Architecture

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brio54 | Affordable Non-Toxic Living






The aim of brio54 is to offer functional, inspiring and affordable modern design to the
masses, and from what I can tell, they’ve succeeded (at least at the concept stage). With
a focus on conserving resources and promoting non-toxic living, the emerging
development firm has created three designs for your viewing pleasure: the H1 suburban,
the H2 urban infill and the H3 high ranch rehab.


And oh, what a pleasure they are to view.







But the best design, in my opinion, is the H3, which the site says is a conversion of an
outdated 1960s three bedroom ranch style into a four bedroom house with modern
amenities and a spacious master suite. Not sure what (if anything) remains of the ranch,
but, as the most affordable of the three styles, I’m sure this one will be a big hit if and
when it becomes a reality.


My only complaint is that there’s very little glimpse into the interiors, other than via the
floor plans and the occasional peeping tom-ish peaks through the windows.





While the company’s website is chock full of information, I found myself way too busy
admiring the images and imagining myself there to read any of the text. The H1 is an
imposing structure with a great looking deck that most homeowners can only dream
about. The sleek and modern house seems ideal for entertaining (which is always my first
criteria, whether I actually utilize it or not) and there’s even a basement, something most
of us Angelenos never get to experience. And the natural lighting, provided a full side of
windows on the main floor and strategically placed 2nd level ones? Out of this world.







Architecture and Design · brio54 | Affordable Non-Toxic Living

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L I M E Y





In an earlier post I mentioned a housing project by LA architect Lorcan O'Herlihy.

That building, called Habitat 825 – built right next door to the Schindler House and
deliberately designed so as to cast no shadows onto its historically listed neighbor –
has a particularly memorable use of the color lime green.

Now, thanks to a coworker of mine, I have a few photos...








And I love this building! O'Herlihy's use of volume and color just knocks me out.
For more Lorcan O'Herlihy, visit the firm's website or read this earlier post on
BLDGBLOG.


LOHA: Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects
BLDGBLOG: Limey

[Bent_Bladi]

i love green

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Now the green buildings and the sustainable design concept are taking an important place in the architectural major and the general life-style

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Here u go a green 4ever

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Inhabitat



November 24, 2008
EcoRock: Sustainable Drywall will Rock your Green World
by Daniel Flahiff







Drywall is the number three producer of greenhouse gasses
among building materials, trailing just behind cement and steel.
Its production generates 200 million tons of carbon dioxide gas,
a host of gypsum mines, and immense amounts of energy are
required to fire the 500 degree kilns in which it is produced. But
a ‘game-changer’ is on the horizon: EcoRock. This innovative
material requires no gypsum, no ovens to produce, is made
from 85 percent industrial by-products and is fully recyclable!



For the most part, drywall has not changed much since it was
invented in 1917. Serious Materials CEO Kevin Surace plans to
change that with the introduction of EcoRock, a ground-breaking
new interior wall covering made from a mixture of fly ash,
slag, kiln dust and fillers. It is composed of 85 percent industrial
by-products, is fully recyclable, and to top it all off, it is not
susceptible to mold or termites like traditional drywall. Serious
Materials chemists have devised a process that mixes these
materials with water to form a paste which is then poured out
into sheets. The process requires just 20 percent of the energy
of traditional kiln firing, and does not rely upon ovens.



As with any innovative material, we’ll pay a premium at first. Serious Materials expects to sell EcoRock at around $14 - $20 per 4 X 8 ft. sheet—comparable to current high-end drywall—but expects the price to come down as production and demand increases.


better to visit

Serious Materials

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IS IT GREEN?: The Laundry Ball
by Adrianne Jeffries




The GreenWashBall is a device that you toss into the washing
machine to clean your dirty laundry in place of detergent. An
innovative concept, but not the first of its kind - “laundry balls”
like the GreenWashBall are abundant, including the Miracle II
Ball, the Laundry Solution ball, and the Mystic Wonder Laundry
Ball. They are supposedly popular in Europe and the laundry
ball industry is hoping to gain popularity in the U.S. Completely
cutting the use of detergent is enticing from both ecological and
economic standpoints, but how exactly does the GreenWashBall
work, and can it up to its claims?



Laundry balls seem to inspire skepticism. I speculate that this is
for two reasons. One, they tend to be sold through direct
marketing, like catalogs, and multi-level marketing schemes
where sellers recruit buyers and other sellers — both mediums
lend themselves to rackets. Two, the explanation of the
technology involves some fuzzy chemistry involving everything
from magnets to “far infrared rays.”







Is it green?