The Latest Ideas in Green Architecture

From energy-saving construction to cutting-edge concepts with a futuristic twist, the newest buildings on the block are progressively embracing green architecture and design. Whether it's shopping in California, taking in the views of Shanghai, or selecting your next home – you could find yourself reducing your energy consumption, conserving water, and enhancing a sustainable lifestyle with the following options. Malibu Lumber Yard Malibu, California Breathtaking mountain and ocean scenery surrounds the nearly $25-million upscale, open-air shopping center built from earth-friendly materials. With impressive water conservation efforts and advanced wastewater-treatment techniques, the Malibu Lumbar Yard creates an atmosphere for green business to blossom. Other building features catapulting this structure to celebrity status, include certified sustainable hardwood decks, low-flow faucets and toilets, smart landscaping, and decomposed granite driveways. Admire the green architecture while browsing shops, such as Dance Star, J. Crew-at-the-Beach, Alice+ Olivia, and Planet Blue Kids. Architects of the Malibu Lumber Yard: Valleycrest Design Group Seawater Vertical Farm (in Dubai) Thanks to the efforts of Studiomobile (an Italian architectural firm based in the United Arabian Emirates), the conceptual vision of the Seawater Vertical Farm aims to solve issues of overpopulation and a dwindling supply of freshwater. With a futuristic flair, the Seawater Vertical Farm is a tower with the ability to transform seawater into freshwater. Comprised of five cocoon-like greenhouses, the farm would rely on a simple process of using seawater to cool and humidify greenhouses, which later converts seawater into humid, moist air that can irrigate crops. The technique is already in place regarding several projects in Spain, Oman, Abu Dhabi, and South Africa. Shanghai Tower Shanghai, China In the works, the Shanghai Tower aims to become the tallest building in China. Slated for a 2014 completion date, people should expect garden-filled atriums with a high air quality. The tower boasts a spiraling design to lessen wind load and includes features that collect rainwater for the heating and cooling systems. Powered by wind turbines, the building will serve as an observation deck and provide the public with new options in retail, entertainment, office space, and hotel accommodations. The winning design for this sustainable skyscraper is the handiwork of Gensler – a design and architecture firm with headquarters in San Francisco, California. One Haworth Center Holland, Michigan Earning LEED Gold Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the impressive expansion and renovation of One Haworth Center now showcases a three-story glass atrium and modular green roof. Despite becoming 20% larger than its former self, the building has managed to lessen energy consumption. If you're wondering what Haworth produces – choose this family-owned venture to outfit your green office with organic office furniture and features, such as raised floors, movable walls, systems furniture, seating, storage and wood casegoods. While their sustainable headquarters reside in Michigan, global offices are found in Asia, Europe, Canada, and Latin America. One Haworth Center Architects: Perkins + Will Lindal Cedar Homes for Dwell Home Collection With a reputation for building customized homes for more than 60 years, Lindal offers future homeowners a chance to purchase an environmentally efficient residence. Out of nine concepts created with the help of Turkel Design, Dwell chose three to generate Lindal Homes by Turkel Design. Ranging from 2,100 square feet to 2,700 square feet, the collection reduces the use of materials by decreasing surface area. Source and Photo Credits: Time Magazine

8 Eco-Friendly Summer Vacation Getaways

Summer is slowly slipping away, so if you haven’t planned your vacation getaway yet – the eco-friendly hotels and other lodging listed below may help you take a step in the right direction. Doesn’t a bamboo hut situated in a tropical setting sound heavenly? What about staying in a hotel dedicated to a favorite late-night indulgence? Orchard Garden Hotel (San Francisco, California) When planning a trip to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge or enjoy a natural boost of energy at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco offers an array of attractions and activities to keep you busy. However, when it's time to recuperate, where will you lay your head? LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design program, the Orchard Garden Hotel provides a relaxing. modern luxury stay for the eco-traveler. Embracing organic and recycled materials, the hotel foregoes toxic paints, glues and varnishes; uses energy-efficient lighting; and supports Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood. Hotelito Desconocido (Jalisco, Mexico) Instead of wasting electricity, Hotelito Desconocido chooses to light up your vacation stay with solar power and candles. Rooms offer distinct bamboo, palm leaf, and clay huts situated in a protected wetland estuary that provides gorgeous views of the Pacific. Outside of your room, take a stroll through the tropical gardens; enjoy a leisurely tour on horseback; or take advantage of surrounding waters with kayaking, fishing, rowing, and windsurfing. Habitat Suites (Austin, Texas) The BBQ isn’t the only thing attracting tourists to Austin, Texas. Habitat Suites have been a proud member of the Green Hotels Association since 1991. From using ladybugs as a natural pesticide to putting cooling shade trees to good use, this hotel has won over eco-minded guests for many years. Other highlights of Habitat Suites include courtyard swimming pool; hot breakfast buffet with vegan and vegetarian selections; and a luxurious garden filled with flowers, trees, and butterflies. Gaia Napa (American Canyon, California) The Gaia has been utilizing recycled materials and supporting low-energy options since it opened in 2007. Don't think that going green means that your luxury stay suffers. Guests often indulge in the spa, take a dip in the heated outdoor salt water pool, and freshen up in restrooms constructed with recycled tiles and granite. This hotel is certainly proud to hold the title as the 'First Fully Environmentally Sustainable Hotel and Spa' in Napa Valley. Additional highlights of the hotel include recycled carpet content and low-emission paint. Zion Lodge (Zion, Utah) Surrounded by 146,000 acres of cliffs, canyons, and endless plants and animals, the Zion Lodge is nestled inside the Zion National Park – the perfect summer vacation for nature lovers. Step into one of Zion's Green Suites and you're treated to luxury sustainable features that include bamboo floors, recycled carpet content, organic linens, and convenient key card lighting controls. It's no wonder that the Zion Lodge has won a Sustainable Hotel of the Year Award. Looking for an exciting winter getaway? Open year-round, don't forget to check out special winter rates and packages offered at Zion Lodge from December through mid-March. Other eco-friendly hotels to consider include:

• 70 Park Avenue (New York City) – With the EarthCare eco-program, kitchen oil is transformed into biodiesel, hybrid drivers enjoy discounts, and an eco-concierge is ready and willing to make your stay unforgettable.
• Hotel Triton (San Francisco, California) – What started as just one eco-floor in the 1990s has expanded to all floors since 2003. Designer celebrity suites include Haagen-Dazs "Sweet Suite" (shown above) Kathy Griffin's D-List, and the J. Garcia Suite by Jerry Garcia.
• Hilton (Vancouver, Washington) – Situated just over the bridge from Portland, Oregon, this Hilton recycles 75% construction waste, offers refueling stations for electric cars, supports water conservation, uses less energy, and provides eco-friendly dining at Gray's at the Park.

Photo Credits: Orchard Garden Hotel, Hotelito Desconocido, Habitat Suites VRX Studios (Gaia), Zion Lodge, Hotel

Macy's: Saving Energy and Reducing Landfill Waste with 'Green' Practices

When it comes to shopping at your favorite department stores, have you ever stopped to think what they are doing to ease the distress that manufacturing, shipping, and their daily activities can cause on the environment? For many eco-conscious shoppers, the strides that popular, high-end stores take towards creating a more sustainable shopping experience can make all the difference when paying a visit to their shoe department to ordering a product from their online catalog. Let's take Macy's for example… Offering an impressive collection of luxurious bedding, your favorite scents, and cutting-edge fashion – the store has embraced a handful of 'green' practices. Biodegradable Shipping With shipped-out items, say 'goodbye' to those pesky Styrofoam peanuts. Expect eco-friendly packaging consisting of 100% biodegradable materials – pure corn and potato starch, to be exact. In less than 10 minutes, the packing material breaks down in water. You can dispose of the packaging by:

• Adding the packing material to your compost.
• Tossing it in the trash, as it will dissolve on its own at the landfill.
• Dissolving in water and then adding to your garden or yard.
• Simply placing into your garbage disposal under running water.

Solar Power on the Rise Taking advantage of the replenishing sun, California-based Macy's (such as Sunnyvale, Temecula, Newport Beach, Moreno Valley, and Thousand Oaks) will now use solar panels to enhance high-efficiency lighting and other energy-saving changes within their stores. These efforts will cut energy consumption by 40%. Each year, the difference is more than 24 million kilowatt hours saved per year. With these changes, Macy's will also decrease their annual greenhouse gas emissions by well over a million pounds per year. Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags Macy's is estimated to send consumers home with more than 43 million shopping bags (with handles) on a yearly basis. However, new practices now mean there will be no more guilt with mounting shopping bags, as their new bags are now 100% recyclable and use kraft paper with 30% recycled material. Macy's Eco-Shop Interested in shopping eco-products at Macy's, consider the following:

• Haven by Hotel Collection – organic cotton bath towels and rugs
• Calvin Klein – organic cotton towels
• Lauren Ralph Lauren Spa – towel collection and organic cotton bedding
• Charter Club Organic Cotton – down comforters, mattress pads, and European pillows
• Frango Organic Mint Chocolates

Photos from Macy's.com