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Casa Verde: Pope Benedict Goes Solar
Still thinking about adding some renewable power to your home? Well, maybe this story will inspire you. Pope Benedict XVI recently installed photovoltaic solar panels in his home outside of Regensburg, Germany.
Cool Idea: Ikea's Sunnan Solar Lamp
Talk about going green. Ikea's Sunnan Solar Lamp ($19.99) requires no electrical connection, since it gets its energy from solar cells located on the lamp's base, which transform sunlight into electrical energy. Designed by Nicolas Cortolezzis, these cute lamps are available in a rainbow of cheerful colors.
Casa Verde: The Science Behind the Net-Zero Energy House
I recently had the chance to tour South Farm Homes, a “net-zero” community, in Hinesburg, VT. 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. One of the goals of this project was to show that green building can be user — and homeowner — friendly, which means that the systems and science behind the home isn't intimidating.
Nice and New: west elm's Eco Storefront
Today, west elm's newest storefront opens to the public. If you're in the Bay Area, stop by today starting at 10 a.m. to browse the wonderful selection of furniture and accents and to take in the very cool, very eco Emeryville, CA, west elm.
Cool Idea: Solar LED House Numbers
Considering how plugged in and geeked out our homes are these days, sometimes it baffles me that the simplest, often most crucial things aren't well-lit. Personally, I'm a big fan of motion-sensor lighting, so when you're walking toward your front (or back) door you won't trip and wind up falling flat on your back. But motion-sensor lighting doesn't help passersby who are trying to locate your crib.
In the News: Grad Student Bakes Green Power in Pizza Oven
One of the main reasons that green power hasn't taken off is its high price tag, but Australian PhD candidate Nicole Kuepper may be changing that. This green-thinking student has discovered a way to produce solar cells using a pizza oven, nail polish, and ink jet printers.
According to the The Sydney Morning Herald:
Ms Kuepper realised a new approach would be needed if affordable cells were to be made on site in poorer countries: "What started off as a brainstorming session has resulted in the iJET cell concept that uses low-cost and low-temperature processes, such as ink-jet printing and pizza ovens, to manufacture solar cells."
Eco Chic: Solar Power Executive Table
If you read my reclaimed wood bench Before and After, you'll remember that the Oakland-based design-building studio, Because We Can, was hired by SunPower to create furniture for their new office in an old Ford manufacturing building. The reclaimed wood benches that they designed are beautiful, but their job didn't stop there. SunPower, a solar power company, also asked Because We Can to design them special table for their executive office, with a different feel than their other furnishings.
Casa Verde: Kristin Davis's Eco Choices
If you're looking for inspiration on ways to go eco chic look no further than Kristin Davis. Perhaps better known as Charlotte from Sex and the City, this celeb is surprisingly green in her lifestyle choices. While it's true that she did drive a Beemer to the Sex and the City movie premiere, her BMW was actually hydrogen powered.
Nice and New: Solio Solar Charger
Wow, well this is unexpected. While I'd expect to find a solar charger for your gadgets at a more eco-oriented store, I never thought I'd see one at Urban Outfitters. However, it makes sense that this company is selling chargers, since so many of their customers have a glut of gadgets that need recharging.
This Just In: Leonardo DiCaprio To Buy Eco-Friendly Condo
According to New York magazine, actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio is in the process of buying a unit at Riverhouse, an eco-friendly high rise in New York City. Although the price for Leo's unit is unknown, these units usually sell for between $800,000 to $4 million, depending on the size.
Riverhouse is truly an eco-friendly high rise (and I wouldn't expect anything less in a home purchase from the eco-friendly actor).
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