Geothermal-powered forever home targets environmental and social sustainability

Japanese influence weaves throughout the stunning Pound Ridge Residence, a luxurious forever home in rural New York designed by Tsao & McKown Architects for an acclaimed international clothing designer and her husband. The strong architect-client relationship spanning the course of 20 years granted the architects design control not just over the architecture, but the landscape, interiors, and custom furnishings as well. Built to target environmental and social sustainability, the timber-framed house minimizes its energy and resource footprint and is designed for aging in place.

Set on 30 acres of forested land, the 2,900-square-foot Pound Ridge Residence opens up to the outdoors through ample full-height glazing and covered walkways. “The structure is formed of exposed heavy timber construction, a rarity today, which, in addition to its natural beauty, has the added advantage of reducing the need for interior walls,” wrote the architects, adding that timber frame construction was built of local wood. “The load-bearing timber beams span the interiors and, with their darkened hues, recede from view as they frames the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the gardens and surrounding woods.”

With design control over the architecture, interiors, furnishings, and landscaping, the architects achieved a customized and “holistically conceived environment” reflecting needs and preferences of the clients, whom they knew well. “With full awareness of how they live, work, and entertain, we conceived the furnishings simultaneously with the architecture,” said the architects.

Related: Solar-powered forever home is a modern take on the rustic farmhouse

The single-story home mainly features open-plan layouts that take advantage of natural ventilation and light through sliding glass doors, windows, and operable timber panels. Light is also let in through two large asymmetrically shaped skylights. Radiant geothermal heating and cooling regulate indoor temperatures and are complemented by two hearths with sculptural custom bronze chimneys. Low-energy materials were used in construction and all excavated stone was reused in the gardens and landscape. The exterior spaces and landscaping feature native species and minimize impermeable paving to capture runoff water.

+ Tsao & McKown Architects

Via ArchDaily

Images © Simon Upton

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How the world's first floating city could restore the environment

The world got a little closer to the first floating city when the Seasteading Institute signed a memorandum of understanding with the French Polynesian government earlier this year. Not only could floating cities offer a sustainable place to live, but they could also potentially help coral reefs recover and provide a habitat for marine life, according to Joe Quirk, Blue Frontiers co-founder and Seasteading Institute seavangelist. Inhabitat spoke with Quirk and architect Simon Nummy to learn more about the vision for the world’s first floating city.

Quirk told Inhabitat, “We think of cities as being a blight on the land and polluting the oceans. Floating cities are so different because they could actually be environmentally restorative.” For example, an increase in ocean temperatures has caused much of coral bleaching. Quirk said the mere presence of a floating city could help combat this issue. He said, “The corals could actually recover if we could just lower the temperature a little. Our engineers at Blue Frontiers have devised a plan to position the platforms to create some shadows to lower the temperatures. So as the sun moves about, you get enough light on the ocean floor to spark photosynthesis, but you lower the heat just enough to have a restorative effect.”

Related: World’s first floating city one step closer to reality in French Polynesia

Solid floating structures can also increase the amount of sea life by serving as a habitat, according to Quirk. He said platform floors, that would be below water level, could be made of glass, creating an aquarium apartment or aquarium restaurant.

There are currently a few visions for what the floating cities might look like from different designers, as seen in the images. Nummy, who won the Seasteading Institute’s Architectural Design Contest, told Inhabitat, “The intent is for an architecture derived from nautical technology and sensibility, combined with a deep respect and willingness to learn from the culture and knowledge of the original seasteaders, the Polynesians.”

The goal is for the floating city, which will be placed around one kilometer, or a little over half a mile, from shore inside a protected lagoon, to be 100 percent renewable and 100 percent self-sufficient. Floating solar panels could help power the city, and Quirk said as water cools panels, they could generate 20 percent more energy than their landlocked cousins. 20 percent of the floating city could be comprised of solar panels. Another goal is to not discharge any water into the lagoon – waste water is to be treated and recycled. Food could be cultivated in sea farming systems.

“Each building strives for energy independence and the architecture results from this; energy efficiency and passive strategies are vital,” Nummy told Inhabitat. “Polynesian architecture is primarily about the roof and we have tried to interpret this in a contemporary, sensitive way that both reflects local precedents while harvesting rainwater and discretely maximizing the opportunities for photovoltaics and vertical axis wind turbines.”

The floating city could be designed to look like a natural island, featuring green roofs and buildings constructed with locally-sourced materials – potentially bamboo, coconut fiber, or local wood like teak. Nummy told Inhabitat, “The buildings are designed to connect to nature and embrace the magnificent Tahitian views. Walls are to be louvred or openable whenever possible.”

2020 is the goal for construction of the floating village, which would include around 15 islands 82 by 82 feet. Quirk said the first floating city could be kind of like the first iPhone – rather bulky and expensive – but they aim to drive down the price with later iterations. Two to three years after 2020, they hope to double the amount of platforms – from around 15 to around 30 – and then triple the amount two to three years after that.

Quirk said, “Island nations and coastal nations are already suffering from sea level rise, and this is a realistic way for them to adapt.”

+ Seasteading Institute

+ Blue Frontiers

+ Blue21

Images courtesy of Blue Frontiers, Blue21, and Simon Nummy

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How to reuse and recycle your post-holiday waste

Want to get a P.H.D. in what to do with your P.H.W.? (That’s short for post-holiday waste in case you didn’t know.) While you may not have heard of the term (we kind of just made it up), we’re pretty sure you know what we’re talking about – the crumpled wads of giftwrap, the withering tree, that sweater from Aunt Mabel that was so fugly that it made a baby cry. Don’t worry if you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, however – P.H.W isn’t contagious, and there’s a quick cure – read on to check out our 5 easy tips for what to do with all that stuff after Christmas!

1. HAVE A SWAP PARTY

You may not be in love with the fringed, mesh muscle shirt that one of your over-zealous co-workers gave you, but someone else might go gaga over it! Planning a swap party is simple – just invite a few favorite friends to bring over their unwanted gifts, serve some yummy snacks and beverages, and let the trading begin! For an added dose of excitement, play the classic gift-switching game White Elephant.

Photo credit: Zazzle

2. REGIFT

The idea that regifting is taboo is so 2011! If you’ve got a gift that you know someone else will enjoy more than you will, why not give it to them? Better yet, start a ‘gift drawer’ to collect new beautiful items that you can see being perfect for future birthdays, housewarmings, etc.

3. DONATE UNWANTED PRESENTS

The most generous way to discard of unwanted toys, clothes and electronics after the holidays is also the easiest. Donate to local shelters, charities or Goodwill. Dropping items off on the way to do errands is a cinch and in many cases, pickups can be arranged free of charge.

4. RECYCLE OLD ELECTRONICS

Before you trash your old TV, mp3 player or computer to make way for your newly acquired goodies, consider how dangerous e-waste is for the environment and for human beings. Check out the EPA’s page on how to find ecycling locations to dispose of your electronics safely and maybe even get you a discount on some new ones!

5. RECYCLE GIFTWRAP AND YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

This one’s a no-brainer but it still rings true. Saving and reusing your giftwrap as well as recycling your tree are simple steps you can take towards battling P.H.W.

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How to recycle your holiday tree

As the holidays come to a close, the gifts have been given, the cookies have been eaten, and your holiday tree is more than likely starting to look a little crisp around the edges. It’s at this point in the holiday season that the realities of the Christmas tree dilemma start to sink in. Fortunately, there are some great ways to recycle your tree so it doesn’t just end up as landfill, and we’ve also touched upon some greener ideas for future holidays.

If you have a live-cut tree like the majority of the US population, you are probably beginning to contemplate how to dispose of it properly, which seems so sad, considering that this tree probably took at least 10 years to cultivate and grow and was cut down for a just a few weeks of holiday pleasure. If you do have a cut tree, your best option is to send your little tannenbaum to a better place by “treecycling”. These days, most communities have treecycling centers, where you can drop your trees off without hassle and know that they will go on to start a new life providing mulch, landscaping or erosion prevention.

For treecycling locations near you, look here >

Info on Holiday Trees, and Some Alternative Ideas for the Future:

According to the National Christmas Tree Association:

• Approximately 25 million-30 million live Christmas trees are sold in the nation every year.
• An acre of Christmas Trees produces the daily oxygen for 18 people.
• 80 percent of artificial trees are manufactured in China, and most are made with PVC and other plastics, which do not biodegrade and which contain enough lead to legally require a warning label.

There are plenty of people out there who attest that “Real Christmas Trees” have real environmental benefits, doing all the oxygen-producing, CO2-absorbing work that any good trees do, and more of it. But this doesn’t change the fact that people chop down 15-year-old trees for the sake of a few short weeks of pleasure, then kick them to the curb, only to cause chaos with garbage collection and landfills. And the fake ones? Need we say more than: lead poisoning?

Living Trees

Our favorite option for Christmas trees is buying potted ones to replant, or “renting” trees for the holidays. If you have a living potted Christmas tree (and we applaud you if you do), you can easily plant that little guy in your yard after the festivites are over or donate it to Friends of the Urban Forest to be planted in an area lacking in greenery.

San Francisco has received a lot of attention for their Rent-a-Tree program, which provides a variety of tree species to families for the holiday season. They can be strung with popcorn and tinsel just like their disposable cousins, but come early January, the city will pick them up and plant them in a neighborhood that needs some greening. Other areas have similar programs. The Original Living Christmas Tree Company in Oregon has been providing a rental Xmas tree service for some time. It’s not the cheapest route, but it definitely represents the spirit of giving that characterizes this season.

If you want something cheaper and smaller, try a DIY tree. The Yule Tree-To-Be Kit provides you with seeds to grow your own Noble Fir. This is a great idea for marking an important first (first Xmas together, baby’s first Xmas, etc.), and it grows in size and meaning as the years pass.

What are your ideas for greener ways of doing the tannenbaum tradition?

+ Search for a tree recycling center near you

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OLIO launches revolutionary food sharing app to reduce waste

OLIO is an online app designed to reduce food waste through social networking. After creating an account, OLIO users can upload photos and descriptions of foods, such as extra vegetables, surplus canned goods, or leftover meals, that they wish to share. Since launching in the United Kingdom in early 2016, OLIO has gained 322,000 users, with more than 400,000 food transactions made on the app. A third of OLIO’s regular users are from low-income households.

“[The food system] is clearly absolutely bonkers and needs to be fixed,” said OLIO co-founder Tessa Cook, who was inspired to create the app to deal with what she describes as “one of the biggest problems facing humanity today,” according to the Independent. One-third of all food produced globally is wasted, while in the United Kingdom, the average family discards £700 worth of food each year. Cook was inspired by one incident in which she sought to share leftovers on the street, but could not find someone. “I thought, this is perfectly delicious food. I know there is someone within 100 meters who would love it. The problem is they don’t know about it,” she said.

Related: France is the world’s most sustainable food country

When Cook realized there was no food-sharing app, she and Saasha Celestial-One, an American former investment banker, co-founded OLIO after raising £1.65 million (~$2.2 million) in investor funding. OLIO is now collaborating with cafes and supermarkets to reduce food waste, while positively impacting business and consumer behavior. Sharing apps like OLIO have highlighted the positive possibilities of a networked society. “These have made visible the kind of opportunity within all this stuff around us, and they can be really powerful,” said Joe Iles, editor-in-chief of Circulate, a magazine which promotes the idea of a circular economy, in which materials and products are reused.

Via the Independent

Images via OLIO and Depositphotos

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10 ways to have a green Christmas this year

Christmas might be focused on trees, but that doesn’t make it a green holiday. From wasteful purchases and non-recyclable wrapping paper to disposable party ware and high electricity bills, the holiday season can take a toll on the environment. By shopping local, crafting your own gifts, upcycling, and reducing waste, you can not only make the Christmas season more sustainable, but also save money and have a positive impact on your community. Read on to discover 10 easy ways you can green your Christmas this year.

1. Make your own recycled gift wrap: 

Did you know that some Christmas gift wrapping isn’t even recyclable? Keep bags of trash out of the landfill by creating your own simple gift wrap from recycled shopping bags or brown kraft paper.  You can also spruce up the packaging by making your own stamps from potatoes and other veggies.

2. Buy used:

 Instead of purchasing new gifts, consider shopping used. Check out antique stores, Goodwill or eBay to find great deals on unique and unusual items for friends and family, like vintage dishes, pottery, retro outerwear, and jewelry. You’ll also be saving money and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time!

3. Make your own gifts:

Why not DIY? Crafting your own gifts can be a rewarding experience, and personal gifts are always meaningful. You can take it one step further by using recycled and sustainable materials. Try your hand at making a tiny terrarium, scented pomanders, or herbed salts and sugars for baking.

5 festive Christmas ornaments you can make from recycled paper 

4. Shop local:

Reduce your emissions and support a sustainable local economy at the same time. Love having artists and craftspeople in your neighborhood? Support them by checking out local boutiques, farmer’s markets, family-owned businesses and craft fairs to find great gifts that are totally unique.

5. Alternative Christmas trees:

Heady pine and fir are some of the most evocative Christmas scents, but the gorgeous trees are only on display for a few weeks before ending up in the discard pile at the curb. Extend the life of your Christmas tree by purchasing a live potted tree.  If you live in a small space, you can also create a Christmas tree alternative by decorating a potted plant – Norfolk Island Pines work well for this. Finally, you can even craft or purchase a tree made from cardboard or wood, which will last for years with no messy needles to clean up. If you still crave that all-natural evergreen scent, wreaths and swags are a more sustainable choice, as they’re made from the boughs of live trees that can be harvested again and again.

6. Use Natural and Recycled Decorations:

 Christmas decorations are fun and easy to make, whether at home, with kids, or even at your office! Make your own recycled cardboard Christmas village, upcycled wreath, or re-use old Christmas cards to make a garland. Its also sustainable and seasonal to decorate with materials collected from nature, like pinecones, pine boughs, and holly.

7. Skip Disposables:

Instead of using disposable paper napkins, cups and plastic silverware at Christmas parties this year, use dishes and cloth napkins instead. Not only are they reusable, but you can shop thrift stores to find charming mismatched sets of china and dishes that you’ll use again and again. If you must use disposable, spring for unbleached compostable products that reduce toxins and break down more easily than conventional disposables.

8. Save Energy:

Don’t leave your Christmas lights on all day. Instead,  you can purchase and set a timer if you have a large or outdoor display, or you can simply turn them on at dusk. In addition, new LED and other low-energy Christmas lights are now much more affordable and nearly every store will have them in stock.

Read More: Juniper Ridge Christmas Fir Cabin Spray Is Christmas In A Bottle 

9. Donate: 

Its happened to everyone – you receive a gift you don’t like, but you keep it anyway. This year, start the holidays by going through your house and closet to donate used clothes and unwanted gifts to local charities. The winter is cold and unused and unwanted coats are always in demand this time of year. After the holidays, you can do a second round of donations with any unwanted gifts, as well as older clothes and products that were replaced by a new gift or purchase.

10. Burn Clean.

Candles provide a warm light to dark winter days. Instead of choosing candles made from petroleum-derived paraffin, seek out candles made from beeswax, soy or vegetable wax. As a bonus, beeswax has a sweet all-natural aroma that will scent your home as you light the night!

Lead Image ®Kaesler Media (modified)

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