Aug 24, 2010 Author: Carrie Moore
Durat has been used for kitchen countertops in Madison Green condominium in New York City. Architect, Lawrence V. Macdonald Jr. of COLVM, and General Contractor, Artistic License Interiors, recently updated this space for its bachelor owner. Madison Green uses unconventional materials at every turn: exposed original concrete columns and ceilings, custom concrete floor tiles, curved cedar ceiling and walls, bamboo vanities, slate tile, and walls clad in cork and solid walnut. Durable and eco-friendly Durat, available through CaraGreen, was used for countertops, which contains 30% recycled content. To add to the minimal and sleek design, appliances are hidden in custom fin-ply cabinets. The space is illuminated by an original lighting array of cove-mounted colored LEDs and halogen recessed lighting. One unexpected feature is the completely transparent star-fire low iron glass wall in the bathroom, which allows the client to enjoy the stunning views of the Chrysler building from his tub!
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Aug 24, 2010 Author: Carrie Moore
In Wilmington, NC, Talon Court has become the greenest remodel in the nation by earning LEED Platinum with 113.5 points. To achieve this, every detail of the home, from water and energy conservation, to interior finishes, was carefully considered.
When CaraGreen visited the home, the indoor air quality was obvious and we admired how every surface told a story. Floors are rapidly renewable bamboo strand. Doors are crafted from strips of reclaimed scrap wood. Countertops are locally made concrete. Feature walls are adorned with Kirei board. Torzo Seeta is used for a bar and built-ins. And, the list goes on. Sapona Green Building Center in Wilmington, NC, a retail partner of CaraGreen, provided the majority of the interior materials for the project.
The owner and mastermind behind the project, architect Jay DeChesere, also tells a great story about the home on his website. The residence was the home of his parents, Jean and John DeChesere, from 1986 until recently, when they moved to an independent living facility (they're 95 and 98 yrs old respectively). With the housing market having turned down, they were unable to sell their home. So, Jay, and his wife, Heather Smith, decided to buy the home to relieve them of the stress of selling it.
As an architect focusing on Green Design, and being on the Board of Directors of the Cape Fear Green Building Alliance, Jay envisioned a complete renovation of this home under the USGBC’s LEED for Homes rating system. This is the first project of this category (a gut-rehab) under LEED for Homes in NC and the second in the Southeast region. Jay assembled a design team and an advisory team to lend their expertise to the project. A few of the renovation highlights are the solar panel hot water system, green roof installation, water harvesting tank, geothermal air handling unit, and sustainable materials integrated into the interior design.
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Aug 23, 2010 Author: Carrie Moore
Starbucks, which aims to achieve LEED certification for all new, company-owned stores globally, has developed 4 new design concepts. Eco-Cem, available through CaraGreen, is specified in three of the four designs. Each new and renovated store worldwide will use one of these four themes: Heritage, Artisan, Regional Modern, and Concept Store.
Coverings Etc, makers of Eco-Cem, recently visited a newly renovated South Beach Starbucks to see the Artisan design firsthand.
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Aug 22, 2010 Author: Carrie Moore
-Differentiate between traditional and emerging insulation materials, trends, and uses.
-Examine and recognize the different ways that insulation addresses energy losses in a building envelope.
-Compare and contrast the acoustic properties of insulation against its energy saving properties.
-Analyze and assess multiple other qualities of insulation that can contribute to green and sustainable building design.
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