energy efficient buildings Archives – The Green Optimistic

Freedom Cove: An Off-the-Grid Floating Island Home

Annika Tostengard — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:55:22 +0000

A Canadian couple has constructed not just an off-the-grid home, but an entire floating, off-the-grid island in Tofino, British Columbia. Called “Freedom Cove”, the island even includes a greenhouse, a lighthouse and a dance studio. Wayne Adams and Catherine King began construction all the way back in 1992, and did most of the work themselves. They now […]

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True North Log Homes Adds More Energy Efficiency by Using Sustainably Grown Timber

Mike Sandru — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:05:45 +0000

True North Log Homes has constructed this quite marvellous structure from Quebec and north Ontario’s sustainably-grown white pine heartwood timber, which incidentally are also Forest Stewardship Council Certified. Evoking memories of the breezy country log homes of a bygone era, these are more technologically-advanced homes implementing computerized machinery and meticulous timber preparation in its construction, […]

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Chinese Gold Sliced Porosity Block Deserves Green Kudos

Mike Sandru — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 19:46:54 +0000

The Sliced Porosity Block in China has been declared finished by Steven Holl Architects. The building, which was designed with daylighting in mind, is made up of five irregular structures interspersed with open spaces to allow light to reach a plush inner courtyard. The project was inspired by valleys and canyons and also aims to […]

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Seattle Project to Improve The Energy Efficiency of Buildings

Mike Sandru — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:48:58 +0000

The massive consumption of energy can be counteracted not only by finding alternative sources, but also by cutting on the "appetite" we already have. If we look at the bigger picture, 70% of the total electricity production in the U.S. is eaten up by commercial buildings (according to the U.S. Department of Energy). So, wouldn't it be great if we could reduce that amount as much as we can?

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