Building Green TV - colorado

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:15:57 +0000

New Green Cube Project to raise Funds for North High Scholarship Fund

Just as the housing market is beginning to thaw after a prolonged 3yr deep-freeze, NW Denver’s Highland neighborhood is sprouting numerous home projects. The home with the greenest and most sustainable attributes is Urban Green Development’s Green Cube at 3310 Shoshone Street. It represents a first of its kind for this neighborhood which is fast becoming an architectural Mecca.

The project will be Denver’s first single family LEED Platinum designated home, the highest level of a green sustainable building from the US Green Building Council. This designation does not come easily, as every feature and building component must be rated and scored for its energy efficiency and sustainability. Urban Green Development has been working with Colorado’s USGBC LEED Platinum area coordinator for the last 18 months on design, concept and location. The groundbreaking took place in late January of this year.
The slow down in the housing market may have helped this unique project and led to a few positive trends in the building industry. The housing industry downturn has sparked new innovations in the sustainable and green building industry. “The good news,” said Kohler’s Rob Zimmerman, “is that product manufacturers have been able to focus on the creation of new technology during the current building downturn that will make green building more affordable.”
That is exactly the goal of the Green Cube Project and Urban Green Development’s owner Ray Munoz. “Our commitment is to use our resources wisely and build sustainable green built homes at affordable prices” explains Munoz. “For too many years green building has been perceived as just for the high-end homebuyer. For the green industry to fully thrive and be accepted it has to be affordable for most homebuyers.”
Showcased as a demonstration Green Built Show Home, The Green Cube will be completed in July of 2011. The eco friendly architectural design is expected to use just 40% of the energy of a standard code built home. The home will bring together area contractors, suppliers all using sustainable and reusable products.
North High School, located in the same NW Denver neighborhood as the home, is a key element of the project. As the surrounding neighborhood transforms with new housing projects and redevelopments, Urban Green has created a partnership with the North High students by establishing a green building industry scholarship fund.
“We want these kids to realize there are a lot of opportunities for them, as a company we want to introduce the students to the new green economy” said Munoz.
Rachel Gallegos, the Project’s Director, has been working with local suppliers. She offers that the home includes “features such as concrete panels, active grid tied solar, low-e argon filled windows, an evaporative cooling system and high efficiency appliances.”
During the Show Home a “Go Green, Live Green” Pavilion will host local green businesses and suppliers to familiarize consumers with solar energy, water conservation, green insulation and environmentally friendly building options. This interactive area is aimed at helping educate homeowners on the various steps in making their home energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
The National Association of Home Builders expects Green-built homes will see an increase in market share this year that directly reflects a desire for cost-effective green options among homebuyers. “The key is value for every stakeholder in the process, from the manufacturer to the builder and the home buyer,” said Keith Gallegos, of Urban Green, “if we can bring tremendous value to building green homes in Denver, everyone wins: the environment, the industry and the homeowner.”

For more information contact brettrobben@comcast.net

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:01:39 +0000

This is natural clay plaster over compressed earth block, I left a small amount of block showing. This brown coat is a mixture of 1 part straw, 1 part clay, 2 parts sand... ad water makes it's own sauce. It is easily applied with a mud trowel and then smoothed with a wood float, however it is very labor intensive, but a lot of fun. You can cover it with a natural clay plaster color coat, clay paint or leave it raw.

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We applied this plaster mixture over raw compressed adobe / earth block, as well as drywall that we primed with a BBS plater primer. we then used the air hose to blow sand on the freshly primed surface and allowed it to dry. This Natural Clay Plaster over Adobe / Earth Blockcreates great grab for the fresh plaster coat and increased production. Solstice Develoment Group www.SolsticeDev.com

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:32:57 +0000

I have just completed a beautiful Energy Efficient, Compresses Earth Block home in Colorado and would like to exchange ideas with any other Green Builders / Constructors. I will continue to post pics / vids and information on this type of construction, in hopes to expand public knowledge of better building concepts that are environmentally healthy inside and out, as well as affordable.

Visit us at www.SolsticeDev.com

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Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:21:59 +0000

This is natural clay plaster over compressed earth block, I left a small amount of block showing through. This brown coat is a mixture of 1 part straw, 1 part clay, 2 parts sand. It is easily applied with a mud trowel and then smoothed with a wood float, however it is very labor intensive but a lot of fun... You can cover it with a natural clay plaster color coat, clay paint or leave it raw.

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:21:29 +0000

I have just completed a beautiful Energy Efficient, Compresses Earth Block home in Colorado and would like to exchange ideas with any other Green Builders / Constructors. I will continue to post pics / vids and information on this type of construction, in hopes to expand public knowledge of better building concepts that are environmentally healthy inside and out, as well as affordable.(embed)
Find more photos like this on Knol Stuff

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:18:12 +0000

I have just completed a beautiful Energy Efficient, Compresses Earth Block home in Colorado and would like to exchange ideas with any other Green Builders / Constructors. I will continue to post pics / vids & info on this type of construction, in hopes to expand public knowledge of better building concepts that are environmentally healthy inside and out, as well as affordable.(embed)
Find more photos like this on Knol Stuff

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:21:01 +0000

(image) “BUILD WITH US” Natural Building Workshop Come learn to build your own truly natural, sustainable, affordable, beautiful home at this 4-day workshop.

Acclaimed Thai organic farmer/earthen builder Jon Jandai and Coloradoan Peggy Reents will teach various natural building techniques using local, readily available materials. They have been leaders in the natural building movement in Thailand for years and are now starting a sustainable living learning center and home in Jefferson, Colorado. Learn through building yourself and creating a simple structure including all aspects of the building process from basic sustainable design principles, selecting clay, making adobe bricks, building walls from various earthen techniques, earthen plasters for earthen and strawbale walls, to natural homemade paints and finishes....

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