High Point: saving a $104,734 Red Oak by Kirsten Dirksen on May 30, 2009 When the builders of Seattle’s High Point community redeveloped the 130 acres, they tore down all the homes and tore …
A neighborhood with porous sidewalks & plants that clean by Kirsten Dirksen on May 30, 2009 A sign at Seattle’s High Point Development explains what happens to rainwater here: “Native plants and grasses on gently sloped …
The ultimate earth-friendly building material: mud by Kirsten Dirksen on May 30, 2009 When homebuilder Graeme Ellis decided to build a home for himself and his family 30 years ago, he looked to …
o2NYC: corn cups & sustainable skyscrapers by Kirsten Dirksen on May 30, 2009 In the late eighties, a group of European designers began to rebel against the throwaway culture questioning the design world …
Passive solar design: budget solar by Kirsten Dirksen on May 30, 2009 Ancient Greeks built their homes to take full advantage of the sun’s rays, and the Romans continued the tradition adding …
Permaculture: homegrown vegetables, home-pressed olive oil by Kirsten Dirksen on May 30, 2009 Shopping at farmers markets and buying organic are just baby steps in the sustainable food movement. To cut food miles …
When permaculture moves indoors by Kirsten Dirksen on May 30, 2009 It’s best known as a way to landscape in harmony with nature, but permaculture (permanent + agriculture) is also being …
A greywater system kitchen with marmoleum floors by Kirsten Dirksen on May 30, 2009 To create a sustainable kitchen, consider flooring with marmoleum and putting in a greywater system. Linoleum which hit the market …
Green Home Center: sugar waste cabinets and recycled counter by Kirsten Dirksen on May 27, 2009 The Green Home Center in San Francisco was started by “green enthusiasts” who wanted to sell building and remodeling products …
Permaculture house: passive solar as AC by Kirsten Dirksen on May 26, 2009 Permaculture is a basis for design that mimics “the patterns and relationships found in nature”. When applied to home temperature …