First zero-emission home unveiled in UK
Zero-emission Home | From BBC
The BBC reports, “The UK has unveiled the first zero-emission house that will set the environmental standard for all new homes in future.”
The “Lighthouse” features solar panels, a biomass boiler, and water efficiency devices such as rainwater harvesting. Also, its owners will be able to tell if they are wasting any energy through a “smart metering” system.
There’s no details about when the house will be built, how much it’ll cost, or what materials will be used for construction. So, really, it’s not the first zero-emission house until it’s built.
Source: First zero-emission home unveiled
Nonprofits use Google Earth to illustrate causes
Appalachian Voices is using 3D maps in Google Earth to show destroyed Appalachian Mountains | From CNet
Google Earth is making it easier for nonprofit groups to make maps that illustrate their causes. While normal GIS (Geographic Information Systems) programs are both expensive and difficult to use, Google Earth is free and easy.
According to CNet, “The popularity of mapping tools from Google and rival Microsoft has spurred nonprofits and other organizations to develop “layers” for the service that visually guide people to a cause. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency earlier this year said it plans to use Google Earth to map out toxic wastelands.”
gCensus takes layers most nonprofits are using a step further by allowing users to incorporate Census data. This allows users to create maps, of normally dull data, into a medium everyone can understand.
The Google Earth and gCensus combination creates an incredibly powerful, and easy to use, resource for nonprofits.
Source: Do-gooders doing Google Earth
The Top Ten Green Skyscrapers
The Bahrain World Trade Center Towers, Kingdom of Bahrain | From EcoGeek.org
EcoGeek is awesome. Today they posted the top ten green skyscrapers in the world complete with construction status.
Source: Uber-Eco-Towers: The Top Ten Green Skyscrapers
Designing To Make A Difference In The World
Design Like You Give A Damn: Architects for Humanity
Lisa Selin Davis and Jeff Muckensturm interview Cameron Sinclair from Architecture for Humanity, in person on April 26th, 2007
Architecture for Humanity is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization “founded in 1999 to promote architectural and design solutions to global, social and humanitarian crises… Architecture for Humanity creates opportunities for architects and designers from around the world to help communities in need. We believe that where resources and expertise are scarce, innovative, sustainable and collaborative design can make a difference.” AFH, Website. Their work can be found all over the world– from the tsunami ravaged regions in South-East Asia, to the devastation of the Gulf Coast in the US.
Architecture for Humanity’s latest milestone is the Open Architecture Network. The Open Architecture Network is an attempt to bring crowdsourcing to building design. The site facilitates the sharing of design information and allows its users to adapt specific designs to fit their local needs. This interview focuses on the Open Architecture Network.
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