Land of tiny home people: Northern CA’s Small House Movement by Kirsten Dirksen on February 18, 2011 There’s an area of about 60 square miles north of San Francisco where housing prices average about a half million …
Happiness research ranks commutes lowest: my car-free option by Kirsten Dirksen on February 16, 2011 When asked to name the worst part of our day by happiness researchers, we consistently name commuting as at least …
WorldHaus: a kit home for under $1,000, solar panel included by Kirsten Dirksen on February 10, 2011 More than a billion people worldwide live in substandard housing conditions, without access to things like clean water, sanitation and …
Liveaboard life: self-sufficient with solar, sails, VHF radio by Kirsten Dirksen on February 9, 2011 When Teresa Carey is sailing she knows just where all her energy comes from and where it’s going. “My solar …
New suburb beauty: lawn care law, native lawn & groundcover by Kirsten Dirksen on February 4, 2011 We have a problem with grass in our country (pardon the bad pun), but we’re tackling symptoms, instead of the …
Liveaboard life: minimalism in a tiny home at sea by Kirsten Dirksen on February 4, 2011 When Teresa Carey lost most of her possessions in a house fire years ago, she felt liberated. “I didn’t miss …
Maintenance secrets of a 2.5-acre, native plants living roof by Kirsten Dirksen on January 27, 2011 It’s one of the most expansive and one of the most complex living roofs ever designed- the 197,000-square-foot rooftop is …
Is Renzo Piano’s Academy of Sciences the greenest museum? by Kirsten Dirksen on January 24, 2011 The purpose of the California Academy of Sciences is to study the earth and science. It’s also located in one …
America’s 1st platinum bicycle city (Davis, CA) by Kirsten Dirksen on January 18, 2011 In Davis, California 17% of residents commute to work by bike, more than any other American community. To put that …
Why give up turf (mostly): a bluegrass lawn = parking lot by Kirsten Dirksen on January 13, 2011 In the resort area of Sun Valley, Idaho- like in so many American towns- the standard of backyard beauty is …