Green Arch Design

“One of the most successful fundraisers at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis is not a bake sale. It’s an organic plant sale.

On a Sunday morning after the early worship service, members wander around the courtyard carrying cardboard boxes filled with tomatoes, basil and peppers.

“Yes, they’re pesticide-free and locally grown,” sale coordinator Gail Jankowski says, assuring two women who ask.

Naturally, they are. The 325-member church, surrounded by lush greenery, stresses caring for God’s creations. Ecology is such an important part of their theology that the congregation now is attempting to become the first accredited “green sanctuary” in California.This commitment is obvious to church visitors. Before entering the sanctuary, worshippers walk past carpool sign-up lists, informational pamphlets on solar panels, the plant sale and a crowded bike rack. And, of course, there’s the parking lot.

“There are probably more Priuses in our parking lot than anywhere else in Sacramento,” says Tom Jan- kowski, Gail’s husband. “Certainly, more than any other church.”

Getting the label of a “green sanctuary” is about more than recycling newspapers and driving fuel-efficient cars. It’s about changing the church to make it environmentally friendly. Davis congregational leaders have audited everything from the bathroom cleaning supplies to the type of paper used in Sunday school classes to the number of sermons devoted to the environment.

“It’s being integrated into every aspect of our church. It makes sense for us theologically and for us as a community,” said the Rev. Elizabeth O’Shaughnessy Banks.” Excerpt from Sacbee.com.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Green Sanctuary

Every year the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) invites electronic submission of built projects. Shown below are the Top Ten Winners for 2007. Click on each link to read about each project.

 EpiCenter, Artists for Humanity, MA

 Global Ecology Research Center, CA

 Government Canyon Visitor Center, TX 

 Hawaii Gateway Energy Center, HI 

 Heifer International, AR

 Sidwell Friends Middle School, DC

 Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse, OR Whitney Water Purification Facility, CT

 Willingboro Master Plan & Public Library, NJ

 Z6 House, CA

Each project must meet certain standards or measures. These measures include: 

Top Ten Measures

1: Sustainable Design Intent & Innovation

2: Regional/Community Design & Connectivity

3: Land Use & Site Ecology

4: Bioclimatic Design

5: Light & Air

6: Water Cycle

7: Energy Flows & Energy Future

8: Materials & Construction

9: Long Life, Loose Fit

10: Collective Wisdom & Feedback Loops

From solar power to biofuel, state is way ahead of federal government - NBC News

In a state where there are more hybrid vehicles on the road than almost all other states combined, two of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous Hummers now run on alternative fuels.

The legislature is considering 60 pieces of global warming legislation, everything from biofuel school buses to energy efficient TVs and computer monitors to “green” apartment buildings.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

“Green” California

These environmentally conscious buildings, neighborhoods, and even towns prove that going green can inspire great architecture.

By Andrew Blum

Ten years ago, the large-scale green building was still a pipe dream. Most of the designs were the architectural versions of horsehair shirts, neither very comfortable nor very pretty. Using less energy meant making do with less—less heating, less cooling, and moreover, less of the symbolism and grandeur that defines great architecture.

Today’s green buildings, by contrast, minimize energy use, employ sustainable materials, and win architecture awards. This list of Green Wonders of the World celebrates this shift. - Excerpt from businessweek.com.

Click on the link below to view more green buildings.

Green Architecture

The greenLIFEproject hosted a “tea” at the Bi-Lo Center before the Winter Jam concert in February.  Of course, it was green tea since the project promotes “green” living.  The greenLIFEproject team, which consists of The Sound of Light, NorthPointe Church, Greenville Technical College, and Green Arch Design Group, gave out cups of hot green tea and t-shirts as well as fliers about “green” living.  There were 380 people who signed the greenLIFE pledge which states:

I pledge to do my best to:

• Recycle
• Drive less
• Conserve Water
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s)
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances

There were also quite a number of people who asked for more information about “green” living. 

You can browse through our website, greenarchdesign.com, to find tips on going “green”. 

William McDonough, FAIA, the dean of green architecture, foresees what he calls “the next industrial revolution,” in which environmentally driven new product design and manufacturing processes would usher in an era of good design and abundance. - Excerpt from the ARCHITECTURAL RECORD Magazine.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

“The renaissance man of the green movement”

The Green Sanctuary program provides a lot of great information that churches can use to “Go Green”. Resources include:

Green Sanctuary Manual

Environmental Audit Worksheet

Environmental Impact Procurement Guidelines

Integrated Pest Management Policy

“Many architects and builders are using FSC-certified wood in their projects as a means of demonstrating their own commitment to the environment.” - Excerpt from the Green Building section of the FSC website.

“In addition, many retailers in the U.S. also stock FSC products, including The Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers, and Kinko’s.” Excerpt from the FSC-certified products section of the FSC website.

“Things are looking bad for the incandescent bulb. Not only have California and Australia decided to ban this out dated technology, but it seems there is a huge surge in interest in its successors – the Compact Flourescent Lightbulb (CFL) and, ultimately, LED technology. February 22, 2007 saw the launch of 18Seconds.org, an innovative new US campaign with the slogan: ‘Change a bulb. Change everything.’ ” - Excerpt from Treehugger.com

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Bulb

“Two weeks ago I visited the Alberici corporate headquarters, better known as the greenest building in the world. It was nothing short of inspiring. I was at once overjoyed and envious — overjoyed because of the superlative commitment this represents, and envious because I wanted to work in such an amazing building.” - Quote by Patrick Rollens, Worldchanging Chicago local editor about the Greenest Building in the world.  Posted February 3, 2007 on the Worldchanging website.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Greenest Building in the World

“Multi-site churches are definitely a movement that will become as mainstream in the next five years as the use of video screens did in sanctuaries in the 90’s.” - quote by Jim Tomberlin in article by Greg Ligon of the Leadership Network.

Click the link below to view entire article.

Inside the Multi-Site Revolution

Click on the link below to view Part 3 of an interview by Tom Doyle in Faith & Insight. We could not find part 1 & 2 on their site. The article says Jim can be reached at jtomberlin@cox.net

An Interview with Jim Tomberlin

“When you’re the CEO of a company called Imperium Renewables, you’d better practice what you preach. That’s why Martin Tobias asked architect Eric Cobb for a house with a small energy footprint. Cobb considered the cloudy, rainy weather in Seattle and put a new spin on some standard green solutions.” - from the January 2007 issue of WIRED Magazine.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Warm & Dry

“Say the word geothermal and most people think Yellowstone or Iceland, not Manhattan.  But this six-story Tribeca town house, home to a family of four, is a reminder that nearly anywhere you can dig a well you can set up a heating and cooling system to take advantage of Earth’s steady underground temperature.” - from the January 2007 issue of WIRED Magazine.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Dig Deeper

“How to green a five-bedroom home in Austin, Texas, where air-conditioning is practically mandatory most of the year?  Architect Heather McKinney decided that big is beautiful.  Rather than shrinking the house, McKinney reduced its environmental footprint with a super-efficient water-cooled AC system similar to what’s used in many commercial buildings.” - from the January 2007 issue of WIRED Magazine.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Big Chill

“Beach living isn’t for wimps.  Even around L.A., the days are hot and the sea breezes can be bone-chilling. Most ocean-front homes here are heated and cooled with traditional ozone-depleting systems.  But when architect David Hertz designed the three-story Panel House for Thomas Ennis, he found a cooler solution…” - from the January 2007 issue of WIRED Magazine.  

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Ice Box

“Talk about toxic house syndrome.  When filmmaker Renee Peperone and musician Wynn Anon bought this single-story industrial building in Brooklyn, the floors were covered with asbestos and the walls were spotted with mold and poisonous ink.” - from the January 2007 issue of WIRED Magazine.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Urban Renewal

“Do your homework.  It’s a strategy Anson Fogel brought to his 2,300-square-foot home perched in the Colorado Rockies.” - from the January 2007 WIRED Magazine.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Hot or Not

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Slash Your Energy Bill

10. Play the market

“To get the best price on gas in these volatile times, ask when your gas station gets its shipment (usually during the wee hours on a particular night).  “”When prics are spiraling upward, buy gas in the late afternoon or the evening, just before the next delivery arrives,”" says Anderson.  “”When prices are coming down, it’s better to buy before lunchtime, just after the new shipment comes.”" - Excerpt from the January & February 2007 issue of AARP Magazine.

In an article writeen by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these small changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around.  Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Categories to see the other recommended strategies as they are posted. 

Click on link below to view entire article.

Slash Your Energy Bill

9.  Stay pumped

“Cold weather reduces your car’s tire pressure, and underinflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by as much as two miles for each gallon of gas, says Lon Anderson, director of public and government relations for AAA Mid-Atlantic.  Also, check your car’s air filter regularly.  Replacing a dirty filter can mean a 10 percent increase in mileage.” - Excerpt from the January & February 2007 issure of AARP Magazine. 

In an article written by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these small changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around.  Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Categories to see the other recommended strategies as they are posted.

Click on link below to view entire  article.

Slash Your Energy Bill

8. Cook up some savings

“For reheating food, microwave ovens use up to 60 percent less energy than conventional electric ovens.  But if you’re cooking a large meal, you’re better off using the stove.  Make sure pans fully cover tha heating elements - using a four-inch pan on an eight - inch burner lets 30 percnet of the energy escape.  And if you turn off an electric stove a few minutes early, the appliance will stay hot enough to finish its job.” - Excerpt from the January & February 2007 issue of AARP Magazine.

In an article written by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these small changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around.  Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Categories to see the other recommended strategies as they are posted.

Click on link below to view entire article.

Slash Your Energy Bill

7. Stop being the dishwasher

“A fully loaded dishwasher can use 40 percent less hot water than hand washing the same number of dishes.  And it will save you not only money but that most precious commodity: time.”

In an article written by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these small changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around.  Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Categories to see the other recommended strategies as they are posted.

Solar Decathlon

The Green House

GreenBuild Expo 2007

EPA Earth Day

AIA Sustainability

Click on link below to view entire article.

Slash Your Energy Bill

6. Dust of the fridge

“When dust accumulates on the coils at the bottom or back of your refrigerator, it insulates them, making it more difficult for the fridge to expel heat and keep food cold.  The fix: vacuum these  coils everythree months - or more often if you have pets - to boost your fridge’s efficiency by up to 30 percent.  (While you’ve got the vacuum out, disconnect your dryer’s exhaust hose and clean it of lint, too, for efficiency.)”

In an article written by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around.  Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Categories to see the other recommended strategies as they are posted.

Click on link below to view entire article.

Slash Your Energy Bill

5. Slow the flow

“A shower is more energy efficient than a bath.  Yet showers still account for up to 40 percent of hot-water energy costs.  By installing low-flow showerheads and aerators on kitchen and bathroom faucets, you can reduce hot-water usage by as much as 50 percent - and that lowers your fuel bill.  Not sure how low your flow is?  Place a bucket in the shower.  If it takes less than 20 seconds to reach the one-gallon mark, go shopping:  a low-flow showerhead costs as little as $15.”  Excerpt from the January & February 2007 issue of AARP Magazine.

In an article written by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these small changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around.  Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Catagories to see the other recommended strategies as they are posted.

Click on link below to view entire article.

Slash Your Energy Bill

4. Cover the door to your attic

“When insulating your attic to hold in heat, don’t forget the panel that allows attic access.  Uninsulated, this thin sheet of plywood has a heat-resistance value of squat.  But in about 15 minutes you can build a removable insulator.  Just measure your attic opening, then cut a sheet of rigid, half-inch-thick insulation about two inches longer on each side.  Use two-by-two boards and box nails to make a rectangular frame of the same size, and attach the insulation to the frame with screws.  Then place this frame over the floor joists on either side of the attic opening.” - Excerpt from the January & February 2007 issue of AARP Magazine. 

In an article written by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these small changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around. Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Categories to see the other recommended strategies as they are posted.

Click on the link below to view entire article.

Net Metering

Anna Simon, Clemson Bureau for The Greenville News writes, “A practice called net metering could encourage South Carolinians to use solar and other alternative energies that decrease foreign oil dependence and pollution, proponents say… South Carolina is one of 10 states where it’s not allowed… The federal 2005 Energy Policy Act requires state regulators to consider it, and the state Public Service Commission is taking public comment through Feb. 1. A hearing date will be set this year, said Charles Terreni, commission director.” 

Click on link below to view entire article.

Slash Your Energy Bill

3. Pull the plug

“Most TVs, stereos, and other electronics are used only a few hours per day.  But because of their displays and memory chips, they consume energy round the clock.  In fact, inactive electronics account for a whopping 5 percent of the nation’s total energy use, reports the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 

When you’ll be gone for longer than a week, unplug these devices, suggests Ronnie Kweller, deputy director of communications for the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit group in Washington, D.C., that promotes energy efficiency.  A power strip with an on-off switch provides one-touch control.” - Excerpt from the January & February 2007 issue of AARP Magazine. 

In an article written by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these small changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around. Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Categories to see the other recomended strategies as they are posted.

Click on link below to view entire article.

Slash Your Energy Bill

2. Be a wet blanket

“Every degree you lower your thermostat can cut 3 percent from your fuel bill.  Does that mean shivering until spring?  Not if there’s enough moisture in the air, says Sarma Pisupati, Ph.D. of Pennsylvania State University.  Humid air retains heat better than dry air does, but an average heated room has only 15 percent relative humidity - that’s as dry as Death Valley.  Keep pans of water near vents or on top of radiators and you’ll feel comfortable at a lower temperature, Pisupati says.” - Excerpt from the January & February 2007 issue of AARP Magazine. 

In an article written by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Magazine, these small changes can save you hundreds.  If you think you squeezed all you possibly could from your fuel costs last winter, there are ten surprising strategies that will save you even more this time around. Click on Design Center on the left side bar under Categories to see the other recomended strategies as they are posted.

Thanks to Flamming Grasshopper for the tip. SafeLawns has created a website with a series of videos that shows how to take care of your lawn in a healthy, organic way.