Here is an example of a emerging green insulation option. The products are still new, so keep an eye out for upcomming advances. In the meantime, UltraTouch contains 85% post-industrial recycled natural fibers, i.e. old blue-jeans! This makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to use a high quality sustainable building material. Since it contains no vocs, it poses no harm to indoor air quality. Also, check your local GAP clothing store for a special upcomming promotion. The company is asking for donations of your old jeans to be recycled into insulation product.

We talked with many design professionals from top firms around the Pittsburgh area.   The event was  held downtown at the new August Wilson Center in Pittsburgh. It was a great time watching fellow architects and designers being recognized for their outstanding work over the past year. I ran into one of my Graduate Professor’s from Chatham and he won an award for innovative design! Congrats Terry!-Nikki

The Environmental Protection Agency provides ”The Partner List” to consumers of energy. This easy to read list is compiled of  more than 1,200 organizations that are collectively buying nearly 18 billion kWh of green power annually, equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide emissions from electricity use of more than 1.6 million average American homes.View the complete list when you are ready to invest in those who invest in you at: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/partners/index.htm

Save Energy = Save Money = Save our future: Both Conservatives & Liberals benefit.

The National Institute of  building sciences put together the”Whole Building Design Guide” website to make specifying green products easier.  This reference tool allows specifiers to make informed decisions when the option for green product specification comes up in their design process. A download of the “Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers”is available on the Design Guide’s website at http://tr.im/RzGp -EE

Demolition

This is the Howe Street Renovation Project of the 100 year old Victorian Home in Shadyside Pittsburgh, Pa. We gave the owner a chance to help with the demolition.

Below you can see the finished project and the owner has moved in. -Nicole Santella

The Finished Project