a climate scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, says flooding is the biggest risk with the incoming hurricane. Florence is moving so slow across the ocean that it might come to a standstill once it...
Timber-clad modern home in New York takes a sensitive approach to the landscape
Sep 11, 2018: When an experimental modern dance choreographer tapped Anik Pearson Architects to design and build a legacy family compound in Upstate New York, the New York City-based firm took to the challenge by not only finding an appropriate site, but also designing the master plan, which includes the recently completed main house. Clad in timber and set on a steep slope, the spacious abode prioritizes low maintenance care, sensitivity to the environment and energy efficient design. In addition to the use of...
ESCAPE offers free tiny home rentals that could earn you money
Sep 11, 2018: If you’ve ever wanted to earn some side cash with a tiny house rental but never had the means or time to invest in one, here’s your chance. After having long wowed us with their luxurious tiny house builds, Wisconsin-based ESCAPE Homes has launched the “Free ESCAPE Tiny House Program” and they’re looking to partner with anyone with a qualifying property. If you’re approved, ESCAPE will deliver and set up one of their award-winning homes as a rental unit on your site completely free of...
The ugly truth about the imperfect food movement
Sep 11, 2018: The imperfect food movement is rising in popularity as companies, like Imperfect Produce in Silicon Valley, capitalize on a growing trend around the country. Imperfect Produce offers boxes of ugly and misshapen produce to customers, saving a lot of food that would otherwise be discarded. While the movement is cutting down on food waste, small farmers are worried that it might have a negative affect on their livelihood. Origins Of The Imperfect Food Movement Startups like Imperfect Produce are not...
Role-playing video game sparks climate action in players worldwide
Sep 10, 2018: Research published last week in the journal PLoS One examined the effects of World Climate Simulation, a role-playing game of the UN Climate talks. The video game found that 81% of participants showed an increased desire to combat climate change. The catalyst even propelled inducements in players that identified with politics that favor free market systems and often neglect or deny human complicity in bringing about global warming and environmentally destructive climate trends. The game's ability...
Pipeline leaks 8,000 gallons of jet fuel into Indiana river
Sep 10, 2018: An oil company based out of Texas just confessed to dumping 8,000 gallons of jet fuel into an Indiana river. Buckeye Pipe Line, out of Houston, admitted that it detected a pressure loss in its fuel line last week. The break in the line poured fuel into a river near Decatur, Indiana, a town with a little under 10,000 people. Buckeye Pipe Line closed its line as soon as it detected the leak. Unfortunately, the leak still dumped thousands of gallons of jet fuel into St. Mary’s River, which runs...
A historic farmhouse is transformed into a modern home with a green roof
Sep 10, 2018: The building elements of a century-old farmhouse in Park City, Utah have been salvaged and transformed into a beautiful and contemporary new residence that pays homage to its historic rural past. Located on a nearly 80-year-old forested plot of spruce and cottonwood trees, the former farmhouse was beyond repair and needed to be demolished. Wanting to save the spirit of the farmhouse, the owners turned to Salt Lake City and Los Angeles-based design studio Sparano + Mooney Architecture to design a...
A sleek artist studio with Passive House elements projects over a cliff
Sep 10, 2018: Montreal-based MU Architecture recently completed a minimalist and modern addition that boasts dramatic landscape views of Lake Deauville and the Laurentians’ mountainous countryside in Quebec, Canada. Conceived as a multipurpose extension, the Workshop on a Cliff covers over 5,000 square feet of space and includes two superimposed garages, a workshop, a spacious creative room as well as a mezzanine level. The building is partially elevated on thin pillars so as not to disturb the tree line. Oriented...
Eco-friendly AgriNesture buildings promote agriculture and job growth in Vietnam
Sep 10, 2018: Although the majority of Vietnam’s population relies on agriculture, rapid industrialization and skyrocketing population in recent years has led to urban sprawl and the decimation of fertile agricultural land. To combat these trends, local architecture firm H&P Architects has made mending the relationship between people and nature one of the main guiding principles throughout their work. In their latest example of eco-friendly architecture, the firm created AgriNesture (Agriculture + Nesture),...
These Australian tiny cabins are designed to help us disconnect
Sep 10, 2018: Related: This off-grid, lunar lander-inspired tiny home is out of this world + CABN Via Archdaily CABN architects, Australian Tiny Home…
British Fashion Council commits to a fur-free London Fashion Week
Sep 7, 2018: London Fashion Week (LFW) will be the first event of its kind to go fur free. The British Fashion Council just announced that all of the designers at the event are excluding animal fur in their clothing lines. The move is a response to the criticism LFW has received over the past two years from activists and protestors alike. Over 250 protestors appeared at LFW last year, an increase from the 25 that showed up in 2016. With more people boycotting brands that use real fur, companies are starting...
September heat waves are causing early dismissals in schools
Sep 7, 2018: Snow days are one of the best perks of winter, but they are not the only reason schools are closing due to inclement weather. Districts around the country are letting kids out because of excessive heat. Will these so-called “heat days” become the new norm? Schools on the east coast have been giving out more heat days than ever as record temperatures continue to hit New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The cancellations are occurring more frequently in places that do not have adequate air...
Scientists working to help manatees poisoned by Florida red tide
Sep 7, 2018: The massive bloom of the toxic algae known as red tide has been raising states of emergency within Florida counties over the past few months as a result of ecological and health related damages. The harmful algal blooms are causing extensive fish kills as well as sickness and death in sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals such as manatees. Red tide accounts for 10% of manatee deaths in the last decade, however due to the current bloom cycle that ratio may jump to a tremendous 30% in the near future....
10 money-saving tips for a green home
Sep 7, 2018: With more and more people becoming mindful about the environment, there has never been a better time to make your home greener. Not only does making your house more sustainable contribute to a better world, but it also puts money back into your pocket. Here are 10 ways in which you can turn your home into an environmentally friendly space. 1. Water Savings We usually think about sustainability in terms of energy savings. But being environmentally minded also means taking a closer look at water...
This sustainable dog house has a green roof and solar-powered fan to keep cool
Sep 7, 2018: Related: + Via…
Stow away on this stylish, minimalist floating hotel in London
Sep 7, 2018: If you’re looking for a more unique place to lay your head on your next trip to London, look no further than the Boathouse London, a stylish floating hotel docked on a city canal. Created in partnership with home design brand Made.com, this bespoke hotel and events space on the water was fashioned as “an industrial style barge turned contemporary bolthole” with help from interior designer Katie Hanton. Kitted out in Scandinavian-inspired style, the chic getaway comes with customizable experiences,...