new online construction carbon calculator

A pre-design carbon calculator has been launched in a bid to boost the green credentials of the construction industry. The free online tool will allow the industry to evaluate sustainable options at the earliest stages of construction and covers various building sectors. Developed by Faithful+Gould, the tool will ensure costs associated with carbon saving techniques [...]

zeroHouse

A search over a coffee, starting from Pam’s link (here) led me to zeroHouse.
Now this may be hitting a lot of boxes on the zero list, may be an architects vision or dream, but to call eco (as in ‘eco’ =’home’ and a place to live?
Does this primary school Lego construction have a soul - [...]

are green buildings usable?

It seems we are becoming awash with green buildings, eco homes and eco towns.
There are some great sites out there with green architecture eye candy (check out Mad Architecture for example).
We have some major and significant conferences and events on the horizon - from the international Eco City 2008, Green Build 2008 and West Coast [...]

Low impact eco village

From the eco cities of the world to plans for a low impact eco-village in Wales.
Lammas, in its bid to get planning permission has put together a comprehensive and absorbing website. Well worth checking out.
from the Lammas website: 
The Houses
Low-impact architecture uses a combination of recycled and natural materials. The project is essentially a self-build affair. [...]

Worlds greenest city and eco home?

Is the German city of Freiburg, the  worlds greenest Eco City? Is the Passiv Haus the most effective and efficient Eco-Home? If so why are we not learning for eco-homes and eco-towns in the UK ?
Also, more on Eco Cities at Eco City 2008

a real school for the future - without eco-bling

Education Guardian reports today on the development of Acharacle School on the Ardnamurchan peninsula in Scotland.  The report by Tariq Tahir, should make ‘essential ‘ reading for those involved in school design, construction and in community assets. In addition the school childrens blog ‘they are building outside our class‘ illustrates how construction can be a [...]

is the code for sustainable homes working

Building Design asks the question is the code working and carries two viewpoints. Andy von Bradsky sees it as credible tool that will evolve and allow us to lead the field in zero carbon futures, whereas Mark Brinkley sees it as a graveyard of intentions.
The article finishes with a what do you think prompt…
I [...]

Code level 6 too easy ? - go to level 7 or beyond

Following on from earlier posts (whats wrong) on this site where I raised the question that Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable homes was seemingly too low a standard - as Barratts and Eddie Shah, and others, already claim they can achieve it , apparently without doing to much different, it is encouraging to [...]

best practice innovations and design schedule online

The USGBC has published the LEEDS innovation and design credits schedule on line, giving all opportunity to view a listing of proven green building strategies that have been submitted and utilized by LEED Certified projects. (source) in design in construction technology and management and importantly in facilities management
Making a fascinating read with such innovations [...]

collaborative city design and prequal requirements …

Worldchanging suggested in a recent post a collaborative institute with classes for every city (US) to
… offer education and examples about urban design fundamentals – what makes a public (space) work, what makes a street pedestrian-friendly, what makes a neighborhood livable – to those who are actually zoning, approving, building, and planning our cities … [...]