Is Audi in... the GreenZone?

Audi has invested a lot into diesel technology and is trying hard to convince us that it is "clean". I am intrigued but suspicious... The 2010 Audi Q7 TDI, mega-luxury SUV was released earlier this month with fanfare touting better mileage and lower emissions than most smaller SUV's and crossover vehicles thanks to its new, ultra efficient clean diesel engine.

The Audi turbo diesel engine (TDI) has been getting a lot of attention in the automotive press. There are plenty of sites out there to give you the technical information on just how Audi goes about improving mileage without sacrificing performance and for you real gear heads, the Science Channel produced a feature on the revolutionary motor. Suffice it to say for this piece, every article I could find had little to say about actual emissions and MPG ranged anywhere from 21 mpg highway in a CNET test up to almost 30 mpg in a Mileage Marathon sponsored by Popular Mechanics and others. Audi claims 25 mpg for average highway driving.

Beyond technology, Audi's support of other environmental initiatives are kinda weak. On their website they highlight a partnership with the Nature Conservancy where a $1 donation will be made for every Facebook user that joins them - but only up to $25 thousand. That's about half a Q7. Last year, the Q7 was recognized by the SmartGreen Index with their highest rating for a luxury SUV. I wasn't able to find much out about Strategic Visions, the company sponsoring the award.

This is a 5700 pound luxury SUV with an all-wheel-drive system lacking a low range which means it is essentially built for wet and slippery roads as opposed to any sort of off road situation, which is fine for a majority of those who will be purchasing it. Edmunds.com said, "off-road jaunts should be limited to light-duty dirt roads and such" despite what the photos might indicate.

There little doubt that the Q7 is well designed with clever passenger compartment features one would expect in a fullsize European SUV with a price hovering around $50k, such as integrated bluetooth and iPod connections, top notch audio, navigation system and cushy leather seats. I personally like the appearance, and not having actually driven one, the reviews I've read give it high marks on comfort and performance of other comparable luxury SUV's.

So, the jury is still out on the Q7 and whether it is a GreenZoneSolution. It is certainly a step in the right direction in terms of utilization of diesel technology in general. The Audi will get most people where they want to go over the road under most conditions. And in the design arena, where I thought it would shine, Edmunds said of the interior that it was "on the somber side, but it clearly belongs in a luxury vehicle". It sounds.... nice, but I'm not quite sure if it is truly Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable. I do like the commercials though...

Post Office in the GreenZone

We always new the post office was reliable, I mean with a tagline like, ""Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds", you'd better be! Now the post office is going green, and doing it with good design clearly a priority. In July, the United States Post Office announced the latest efforts to move toward more sustainable methods that will lead them to being more green - and saving some green too.

Excerpts from a USPS press release:

At nearly 2.5 acres, and safely perched seven stories above the city, the Morgan green roof offers a spectacular panoramic view of midtown Manhattan and the northern New Jersey shore. Its 14 orange-hued Ipe Brazilian wood benches are made from lumber certified sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council. Native plants and trees include Calamagrostis, a lush, maintenance-free grass.

“The Morgan green roof is the largest in New York and one of the largest in the country,” said Sam Pulcrano, vice president, Sustainability. “Not only does it provide employees with a beautiful, serene outdoor environment, the green roof will help us meet our goal to reduce energy usage 30 percent by 2015.”

The agency also announced the newest edition to its fleet of hybrid electric delivery vehicles, a 2-ton hybrid electric van. The vehicle will be tested in later this summer and will join 30 other pure electric step vans currently delivering mail in Manhattan and the Bronx, as part of a test of the alternative fuel technology.

What's next delivering mail on horseback? The Post Office - always Reliable, now Renewable and Remarkable too.

ToughBook: Built for the GreenZone

I have used a Panasonic ToughBook at work for the past 5 years and while I haven't put it through a test like you can see below, I certainly have seen it fall from a countertop, operate in the rain and be used to organize the chaos of a multiple alarm structure fire, and still function flawlessly.

The first military spec tablet PC, with a blend of in-the-field flexibility and proven durability, Toughbook transforms easily from a laptop to a handwriting-friendly tablet PC. The Toughbook features the Windows Vista or XP operating system, a sunlight-viewable display and a touchscreen. In addition, it's been certified to withstand drop from a 6-foot. All this helps to ensure that the Toughbook will stand up to the most rigorous environments.

I'm a Mac guy through and through, but until Apple builds hardware (other than an odd looking aftermarket attempt) that can withstand the extreme conditions and day-to-day abuse firefighters can dole out, I am going to be using a ToughBook. For the most part I use proprietary programs designed to collect and organize patient information that is later used for billing or quality control. But I have also used it to coordinate operations and exercises on a scene where hazardous materials are a factor. With the integrated cellular modem operating, it could be a critical decision making tool accessing online weather conditions, chemical databases or patient tracking during a mass casualty incident.

While I am most familiar with the CF19, Panasonic offers a whole line of products with various features and accessories, ranging from business-rugged to fully-rugged, several of the models operate as a tablet, which is really excellent. Once I became accustomed to the features of a tablet it was hard to go back (the desktop computers at the fire station have fingerprints on the screens from the guys absent mindedly trying to navigate a website by touch rather than by using the mouse).

Okay, so the ToughBook is.... tough, but what about green? I was happy (and a little surprised) to read about the commitment Panasonic is making to use of environmentally responsible processes in production of these units and has outlined concrete goals that reduce 300 thousand tons carbon dioxide emissions, develop a Green Products program focused on efficient resource utilization and creating a Clean Factory criteria including a plan to recycle 98% of generated waste.

In 2006, Panasonic was named as one of the world's most sustainable companies by a Canadian-based media company focusing on corporate responsibility and in 2009, awarded the Ocean Conservation Award by the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California for taking leadership roles in protecting the ocean and the environment. One element of the CSR strategy includes donating ToughBooks to the Wildlife Trust where they are used by biologists in Bolivia manage data.

Purchase a refurbished unit and recharge it with a Xantrex unit and you have a Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable tool to manage your next disaster - or just update your blog.

Introducing Amory Lovins

Amory Lovins, Director of the Rocky Mountain Institute, discusses how the future of transportation should focus on producing lighter vehicles using carbon fiber technology that will in turn get better mileage. The new cars will be more efficient and be safer for occupants during collisions despite their decreased mass because of the inherent properties of carbon fiber. The new materials will also allow for breakthroughs in design and style moving the automobile industry ahead into the 21st century. Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable.

See the rest of Amory's comments at the NOVA site on PBS.

Rough Cut - Part 3: Security with style, and a sense of humor

One more great find at MOMA...

The Sweet Dreams Security Series takes a unique, even fun, approach to security but without making any compromises.  According to their website, Sweet Dreams Security will change the perception and role of security products in our everyday surroundings for the better. Our products provide superb functional safety and mental well-being through non-threatening, contemporary design. I have a few photos that I took myself during my visit and I am using some from the SDS company website as well as from MOMA.

Matthias Aron Megyeri is a London-based German/Hungarian designer who chooses to use his products as vehicles to explore societal issues, following a critical approach closer to journalism than conventional product design. Matthias says, "We aim to tackle the human habit of automatically absorbing our surroundings without actually perceiving them. Our product ranges enable the viewer to realize relevant social developments through intelligent, entertaining design."

I first got a glimpse of the SDS razor wire on the front cover of SAFE: Design Takes on Risk, and after investigating a bit found that the company offers a total of 9 products and wanted to examine a few I discovered that I thought perhaps could qualify as a GreenZoneSolution.

This set of three unique railing-top characters by Sweet Dreams Security offers a contemporary take on traditional Victorian street furniture injects a sense of energy into often-lifeless urban landscapes. Let the jagged but friendly little creatures guard your home with a warm smile.

The Sweet Dreams Security razor wire is the company's most vicious but cute product to date. Standard razor wire has been transformed from a purely threatening object into one that is highly playful, yet every bit as effective.

'Landscape’ by Sweet Dreams Security consists of ten glass objects designed as security features for the top of garden or backyard walls. The strong, sharp structures offer an original and appealing alternative to broken bottle shards, which are now illegal to use.

Sweet Dreams Security developed ‘Heart to Heart’ to enhance a classic product icon with a sprinkling of sweetness. The heart-shaped chain will inject a dose of good, old-fashioned charm to your front garden, backyard or other private space.

These are great examples of creative, expressive solutions with very practical applications. Although there is no specific mention I can find of the company's committment to use recycled materials to make their products or renewable resources to produce them, I found myself wondering: What if SDS chose to use recycled glass and steel in their manufacturing process? What if they decided to run their production plants using renewable energy? What would a cradle-to-cradle design process look like in this case? It would look like a Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable solution.

Pittsburgh - GreenZone in the GreenZone

Pittsburg is certainly going green - GreenZone, that is.

(note: I'll finish up my MOMA posts over the next day or so, but I saw something last night that I wanted to share with you if you missed it.)

You're probably aware to one degree or another, that the Pittsburgh is hosting the latest summit of the G20 - essentially a meeting with economic heads of the largest and financially influencial countries in the world. Gatherings like this, where conversations concerning world economic decision-making are taking place are more and more frequently becoming a stage for protests where violence and destruction are unfortunately part of the planning process organizers must consider.

Several of the major news outlets have broadcast from Pittsburgh and many of the stories were about the security or the city's role in hosting them. What you might not be aware of is that the city was selected at the proverbial last minute, setting both a logistical scramble and ironic setting (ironic to me, anyway)

Many broadcasts started with a look at the unprecedented level of security that law enforcement officials created to assure the safety of the President, visiting diplomats and protesters as well as the people working and living in the city. 1000 police officers from around the country, some from as far away as Arizona, arrived in Pittsburg days before the event to be sworn in as part of the security detail. The officers, along with soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard, established a perimeter with gates and concrete barriers and defended it with pepper spray, less lethal munitions and other crowd control devices such as sonic disruptors. The force was used to create a GreenZone for discussions to take place while separated from protestors. Most businesses in the area just closed for the 2 days that the meetings were taking place.



But Pittsburgh wasn't only getting attention for having HUMVEE's roaming the streets this week. This high profile visit seemed to give city officials an opportunity to showcase work they've done to upgrade city systems so that they reflect a newer, greener attitude and infrastructure.

Charles Dickens is credited with describing Pittsburg as "Hell with the lid off" in describing the air quality. Beginning in the 1990's, Pittsburg has made impressive strides in turning around a reputation built on belching smoke stacks and dirty rivers. 40 of the buildings in the area are either certified or registered with a LEED rating. And the Lawrence Convention Center is the first and largest convention center in North America with LEED certification and is the venue for the 2009 G20 summit. According to PittsburgGreenStory,

Pittsburgh's 10-year leadership resulted in a collection of buildings, many of which are built on brownfields and save an average 30-60 percent in energy use, 20-50 percent in water use, and recycle up to 90 percent of construction waste.

Oil was discovered near Pittsburg just about 100 years ago in Titusville and since then Pennsylvania has built a large industry based on petroleum and coal. Now, three wind energy farms in the southwestern part of the state comprise to form the largest wind project in the eastern United States. The three wind farms, which combined produce 70 megawatts of electricity, will also help to nearly triple the amount of wind energy in the eastern United States, supplying enough emission-free electricity annually to power 8,200 Pennsylvania homes.

GreenZone in the GreenZone

I just thought it was interesting to see a GreenZone set up around one of the largest GreenZones in North America. Renewable, Reliable, Remarkable.

Rough Cut - Part 2

Yesterday I discussed a few of the items I saw at MOMA during my visit on Wednesday that met my criteria for a GreenZoneSolution. There were others that came close but missed the mark by a bit. If the designers chose to do so, these products could easily be tweaked to fit in here nicely though.

First of all, any item that has found its way into one of the exhibits in the Architecture and Design Gallery qualifies as having good design built into it. MOMA has been in the business of recognizing, collecting and displaying good design since 1928 - it's what they do.

As a paramedic for about 16 years now, I've made a living working out of duffel bags. When I saw the bag manufactured by Freitag at MOMA, the first thing I thought of was "That could make an excellent jump kit". The bags are made of recycled truck tarpaulins, seat belts, inner tubes and air bags, so they are durable and waterproof, and with heavy duty zippers and handles, they would make excellent accessories for public safety professionals or anyone who wanted the features and quality of that kind of product. The bag displays parts of logos stencilled boldly upon it, a style element that certainly makes the Freitag stand out in terms of fashion and instantly recognizable, but one that might have to be somehow concealed or disguised if they were to transition to a more professional capacity.

On their website, Freitag does offer an online service it calls F-Cut (check out the very cool flash demo and graphic user interface) which seems really promising where people can use tools on the site to design personalized bags:

Use our F-Cut tool to design your individual FREITAG messenger bag online. Right here, right now. We place our fine truck tarpaulins at your creative disposal online. Using your mouse, drag the template on to the tarpaulins and select and match up the individual cuttings for your very own FREITAG bag. But remember: the design of your messenger bag really is in your hands. You determine whether your FREITAG bag turns out chic or pear-shaped.

An option on the site gives designers the ability to select tarps that are clean of pre-existing text or other markings too - perfect for professional applications.When the design is compete, a price and date of construction are provided - very neat. Could this be the missing link to a GreenZoneSolution for Freitag?

Renewable - yes. Remarkable - certainly. And with a little redesign with a mindset toward safety and security applications - could easily be as Reliable as any of the other bags out there now.

I've got one or two more examples from my field trip to NYC that I'd like to share with you tomorrow.

Rough Cut - Part 1

I made a visit today to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City to check out the latest installation by Paola Antonelli, Rough Cut - Design Takes a Sharp Edge. It was my first time back to MOMA since the full renovation about 5 years ago and the whole place is simply amazing. The entire third floor is dedicated to architecture and design.

Design is not always pretty; but when it is good, it is undeniably powerful and meaningful - and therefore beautiful.

My attention was first brought to MOMA after reading Paola's book, SAFE: Design Takes on Risk, based on an exhibit of items with a focus on safety and security in the post 9/11 world - and of course good design. Rough Cut had a few items that were left behind from SAFE but also a bunch of new things as well. My interest, of course, was looking for the GreenZoneSolutions, and I found a few...

The Snow Grabber is a simple but clever solution to a problem most of us in New England have faced: getting our car stuck in an icy rut during a snow storm. Sometimes this can just be an inconvenience, other times it could turn into a matter of life and death. The Snow Grabber is designed to be kept in the trunk of your car and deployed under the spinning tires to provide traction and get you back on your way. What makes it a GreenZoneSolution is the fact that it is made from recycled paper and is still tough enough to be used multiple times. The Japanese company that manufactures the Snow Grabber also makes emergency medical equipment from the same process.

The Rechargeable MagLight is still a must-have item in any police cruiser. Although quickly being replaced by many of the smaller LED models that are coming onto the scene, the MagLight was ubiquitous throughout the 90's and still has a solid place in public safety, if only for nostalgia sake. Simple design, durable construction, rechargable battery all add up to make it a classic GreenZoneSolution.

These two cycles are great examples of clever design at work to create portable vehicles fueled by renewable resources (human powered) with a ruggedness factor making them appropriate for a harsh environment. This ItalJet Pack-A-Way - Pack2 moped was built in 1979 and looks to be pretty sturdy and folds down small enough to put into a car trunk. The Puma bicycle in the background folds quickly and has features like a rear disc brake, single speed and oversized tires to handle city streets.

These three items manage to capture the essence of a GreenZoneSolution. Tomorrow I'll post a few items that come close but just miss the mark of being renewable, reliable and remarkable.

When lightning strikes

Finding dependable electrical power during a blackout is certainly critical, especially if your needs exceed the ordinary. Portable generators are a proven method that when used safely can provide electricity while others are scrambling just to keep up with the essentials until primary power can be restored. Honda generators have a reputation for dependability and quality, with features such low noise levels and easy starting that make them appealing for average temporary use by homeowners following an event where power lines may have been taken out by falling trees, for instance.

But no matter how efficient a traditional generator is it still runs on fuel that may be hard to come by following a storm and certainly would not qualify as running on a renewable resource. So what GreenZoneSolutions can be found that will provide a reliable redundant source of power and is built on a sustainable platform with ease of use and clever integrated features?

Xantrex Technology Inc. is a world leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of advanced power electronic products and systems for the renewable and mobile power markets. The company’s products convert and control raw electrical power from any central, distributed, renewable, or backup power source into high-quality power required by electronic equipment and the electricity grid. In August 2009, Xantrex announced it was chosen to build the largest solar installation in Canada. But Xantex also makes a whole line of portable charging units with applications ranging from charging your cell phone to powering your home that could be an interesting alternative to the gasoline or diesel generator.

The XPower Powerpack Solar is the first portable power pack that incorporates solar power in a compact, portable power source. It’s completely self-renewing, which means the detachable 5-watt solar panel has the ability to recharge the power pack’s 10 amp-hour battery. The 5-watt solar panel captures, stores and converts the sun’s renewable energy, replenishes the XPower Powerpack Solar’s battery, and extends the runtime of many devices by up to 25 percent.

The XPower Powerpack 1500 is a backup power system that can supply up to 1500 W of household electricity and is an excellent alternative to a generator. It’s quiet and has no fumes, fuel or moving parts, making it safe for indoor use. This mobile workhorse can also be used outdoors, and operates a wide variety of electronics including communication devices, power tools, full-size appliances and more.

The PowerHub 1800 converts power stored in your deep cycle batteries to 1800 watts of household power to operate your essential applications. It provides an affordable, high output, primary power solution for an off-grid cottage or cabin, as well as backup power for grid-connected homes when the power goes out. Setting up this power system is simple and hassle-free with built-in fuses, breakers, and cables. The PowerHub is designed to be part of a system that allows you to easily connect to and charge your batteries with solar and wind inputs, and allows for pass-through generator output or generator charging of the batteries as well. And, its advanced automatic power transfer switching ensures your essential applications keep running in your grid-connected home should the power go out.

Note: The GreenZoneSolution does recieve any compensation for calling these products to your attention and I have not personally had the opportunity to put any of the units to a test (not that I'm opposed to it, they just haven't offered!). These just seem like products that are renewable, reliable and remarkable.

A Better Place is just around the corner

Shai Agassi is the founder of a Better Place - literally! Better Place is a company based in California that simply put, aims to reduce global dependency on petroleum through the creation of a market-based transportation infrastructure that supports electric vehicles.

Better Place is built on the premise that a major overhaul of the personal transportation system as we know it today from a petroleum based network supporting internal combustion engines to one where electric vehicles swap batteries when running low on energy instead of filling up on gasoline must take place. Cars will be built by Renault-Nissan and have a range of about 100 miles before requiring a fresh battery which will be installed in a few minutes at a service station, in a similar fashion to how we top off our tanks now.

Sounds easier said than done, but since beginning just about 3 years ago, Agassi has raised over $400 million in capital to develop the business into more than just a brilliant idea but a fully functioning system with sites around the globe. Steady progress toward building charging stations in the U.S. is also moving ahead in Hawaii and in San Francisco where Governor Schwartzenegger's somewhat controversial executive order signed in August 2009 mandating California utility companies must get 33% of their power from renewable resources will more than likely be helpful in making more investors confident of Better Places long term success.

It's probably no surprise that Agassi is from Israel, a country essentially embattled since it was founded in 1948 and one in which the people find the idea of reducing or eliminating the dependence on foreign oil imports to be very appealing which has led to a culture of public preparedness. In Israel, like the United States and other countries, energy policies are closely related to national security issues, making Better Place a perfect GreenZoneSolution.

Renewable: An audacious goal Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen might call a disruptive innovation - to completely recreate the automobile industry, from how they are built, to how they are fueled, and how they are purchased. Better Place has developed solutions including algorithms that will construct individual user charge plans aimed at minimizing charging requirements during peak hours. Better Place’s services will also create an opportunity for utilities to utilize electricity produced from intermittent renewable energy sources more effectively.

Reliable: In August, the New York Times published an article outlining the US government's recognition that "...the changing global climate will pose profound strategic challenges to the United States in coming decades, raising the prospect of military intervention to deal with the effects of violent storms, drought, mass migration and pandemics". If Better Place is successful, a reduction in the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is likely to be just one of the benefits.

Remarkable: Outstanding user experience design is essential to the success of the project: "To ensure that we can confidently drive an EV anytime, anywhere, Better Place is developing and deploying EV driver services, systems and infrastructure. Subscribers and guests will have access to a network of charge spots, switch stations and systems which optimize the driving experience and minimize environmental impact and cost." People are likely willing to "go green" if there is a minimal amount of disruption to the habits they've developed. The cost structure and refueling are just a couple things to look forward to in Better Place. Totally renewable, reliable and remarkable.

Gimme (more) Shelter

The Intershelter is a portable geodesic dome capable of being transported in the bed of a fullsize pickup truck and set up by three people in about three hours. One configuration offered is designed to shelter people evacuated from a disaster zone and capable of withstanding winds as high as 160 mph.

Units come equipped with either a warm weather package or cold weather package  and is designed to withstand extreme environments for sustained periods of time with features such as pre-wired for DC solar panels, battery bank, interior lighting and device charging station, and zero emission climate control system.

Is it as "green" as some of the other comparable products profiled in GreenZoneSolutions? Well, it's hard to say but I'd go out on a limb and say no. According to their website, the Intershelter domes are made of P2000 is a hybrid rigid-board insulation that in our opinion is decades ahead of the conventional ideas and products used for insulating building structures. P2000 is made with a dense expanded polystyrene (EPS) core and utilizes a high grade reflective finish on one side and a very durable white woven finish on the other." The specs of R factors and ability to provide shelter are hard to argue with. Now, I'm no environmental scientist or chemical engineer but P2000 just doesn't sound to me like it's produced using an ecologically friendly process - effective? Yes. Green? I'm going to hold any endorsements at this time.

The third critical element required in order to be considered a GreenZoneSolution is that the product or idea must be remarkable - meaning good design. Can the Intershelter boast style and functions that are without compromise and add value, comfort and convenience while using renewable resources and providing resiliency in harsh environments? Well..... again, this is a bit of a toss up. What the Intershelter does, it does well: It is an easily transportable alternative to a tent that sets up quickly and provides shelter in disaster-like settings, with a claimed lifespan of 50 years. Kudos for those great design elements. But what it does lack (and some would argue with me that this is just not important) is a sense of style. My personal taste has reach but I think the Intershelter provides just the basics in comfort and convenience. That's what they promise and that's what they deliver - all for a price of about $14,500 per unit. Not cheap, but if you're in the market for a shelter that utilizes renewable resources, reliable in extreme conditions and remarkable in its features, the Intershelter just might be for you.

Greensburg is a GreenZone

Cities will sprawl but only communities can thrive. Storms will grow but we tend to remember those that develop because we give them names like Katrina, Rita and Andrew. Tornadoes by definition are intense, compact and well organized (albeit briefly) wind storms that form where cold and warm air masses bump up against one another. The storms that spawn them are often massive but it is the fine line of twisters that develop that typically create the path of destruction, typically only a few hundred yards long but in some cases may be miles.

Greensburg, Kansas was struck by an F5 tornado with winds exceeding 200 mph (remarkable even in this context) on May 7, 2007, and in the rubble that was left behind, a town was rebuilt with a newly found commitment to sustainable design by community with a spirit of resolve. The people of Greensburg know that storms will return - they don't call it Tornado Alley for nothing - so they are rebuilding with that knowledge and experience firmly planted in the in their memories and in their plans and have committed to creating the first complete city built to LEED - Platinum standards. The city's power will be supplied by ten 1.25 MW wind-turbines.

But the commitment to goes beyond a promise to use sustainable design practices and renewable resources. Homes being built in Greensburg will go above and beyond in terms of resiliency because many of them will be built of concrete. The Silo Eco Homes built by Armour Homes who developed a patent pending process of pouring concrete exterior walls/roof that have a very high energy rating. They've incorporated a unique garden roof system that insulates, captures rain water and blocks direct sunrays and they are built on the same foundations of houses destroyed in the tornado. They are built to durable, green and affordable. If you don't believe the "durable" promise, check out the video below. If that's not remarkable, I'm not sure what is.

Planet Green is in the middle of the second season of a reality show produced by Leonardo DiCaprio based on the story of the Greensburg people trying to not just rebuild but develop a "green town". The show looks at the personal issues and challenges they face as they nurture and, in some cases begin anew, industries in business incubators with hopes and prayers that their hard work will turn into a bustling local economy supported by a vibrant chamber of commerce.

The people of Greensburg decided that simply rebuilding would not be "good enough" and that they would do more than just apply the latest technology and techniques. The show is inspirational and is a great example of people thinking spiritually and acting technically all while working on a huge project that is renewable, reliable and remarkable.

This just in

I wanted to update my Thinking Inside the Box post with this item I just found. It is a concept project by Kelvin Yong, a designer from Singapore. I don't know anything more about it than I was able to find on this website.

With drastic changes in weather conditions due to global warming, natural calamities disrupting life worldwide have become a common phenomenon nowadays. Addressing the issue, Singapore-based designer Kelvin Yong has devised a prefabricated, modular system he calls the “Metaplate” to provide sturdy and spacious shelter or housing for disaster victims as well as personnel on the ground helping the victims. Designed for medium- to long-term needs, the modular disaster shelter system comes with the possibility to accommodate piping, drainage and living facilities. Using materials like cardboard impregnated with resin to give a certain amount of stiffness, and Baypreg F, the Metaplate offers a comfortable shelter in different weather conditions, unlike the shelters made of shipping containers. To sum up, the Metaplate is sturdy, spacious and can be configured to build a variety of shelters for different purposes.

The idea is certainly solid and shows promise as an answer to a problem that is renewable, reliable and remarkable.

Gimme Shelter

Shelter falls pretty close to the base on Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs - somewhere in between water and personal security -  it's a critical basic requirement to live, often one of the most vulnerable to damage during a disaster and the first to be improvised during the recovery phase. While I certainly wouldn't suggest a tent as the primary structure to rely on during an emergency, sometimes the portability and flexibility are requirements mandated and that can not be overlooked during a crisis. While spending sometime considering options for mobility, temporary shelter and camps, I came across these two products that seem to embrace the concepts of a GreenZoneSolution.

The NEMO Nano OZ is a durable backpacking tent made almost entirely of recycled materials. According to their website, NEMO has carefully chosen the recycled components in Nano OZ™ to ensure their durability, longevity, and functionality. The Nano OZ is all about efficiency. The bold curves at the base of the tent cut out wasted fabric and increase wall tension. An integrated vestibule saves weight by eliminating attachment hardware and rolls out of the way when not needed. Nano OZ™ comes with GREEN™ anodized DAC aluminum poles, which can also be recycled. NEMO also produces bamboo tent poles that are strong, flexible, lightweight, and made from a highly renewable resource.

NEMO donated over 150 tents to Pakistan after the earthquake in Kashmir in 2005 and is the recipient of multiple major awards and recognitions including the I.D. Magazine Design Distinction Award, Bottom Line Design Award and the Good Design Award from the Chicago Antheneum. NEMO was also named one of Popular Science Magazine's Best Innovations in 2005 and Most Amazing Inventions by Time Magazine. They have managed to be recognized not only within their industry as a leader but also outside by design professionals.

While still just a concept at this point and not in full production, the Solar Tent (photo above) keeps you covered and also provides a source of renewable energy and access to communication while the tent is pitched. According to an article in Popular Science, the tent uses "solar threads" woven into the fabric to collect energy. The inhabitants can adjust the tent's movable panels to capture the best angle on the sun throughout the day. Inside the tent, a display shows how much solar energy the tent has captured throughout the day and how much energy is currently stored. Orange is one of the most well-known wireless carriers in the UK, so naturally the tent includes a few extra features related to going mobile during the day, while the pod charges. "Glo-cation" technology allows you to send an SMS message to the tent, causing it to glow so it's easy to find. Should Orange decide to begin manufacturing the Solar Tent, it should be a important item to those seeking Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable short term shelter following a disaster

Patagonia Rocks!

From the outset, Patagonia was dedicated to the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit, but they've also been dedicated to being renewable, reliable and remarkable.

Environmentalism is part of their mandate: "Our definition of quality includes a mandate for building

products and working with processes that cause the least harm to the environment. We evaluate raw materials, invest in innovative technologies, rigorously police our waste and use a portion of our sales to support groups working to make a real difference." They backup this position by supporting programs like 1% for the planet, Common Threads Garment Recycling and even gone so far as to restore a turn of the century firehouse to function as office space. 

Patagonia clothing is second to none in terms of it's reliability in the harshest environments and the

choice of professional mountaineers and rescue teams around the world. Beginning with their proprietary baselayer, Capilene, which is brings the idea of long underwear up to a completely different level and is renown for it's ability to retain warmth and wick moisture. Since 2005, Patagonia collects worn out Capilene and Polartec fleece to recycle. All the way up to their latest top of the line waterproof-breathable jacket, Patagonia creates clothing that is durable and functional and built using sustainable principles.

All this alone would be just great but what makes Patagonia a GreenZoneSolution is the clothing they produce and the way it is made is done so with an incredible attention to detail and style. Patagonia is known for having features integrated into their products that make the difference when facing extreme conditions and have done so without compromising a unique, immediately distinguishable sense of style.

Patagonia has built a reputation for providing the most discerning customer a product that is recognizes the importance of Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable.

Thinking inside the box

The conversion of shipping containers to shelters is certainly not a new idea. A whole discipline within architecture continues to recognize and develop the flexibility of the standard steel intermodal container as a structural element, because of their inherent strength, wide availability and relatively low cost. While certainly not perfect solutions (there are some significant advantages and disadvantages) some creative people are building some pretty neat structures that are green in terms of renewable energy features and adaptive reuse of abundant materials.

The Future Shack was actually conceived by architect, Sean Godsell, in 1985 but it wasn't until 1999 that the prototype for mass-produced, relocatable emergency and relief housing was actually developed. According to the Architecture Australia website: "The house has applications for a variety of needs – post flood, fire, earthquake, typhoon, or similar natural disasters; temporary housing; third world housing; remote housing. The main volume of the building is a recycled 20-foot shipping container, a universal module that is mass-produced and inexpensive, robust and durable. As a basic unit the container can be stockpiled for use as required by aid-coordination agencies, or in locations prone to disaster. It is designed to be shipped, and is easily transported by road and rail. All infrastructure for handing the module is available throughout the world.

The unit is totally self-contained. Packed inside are water tanks, solar power cells, access ramp, roof ladder, parasol roof and supporting structure. A satellite receiver and external light bracket act to brace the glass interior doors in transit. The container itself has had minimal exterior changes – several additional slots to accept the structure, a top-hinged front opening for the entrance, and a series of operable panels in the roof for ventilation – but nothing detracts from either its seaworthiness or its ability to be stacked or handled identically to its unmodified kind. It remains a container conceptually to Godsell. The clean skin of the interior is packed with his tools for re-habitation, along with, one might expect, additional clothing, food and blankets for the dispossessed. Future Shack can be fully erected in 24 hours and is totally self-sustainable, capable of generating electricity and communications. Future Shack and Godsell were featured at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum in 2004.

The HybridSeattle c640 base camp was designed as a trail-building outpost to be used in rural Siberia.

The camp was intended to house up to 8 workers during the evenings and provide office space during the day but it certainly wouldn't be a leap to imagine how it could be reconfigured to function as an emergency shelter. The 640 square feet of living space is augmented by a semi-sheltered outdoor space. The structure is designed to be moved on a flatbed truck and requires simple tools to complete set up once on site. Roofs can accommodate rainwater collection systems and solar panels. They are very securable and can even be outfitted with LoJack tracking systems and internet connectivity. Units can be stacked to create a second floor.

Gorilla Designs was started by people who went through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and afterward relocated to Salt Lake City to put their experience to practice. Their mission statement says: It is clear that America and the rest of the world are approaching a critical mass in terms of the energy crisis. The population is growing while our resources are dwindling. We believe that we can collectively prepare for this crisis by designing living spaces that are super energy efficient and eventually self-sustaining. Sounds like a GreenZoneSolution to me!

Their website describes the construction of their product: The cornerstone of this home is its use of recycled shipping containers to create the structure of the house. Shipping containers are typically discarded after only 10-15 years of use. After they are discontinued they simply sit in storage areas or landfills. This type of waste is exactly what Gorilla Design is trying to combat. By recycling these containers, a home can now be made out of recycled material that costs much less than wood and other traditional material. Further, by utilizing this recycled material, a much stronger home can be built that can provide better protection against natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes. By using recycled meterials for the structure of this home, wood is not required which in turn means less natural resources are used. Moreover, the steel itself is actually recyclable so at the end of the building's lifespan it can be reused.

The outside of the home is made from fibrous cement, which looks like stucco but is much more than just an exterior coating. Fibrous cement is made primarily out of recycled paper with a small amount of cement as a binding agent. Once the shipping containers have been welded together to create the structure of the home, a 12" coating of fibrous cement is applied to the outside of the home. Although fibrous cement is made primarily from paper, once it is bound with cement, it can withstand fire and water much better than traditional materials. In fact, it secures a home from the elements in a way that is totally unique to the housing market today. Last, but most importantly, fibrous cement is highly insulative. With an R value of approximately 3.0 per inch, 12 inches can provide a total R value of 36. Current energy code requires insulation value of R19. The bottom line is that the Gorilla Design home is highly energy efficient due to the use of this creative insulation.

There you go, three examples of really cool Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable thinking inside the box.

The heat is on

I had to put a sweater on this morning when I took the dogs out. It's the middle of September here in New England and the temperature range can span 40 degrees from the beginning of the week to the end. The chill made me nostalgic for the warmth only wood can provide. While a quality masonry heater can cost as much as $30 thousand to build, it can provide an excellent primary or reliable back up heat source and will surely be the centerpiece of a living room or kitchen, turning a house into a home. Smaller units can fill a corner and a room with heat for years and there's just no replacement you'll get from watching the flame through the glass doors.

My dad got me an authentic Waterford wood stove as a house warming gift like the one pictured above when I bought my first home (clever, huh?). That thing was awesome - heavy cast-iron and bright red enamel with a matte black stovepipe and beautiful glass doors to gaze at in the evening. Waterford stoves are no longer imported into the United States but I'm sure you could find a used one in great condition. I had the Tara model with accessories to assist with air circulation. The advantages of a unit like this are that they are typically more affordable than a larger stove and they heat up faster. Depending on the particular model, a stove like this is appropriate for a living room but a larger open space might be manageable with ceiling fans.

Dad had a wood cook stove in his kitchen similar to this one. It was in the house when he bought it and he had it restored so it could be used again. Cook stoves are just what they sound like - used to prepare food but maintaining a steady temperature is a real art. We just used it for heat and it did a wonderful job. They're not cheap - this restored model cost $6850.

 

A friend of ours had an old farm house that was practically built around a massive masonry heater that was the heart of the home, similar to the one below. Once they reach optimal temperature, two small fires every 24 hours are all that are required to warm a home with a gentle, low temperature with a quality different from any forced-hot-air furnace you might be used to. They really are beautiful, functional and provide bombproof reliability (literally!)

These warmers count on their sheer mass to store heat and deliver it back slow and steady over a chilly night and are really functioning works of art. These were a few different types that caught my eye. They're great examples of the intersection of Renewable, Reliable and Remarkable. What are some of your favorites?