The New Green

As the green building movement is taking over America it has finally reached the South of Florida as well. Green or sustainable construction can be described as the latest trend in the USA. Indeed it is not a trend but a realization that the construction industry is one of the largest contributors to depleting natural resources, energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Furthermore the current way of erecting structures leaves the habitants exposed to toxins, artificial lighting and limited quality of air.
The sustainable movement seeks to change all this and has already made a huge impact into the industry. Structures are built with recycled materials, waste to landfills is regulated and minimized and green roofs are finding their way to relieve some of the heat gain produced by otherwise useless surfaces. Buildings are integrated with advanced lighting and temperature control systems; water is preserved and reused where possible. Even solar panels and wind turbines are installed to provide green power to fuel the building without the need for outside, usually fossil fuel based, energy.
Leading stated like California and the Northeast are already showing a large number of these projects completed and are demonstrating the benefit of them with hard figures. South Florida has some unique challenges that make implementation of some of these features difficult. The subtropical climate and high humidity require more conditioning of the built environment, reducing the possibility of natural cross ventilation and heat. Hurricanes do their part to add to the construction regulations and tighten the building codes, limiting some of the elements that can otherwise be installed without much hassle such as external solar panels, cisterns or screen doors.
The local market is transforming and many projects are seen in the planning stages. Some professionals, like myself, are already taking the next step and incorporate many of the available features, materials and technologies, making every project a bit more green. Green is a relative term and I much prefer sustainable design over the currently coined green design. Sustainable design, as I define it, incorporates not just some of the new technologies, available materials and non toxic elements, but it considers the long term benefit and use of a project. This concept carries through from design all the way to paint and furniture selection.
The initial design must consider location, be it a new home or an interior renovation. What are the best features of the project? Where is the natural light coming from? What is the direction of the wind? Once the outside elements are understood the design already begins to take shape. After the structure is erected the selection of area appropriate finish materials should be considered. Find recycled or reclaimed materials where possible. Many new companies are bringing their creations to the growing market. Recycled glass counter tops, coconut palm or cork flooring, slag cement or natural clay plaster. Install all this with non toxic adhesives and use non toxic paint. The improvement in air quality is noticeable from the first day, even during installation. These material and practices reduce asthma and improve overall health.
Installation of high efficiency water fixtures, faucets and appliances does not just reduce the amount of water used but also lowers monthly expenses. Digitally controlled air conditioning systems, motion sensors to regulate lights and energy star refrigerators and cook tops further impact your power bill. Going green is not just good for your health and the environment but also for your wallet.
Not all pieces of a project must be green. Sustainable also means enduring. With this in mind, when furnishing a project, the selection typically finds its way to the higher end of the spectrum. The reason for this is simple. In general we are less likely to throw away a ten thousand dollar sofa, rather, if taste has changed, it can be reupholstered. Is the structure is well finished items will last decades, reducing the waste to landfills. Price is by no means the guiding factor but awareness of future use guides many decisions to decorate. Can this item be reused in the future? Can the item and even the layout adapt to future needs?
Case in point is a recently completed project of mine: The Viola Hollywood condo.
The project is an oceanfront condominium located on the seventh floor of a building in Hollywood, Florida.
The program required to maximize the ocean view with windows only one side of the flat. The owner wanted a lasting decor that would allow adapting with minimal or no alterations in the future.
The inspirations for the design are the ocean, waves and the local residence. The layout is based on shapes of waves and the form of the ellipse to convey a sense of fluidity and motion. The shape was carried through into the selection of lamps and furniture. Items were selected for multiple use by design and mobility, such as two lounge chairs that work alone, at the bar or the living room.
Limited floor to ceiling ratio was visually enhanced by color and material selection. Some items were reused within the unit. Construction debris was separated by type. Wall mirrors, wood studs and hardware were donated. The existing water heater and air conditioning unit were in good working condition and remain.
New materials were selected with the indoor air quality and the overall well being of the owner and contractor in mind. Non VOC paint and adhesives, rapidly renewable material, coconut palm for the floor and natural stones were selected. FSC certified wood for kitchen cabinets and regional material, such as soap stone, were integrated.

Even though a professional designer can best assist in the selection and implementation of these practices, there are many things that can be done by anyone. Start with your air condition system and change the thermostat to a digital model. Program it to raise the temperature when no one is in the building and lower it half an hour before returning home. Change the light bulbs to energy star bulb. When replacing appliances, look for the water and power use data and select a high efficiency model.

Having received my education at the University of Miami with a strong focus on traditional architecture and design, the real world of construction was disappointing to me and lacking quality in many aspects. My upbringing in Hamburg, Germany left me searching for a better way to build and I found the green movement. The USA is a quite a bit behind the curve as compared to Germany. Green roofs, natural ventilation and energy conscious design are basic practice, not here. But things are changing; changing for the better. A notional not-for profit organization called the US Green Building Council can probably be credit with the changes we are seeing in the USA. They created a voluntary checklist called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) that allows to specifically measure changes to the structure and also recognizes the achievement. There is still a long way to go, but changes are occurring.

The Grass is Greenest...

.....on my side.

Did you ever stop to look around?
I have, and today is one of those days.

Here I am looking around and finding myself staring at the lawn. Mighty green it seems. The sun is dying. Settling for yet another day. Taking all its events, actions and mysteries with it.

It is glooming over my yard. Green well cut, dancing in the sun’s rays. Did the other guys see this? Is their lawn as green as I see it?

Surely it must be. This is the perfect setting. Slightly bussed. Well fed. All is good.

I stop.

I think.

Beautiful wife; nice house; friends and family; everything fine:

F rantic
I nspiring
N ew
E ccentric

So life appears to be peachy. So what are my thoughts rambling on…..
I close my eyes. I listen. Humming. Silence.

The fantasy rises. The wife. The house. The green yard…

Environmental Revolution

Each time period in history has had its revolution that lead to an ultimate change in perception, standard of living and way of living. Just looking at the last century human kind has experiences an increasing number of these revolutions at an increasing pace. There was the Industrial Revolution, the Computer Revolution, etc.
So one might look around and ask what revolution this time will be seen as. The virtual revolution? It is most certainly a part of it but in my opinion already past. When looking at the downfall of industrial giants, the crash of the common stock exchanges and the increased number of agricultural catastrophes the answer begins to crystallize. Society is exploiting the planet and ultimately destroying it. Resources are diminishing and livable space is becoming rare. Therefore, I believe that we are in the outset of the ENVIRONMENTAL REVOLUTION. Small movements are surfacing throughout the world and bring awareness to these issues and their importance on the future of our existence. Governments acknowledge the necessity to change policy of food mass production and related issues. Arising diseases are typically the cause for such changes. However, few steps are taken to foresee dangers and eliminate them at the core. This is a critical component to assure the continuing supply of safe, sane, and quality food to the people.
Managing and protecting resources appears to be the main issue to set this revolution on a successful path. Many groups have fought bravely for decades to protect this planet and the resources, being it plants, animals or raw materials, with little success or impact. Continuing emergencies are finally giving these groups an open ear. Furthermore, the fall of the industrial / corporate world is putting fear and uncertainty in the minds of the people when thinking about the future.
Changes need to occur within resource protection, alternate energy development and implication, and safe agriculture production. This includes the careful use of this planets earth, natural resources, and raw materials. By changing policies and awareness within the public, one might accomplish these changes.
The building industry is what one could refer to as the key component in this revolution. Accounting for 40% of the energy absorption within the United States alone it is the single largest component to make a significant difference (larger than the automobile industry). The planning capabilities and vision of this industry have the power to set a new ground for society at large. Codes and regulations have the power to guide the mass into following easy and effective principals that help to ensure a safe future through Environmental awareness and responsiveness. Steps are already taken. One example is the LEED program of the US Green Building Counsel forcing the entire building process (design/construction, use, demolition) to be aware and efficient in the use of energy and with those resources. Other examples of environmental awareness and policy can be found in the EPA Guidelines addressing the US only.

Let the revolution evolve !!!

New Years Resolutions...

... are surly a wonderful treat. Who does not want to get back their dream body, remove all debt and free up more time. Sure you can join the gym, cut your credit cards to pieces and quit your job. But this leaves you where? Probably with more expenses for gym membership, that will not be used after , lets say, three weeks; hence more charges to your credit card (because there was no money in the first place to pay for membership with cash), and more time in front of the TV to obliterate the obvious evil thoughts of failure for not sticking to your resolutions. And why do you need January 1st to do all this? You do not.

I started on my resolutions a day early! But why not a week, or why not now, three days later.

There are many people procrastinating life decisions. Things are made easier for us every day. Drive troughs replace walk ins. Fast food the sit down dinner. Wal Mart the small neighborhood store (that you actually could have walked to). Change is happening around us every day. Most of it not for the better, but that remains a matter of opinion. So why not start your own. Now. Get up and do it. Change for the better. Better to be defined at a later time.