Bronx development marks milestone

The non-profit Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corp. celebrated the opening of a new milestone last week -- the largest affordable Energy Star certified building in the country, called Intervale Green. The non-profit says that the Bronx, N.Y., multi-family housing project is "thirty-three percent more energy-efficient than a standard building." The organization also has an online press kit available. The complex was built with eco-friendly materials and features energy-efficient appliances.

Next step in the arcology

In his column in today's New York Times, Paul Krugman extols the virtues of renting over home-ownership. Certainly, when you look at land-use issues, commute-distances, and eco-impact, multi-family housing is a greener choice than single-family buildings. With that in mind, maybe it is time to revisit our old dream of the arcology. And what could be better than a building that's home to many, generates its own energy, and feeds its inhabitants? Obviously, a floating building that's home to many, generates its own energy, and feeds its inhabitants!


The Lilypad is a design for housing climate change refugees in offshore floating towns that would offer homes to 50,000 people. The design is entirely theoretical for now, but if I'm lucky, when New York finally sinks and I move into my new Lilypad, at last all those hours of my youth spent playing Frogger will finally pay off.

Hat tip: Inhabitat.

Hi-rise condo wins top LEED honors

According to this report on Greenloop, the first high-rise condo complex in the United States has earned a "platinum" LEED rating. The 16-story condo tower is located in the Pearl District of Portland, Ore. The tower received 55 LEED credits -- and only 52 are needed for Platinum certification. The building, named The Casey, features solar panels and an "ecoroof" for storm-water management.

Green multi-family housing

Israeli architects have designed a green apartment building that includes a hydroponics garden for each apartment. The multi-family home, to be built in China, combines the apartment tower and the vertical greenhouse. Maybe the arcology -- long a sci-fi staple -- is not quite so fictional any more.