Comments on: Green building is dead—its time has passed

By: Jim Atkinson

Jim Atkinson — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:15:53 +0000

I developed a filter for an electric clothes dryer which allows the user to return the hot, humid air back into the home. This filters out 99.5% of all contaminants including smell. With the extra heat added to the home, the furnace doesn’t have to work as much, the moisture added to the environment gets rid of static electricity and in many cases, this filter shortens the time required to dry the clothes. So, this little filter saves energy for the furnace, saves electricity from the dryer and makes the home environment much better to live in. Please check out dryernet.com

I have a very small company in Washington, MO, just my wife and myself but we both see this as a great energy saving device. We tested it last winter and saved about $20.00 a month on our energy bill. Do you think this warrants a little exposure? Thank you, Jim Atkinson, 636-388-2808

By: Pump Suppliers

Pump Suppliers — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:06:48 +0000

The green building movement needs to rethink its focus on fitting ever more energy-saving devices into increasingly goofy buildings.

By: Joe Bag of Donuts

Joe Bag of Donuts — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:00:15 +0000

What a crock. We finally get the manistream, especially the government, moving toward more energy efficient homes and you post a negative tirade about how disinenuous we all are. You and your half empty glass should wake up. This is a modern soceiety. Did oyu stop and think about why we live longer and healthier? Why operations no longer have double digit risks of death? it is called progress chief. Bithc and moan all you want, but society is making adjustments and we do not need more negativity in our lives. We already have plety of that.

By: Green Building is Dead (long live green building) « Designism

Green Building is Dead (long live green building) « Designism — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:33:26 +0000

[...] Tagged green http://www.nesea.org/blog/2009/03/green-building-is-dead%E2%80%94its-time-has-passed/ [...]

By: Richard Holschuh

Richard Holschuh — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:22:44 +0000

A recent cover story on a national trade magazine (no names mentioned): “Big AND Green”. I mean, are you serious? Now, that’s exactly what we are talking about… A corollary to that mindset is the commonly tossed-about truism that “we need to have a growing economy”. An economist’s notion of growth falls far away from the tree’s actual embodiment of that principle. It begins, it draws only what it requires from the environment, it returns manyfold: Conservation of energy in a nutshell.
Paul has put out a worthy perspective on this subject (thank you) and I think, given his background, his tongue is in his cheek and his feet are firmly planted in the right direction. Neil’s response (#10), among others, has only affirmed and refined that outlook, and this conversation will continue to move in a positive direction. The green greed so rampant lately in the market is dismaying but we can only hope that the good guys win. Keep doing your part…

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:20:58 +0000

Paul’s post was neither thought provoking or imaginative…..it was just plan stupid. If he really cares to help with the problems at hand, then try proposing solutions that can make a difference. Some of us are trying very hard to limit the impacts of building as best as possible. We educate our clients, choose the best materials, limit the structures foot print and size, etc. I also have issues with the USGBC and NAHB, but for now, there the only publicly know promoters of “green” building that are getting attention. Their solutions are not perfect….but as one responder noted, green is still in it’s infancy.

By: Ron La Gro

Ron La Gro — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:24:57 +0000

I am confused…?
You are critical of Green building, yet it appears this is your livelyhood, passion, focus.
I don’t believe it is dead….it is in it’s infancy.
Like so many other industries where we are breaking paradigms…as in Recylcing, Solar Energy Applications, Landfills, Product manufacturing & packaging….an idea begins and evolves…unfortunate or not “Green” is hear to stay. The idea is a good one, but in today’s applications and how it is executed is horrific…no consistancies, no major gov’t subsidies, scattered educational materials….As Solar Energy was 25 years ago, it feels as if we have 10,000 people all selling what they believe to be green from their garage….reinventing the wheel!

As a fellow contractor and architectural designer for the past 35 years, I understand the frustrations of seeing people, clients and the general public run blindly & rampant through old, and what should be obsolete design & construction methods & practices.

Going Green will take decades in its’ refinement….and one day when my childrens’ children break ground on their new home….or dispose of the cracker box their Grand Dad lived in, the new structures will be innovative and have all the comforts you mention, as well as new amenities that few have even begun to think about. It is natures way!
Sorry to rant.
Ron

The cave man had a better understanding of home than we do today. You won’t see an entrance to a cave on the north side of any hillside or rock, he will invariably build it to the south, to take advantage of sunshine. He knew nothing of solar gain other than it felt good and made is life much simpler.

I don’t understand what you propose to do….give up on Green….or perhaps call it Blue/Yellow..? What features are you offering your clients? Is this not hypocritical

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:23:27 +0000

Buildings may not be natural but there’s a lot of animals in nature that don’t like natural all the time either. I have two cats who can go outside anytime they want through a catdoor, and they do love to go outside and hunt squirrels, birds etc. However, they also love to live inside during winter, rainy weather, or weather that is too hot. Any creature that has a consciousness independent of nature is going to disagree with nature on occasion and quite often most of the time. We are a product of natural evolution on this planet, but that doesn’t mean we are in complete harmony with it … and this applies to other species as well.

By: Copeland Casati

Copeland Casati — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:02:32 +0000

(OOPS THAT LAST POST WAS SUPPOSED TO READ… somehow last line got juxtaposed- p.s. please get on twitter! : ) Post below:)

Just fyi wanted to let you know Jetson Green linked to your article! : )
http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/03/third-green-week-in-review.html

Regarding crop tree release and my consideration of buildings it’s simple-
- Does the building have historical value?
- Functional value?
- Would it be replaced to be more energy efficient, community minded (smart growth vs. cul-de-sacs or golf course planning)?
- And of course materials should be salvaged & reused…

That’s just what I have off the top of my head- for myself, as a caretaker of land, once I was educated in forestry and land management for wildlife my choices and decisions in which tree to release (and yes we reuse those felled trees for other things) was easy.

You guys are the architects and industry experts- so…
You can do it! (cheering)
; )

Happy weekend!
-Copeland Casati

By: Packy

Packy — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:08:34 +0000

“Green building is dead”? Most people I know don’t know what green building is, much less that it’s dead.

the essence of the issue is building green from now on. Building codes need to be changed to emphasize utilizing sustainable materials and alternative practices (cob, cordwood, papercrete, strawbale, etc.). Schools need to train architects and engineers in sustainable design. The government, schools and building associations as a group, need to promote the “idea” of sustainability and give prizes (X-prixe), diplomas, and anything else they can think of to educate the public. A change needs to happen in our society. From, primarily a consumer society, to a conserver society. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t have choices. They have to know that there are GOOD choices that can be made.

I live in a mobile home. I’m retrofitting/renovating by utilizing found objects, salvaged materials, earth (plaster), cordwood (exterior walls), earthbags (foundation), sawdust/clay (insulation), tires, and salvaged brick (floor). Most of this is not in the CODE books. I have to live in rural Georgia to be able to do this.

I think part of President Obama’s recovery proposal covers jobs for making homes more energy efficient. This money should be tripled and a “Roosevelt” style works program implemented to get the job done in record time. That’s what makes us American. Pulling together in difficult times to change our world.
I can’t wait….