CasaSugar

Coveted Crib: A Minimalist and Sublime Summer House

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:00:47 -0700

While this is technically more of a room than a house, I'm still lusting over this remote, woodsy Norway Summer getaway. Part of its appeal is the location, of course. Situated on the 170-kilometer-long Hardanger Fjord, this area abounds in insanely beautiful landscapes, with waterfalls, glaciers, gardens, fields, and mountains to choose from. I can just imagine filling long Summer evenings with bicycle or kayak trips punctuated by a chilly dip in the fjord and followed by a glass of Aquavit on this modern deck.

Built by Saunders Architecture, which is based in Bergen, the house was self-financed as an experimental project that showcased the architects' desire to design uncompromising, original buildings that reflect their respect for the landscape.

For more stunning photos, read more.

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House Tour: A Net-Zero Energy Home in Vermont

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:34 -0700

I recently visited beautiful northern Vermont, and the South Farm Homes development in Hinesburg. This six-home development aims for "net-zero" status, meaning that the homes will generate as much power as they use over the course of a year. Environmental features include active PV solar panels integrated into the metal roofing of each home and significant southern glass, which provide solar gain (as well as lovely views of the surrounding valley). The project is a collaboration between Rolf Kielman, AIA and Lee Grutchfield, AIA of TruexCullins Architects of Burlington, VT, and Reiss Building of Hinesburg, VT. The home that I visited also served as a temporary showcase for pieces and products made by local Vermont artisans and companies. I snapped photos of some of my favorite pieces in the house, which are definitely worth a peek.
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Coveted Crib: A Sleek Hamptons Home

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:00:00 -0800

When it comes to coveted cribs, beach views, sleek modern architecture, and poolside lounging are definitely enviable features. This gorgeous vacation home in East Hampton comes complete with three different water sources: a pond, a solar-heated pool, and views to nearby Barrier Beach.

The home, which was recently renovated, admirably merges the structure with the surrounding landscape. The house is low-slung and nestled into the hillside. Guest rooms are located on one wing that is separated from the main space by a courtyard, which looks out onto the solar-heated pool. The pond is landscaped with native grasses that are drought tolerant, and the home's beautiful nature views are easily seen through its huge expanses of glass doors and windows.

To see more images of this home, including interior shots, and to hear about its green design features, read more.

The house takes advantage of passive solar principles, with its northern side occupied by very few window, which reduces heating needs. A 10 KW solar panel array offsets the home's energy needs, and a ground source heat pump provides efficient heating and cooling.

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Cool Idea: Rural Studio's Student-Built Homes

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:00:00 -0800

If you're searching for examples of modern, affordable, green architecture, look no further. The Rural Studio project of Alabama's Auburn University College of Architecture does just that. Through this program, architecture students are provided with the opportunity to design and build homes and other projects that benefit rural, impoverished Alabama communities and families. Started by architect and professor Samuel Mockbee in 1991, the program has been a positive force in Alabama since that time, creating homes for people who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

The program requires that architecture students spend some of their semesters in rural Hale County, Alabama, to design and build a charity home or community project for members of that community. The homes are built in a modern style using inexpensive and innovative materials, and the project has built a number of homes for $20,000, using green and locally sourced materials.

The architecture school notes that, "To most, the measure of success of the Rural Studio is in its built projects; in reality, its success is measured by its effect upon the lives of the faculty, students, families, and communities it touches. It is not only the buildings that make the Rural Studio what it is, but also the education the students receive about architecture and about society."

To check out some of the homes designed and built through the Rural Studio, check out the gallery.

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Coveted Crib: A Craftsman Remodel

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:15:39 -0800

San Francisco Bay Area remodeling firm Harrell Remodeling specializes in renovating homes with a focus on comfort, beauty, and eco-conscious materials. In the case of this two-story home, the firm considered the needs of the environmentally conscious, active family who lived in it, and developed a low-maintenance expansion on the existing home. Using sustainable materials for this whole house remodel, the remodel focused on supplying the family with what they needed for their easygoing, active lifestyle, including additional storage space and easy maintenance.

Additional changes to the home include a luxurious Japanese Ofuro soaking tub and dry sauna, expanded hallways, Craftsman detailing that reflects the home's original look, and a newly designed master bedroom, master bath, and office.

To see more photos of this pretty home, read more.

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Casa Shops: Eco Housewares From Celery Street

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:00:16 -0800

Looking for another online source for eco home products? Then check out Celery Street, a well-designed and easily navigable website that was started by a husband and wife team. This web retailer gathers up the best eco-friendly, organic, reused, and refurbished products across the globe, and then offers them to the earth-conscious consumer. With everything from housewares and eco-chic decor to kitchen utensils, clothing, bath products, pet toys, and children's items, you're sure to find something you love. Check out some of my favorite finds below.

Casa Verde: Michelle Kaufmann's Quick Construction

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:00:34 -0700

Whether she's making cool eco craft projects or designing innovative homes, Michelle Kaufmann is definitely one of my eco heroes.

Michelle designs green, prefab homes that are both beautiful and cost-effective. These homes are guaranteed to achieve either gold or platinum LEED ratings, the two highest ratings from the US Green Building Council. And since the homes are prefab designs, they can also be quickly erected.

Want to know how quickly they can be built? Then read more.

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Top Design, Episode Six: "Eco-Offices"

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:15:08 -0700

In the latest episode of Top Design, the remaining designers tackled a project near and dear to my heart: renovating a space in a green fashion. Guest judge Danny Seo, whose green designs and ideas I love, offered the contestants advice on remembering the R words (reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose, and be resourceful, among others) in their spaces.

The designers were challenged to use all materials in the office (including ugly desks and bad carpet). They were also given fabric remnants to work with instead of new fabric as well as low VOC paint. Contestants were paired with clients and challenged to renovate their office spaces in an environmental manner.

Some designers were gung-ho about this challenge, while others were immediately put off by the idea. In particular, Eddie came off as a snob, calling his client a dork, berating him for his use of the word "funky," and then repeatedly uttering "Ew" as he had to do the demeaning work of going through boxes of fabric remnants. Oh, the horror!

To see who won and who had to leave the show, read more.

Just as the contestants were beginning to ease into their design ideas, India Hicks presented the designers with a twist: the contestants had to hand the keys to the office space over to another designer. This meant that the designers then inherited the prior design decisions of their fellow contestants.

Overall, the designers did a much better job this week with their designs. I loved Ondine's water bottle chandelier, and I liked Preston's bookshelf and defined, elegant use of color on the walls. Oh, and I also was coveting India Hicks' dress. Was that eco, too?

Wisit had to leave for his dull, ultraminimalist, and uninspired office space, and Eddie won the challenge. Luckily though, we were treated to a final operatic swan song from Wisit.

What struck you as particularly good or bad about this decision? Who did you want to go? Did you think Eddie deserved to win?

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Photos courtesy of Bravo

Casa Verde: Whyr'hymer Furniture

CasaSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:00:47 -0700

One of the highlights of West Coast Green for me was meeting Brandon Morrison, the designer and craftsman behind Whyr'hymer Furniture, an eco-furniture design business he owns and operates with his wife, Sundeep. I love their furniture's lines, which in some pieces are very Arts and Crafts-inspired, and in other designs, seem to blend this sensibility with a modern aesthetic.

All of the furniture from Whyr'hymer is made from FSC-certified wood, and the finishes are either water-based or natural waxes and oils. And the couple makes everything by themselves in their West Hollywood studio. Nothing is outsourced in their creations. Of course, this means that these pieces are going to be more expensive, but the quality of each piece is obvious. And, as someone who's been lucky enough to sit in one of Brandon's well-designed chairs, it's an amazingly comfortable experience as well.

To see a video of the couple designing and building furniture in their studio, read more.

If you're in Los Angeles or San Francisco, definitely stop by a showroom to see these stunning pieces in person.

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Casa Verde: A Handmade Home Gets Some TLC

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:15:18 -0700

Last year, I told you about my brother's handmade home, which he built in an eco fashion for a surprisingly small amount of money. However, nothing much had been done with the home's interior. This year, he and his wife made a lot of interior changes in the home to spruce it up. To see what this previously unfinished home looks like now, check out the slideshow.

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