Solar Rooftop DIY: Comparing On and Off-Grid PV Systems

by editor | Jul 27, 2017 | Green Building Practices

Grid-tied solar systems Grid-tied,on-grid, utility-interactive, grid inter-tie and grid back-feeding are all terms used to describe the same concept: a solar PV [photovoltaic] system that’s con­nected to the utility power grid. One advantage of grid-tying is...

Cutting Edge Green Building Methods and Materials (infographic)

by editor | Aug 26, 2016 | Green Building Materials, Green Building Practices

  Screen Reader Version Smarter and Greener: How cutting edge methods, materials and tech are making the world a more environmentally friendly and productive world. Cutting Edge Construction Methods Robot swarm construction What is it? Researchers at Harvard have...

Public Works and the Importance of Creating Sustainable Communities [infographic]

by editor | Jun 29, 2015 | Green Building Practices

Communities both big and small are having a sustainable makeover in order to reduce energy demand, utilize renewable power, and lessen their environmental impact. This infographic provides an in-depth look at sustainable communities, highlighting their environmental...

How to make rubber shingles out of old tires

by editor | Mar 10, 2014 | Green Building Practices

One day I saw a bunch of old tires used as a retaining wall and that got me thinking about what other uses old tires are good for. I had a few thoughts about what to make but I liked the idea of tire shingles the best. The fact that they would be malleable really...

Reviving a neighbourhood by building affordable sustainable housing

by editor | Mar 9, 2014 | Green Building Practices

Massachusetts Avenue Park was not a place you’d want to take your kids. Before, the small neighbourhood park in the heart of Buffalo’s West Side was little more than vacant land with a small playground and a crumbling basketball court. “It was a real...

Building an eco-friendly cottage for $10,000

by editor | Feb 19, 2014 | Green Building Practices

Three years ago, I decided to downsize. I sold my big house (which I loved!), got rid of all my stuff, and built an itty-bitty eco-friendly cottage. When I finished building, I slid my little house into a friend’s backyard. This isn’t as odd as it sounds. My house...

Green building pyramid [infographic]

by editor | Feb 1, 2014 | Green Building Practices

Screen reader version: H20 and carbon zero – At the highest level of green building, the finished home recycles water and uses little or no outside energy. It may include geothermal heating/cooling, solar hot water, a wind turbine and/or photovoltaics. Push the...

BUILDING WITH PUMICE: How to build pumice-concrete houses [part 2]

by editor | Dec 14, 2013 | Green Building Practices

Part 2 of Building with Pumice (read part 1>>) This chapter tells how to build several different kinds of houses using building members of the kind described. Typical, practical models that have already been successfully built in various countries were selected....

BUILDING WITH PUMICE: Making blocks out of pumice, lime and concrete

by editor | Nov 23, 2013 | Green Building Practices

Everyone would like to live in his own home. Many people in industrialized countries occupy apartments in multistorey buildings. This situation involves lots of problems for which there’s no immediate solution. This book is intended to stimulate interest in a...