Design Industries Banking on Sustainable Luxury
from Time
The world of design is embracing the environment as never before. Top architects are implementing revolutionary methods. Fashion and furniture mainstays are manufacturing products using sustainable materials. And luxury empires are establishing credos on issues their customers are still waking up to. Behind the scenes, trailblazing executives are taking big risks to make it all happen — beautifully. More

Housing, Economic Growth Now Heading to Higher Ground, Says NAHB
from Nation's Building News
The nation’s housing industry and the economy have just about seen the worst of the painful downturn that greatly intensified since last September’s turmoil in the financial markets, according to economists speaking at NAHB’s Construction Forecast Conference. And despite a continuation of rising unemployment well into next year, although at a slowing pace, housing in this year’s second half is expected to begin gradually leading the economy to higher ground, they said. NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said there are several reasons to believe that “the housing recession is nearing an end and housing will return on a very slow basis.” More

LEED 2009 to Include LEED Credits for Regional Environmental Priorities
from Contract Magazine
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released the LEED regional credits as part of LEED 2009, the new version of the LEED Green Building Rating System. These LEED credits encourage that specific regional environmental priorities be addressed when it comes to the design, construction and operations of buildings in different geographic locations. More

The Green House of the Future
from The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal asked four architects to design an energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable house without regard to cost, technology, aesthetics or the way we are used to living. Something that all four of our architects agree on: Americans need to learn to live in smaller spaces if we are going to make an impact on the environment. More

National Trust for Historic Preservation Announces 2009 List of Most Endangered Historic Sites
from The New York Times
Each year the trust selects what it considers important examples of the nation’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage that are at risk of being destroyed or irreparably damaged. This year the trust made a point of highlighting the threat to Modernist buildings, including the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Miami Marine Stadium in Virginia Key, Fla. More

Interior Design Moves into a New Industrial Age
from St. Petersburg Times
Grunge and heavy metal are the latest looks in home decor. Sturdy steel tool cabinets are suddenly chic, repurposed as storage spots for fluffy towels and hip shelving for liquor bottles and other bar accoutrements. Bulky metal desks and file cabinets are now fit for dining tables. Distressed foundry molds are the newest frames for mirrors. Gears, cogs, wheels, nuts and bolts are now objects. Call it the dawn of a new industrial age. More

Whirlpool & Elmar Debut Green Living Kitchen
from Inhabitat
The rules of kitchen design have just changed. Whirlpool and Elmar recently debuted the kitchen of the future at the Milan Furniture Fair, and it’s energy efficient, eco-friendly, and interconnected. Their Green Living kitchen brings together contemporary cabinetry, advanced appliances and systems that work together in a culinary-centered symbiotic relationship. More

Habitat 825: A Modern LA Apartment Complex
from Inhabitat
Located next to the historic Schindler House is Habitat 825, a residential complex focused on community, light and open space. The Schindler House is recognized as the first modern house in Los Angeles; and Habitat 825 compliments it nicely with its own distinctive modern style — LA-based LOHA Architects approached it through their own eco-lens, equipping the complex with sustainable features, energy-efficient and bright. Additionally, Habitat 825 deftly maneuvers around critical issues of density, site planning and issues associated with a close proximity to a historical building. More