5 Tips to Cut Your Electricity Bill With Energy Efficiency Expert David Johnston

by Diane Pham , 02/25/13

filed under: Green Home Expert Series, green Interiors, GreenBuilding 101, Interviews

Cutting back on your energy usage is one of the best ways to bring down your electricity bill. But did you know that making simple changes to not just your wattage consumption but the way your home retains and expels air can dramatically transform the way you experience your spaces and use electricity? Joining us this week to share 5 Tips on how we can better green our homes is green visionary and sustainable pioneer David Johnston who focuses on easy changes you can make with your appliances, air exchange, insulation and even windows that will pave the way to dramatic savings. Undoubtedly an expert on all things energy, David shares his over 30 years of experience and gives us a snapshot of some of the best ways we can reduce our energy consumption by up to 50%!

INTERVIEW: We Talk to Designer Fumi Masuda About Sustainable Design

by Priscilla Santos , 02/23/13

filed under: green furniture, Interviews

Japanese designer Fumi Masuda, who is responsible for the Pile Chair (an Inhabitat favorite) is the director of the EcoDesign Institute, a professor at the Design Department at Tokyo Zokei University, President of Open House Inc., a member of the Japan Design Consultant Association and founder of the O2 Global Network in Japan. So you can imagine how glad we were when he made some time to talk to us about green design. We recently had the chance to speak to Fumi about his history with design and he offered some interesting perspectives on the sustainable design market. Read on for his thoughts.

ARCHITECTURE

INTERVIEW: Architect David Hertz Talks to Us About How To Build With Old Planes

by Bridgette Meinhold , 02/22/13

filed under: Architecture, Interviews, Sustainable Building

The incredible 747 House, a Malibu home built from the recycled parts of a Boeing 747, captivated us with its ingenuity. We were so enamored with it that we had to learn more, so we contacted the home's builder, David Hertz, principal at David Hertz Architects and Studio of Environmental Architecture. We wanted to know where the inspiration to tear into a 747 and integrate the pieces and parts into a home came from. Little did we know that there was a ton of red tape, hoops and hurdles that the team had to overcome to make the dream a reality. The 747 House is just the beginning in a series of buildings to be constructed from the decomissioned plane, but until all of those are built, read on to see what Mr. Hertz had to say about this outstanding upcycled project.

INTERVIEW: We Talk to Architect Charles Newman About 15,000 Bottle Caps for Africa

by Amanda Coen , 02/22/13

filed under: Architecture, Interviews, Recycled Materials, social design

What started as the 15,000 Bottle Caps for Africa concept just a few months ago is now an actual built computer learning center and library thanks to architect Charles Newman and the organization Under The Acacia. The Kenya-based project revolved around Newman’s inclusive approach to design, which made it imperative that he work closely with the local Maasai people and give them ownership over the build. More than an architectural feat decorated with colorful bottle caps laid out by Maasai women according to traditional jewelry patterns, the project also creates social cohesion and introduces technology in a non-intrusive way. Newman explains, “In a community that has historically resisted western influence, allowing them to create something unique to their tribe helps them understand that while computers might be foreign, it is an opportunity to further enrich their own culture.” Read on for Inhabitat’s exclusive interview with this revolutionary architect.

ARCHITECTURE

INTERVIEW: Gensler's Irwin Miller on Sustainable Architecture and Opportunity Green

by Evelyn Lee , 02/21/13

filed under: Architecture, Green Design Events, Interviews, Sustainable Building

Gensler has more than 3,000 professionals in 41 locations around the world, and together they have managed to make quite an impact with sustainable architecture. Granted, not every architecture firm has access to their level of resources, or their repeat clientele, but we decided to dig a little deeper to see if the sustainable trend is just an outward appearance of the firm’s design, or if the philosophy is carried throughout their office’s culture. We recently spoke to Gensler’s Irwin Miller to learn more about the firm’s stance on sustainable architecture, and why they feel it is so important to be involved with green business conferences like Opportunity Green.

ARCHITECTURE

INHABITAT INTERVIEW: Water Architect Koen Olthuis on Floating Buildings & Hydro-Cities

by Diane Pham , 02/21/13

filed under: Architecture, carousel showcase, Disaster-proof design, Interviews, Sustainable Building, Water Issues

waterstudio.nl, inhabitat interview, Koen Olthuis, Cities Built On Water, water city, hydro city, urban cities and water, water architecture, floating buildings, floating cities, floating architecture

Architect Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio.nl has been fascinating the Inhabitat editors for years with his innovative floating buildings and aqua-tecture. Far from being confined by convention — or by the boundaries of dry land — Olthuis has made a name for himself as an architect who pushes the boundaries of possibility when it comes to the built environment. With a studio focused on designing floating buildings for a future water world, Waterstudio.nl has designed everything from floating apartment complexes in the Netherlands to a floating mosque in the UAE to even an entire floating community of islands for the Maldives. While we’ve spoken in depth with Koen before about flood-resistant architecture, floating buildings and what he calls ‘sustainaquality’ — in the light of the latest tragedies that have hit Japan, we have to ask: how and relevant and sound is water architecture for today’s concerns? Read our exclusive interview where Olthuis explains the sustainability of building on water, as well as how he uses 3D modeling technology to help both clients and skeptics visualize how building on water could change the world.

This interview is brought to you by Autodesk – Accelerating Better Design.

ARCHITECTURE

INTERVIEW: Inhabitat Talks with Carl Seville, the Green Building Curmudgeon

by Andrew Michler , 02/20/13

filed under: Architecture, Green renovation, Interviews

We had an opportunity to sit down with green building consultant Carl Seville, also known as the Green Building Curmudgeon for his no-nonsense look at green building and remodeling. Carl just published the textbook GREEN BUILDING: Principles and Practices in Residential Construction and is working on the new LEED for Homes Guide. We jump into the the quickly evolving world of green home construction and fly over the many local and national green building programs he has worked with. Fresh from speaking at the RaterFest Conference in the Colorado Rockies, he gives us a sometimes surprisingly optimistic look at better home construction.

INTERVIEW: We Talk to Joinless Founder Ben Davis About How Buying Less Crap Can Make Us Happier

by Yuka Yoneda , 02/20/13

filed under: Interviews

Have you ever felt like the objects you own actually own you? If so, maybe you should join Joinless, the world’s first open source brand. Joinless is based on the idea that we shouldn’t allow our obsession with possessions rule us and that we can actually be happier than we’ve ever been with less stuff. We recently got the chance to talk to Joinless’ founder Ben Davis about this fascinating anti-brand, which might be the only one ever to insist that you not spend money on them.

INTERVIEW: Sustainability Advisor Lonny Grafman on the Waterpod

by Ariel Schwartz , 02/19/13

filed under: Floating Houses, Interviews, New York City

If you live in New York City, you may soon have the chance to check out the Waterpod, an incredible self-reliant eco-habitat, exhibition, and living space designed to showcase sustainable grassroots technology. The Waterpod just launched this Saturday, and it will now dock for public viewing at various locations in Manhattan’s five boroughs. We had the chance to conduct an exclusive interview with Lonny Grafman, the project’s sustainability advisor, about this floating model of self-sufficiency.

INTERIORS

INTERVIEW: NuClic Founder David Kim Shares His Green Flooring Tips with Inhabitat

by Yuka Yoneda , 02/19/13

filed under: green Interiors, Green Materials, Green Products, Interviews

If one of your new year's resolutions is to replace your dingy carpet with some new flooring, you probably have some questions about which types of treatments are both sustainable and affordable. Pratt alumni David Kim had many of those same questions when he saw a gap in the flooring industry that needed to be filled, which is why he started his eco-friendly flooring company NuClic. We caught up with David to share some of his wisdom about what to look for when shopping for green flooring, hear his tips on how to install flooring, and see how making sustainability the backbone of his business has affected his bottom line. Read on to see what he had to say!

INTERVIEW: Why John Bartlett Thinks Cruelty-Free Fashion is Going to the Dogs (Literally!)

by Yuka Yoneda , 02/18/13

filed under: Accessories and Fashion, Interviews

Fashion designer John Bartlett is best known for his classic American garments, but when he’s not creating impeccable clothes, he’s passionate about spreading awareness about animal welfare. We recently caught up with Bartlett at the Healthy Food in Fashion Gala, and got a chance to talk to him about why he chooses to embrace cruelty-free fashion and the The Tiny Tim Collection, his latest line of clothes that benefit organizations that rescue dogs from kill shelters (just like his own 3-legged best friend Tiny Tim) and find them new homes. Read on for the full interview!

INTERVIEW: We Talk Hemp with South African Materials Expert Tony Budden

by Tafline Laylin , 02/18/13

filed under: Architecture, Green Materials, Interviews

Despite its wide application and potential to generate income in a country badly in need of jobs, hemp is still illegal in South Africa. But Tony Budden, a tireless advocate of growing this amazing, renewable material, is trying to change all of that. Tony and Duncan Parker set out to build a house out of hemp as an example of just how exceptional this plant really is. Overcoming various legal and practical obstacles, Tony worked with Michael Orchard of New Earth Architecture and Wolf & Wolf Architecture to realize one of South Africa's most sustainable homes - and it's made of hemp! We talked to him about his long time passion for hemp, its various benefits, and what it took to build a home out of a material that is considered a narcotic.

ARCHITECTURE

Pedro Kok's Video Shows Beautiful Metropol Parasol In Action in Seville

by Bridgette Meinhold , 02/15/13

filed under: Architecture, Interviews, Video

Can’t get enough of the Metropol Parasol? Neither can we, and we just love this new video narrative of the urban sculpture. Filmed by Brazilian artist Pedro Kok, the short video produced for Domus shows how the people of Seville are embracing their new promenade. Stunning views of the city are visible from the top of the structure and cool, luxurious shade is available below. At night, the new giant-scale structure is a hot bed of activity.

ARCHITECTURE

We Talk With Tracen Gardner of Reclaimed Space About Prefab Building & Salvaging Materials

by Jessica Dailey , 02/15/13

filed under: Architecture, Interviews, Recycled Materials, Sustainable Building, Sustainable Materials

Often when we hear "prefab houses," we conjure up thoughts of structures pieced together on a site like a puzzle made from mass produced parts that were shipped as separate pieces. While these homes are often more sustainable, they can leave much to be desired in regards to character, aesthetic, and durability. But Reclaimed Space, founded by Tracen Gardner in Austin, Texas, is changing the way we think about prefabricated buildings. Instead of using anonymous materials from mega-factories, Gardner and his team salvage beautiful woods and metals from old homes, barns, and buildings across Texas and use these unique materials to build one of a kind, handmade spaces. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Gardner and learn how Reclaimed Space is carving an artisan niche in the prefab world and why Gardner believes that all designers have a responsibility to be sustainable.

VIDEO: How to Make Delectable Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes for Your Valentine

by Yuka Yoneda , 02/14/13

filed under: carousel showcase, Interviews, Sustainable Food

Wondering what sweet treats to give your Valentine this Thursday? Here’s a delectable recipe that is sure to delight. Follow along as Inhabitots’ pint-sized pastry chef Petey Rojas shows you the easy steps to making his yummy vegan red velvet cupcakes in this adorable video. We promise that your better half will love them – and it wouldn’t hurt to whip up a batch for yourself too!