“The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design,” presents what living and being green means to different architects.

The group takes photos and models of twenty green houses worldwide, among them the United States, Australia, the Netherlands.

Each piece is accompanied by descriptions of their eco-features, such as earth-insulation and natural environments.

The exhibition is designed to evoke thought that green architecture can also be aesthetically pleasing. Studies are showing the energy efficient buildings often fail to function as they claim; this means that green architecture can be expensive and eco-features are dropped to save money with design build Riverside County.

This group of architects, then, are focusing on the successes of the industry. Cabinets K Designs.

“The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design,” through Oct. 16 at the Yale School of Architecture, 180 York Street, New Haven; (203) 432-2288 or www.architecture.yale.edu/arch_gallery. Admission is free.

Image courtesy of  Northeast Heavy Construction Academy

Go for front loaders
This newer style of front-loading washing machines cause less wear and wash more effectively than their top-loading friends of the past. They also use less water, and those that have the Energy Star logo tend to use 18 to 25 gallons per load, compared to 40+ that the top loading variety consumes.

Go for the cold

Regardless of your washing machine, one of the best methods you can take is using cold water. About 90% of energy used for washing clothes is based on heating the water. According to the Switch To Cold website, you can save up to $100 a year by switching to cold water washing.

Forgo the Fabric Softener

Chemicals and toxins found in dryer sheets and fabric softeners are a poor choice for your skin, health and the environment. Try this technique instead: use 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle, which naturally balances the soap’s pH, leaving clothes soft and residue-free.

Hang it

Perhaps the most obvious of them all, skipping the dryer can drastically reduce your energy use, but sometimes, putting jeans up to dry results in stiff, immobile denims. The solution? Toss the jeans in the dryer for about five minutes, then hang for the rest of the time – it’s enough to take out the wrinkles and keep them soft, but also cost-effective and mother nature friendly.

What is a rooftop garden?

Rooftop gardens are becoming more and more popular. They are gardens that are, simply, on the roofs of buildings. They’re most easily installed on flat roofs, but even if your roof has a bit of a slant, it’s possible to build one on there, too.

What you need and what to do

Before you begin, call your local city clerks and get the go ahead. Some cities and towns have by-laws. If you live in a rental, you will also want to contact your landlord.

When you’re ready to begin, it’s recommended to build sturdy walls around the garden, to shield it from very harsh elements. Be prepared for intense weather conditions by opting for small shrubs and little perennials that are compact to the ground.

Plants that are ideal for rooftop gardens are ones that just require a few inches of depth. It’s also beneficial if they are drought tolerant, such as cactus-type plants and low growing grasses. Small trees and shrubs are also ideal if you have a little more depth. Try cedar, ferns, grasses, lavender, mini-roses, and slow-growing dwarf conifers. Add some small flowers and herbs, then native fruiting plants for the birds.

Secure your pots and feed them often. In the winter, bring small plants in doors and wrap large shrubs with burlap.

The benefits of a “green roof”

Not only do rooftop gardens look nice, but they also provide insulation for your home in the winter and cool your home down in the summer. They’ll lengthen the life of your roof and reduce outside noises.

As with all gardens, they are good for the environment, too. They neutralize acid rain, remove nitrogen pollution from the rain, and reduce storm run off.

Animals love them, too. They’re a great habitat for small animals and birds will love the rooftop retreat.

For more information on building your own rooftop garden, check out Green Roofs for Healthy Cities at greenroofs.org.

Image courtesy of greenroofs.org

On Tuesday, Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the BMW AG board of management, confirmed a bevy of new production on the horizon. (Read more here)

Notably, he explained that the rumour for the 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept is legitimate, along with, most likely, a 3 Series hybrid.

The 5 series combines gas with electric, and a goal to be on our roads by 2011. With a goal of what he calls “sustainable mobility”, they are making greener plans on one of their most popular models.

“But in my opinion,” Reithofer says, “the highlight of the year is most definitely the new BMW 5 Series.”

He goes on: “The new BMW 5 Series epitomizes our entry into a new dimension. The BMW 5 Series will be a key driver of sales, image and profit for the BMW Group. We always knew that we had to become significantly more efficient with production, starting with this model. So, for the first time, we increased the number of production modules used in the manufacture of the new BMW 5 Series.

“We are also entering into a new dimension in terms of fuel efficiency. Just take the new 520d as an example: 5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, carbon emissions of 132 grams per kilometer, 184 hp.These figures describe the world’s most efficient luxury sedan.”

Luxury, indeed, but that isn’t the only greener option the company has to offer.

They recently launched the ActiveHybrid 7, along with a few external green initiatives. These include an $100 million investment with SGL Carbon to develop lightweight carbon-fiber parts for future cars, along with electric batteries, discussing the success of the Mini E.

The first completely electric BMW line will be dubbed as the Megacity Vehicle in 2013, with lithium-ion batteries and marketed as “the new vehicle for urban mobility.”

Read the full announcement here.

However, we think this might change – and with their use relatively prevalent among farmers, forest rangers, and the like, we also think it’s time for a renewed version of the classic quad.

With an increasing amount of cars and trucks turning towards diesel, ATVs may be following their lead.

Three manufacturers have already moved toward this direction; Kubota, Arctic Cat and Kawasaki now make diesel quads geared toward farmers and commercial fleets.

Arctic Cat’s 700 model is a twin-cylinder diesel, using biodiesel, a renewable, vegetable-oil based fuel – cleverly, the ATV is made for the farmers, with fuel from the farmers.

But what about for the folks who want it for recreation? Another pile of companies are emerging; among them is Barefoot Motors, out to build the world’s first “earth utility vehicle”, called the Model One.

The Model One is anything but mundane, with an 1,000-pound towing capacity, powerful enough to haul any farmer’s necessities, but with a twist of fun. Unlike conventional ATVs it has no tailpipe or exhaust, meaning it’s essentially emission-free.

With it’s electrical outlet, the lithium-ion battery is ready to go. The Model One is also balanced, light, and quiet – a winning combination.

And if you want to look cool while in your ATV, check out these Motorcycle Goggles in black. Simple, yet slick, we love ‘em. And we love the pink version even more.

Image courtesy of Barefoot Motors

This isn’t the case with the market basket from Williams-Sonoma. The frame is made of a sturdy, attractive wicker, akin to a classic picnic basket that you might remember from years past. With a classic European styling, the planet friendly shopping basket is an attractive alternative to the run-of-the-mill reusable bags.

With two wheels and a convenient handle, it’s perfect for your day-to-day duties – and you’ll want to use it more than just to take to the supermarket.

But if you can’t make it to Williams-Sonoma, we love Reisenthel Germany’s Collapsible Bag or Market Basket, the Overseas Connection Market Basket and the Collapsible Market Tote by Dots.

The new tire also had comparable traction to the previous rubber tires in wet conditions and decreased the rolling resistance in high temperatures, thereby improving the tires’ fuel efficiency.

The OCU team is still undergoing research in its long-term durability, but more studies and exploration is on the way.

The study appears in a recent issue of Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturings.

Read more about trees and how we can use them in Claus Mattheck’s Design in Nature: Learning from Trees.

Image courtesy of bridgat.com

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) are designing a similar technology for the Online Electric Vehicle (OLEV). Already evident in auto production plants, floor conveyor vehicles using a similar method for movement. As with this technology, inductive loops will be within the roadway, creating a magnetic field to supply cars with energy for movement.

This innovative transfer of energy is without cables or connectors, taking advantage of electric flowing currents.

IAV’s goal, then, it towards a futuristic roadway, allowing for vehicles to both move or charge, regardless of weather conditions and free of mechanical wear.

The team at IAV is confident this technology will launch in the next two years; they are currently in planning stages, on the way to a full-scale test track.

Read more from IAV.

Check out more by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

In addition to their nature-inspired design, they’ve also created a line of products called ‘1%’, which get their name from the way they develop them. By making only one hundred of each product, consumers own a piece, akin to having a 1% stake in the product. Just like the Moss House – it’s art meets function meet creativity.

Visit them at Nendo Studio and check out some great guides to eco-friendly design, such as pointclickhome’s Green Living by Design: The Practical Guide for Eco-Friendly Remodeling and Decorating.

Read more from inhabitat.com

Image courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

The new Mitsubishi Concept-PX MiEV hybrid uses two motors to drive the front and rear wheels along with a 1.6L DOHC MIVEC gasoline engine.

This automatically balances the vehicle to suit various conditions, along with its smart control system (the MiEV Operating System) which chooses the best drive mode. And modes there are plenty.

According to Mitsubishi, it hails an impressive fuel economy “in excess of 50 km/litre” along with a “power supply mode” that enables battery power for running domestic appliances or as an emergency power back-up.

But what stands out are all the impressive ways it functions through all its different drive modes.

The drive modes include the EV mode, for low to middle vehicle speeds, using the battery to power the front motor; the Series hybrid mode, where the gasoline engine kicks in to supply power to both electric motors; the Parallel hybrid mode using the gasoline motor more directly, along with the electric motors for greater force; the Regenerative mode for cruising downhill; the Charging mode; and  the Power supply mode, to use while parked as a back-up domestic power source.

The car’s engine is kept cool using an aluminum radiator, which is similar to that in Mitsubishi’s Evolution model which utilizes a racing radiator.

It also uses electronic four-wheel drive controlled by Mitsubishi’s S-AWC system, as well as E-AYC (Electric-powered Active Yaw Control), ASC (Active Stability Control) and ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) components.

It’s simple design features a cosy interior, with indoor/outdoor LED lighting new colours, and a long windshield for improved aerodynamics. The UV-A radiation-blocking windshield also incorporates heat-reflecting glass – and its body paint is heat-reflective.

The interior includes air conditioned seats with allergen-free upholstery that is designed to breaks down VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) and kill bacteria.

The concept also features new safety technologies including  a multi-camera system that bests any mirrors and a “Driving Safety Support System” which alert drivers of potential dangers on the road.

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