on greening existing buildings

Within a month of the release date for the UK Construction Sustainability Strategy ( due 11 June) we see another initiative announcement from government:
a parliamentary enquiry into the greening of existing offices, shops and warehouses, aimed at providing industry leaders and public figures the opportunity to contribute evidence that will go into the final [...]

… on what makes a building green

Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and
implement solutions to the environmental crisis.
Patagonia’s Mission Statement
I have mentioned Patagonia the outdoor clothing organisation a few times before on this blog, and recently searching for a model CSR policy or statement for a Masters course I am in part delivering, went [...]

zero carbon ‘floating’ development for Preston

Green, innovative and zero carbon project development on our doorstep in Preston, Lancs, !

The RIBA have recently awarded a zero carbon design as the visitor center at the new Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Nature Reserve in Preston, to regenerate a former quarry site into a major visitor attraction.
The project called “A Floating World”, consists of [...]

isite radar for 14 april

Phil has mentioned podcasts recently - just as I was to recommend the Guardian Environment Weekly podast. Listened to the last two on the car journey home last night, useful interviews with Brain Paddick and Ken Livingston. Next week plans an interview with Boris Johnson (all of whom are apparently standing for Mayor of London [...]

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 [...]

UK sustainability events

I seem to be on a conference theme this evening so I should give a plug for two important UK events, (or Phil will be after me)
Think 08 - 7 and 8 May 2008
Think08 is a free exhibition and high level conference about thinking through and delivering sustainability in the built environment. With over [...]

Green build goes big in San Jose

Over 13000 delegates, 100 speakers and 380 exhibitors are expected at West Coast Green, the world’s largest residential green building conference, in San José this September.
The event, that will be a green zero-waste conference, will also include live blogging, live broadcasting and plenty of pre-conference previews and profiles through the online San Fransisco Chronicle.
From [...]

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. [...]

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 [...]