Vegetation blankets can be used to create green roofs, but they aren’t limited to just that.

A vegetation blanket consists of a layer of fiber covered in a substrate on which plant life can live; with various plant species growing on it.

These blankets can be used to cover roofs, roundabouts, sound barrier walls, and embankments – to name a few.  They can literally be rolled up for transport and then unrolled on top of the surface you wish to cover.

Due to their flexibility, they are also versatile and can lie over a curved roof, a sloping surface, or just about any otherwise awkward area.  They are light-weight, insulating, and low-maintenance.

What’s more, they are quite eco-friendly.  A green roof can be used to absorb and evaporate water runoff that would otherwise be wasted – or even worse, that would flood sewer systems and pollute rivers (as is the case in Portland, Oregon, for example).

Furthermore, a roof which is covered in live vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide and emits oxygen, thus helping to restore balance on a carbon-heavy planet that currently needs all the vegetation and plant life we can put on it.

For more information on vegetation blankets, where to get them, related services, and other details, please see this product description of Sedum Vegetation Blankets.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Vegetation Blankets for Green Roofing and More.

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There is no reason why vast parking lots must be covered entirely by pavement.  Besides being a heat-trap, paved surfaces disrupt local ecology and cause serious problems with rainwater runoff.   Fortunately there is a sensible alternative.  Known as grass pavers, these honeycomb-shaped connected pavers (which can be made from recycled plastic), provide the foundation of your driveway or parking lot, allowing grass to grow through and water to be absorbed.

The primary advantage to having a permeable surface is the absorption of rainwater and a reduced need for sophisticated storm water runoff management.   Throughout the country, runoff from suburban and urban development unnaturally accumulates and negatively alters stream geography and flow.  The millions of gallons that cannot penetrate the ground due to the presence of concrete structures and endless areas of asphalt can not only overwhelm drainage areas, but they also bring considerable pollution into our wetlands.

While the recycled plastic pavers are a good bet, there are countless other permeable surface materials to help you lessen your building’s environmental impact.  Usually loose gravel can be added to the spaces in between pavers, or used by itself to complete the driveway.  You can also use regular hexagon-shaped concrete pavers, which mean more surface area, but still allows for permeation. An equally effective yet slightly more complex and costly option is Pervious Concrete, which looks like a traditional concrete surface but with small holes and cracks to allow water infiltration.

One of the most recent and comprehensive examples of a permeable surface installation is the Chicago White Sox stadium, U.S. Cellular Field, which includes roughly 265,000 square feet of permeable paving, completed in 2008.

The up-front cost for pavers (concrete or recycled plastic) is higher than a traditional asphalt installation.  Generally, permeable driveway or parking lot requires slightly more maintenance (mowing, snow removal), yet there are considerable cost reductions when extensive underground drainage systems are eliminated, and the long-term environmental benefits should make it worth anyone’s consideration!

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Permeable Parking and Drives.

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I have already mentioned many of the newly emerging technologies from the field of biomimicry , but the building technologies developing from the simplest of creatures, the sea sponge,  deserve particular attention.

The most notable of sponge-inspired buildings is architect Norman Foster’s creation in London, the Swiss Re Tower.  The Swiss Re not only uses a unique system of three-way lattice beams much like a sponge’s exoskeleton, but a network of shafts and holes through its many floors replicates the filtration and circulation system sponge’s depend on for survival.  This unique ventilation system has allowed the building to run on half the energy costs of a typical building its size.

This is just the beginning. Sea sponges, which make incredibly durable structures out of the most flimsy and flexible of materials, hold unfound potential for influencing our building practices.  According to a scientist Joanna Aizenberg at Bell Labs, a sponge is a “textbook lesson in mechanical engineering, offering valuable knowledge that could lead to new concepts in materials science and engineering design.”  Efficient construction practices and more durable buildings mean less waste, which means greener building practices

For example, the Euplectella sponge uses a complex lattice of glass beams to create its amazing strength. With spiral-patterned ridges along the outer wall structure where they get too wide, sponges naturally defy a problem designers already acknowledge causes collapse when cylindrical-shaped buildings are too wide.   There is said to be seven different levels of structural hierarchy in this sponge.  True architectural integrity. The Aizenberg Biomineralization and Biomimetics Lab out of Harvard is now studying this sponge to build highly durable fibers out of glass and organic glue.

Additionally, the Euplectella and other glass sponges are composed of the strongest glasses on Earth, or anywhere else as far as we know.  These sponges are now under study in order to discover the science necessary to produce an unbreakable glass.

Who knew a creature most people don’t even consider a creature held the key to revolutionize building practices.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Sponges Provide Inspiration for Eco-Design.

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We’ve talked about straw bale constructions here before, so we know this is a realistic form of construction.  They don’t blow down as easy as the storybooks say, and the houses are quite beautiful.  But is it really safe?  Isn’t straw highly flammable?  What about earthquakes?
There is actually evidence to suggest straw-bale accommodations are SAFER than current methods of home design.

First off, when it comes to fires, straw bale housing is extremely fire resistant.  Sure, you don’t want a lot of loose hay coming out of the walls near an open flame, but if properly constructed, trying to burn down a straw bale house is like trying to burn through a phonebook.

This is due to the fact that a well-constructed straw bale house is packed airtight using special tools and techniques.  This ensures that there is no settling after the roof is finished, that pests stay out of the airtight wall cavities, and, most importantly, that walls are fire resistant. Once the bales are fastened together, wrapped, and covered in plaster, there is no room for oxygen to feed a burn.  In fact, tests performed throughout North America show a traditional wall can be devastated by a fire in half an hour to an hour while a straw built wall holds strong for two hours before the flames burn through.

Straw-built walls are also better for earthquakes.  I know you are imagining tumbling hay stacks right now, but not so fast.  In the load-bearing structures, which still do not pass regulations in many locales, the walls are particularly strong.  Scientists have begun to point out these are actually the ideal building practices in earthquake-prone regions like the California coast where frame houses often shake apart.

Third, a straw-built structure is better for your health.  While most people might see this as a stretch, straw bale houses are healthier because they are more soundproof.  Studies show repetitive noises like traffic, which we tend to tune out after long exposure, take significant years off life span, even if not consciously heard.

Additionally, materials usually used for insulating and building a home can be hazardous to human health by aggravating allergies and causing Sick House Syndrome.  Most sufferers never even realize their home is making them sick. Straw bale houses do not have these hidden enemies, as you know exactly what is in the walls.

As you can see, building your house out of these bulky Lego-like blocks provides a safe, healthy living environment.  In America, 200 million tons of straw go to waste or get burned every year, producing ghastly amounts of CO2, while we create more pollution manufacturing traditional housing materials that are hard on the environment in incalculable ways .  Not too mention all the energy consumed to transport materials when straw is often a local, untapped resource.

So set your concerns aside. Straw bale housing really is a safe and eco-friendly alternative.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Are Straw-Bale Constructions Safer?.

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Cob is an ancient building technology being rediscovered for today’s green home.  A gob is a clump of dirt and fiber that can be tossed from builder to builder on a cob work site.  If throwing mud isn’t enough, try squishing it between your toes.  Cob is traditionally made by mixing sand, clay, straw, and water with bare feet in a labor-intensive yet rewarding process for the do-it-yourselfer.

Building with cob (also called earthen building or natural building) is easy to learn, requires few manufactured resources, and no power tools.  Cob walls are very forgiving, and the material is nontoxic, so kids can help with the project.

Because cob homes are hand-sculpted, they lend themselves to unusual shapes and curves.  They are a good fit for passive solar design because their one to two foot walls provide impressive thermal mass that keeps the interior temperature stable.

Pipes and wires are laid directly in the wall, and there is no need for vapor barriers, sheetrock, or painting.  Different mixtures of the same basic cob materials can produce plasters, floors, and interior structures like sleeping platforms.

Cob builders are typically aware of the benefits of building with local and natural materials.  They often incorporate recycled and locally salvaged materials into dwellings that are both beautiful and affordable.  Check out these cob homes handbuilt by  MudGirls Natural Building Collective.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Do you want to toss a gob? Build with cob!.

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Termites build elaborate and highly effective ventilation devices.  Swarms of bees communicate without centralized control.  Nature works harmoniously all on its own, so why not let it be the primary inspiration for technological design?

This concept is the foundation of biomimicry, the science of using nature as the basis for technological design.  AskNature, a project of  The Biomimicry Institute, provides fascinating examples of real-world technology inspired by nature.
The Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, was inspired by the efficient cooling methods of termite mounds.  This shopping center and office building is passively cooled through thermal mass and ventilation.  The structure requires no fuel-based air conditioning, saving building owners $3.5 million in equipment costs alone.  Mimicking termites’ efficient use of air shafts and thermal mass to maintain a consistent internal temperature, the Eastgate Centre uses 35% of the energy of similar buildings.

Blue mussels have taught scientists how to make a formaldehyde-free adhesive.  In order to attach securely to rocks in rough water, blue mussels produce a sticky protein.  By observing the mussel, scientists have produced technology that uses soy protein to mimic this underwater adhesive.    Columbia Forest Products now uses this nontoxic adhesive in plywood.  This is a major step forward for indoor air quality, as formaldehyde offgassing contributes significantly to the toxin load in homes.

The Biolytics water filter takes its cue from the way microorganisms work together to break down matter in soil.  The Biolytics system treats raw sewage, wastewater, and food waste, with the end product of water suitable for irrigation.  Solid waste is removed and composted into humus, which then acts as a filter for the water.  The Biolytics system uses 90% less energy than other waste treatment methods with no harmful byproducts.

Swarm insects such as ants and bees thrive because they are flexible, resilient, and neither centrally controlled nor locally supervised.  Researchers have observed that the third attribute, self-organization, is the basis for the first two.  EnviroGrid controllers from REGEN are based on swarm logic technology.  The EnviroGrid system connects machinery in a wireless network to promote most efficient electric use, saving businesses 5-10% on their electric costs each year.

Dye solar cell technology was inspired by the process of photosynthesis.  This new-generation solar technology replicates photosynthesis in each cell with an electrolyte, a layer of titania, and ruthenium dye.  When light hits the dye, the titania absorbs electrons, generating an electric current.  Dyesol, a new company dedicated to this technology, opened its pilot production facility in Seong Nam, South Korea, on July 13.

Thunniform swimming fish teach us how to harness power from the ocean. The bioStream tidal power system mimics the movements of tuna, sharks, and mackerel, who swim long distances with efficient and powerful propulsion.  The bioStream system is designed to deliver utility-scale renewable energy out of sight beneath the surface of the ocean.  BioStream is currently being tested by Hydro Tasmania in Australia.
What’s next?  The land snail’s ability to produce a membrane blocking evaporation can help manage water supplies in the desert.  Studying the flexible, strong scales of the pangolin might lead to more resilient (and therefore less wasteful) roofing materials.  The bull kelp’s suction cups could provide solutions for better load-bearing capabilities and less resource use in construction.  There are many nature-based innovations yet to come.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Biomimicry Lets Nature Take the Lead.

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How does a $0 electric bill sound?  Read on to find out about homes that earn their keep.

A net zero energy home produces its own electric power and is efficient enough that it actually produces more than it consumes, resulting in no overall electric cost.  These models of efficiency are not just limited to new construction.  Older buildings can often be upgraded to peak efficiency.  With the addition of renewables, they become net zero energy buildings.

In the middle of winter, even the most efficient home will consume more energy than it can produce from a rooftop solar system.  This is where the grid intertie comes into play. The net zero energy home pulls from the grid at times of low energy production and pours energy back into the grid during times of high production.

Many of the net zero energy homes touted in the media top $1 million dollars, leading the rest of us to believe that we’ll just need to slog along with our polluting energy sources.  Not so.  Ideal Homes of Norman, Oklahoma, constructed a zero energy home featuring geothermal energy and photovoltaics for under $200,000.  Net zero energy is far more about smart efficiency and balance than it is about the price tag.

A net zero energy home doesn’t have to have all the sexiest, trendiest green products available.  In fact, it can be quite simple.    The first step in turning an ordinary home into a Net Zero Energy home is tightening up–mainly through insulation and high quality windows and doors.  Then the focus is turned on energy efficiency within the home, namely appliances and lighting.  The third step is the addition of renewables, like solar electric and hot water systems.

You can take your first step toward net zero efficiency today by doing something as simple as insulating your hot water tank and making sure all your lightbulbs are compact fluorescent.  A new energy-efficient refrigerator is far cheaper than a photovoltaic system but will have a significant and immediate impact on your electric consumption.  Incremental steps over time will yield an impressive cumulative effect.

What if you’re designing a new home?  Keep in mind the benefits of passive solar orientation and thermal mass.  Thermal mass like a concrete slab or masonry stove will keep your interior temperature stable, while southern exposure allows you to make the most of the sun’s heat and light. Design your own or find plans at http://www.zero-energyplans.com.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at The Net Zero Energy Home.

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Imagine a self-sustaining dwelling that seems to have a life of its own—sheltering its inhabitants, providing food, supplying energy needs, and transforming waste. Are you in love yet? An Earthship is much more than a home; it’s an integration of harmonious systems akin to those in the human body.

Made largely of natural and recycled materials, Earthships have been more than forty years in the making. According to their creator Michael Reynolds, they can be built in any climate.

The need for heating and cooling in an Earthship is drastically reduced (or even eliminated) by the earth-bermed, passive solar design. The north side of a traditional earthship is constructed of stacked earth-filled tires, which are then earth-bermed. This significant amount of thermal mass keeps the interior temperature relatively stable. The tires are stacked in U shapes, each forming a room. Interior walls can also be constructed out of recycled material—cans in cement. The front of an Earthship is comprised of greenhouse windows with planters immediately inside. Planters serve a triple purpose—their vegetation cleanses the air; they provide growing space for food; and they serve as a greywater treatment system.

An Earthship’s roof is designed to collect water which is then channeled to a cistern. Once filtered, it is used four times:

1. For regular household use, excluding the toilet.
2. Passes through the interior botanical cells (planters).
3. Flushes the toilet.
4. Passes through to exterior botanical cells (outside plantings).

The exterior botanical cells are contained and work in concert with a conventional septic tank to satisfy many code requirements.

Part of the appeal of Earthships is that they can be owner-built. Although the process of filling and stacking tires is undeniably labor-intensive, it is relatively straightforward and does not require years of experience.

As with any basic housing design, an Earthship can be as sustainable as ingenuity and budget allow. Some homeowners are connected to the grid and have traditional drywall instead of can walls, while others stay more faithful to the original design.

This enthusiastic overview barely scratches the surface of all things Earthship. Ready to get your hands dirty? To learn more, visit http://www.earthship.net.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Earthships: The Sustainable Dwelling System.

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Saves you and the environment some green

Rainwater harvestingis “the process of intercepting storm-water runoff and putting it to beneficial use.”  Pretty simple concept.  Oddly enough, it is illegal in some states.   The Colorado legislature, in its 2009 session, legalized rainwater harvesting for residents with private wells.  Other states and municipalities are in the process of changing their laws.  You’ll need to do a little research to determine what is lawful in your state.  Whatever the case, I don’t think the police are going to show up at your door if you choose to harvest rainwater.

Why would I want to harvest rainwater anyway?

According to the EPA, a homeowner can save 1,300 gallons of water a month.  That will help with your water bills or reduce stress on your well.  You can use the water in your evaporative coolers, to water plants, your lawn, your pets or livestock.  It reduces your carbon footprint by saving on electricity to pump water and then deliver it to your home.   Besides, it simply makes good sense to have water stored to guard against times of drought or emergency.

So I’m building or rebuilding a home and want to incorporate this.  How?

You can begin by designing your home, buildings, and surrounding landscape to maximize the amount of rainwater catchment.   You can do it like Jerry Brock of Monte Sereno, California and use four gravity-fed 5,000 gallon tanks.  Or, there are companies like Rain Harvesting Systems (RHS) that specialize in elaborate and wonderful systems for your home or commercial building.

You can do it like people have been doing it for thousands of years—with some type of cistern.   Cisterns, now, aren’t some Biblical clay container thing , but are usually some type of composite plastic.  Here are some links to places you can buy one and also some “do it yourself” harvesting systems.

http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?cat=187

http://www.rain-barrel.net/category/rainwater-harvesting

http://www.ehow.com/how_5126202_harvest-rain-water.html

http://www.off-grid.net/2009/06/20/how-to-harvest-rainwater/

Bottom line:  it can be as simple as putting a big bucket out under your rain gutter and using the water for dry spots on your lawn.   Get an elaborate rainwater harvesting system or get a container with a cover (keeps mosquitoes from breeding and slows evaporation) and do your part to help your budget and your planet.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Rainwater Harvesting.

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My grand-dad used to say “pick your poison.”  He knew that nothing is perfect.  There are good things and not so good things about every choice.   When sustainability is your primary goal, you make decisions with a different set of parameters.  You might be willing to put forth a little more time and effort knowing that the end result will benefit not only you, but the environment.  But before you begin any big project, you better sit down with a paper and pencil and make the old “T” chart.  I started one for you.  Behold, some pros and cons of earthen plaster.

Pro

• Low Environmental Impact
• Energy intensive
• Adds thermal mass for both passive and active solar heating
• Relatively inexpensive
• Easily patched and repaired
• Adds a warm, natural feeling to your dwelling
• Has great breathability
• Provides a protective shell for your straw bale home
• Lots of warm, rich colors
• Variations in texture
• Allows for artistic expression

Con

• Can get saturated by rain and constant wetness
• Can mold (grows on the organic matter in your plaster,  but there are techniques to minimize or stop this)
• Labor intensive
• Doesn’t meet building codes in some localities
• Can crack and “dust” if composition and consistency of earthen plaster is incorrect
• Requires multiple coats
• Sensitive to temperature and weather when applying
• Is pretty messy!

I think the pro list is longer than the con.  So if we follow “T” chart rules, this project is a go. Earthen plaster has been used for centuries.  Earthen plaster dwellings have stood the test of time; you can find these dwellings literally scattered around the world. Why not add your home to the list?

Looking for “recipes” for earthen plaster? You can find several in my last post, Earthen Plaster Recipes.

This article was first published on Build and Rebuild. To continue reading, please view the original post at Should I Use Earthen Plaster: the Pros and Cons.

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