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Green Design

Cities fighting climate change: a hopeful story from 2016

by Patrick Sisson

Urban centers continue to become centers of green innovation and reasons for cautious optimism for environmentalists.

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A Hobbit-style apartment building rises in Japan

by Jenny Xie

If hobbit homes were conceived as apartment complexes, they’d look like this new project completed in Takamatsu, Japan by architect Keita Nagata. Take a closer look.

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How progressive cities can lead the climate change battle

by Patrick Sisson

Cities are the answer, say those strategizing for sustainable development

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These sustainable prefab homes are meant to last

by Lauren Ro

All Ecospaces are constructed off-site using natural, sustainable materials and can be customized with a number of renewable energy options.

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6 easy steps to save more water at home

by Melissa Dalton

Experts outline six simple actions you can take to stop your home from being a water hog to save money on utility bills and sustain natural resources.

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Danish city pioneers powering water treatment with sewage

by Barbara Eldredge

Using dirty water to generate clean water may sound like an unhygienic scam, but it’s about to become reality in Aarhus, Denmark. The city’s upgraded wastewater treatment plant will generate 192 percent of its energy needs from sewage.

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Carbon-sucking ‘tree tower’ grows in Taiwan

by Jenny Xie

Like other fantastical visions from Vincent Callebaut, this spiraling high-rise offers a sustainable approach to building in cities. When completed in late 2017, it will contain some 23,000 trees, capable of absorbing up to 130 tons of carbon...

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How 11 cities are leading the climate change fight

by Patrick Sisson

Mayors and city councils are on the front lines when it comes to creating greener government policy and tackling transportation issues, energy usage, and sustainability.

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Vintage Volkswagen bus converted into solar electric camper

by Jenny Xie

Today’s camper vans run the gamut, from the amphibious, to the luxurious, to the totally tricked out. A impressive new project from electric vehicle wizard Brett Belen shows how they can be super sustainable, too.

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This sustainable suburban home can power a pair of electric cars, too

by Patrick Sisson

Modern design and net zero principles helps a Minnesota couple realize their green home dreams.

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All single-decker buses in London will now be emissions free

by Asad Syrkett

Instead of burning traditional sources of power, like gasoline, these buses will run on clean energy generated by hydrogen fuel cells. London mayor Sadiq Khan called this a "world first" at a recent event.

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From Curbed Detroit

America’s first sustainable urban agrihood is growing in Detroit

by Robin Runyan

The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative announced plans to renovate a vacant three-story building into a community center as the centerpiece of a mixed-use urban development.

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New community solar company lets everyone buy into renewable power

by Patrick Sisson

Arcadia Power lets renters nationwide rent their own panels

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Glorious green office in Tokyo a showpiece for urban agriculture

by Patrick Sisson

The Pasona Group’s blooming headquarters is a new kind of promotional tool for farming.

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Best air-purifying houseplants, according to NASA

by Barbara Eldredge

Based on research back in the ‘80s, NASA recommended one air-purifying plant for every 100 square feet of space. Here are its healthiest picks.

From Curbed Austin

Baby Greens doubles down on sustainability

by Cindy Widner

Austin’s new fast-healthy food spot embraces green design with a number of eco-friendly building and landscaping elements.

Helmet made of recycled paper folds up for easy transport

by Lauren Ro

When the helmet is not in use, it folds up like an accordion and packs up flat, resembling a wedge of melon, for easy transport. It’s also safe to wear for up to three hours of use in the rain.

Tesla solar roof tiles could be cheaper than regular roofs

by Lauren Ro

The $2 billion deal will bring SolarCity together with the electric car and battery maker to create a "one-stop shop" that will allow consumers to simply integrate their homes and vehicles through Tesla products.

U.K. to get first wave-energy generator by 2018

by Barbara Eldredge

The country is ramping up investment in renewable energy sources and energy experts see potential harnessing the waters surrounding Great Britain, starting with Cornwall’s tumultuous surf.

Remembering landscape designer Diana Balmori with a look at her innovative work

by Lauren Ro

Balmori placed sustainability and regeneration at the center of her practice.

These solar-powered palm trees may power the smart cities of the future

by Patrick Sisson

Totem offers a sleek new spin on infrastructure design and distributed energy.

U.K. promises to shut down all coal power plants by 2025

by Barbara Eldredge

With clean energy alternatives becoming more affordable, the U.K. is already well on its way to phasing out the high-polluting power source in favor of renewables like wind and solar power.

Tesla to build second 'gigafactory' in Europe

by Selina Cheah

Tesla, the electric carmaker and energy storage behemoth, is planning to expand past American soil and open a second "Gigafactory"—this time in Europe, according to CEO Elon Musk. In addition to batteries, "Gigafactory 2" will also make the...

From Curbed Philly

Eco-friendly Rittenhouse Square home lists for $899K

by Melissa Romero

The 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath rowhome is LEED Platinum-certified and features energy-efficient fixtures, faucets, and rain-watering systems.

Honeycomb-shaped urban garden may inspire you to create your own

by Lauren Ro

Designed by OFL Architecture in collaboration with furniture brand Miliashop, the miniature urban oasis is also sustainable.

From Curbed Austin

Gorgeous East Side contemporary back on market for $460K

by Cindy Widner

A garden home uses a minimalist approach to create an expansive-seeming space and emphasize indoor-outdoor living. Originally put on the market in August for $495,000, it briefly became a rental but is now listed again with $35,000 price drop.

Strawberry-covered facade is an eco-friendly upgrade to scaffolding

by Barbara Eldredge

According to engineering firm Arup, these green facades can reduce air pollution by up to 20 percent. Not to mention they’re just more sightly than the typical construction eyesore.

Wild modern home has 9 vegetated roof terraces

by Jenny Xie

While Vietnam is no stranger to radical vertical homes, this contemporary home in city of Ha Tinh certainly stands out—after all, the house manages to spread nine vegetated terraces over three breezy stories.

Even a 1,000-year-old cathedral is getting solar panels

by Barbara Eldredge

Solar panels are so trendy right now that even historical structures are hopping onto the green-energy bandwagon. Gloucester Cathedral—a religious site since the 670s—will soon get up to 200 solar panels atop the roof of its south nave.

Sustainable design showcased in pavilions for U.N. climate change conference

by Lauren Ro

The wooden structures reflect the African country’s architecture and moderate and sub-tropical climate.

Santa Monica could require all new housing be net-zero energy, a first in California

by Barbara Eldredge

Last week, the City Council of Santa Monica, California, green-lit regulations that would require new single-family homes to meet net-zero energy standards, which means they’d produce as much energy as they consume.

Green building materials 101: The best products to use

by Melissa Dalton

We did the research to assemble a cheat sheet for purchasing more environmentally friendly building materials and finishes.

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