Japanese Modern

Look at these structures. Beautiful in their simplicity. I will be teaching a Sustainable Architecture course and was wondering what we could do with cardboard rolls and then I saw this. These structures remind me of rolls of cardboard or squished toilet paper even but they really are great. Nestled within the trees you can just imagine how quiet it is in this area. These buildings ooze elegance. the gentle slope of the wooden stairs, the tall windows and wide open spaces within are all features that make one wish this was their home. There is a balance within this setting that allows one to explore both soft and hardscapes. Imagine how much could be created in this setting of whites, browns and greens.

Urban Echo: Sustainability Think Tank

At the Urban Echo Sustainability Think Tank we have been looking at sources of inspiration. One of the areas we are looking into is the art of innovation and design. We found a great video on HULU called Billions in Change. Leading the way to developing for those in need Manoj Bhargava (creator of 5 Hour Energy) and his small team of designers, developers and tinkers are looking to change the world. No area of study is out of their reach. They look to bring electricity to those in darkness, health to those in need of it and water to those who thirst. Though a bit daunting(few people have the bucks they have to bring their designs to fruition), this video is a must see.

Sustainable Archtitecture and Design

Look at this structure. They put the nature right within the building itself. The idea of placing a park right in the midst of an urban setting places this concept on another level.



Small spaces are the rave right now. Their size alone make them incredbly green. They take less energy, less build material and can be placed in small areas.

Some do's:
These are some ideas that really make a difference in design and the feel of a sustainable home.



Heating and cooling are huge parts of sustainable design. Now that fuel is no longer as cheap as it used to be, builders must look to consciously build in ways that conserve energy.Window placement, landscaping wall thickness and building materials make a difference.