Felix Jerusalem's Stroh Haus

I complained the other day about not having seen anything really interesting in a while, and then my buddy Justin at Materialicio.us answers the call with this amazing find - the Stroh Haus by Swiss architect Felix Jerusalem. This home has several things going for it that really appeal to me. First, it has a simple, clean plan. Second, that green exterior is my favorite color. Third, I am fascinated with translucent panels, and the Stroh Haus uses them as exterior sheathing to groovy effect. Lastly, the house utilizes a really interesting type of construction material - straw pre-formed into structural elements. That's a slick approach that ought to have some legs.








Thanks Juzz!

Image credits - Stroh Haus site

Rural Studio Still Going Strong - and Blogging!!!

The first straw bale house I ever saw was the (now very famous) Hay Bale (Bryant) House by Rural Studio, Samuel Mockbee's groundbreaking do/learn program at the Auburn University School of Architecture. I was hooked!




I've been a fan of Rural Studio ever since. Sadly, Mockbee passed away a few years ago, but Rural Studio is still going strong. Did you know they've got some blogs going to chronicle their amazing work? Yep, they do! Five of them, in fact.

The blogs give you a great peek at all the hard work that goes into making their projects happen. Since I focus on residential work, my favorite is naturally the Outreach Project $20k House Phase III blog. As the name implies, this is the third in a series of projects aimed at very low cost homes, in Rural Studio's great tradition of building for low income families. Here's some pics I've sampled from the blog's year of posts, to give you a feel for what they're building.






The other blogs are great too. They cover community projects, which is another area that Rural Studio has made amazing contributions to.

I know Rural Studio is very well known, and that I'm not breaking any ground talking about it here. But I wanted to remind everyone that the program is still going strong, and that you can get an up close and personal look inside Rural Studio projects on their great blogs. Go visit them, and leave them a comment, just to show your support.

New Video Preview of Building Green - First Full Season Coming Very Soon on PBS

Folks, don't forget to check your local TV listings next week - Building Green is coming soon on PBS. Take a look at this just-released preview of their upcoming first season:





Host Kevin Contreras' house is wonderfully green, and so beautiful. But did you watch the whole clip? Because if you didn't, and if your tastes are on the groovier side (like mine), you'll really like the last few seconds. There are shots of some really eco-hip modern homes that you won't want to miss, and that have me looking forward to catching every episode of Building Green.

I've seen a few of the pilot episodes and they were really good. I'm told they've re-edited the shows for this first full season and that they're even better - plus there are new episodes that didn't air in the pilot run. It's looking like a great first season. The episodes are set to start airing sometime this month on PBS, so check your local listings.

Straw bale walls, blue jean insulation, natural finishes, radiant floors - OH MY!

Tune in to Building Green!

Good Article at Residential Architect Online About Arkin/Tilt

I haven't talked about them too much in this blog, probably for fear of overdoing it because I think their work is so great (and so does everybody else, really, they're everywhere), but David Arkin and Anni Tilt are doing some really inspiring work. Their homes have such a distinct, groovy style. It's kind of part craftsman, part modern and part vernacular. Whatever you want to label it, it's all green. Arkin/Tilt are really leading the way. In terms of strawbale construction, use of reclaimed materials, and alternative energy they're at the top of the game.

Of course, check out their website for info on all their work. But also, I wanted to point out this great article on Residential Architect Online called "Natural Habitat." It's a little old but full of great info on the duo. Definitely worth reading.

PBS TV Show "Building Green" to Air June 5th

A while back I posted about a great PBS TV show called "Building Green" that piloted last year. It's a fabulous show, very well done, and I was really pleased to get a press release from them announcing they've been picked up for a full 13 episodes that start airing on June 5th. I know I'll be tuning in! And, as a bonus, the show's companion website is really great, has tons of good material, and features a lot of pics of the straw bale home featured on the show (pictured below). I highly recommend giving it a click.




This is good stuff. It's a great sign too. When this kind of show does well it means that the mainstream is taking note, peoples' attitudes are changing, and what used to be an "alternative" approach is now being recognized as the better way that everyone ought to be going with. I'm excited! Congratulations to "Building Green!"

Here's the complete press release:

PBS to Air New Weekly Television Series Dedicated to “Building Green”

“Building Green,” a first of its kind, 13-episode series about eco-friendly building techniques and alternatives, helps homeowners discover just how easy, cost-effective and healthy it can be to go green.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – May 15, 2007 – Building Green TV announced today that its new weekly television series about creating beautiful homes and buildings in harmony with the environment is set to air on PBS affiliate stations across the country starting June 5, 2007. The show takes an entertaining and informative look at ways to “green” homes, and buildings using earth-friendly techniques and materials that are better for people, as well as the planet.

From blue jean insulation to bamboo flooring, Kevin Contreras, host and creator of "Building Green," introduces viewers to every aspect of green building using the design and construction of his own green Santa Barbara dream home as a living workshop. Each week, viewers follow the progress of Kevin’s home through signature segments like “Inside the Design,” “Saving Green,” “The Green Extreme,” “Building Health,” “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” and “Easy Steps.” They learn, step-by-step, about a range of topics and discover the best choices and green home products available on the market.

“Many people don’t realize that buildings cause more c02 emissions than cars,” comments Contreras. “In fact, buildings and their construction account for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumed in this country each year. By providing people access to information about how they can build greener, I believe we can better sustain our planet – one home at a time.”

According to Roper’s Green Gauge Report, 50% of American adults say they would do more for the environment if only they knew how. “My goal is to show viewers just how easy it is to live green,” continued Contreras. “It’s also essential for people to see that an environmentally conscious lifestyle does not mean doing without.”

Building Green’s companion website at www.buildinggreentv.com provides a content-driven destination and more extensive information exchange. By bringing homeowners and homebuilders together, the site connects users with experts and resources to develop a sense of community for people who want to make a difference.

To find PBS station listings and airdates for “Building Green,” visit www.buildinggreentv.com and check the site’s station finder.

About Building Green TV

Building Green TV’s mission is to inspire viewers to discover just how easy, cost-effective and healthy it can be to “go green” while dispelling the myth that a greener lifestyle means doing without. Building Green’s high-quality programming and companion online destination bring together hands-on instruction with experts and resources to build a community for people who want to make a difference. Whether it’s choosing eco-friendly flooring or more energy-efficient insulation, Building Green aims to educate viewers about how even the smallest choices can help save our planet. For more information, tune into Building Green or visit www.buildinggreentv.com.

Image credit - Building Green site