COB WORKSHOPS.ORG, points you to Cob Building workshops Worldwide

If you have time, money and the willingness to travel the world to learn cob building, then Cobworkshops.org can point you to a variety of workshops. They specialize in cob and do not list workshops related to other styles of natural building.

Begun by Coenraad Rogmans and James Thomson of House Alive! Natural Building and now maintained by Michael Blaha of I Love Cob, the site currently lists events on both coasts of the US and Canada, Mali in west Africa, Hawaii and France.

The site also has links to a number of cob building related sites and to news items related to natural building.

Why is Rainwater Collection so legal in Texas and so illegal in Colorado?

In Brad Lancaster's Rainwater Harvesting Basics YouTube video, he mentions that in Arizona though rainwater collection was illegal people collected it anyway, and the laws that made it illegal were changed. Perhaps you might think that rainwater catchment was illegal because of some concern or another about cisterns, but according to an article in the LA Times, collecting rainwater off of one's own roof in Colorado is illegal and considered to be stealing water that belongs to someone else.

Powerful lobbies oppose changes in Colorado water law that would allow rainwater catchment. They see the water that falls on a roof as already being part of a waterway whose flow has been allocated.

Water law generally is complicated and Texas water law is no exception, but the simple reason rainwater catchment was not a big legal issue in Texas is that though the state controls natural surface waterways, rainfall is not considered part of the waterway until it joins it. Landowners can reasonably capture and use rainfall before it joins a natural stream, creek, river or lake. Though we have plenty of issues for our legislature to fight about, thankfully rainwater catchment is not one of them.

So, legal rainwater harvesting is yet another reason to be glad to be a Texan.

A useful site that could be used more: the Sustainable Building Exchange

Imagine if a site existed where you could post requests for sustainable building materials like straw bales. Imagine if a site existed where you could tell people about sustainable building materials you have for sale or to give away. What if that site had a special section just for San Antonio?

Of course some people would say such a site would be called Craigslist, but actually the Sustainable Building Materials Exchange is specifically intended to facilitate the exchange of information on green, recycled and sustainable material. They have sections set aside for various cities including San Antonio. A recent post in the Austin section gives information on collecting free glass mulch from the City of Austin.

Solar Power Offer from Novastar Energy

We are in the middle of a whirlwind of news regarding energy efficiency, federal tax credits from the stimulus package, the new ordinance coming from the Mayor's Mission Verde program, and the expected re-instating of the customer rebates in May. Each one of those deserves a blog post or two on their own merit. Meanwhile, a local supplier of renewable energy systems, Novastar Energy has announced a price breakthrough for turnkey photovoltaic systems. To summarize, Novastar will help you determine what solar capacity choices you have. Once you have decided the capacity best for you, Novastar will design the system, you purchase the components at cost, "manufacturer pricing," and installation cost to you is $700 per kilowatt installed. Installation includes all the required permits.

As with any projects mentioned in the blog, practice due diligence and look into this offer for yourself. This offer is for a very limited time, so if you are the least bit interested, go to the Novastar Website or call them at 210-391-4009.

Deadline for Nominations for the City of San Antonio's first Green Building Awards Extended to April 3rd

The deadline for nominations for San Antonio's inaugural Green Building Awards has been extended to Friday April 3rd, 2009. Revised applications will soon be on the city's website.

The Green Building Award recognizes projects with sustainable features that were completed in 2008 within San Antonio, taking into consideration sustainable and green innovations, energy efficiency, renewable energy use, water efficiency, indoor air quality and healthy practices among others.

The Practioner Award is open to all green building practitioners, politicians, corporate leaders, organizations, and individuals that participated in a green initiative or the construction of green projects in the city of San Antonio during 2008. Nominators are asked to describe how the person helped make San Antonio more sustainable.

The Bill Sinkin Award is open to all Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal projects that were installed in San Antonio during the 2008. The innovations, design, technology and installation process of the system will be considered.

Submissions must be made in electronic pdf format. No paper paper submissions will be accepted. For more information contact the Office of Environmental Policy.

The awards ceremony will be Friday May 8 at the International Center , the former main library itself an example of creative re-use.

Labyrinths: a quiet path that can add another dimension to your outdoor space

When you plan your outdoor space you might immediately think of a patio, an outdoor kitchen, a quiet place for relaxation, flower or vegetable gardens. But the outdoor labyrinth is an option you might not have thought of.

A modern labyrinth is a pathway that is walked for relaxation and renewal. It is not a maze. The only thing a labyrinth walker can get lost in is their own thoughts. Labyrinths can be as simple as a path or elaborately hardscaped. They can be lined with flowers or placed in the grass.

They can be laid out by hand or with the aid of commerical templates. Flickr has a collection of labyrinth photos for inspiration.

(Photo notes: Photo of Battery Park NYC labyrinth by Wally G. Published under Creative Commons license.)

Boerne Sustainable Concept House owners share their home with the public

Some people who build an interesting house don't want anybody to know about it. Some people are willing to be on a home tour. Some even do a personal blog detailing the process. But Karen and Griz Adams of Boerne, Texas are going the extra-mile on their Sustainable Concept House to let people in on the process of building and in experiencing the results.

In July,when their sustainable home is completed they will host a week long open house to benefit the Cibilo Nature Center, which for three years will then coordinate continuing education programs for both architects and the general public including field trips to the house Topics will include solar energy passive and active, sustainable building materials, rainwater harvesting, gray water and LEED residential certification workshops. Already the Cibilo Nature Center has hosted one workshop. Another is planned for May 23, 2009 which will include a visit to the site.

The house is scheduled to be included in an AIA home tour in Fall 2009.

Karen, a PR consultant by trade, regularly updates an Express-News blog, Green Dream , on the process of building the house. Once they found the materials they wanted to use they contacted suppliers and used the power of possible good publicity to negotiate good prices. A medical diagnostics company will be performing a study to examine how a healthy home can impact health.

Ben Adam, AIA designed the 3500 sq foot home which will house the family of four and Karen and Griz's offices. Karen said they chose to go with 2 by 6 stick framing to show that mainstream construction methods, if done right would result in an energy efficient, healthy sustainable home.

The house which is on an infill lot in Tapatio Springs will be connected to the subdivision's sewer but not to their water. Rainwater catchment and gray water reuse are expected to meet all their water needs. The house will include passive solar design, a solar hot water heater and geothermal air conditioning.

The house is intended to achieve LEED Platinum status.

Approved Recommendations of Mayor Hardberger's 2008 Sustainable Building Task Force

These recommendations are available in pdf form on the Sanantonio.gov website but sometimes it is easier to have information in html format, so here they are. There may be some glitches in copying from the table form of the pdf to this format, so be sure to check this copy against the original.



MAYOR’S SUSTAINABLE BUILDING TASK FORCE
APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS
APPROVED ADVANCED ENERGY CODE AND ADDITIONAL POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS

Residential and Commercial Recommendations
This code shall regulate the design and construction of new buildings for the effective use of energy.
The City of San Antonio supports the adoption and implementation of energy provisions that result in energy savings of 15 percent or greater than current code in effect in 2008 (IECC 2000 with 2001 supplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999).
All new residential homes shall have duct testing or have ducts in conditioned space.
All new commercial buildings shall incorporate Energy Star Certified roofs.
The City of San Antonio shall support the goal of net-zero carbon by 2030 through a periodic review of codes and incentives.
A stakeholder sustainable building committee shall meet every three years to review COSA sustainability policies and goals. Future committees shall measure periodic progress and establish/modify interim goals to attain the agreed ultimate goals. Interim and ultimate goals shall be evaluated on the basis of sustainable environmental and community benefits, return on investment & practical impact on the regulated community. In 2012 the interim goal shall target 30% above than current code in effect in 2008 (IECC 2000 with 2001 supplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999); incentives will increase proportionately to achieve greater savings.
This improved code will take effect no later than January 1, 2010 to allow time for software availability, staff training, and public education.
The city energy code shall be publicly reviewed before March 1, 2012. After that date, it shall be reviewed, and amended as needed, every three years at a minimum.
The City of San Antonio Code Official shall be permitted to approve specific computer software (including at least one free, publicly-available source), worksheets, compliance manuals, and other similar materials that meet the intent of this code.
This code is intended to provide flexibility to permit the use of innovative approaches and
techniques to achieve the effective use of energy and to reduce greenhouse gas and ozone precursor emissions in San Antonio. This code is not intended to abridge safety, health, or environmental requirements contained in other applicable codes or ordinances.

ADDITIONAL ENERGY POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Residential and Commercial Recommendations
A Stakeholder Sustainable Building Committee (SSBC) shall be formed which consists of representatives of architectural, engineering, construction, development, green building and building code professionals (similar to the membership of the 2008 Mayor’s Task Force on Sustainable Buildings, which created this document). Amongst other duties, the SSBC shall monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Mayor’s Task Force on Sustainable Buildings, and shall meet as needed but not less often than every three years to review COSA sustainability policies and goals. The SSBC shall measure periodic progress and establish/modify interim goals to attain agreed long-term goals. Interim and long-term goals shall be evaluated and amended as required on
the basis of sustainable environmental and community benefits, return on investment and practical impact on the regulated community. Finally, should the energy needs/uses of existing buildings be examined in the future; the SSBC shall be charged with the responsibility to present recommendations to City Council or its designee.

ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
New residential/commercial construction energy usage must achieve an efficiency rate of 15 percent above the current San Antonio energy codes IECC 2001 (current State code as of 2008 ASHRAE 90.1 1999 & IECC 2000 with 2001 supplements) by complying with any of the following options:
1. IECC 2009 (as approved and/or amended by the City of San Antonio and/or Energy Systems Laboratory).
1. COMcheck or other software as approved by Planning and Development Services based on existing codes (ASHRAE 90.1 1999 & IECC
2000 with 2001 supplements) showing 15% or above the passing score.
2. Energy Star Certification Compliance. 2. COMcheck based on ASHRAE 90.1 2007.
A passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
3. Software or energy modeling tools approved by the City of San Antonio Building Official and/or ESL.
3. COMcheck based on IECC 2009 (when IECC 2009 is available and approved by ESL)
A passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
4. Approved compliance methods as adopted by the State of Texas.
4. ASHRAE 90.1 2007 energy modeling analysis approved methods
This meets the 15% standard referenced above.
5. Build San Antonio Green, USGBC LEED-H, or other third-party certification program that meets or exceeds the energy requirements as approved by the Code Official shall be
considered in compliance.
5. ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guidelines
(Prescriptive documentation) This meets the 15% standard referenced above.

ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
6. Software or energy modeling tools approved by the City of San Antonio Building Official and/or ESLA demonstrated passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
7. Approved compliance methods as adopted by the State of Texas. A demonstrated passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
8. USGBC LEED or other third-party certification program that meets or exceeds the
energy requirements as approved by the Code Official shall be considered in compliance.
9. Performance rating calculations and documentation shall be in accordance with the
International Building Code, “Performance Rating Method”, and shall be submitted with
each application for a building permit. Documentation, including calculations, shall be
prepared by a registered design professional.

INCENTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Residential and Commercial Recommendations
A. It is recommended that the Planning and Development Services Department and the Office of Environmental Policy coordinate with CPS ENERGY and San Antonio Water System (SAWS) to provide a new construction residential and commercial financial incentive program. Such program shall include the provision of specific rebates or other incentives such as a reduction of impact fees for new residential and commercial buildings that exceed the City’s code requirement with an ultimate goal of achieving Carbon-neutrality by 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate) and be designed to reward improved performance in a scaled fashion. (Example: A residential or commercial structure with a 50% improvement over code would be incentivized
proportionally more than a residence performing at 30% better than code when 30% above code is the incentive trigger point).
1. It is recommended that the City of San Antonio create a marketing and education awareness campaign which is a unified comprehensive community-wide outreach effort supporting an advanced sustainable buildings initiative.
a. CPS ENERGY and SAWS shall provide rebate/incentive information to the City to coordinate and promote incentives to provide one-stop information.

INCENTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Residential and Commercial Recommendations
b. The Planning and Development Services Department with assistance from the Office of Env. Policy shall provide information on sustainable building practices and incentives to encourage residential and commercial developers to exceed minimum code requirements and serve as clearinghouse for green building information from a wide and ever-increasing variety of sources.
c. It is recommended that the City of San Antonio Office of Environmental Policy coordinate education awareness with the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy and others that includes workshops, trainings, and seminars that will provide sustainable building practices for new residential and commercial buildings that exceed minimum code requirements.
2. It is recommended that the City of San Antonio evaluate and promote to City Council the feasibility of offering a property tax exemption for new homes and tax abatement or phase-in for new commercial buildings that achieve high energy performance levels, including participation in “Build San Antonio Green” for homes only or an equivalent 3rd party verified green rating system addressing residential and commercial building. Such considerations may include a minimum HERS score for residential buildings.
3. It is recommended that the City of San Antonio evaluate and promote to City Council the feasibility of offering an additional amount of property tax abatement or phase-in for new homes and commercial buildings that utilize on-site renewable energy.
4. It is recommended that the City of San Antonio Office of Environmental Policy promote an annual San Antonio Green Leadership awards program to recognize all new residential and commercial builders, architects, and others that significantly exceed the minimum code and to post those names on the City’s website and through additional public media outlets.
5. CPS Energy and SAWS shall provide incentives, rebates and marketing to support energy and water conservation for any program that exceeds code and will include such program in a unified city-wide promotion.
6. It is recommended that the City of San Antonio evaluate and report to City Council on the feasibility of funding for incentives through the Planning and Development Services Department. This could include fast-track permitting and reimbursement of fees. The task force recognizes that current enterprise organization does not allow these incentives to be offered.
7. Energy incentives shall be provided to achieve 30% or greater savings above current energy code (IECC 2000 with 2001 supplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999).

WATER CODE RECOMMENDATIONS
Residential and Commercial Recommendations
A. If tank type flush toilets are used, such toilets shall be approved by US EPA WaterSense and have a maximum average use of no more than 1.28 gallons per flush.
B. Faucet aerators for bathrooms shall have a maximum water flow of 1.5 gallons per minute.
C. Showerheads shall have a maximum water flow of 2.0 gallons per minute.
D. All irrigators installing irrigation systems permitted by the City of San Antonio shall provide to the irrigation system owner a recommended seasonal irrigation schedule and instructions on how to use the irrigation system and set the controller. Seasonal schedules provided will be approved by SAWS Conservation Director or designee. The schedule will be affixed to the irrigation controller or an adjacent wall.
E. Review inspection and enforcement options for the current city ordinance requiring a minimum of 4 inches of soil under turf in new construction (After Jan.2006).
F. Review options for non-compliance with TCEQ/COSA regulations associated with irrigation and irrigation system installation such as an increase of future permit charges.
G. Golf courses, athletic fields, and large properties that meet the definition of large use and large use properties regardless of size including residential properties must have a licensed irrigator sign–off on the annual irrigation system analysis. Large use property means any property that uses 1 million gallons of water or more for irrigation purposes in a single calendar year.
H. Water efficiency standards shall be reviewed by SAWS as US EPA Water Sense standards are revised or updated and SAWS shall make recommendations to the City for acceptance into code.
I. City of San Antonio and SAWS should meet with TCEQ and others to identify and address design and engineering conflicts which prevent the use of sustainable practices and incentives as envisioned by the committee.
Considered Not Applicable J. Urinals shall have a maximum water use of 0.5
gallons per flush (applies to commercial only).
K.: Irrigation systems newly installed in single family dwellings may not cover more than
10,000 square feet of landscape with spray or
rotor irrigation heads. The use of drip irrigation or micro-sprays may be used to expand the coverage size upon approval of the landscape plan by SAWS (applies to residential only).
Considered Not Applicable

Natural Homes Map (Updated Regularly by Naturalhomes.org)

To add a home to the map, please email Oliver Swann the man behind naturalhomes.org.

For each house he needs a picture, a description of 80-100 words, a link to the location from google maps and a link to the house website/blog or a contact email.

Who said sidewalks had to be concrete? California company produces recycled rubber sidewalks

In the old days side walks were wooden. Even today some sidewalks are made of marble or decayed granite. But a California company, Rubbersidewalks Inc wants to get us walking on recycled rubber.

They manufacture rubber sidewalks which they say save money compared to concrete because they are easier to replace and repair. Because their rubber sidewalks accommodate tree growth better, they save trees. They keep tires out of the landfill too.

They come in gray, black and terracotta. The sidewalks are modular and can be opened by a contractor for tree root maintenance, utility work and relocation. They perform well in cold temperatures. Rubbersidewalks, at 0 degrees F for 48 hours, were subjected to repeated impact testing. Samples exhibited no signs of crazing, chipping, spailing or cracks by inspection. They don't expand in hot weather and retain less heat than concrete.

Because of their post consumer recycled content and the way that they reduce renovation impacts they qualify for LEED credits.

BIG in JAPAN! International Dome House Ltd offers polystyrene plaster-coated modular dome homes and communities.

Some people want a house that looks like everyone else's. Some people don't.

Japan's International Dome House's modular polystyrene homes definitely don't look like everybody else's except when they are clustered in communities of them.

The houses are made from thick polystyrene and finished with plaster. They are assembled from off the shelf parts that make arched entrances, arched halls and hemispheric rooms.

They are heated and cooled with Japanese style mini-split systems and of course are very energy efficient and earthquake resistance. They feature an anti-oxidant solution that is said to foster good health.

In Japan they are considered a low cost alternative. Otaku International indicated that a basic dome has 475 sq feet and costs start at $30,000 without transport, assembly, wiring, plumbing, interior work or exterior and interior plaster. That means $63 a sq ft for an incomplete unassembled shell. They are not for sale in the USA.

Welsh powder press invention turns waste wood, waste metal and plastics into bullet proof panels and more.

In the SASL we've long heard about the benefits of grinding construction waste on site. Such ground waste can sometimes be used as mulch, aggregate or a soil amendment. At the very least grinding substantially reduces the volume sent to a landfill.

But September 26, 2008 a Welsh company Protomax Plastics announced the creation of the P2 Machine which goes far beyond any waste grinder in use to date. Its birth announcement got little notice in the US but if its promise comes to fruition it will have long reaching effects on construction and waste handling.

They say:

We have recently designed, built and registered a patent on the P2 powder press. The P2 takes mixed waste and turns it into useful products such as hoardings, partition walls, transport trolleys and even armoured panels.

The machine creates an outer skin of recycled plastic around a core of re-processed, sanitised mixed waste. The waste is reprocessed with a special formula, which makes it foam and create a solid light- weight panel or product. The waste can include elements of metal or wood, alongside plastic bags, bottles and industrial plastics.

Each panel or product can be made up to customer specification, the P2 machine can produce a simple foam filled panel, or a bullet proof door with all ducting and necessary fire ratings required by the customer. Both products would use a high level of mixed waste

This means that it would no longer be necessary to waste wood for hoardings (Construction Fencing )or shuttering, and then throw it away. Panels can even be coloured and contoured for shed roofing or partition walls.

The machine is mobile and could be used to produce modular emergency housing in crisis areas, where the locals could re-use much of their own resources. Medical waste has always been difficult to dispose of, particularly in 3rd world countries. The P2 method can re-process this material into sanitized products. Billions of used syringes need to be disposed of each year safely; there is now a method to do this.

For more information check out these reports:
Mark's Technology News , CNET Military Tech

Linoleum the misunderstood floor covering. It's historic, healthy, resilient, beautiful and Sustainable

Perhaps more people misunderstand linoleum than any other flooring material. It is thought to be modern but has been used in houses since the 1870's. Many people think of it as first cousin to vinyl but instead it is a combination of basic natural substances. It is easier on the legs than hardwood flooring, and healthier than carpet for allergy sufferers.

In San Antonio, if you visit the historic Steves Homestead which was built in 1876 you won't find the linoleum on the floors which was there when the house was built. The restorers just couldn't live with covering the wood sub-floor with the historically accurate linoleum. But today as much as wood floors are loved, more people are appreciating the style of linoleum.

The basic ingredients of linoleum include flax seed oil (aka Linseed), ground wood, ground cork, pine rosin and ground limestone. With the exception of limestone which we in south Texas know to be plentiful, they are all renewable and biobased.

For people who are sensitive to lab created substances, linoleum can be the solution. Linoleum doesn't harbor the dust mites that plague many allergy sufferers.

Modern manufacturers of linoleum include Armstrong and Forbo Marmoleum.

Forbo offers elaborate border and corner designs in both vintage and modern styles.

Check out "Green Remodeling", the latest TPR Build San Antonio Green podcast with Stephen Colley AIA

The latest in Texas Public Radio's series of web only programs in partnership with Build San Antonio Green features architect Stephen Colley AIA, LEED AP discussing remodeling for energy efficiency, the cost of "green" renovation versus "standard" renovation, energy audits and solar energy systems.

The Build San Antonio Green TPR podcast may be downloaded in MP3 or Windows Media Player format or you may listen to the shows through your browser.

Castor Oil adds bio content to Icynene insulating spray foam

If you are of a certain age you might remember castor oil as a cure-all that your grandmother prescribed for good health. Now Icynene has come out with LD-R-50, a water based insulating spray foam formula that uses castor oil to reduce the need for petroleum based polyol and which has a mean biobased content of 8% (+/- 3%) according to the International Code Council (ICC).

According to Icynene the castor bean has several advantages. It is grown on non-irrigated, marginal land which generally would not support food crops. The company says that production of castor oil has "low energy dependence". It can be harvested manually and does not require treatment with pesticides or fungicides. The castor bean itself has an oil yield of 40%.

Icynene LD-R-50 has been added to the USDA's Biopreferred catalog and can contribute to achievement of LEED and NAHB NGBS designations. It is also the first product for which a product report is available online from the ICC's Sustainable Attributes Verification and Evaluation program.

USDA brings BioPreferred Showcase to San Antonio June 9 to 11, 2009

According to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, up to 10,000 government procurement professionals will be in San Antonio for the US General Services Administration's Expo 2009 June 9 to 11. In conjunction with the expo, the Dept of Agriculture will host the 2nd annual BioPreferred Showcase and Training.

Training session topics will include information on what makes a product "green" and how green qualities are measured, stories of Federal employees who have used biobased products for sustainable design, construction and renovation and those who have used bio-based products for sustainable maintenance as well as a look at the impact of biobased product government purchases on the economy, jobs, energy security, and the environment.

The GSA Expo 2009 is a free training conference and exposition meant for government officials and employees whether local, state, federal or military who influence or make government purchases.

The BioPreferred program was established as part of the 2002 Farm Bill. The USDA is in the midst of a process that will eventually lead to the authorization of products to bear a distinctive BioPreferred label.

Currently the Department maintains a catalog of BioPreferred biobased products particularly to help government buyers purchase bio-based products . Products on the list include office supplies, building materials, housewares and even toiletries.

Malcolm Beck featured speaker at Encino Park Home & Garden Show, March 21 Saturday

Noted organic advocate, compost entrepreneur and author, Malcolm Beck is among the speakers at the 9th Annual Encino Park Home and Garden Show, Saturday March 21 from 9 to 5 pm at the Encino Park Community Center.

The schedule of presenters includes:
10:00 Mark Peterson, SAWS Conservation Project Coordinator, "Creating Award Winning Low Water Landscape"
11:00 Carol-lee Fisher, Nutritionist "Culinary and Medicinal Herbs"
12:30 Malcolm Beck "Why Grow Organic"
1:30 David Rodriguez, Bexar County Extension Horticulturist, "Update of the Texas Superstar Program"

Encino Park Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio. Two miles north of Loop 1604 on Hwy 281 N.

Admission is free.

For more information contact Ann Lee Morrisey at 210 497-3553.

Gray Wolf Earthship near Leakey for Sale

The magnificent 3500 sq foot earthship on the 800 acres of the Gray Wolf Environmental Education Center, Inc. and Land Trust is for sale at $350,000, with most furnishing included. But you might be too late to purchase as the Pioneer Real Estate site states a sale is pending.

Long time members of the SASBC (SASL) fondly remember trips to see the earthship and the other sustainable residences built on this beautiful piece of the Hill Country. With numerous springs that run into Mill Creek which itself feeds the Frio, the land is flush with flora and hill country animals life.

Gray Wolf is a land trust. Members purchase the right to build on land approved by the other members, but the land is held by the trust. The members approve the structures to be built. As a group we haven't visited there in at least five years but several years ago in addition to the earthship, people were working on rammed earth, stone rubble and log structures. Water was being collected in spring boxes and a small kitchen area was available for the use of people building their homes.

This earthship has the features readers of Michael Reynold's books all know about. In this photo you can see the kitchen sink planter and the entrance to the cold room for food storage.


In this photo you can see the New Mexico style viga beams and the classic earthship decorative touch, a glass bottle design embedded in an interior wall.


The couple who built the earthship were incredibly industrious. The process of building an earthship is manual labor heavy to begin with but they did much more. Even after their home was finished they added a stone patio worthy of the Civilian Conservation Corps.


There may be other earthships in south Texas, but to my knowledge, they've never come to our attention at SASL. If you know of any please let us know. Perhaps someday soon we'll be able to visit the Gray Wolf Environmental Education Center, Inc.. If you are interested in organizing or joining such a excursion, please join our Facebook group or come to our monthly meeting at Whole Foods.

A Hole in a Fence -- a rumination on change and development in a unique Brooklyn neighborhood

"A Hole in a Fence" a documentary by D.W. Young is a consideration of change and development in a small corner of Brooklyn, New York. The Red Hook neighborhood of 10,000 people has seen better days. A percentage of the population lives in extremely large scale housing projects, while another large percentage lives in single family homes. The subway doesn't reach to Red Hook and there is room for cars. There is also room for the homeless on neglected and unused industrial sites.

Young focuses on one site, surrounded by a fence, which is very near the site of the planned IKEA super store. By coincidence he connects with Benjamin Uyeda, a young architect who specializes in green and sustainable design. But, while in college at Cornell he was given an assignment to do something about Red Hook. Instead of doing a master plan he built a little hut in this fenced property and documented it on film.

Young incorporates Uyeda's film and interviews with community activitsts to contemplate the effect of change on the community. It isn't a polemic. It doesn't present a plan. It is just observes and considers the situation.

The film is available on Netflix and for purchase from First Run Features.

Benjamin Uyeda is the chief architect for Zero Energy Design and FreeGreen.com which was discussed in a February 27,2009 post.

Texas Rainwater Catchment Association State Conference

The Texas Rainwater Catchment Association's 2009 State Conference will be held in Kerrville later this month on the 20th and 21st at the Kerr County Youth Exhibit Center. Rather than telling you more details in this blog, go to this website to get all the information you need along with a full agenda synopsis of the two day event. It certainly looks VERY worthwhile and informative.

March's Monthly Presentation - Structural Concrete Insulated Panels

This month's presentation at San Antonio Sustainable Living will be given by a long time friend of our group, and a good friend of mine, Herb Nordmeyer. I depended on his expertise on a strawbale residence near Blanco, and his knowledge of all things concrete would be difficult to beat. He joins us on Tuesday, March 24th to introduce us to Structural Concrete Insulated Panels (SCIP's). That's right, another acronym to learn. Herb works as a Project and Technology Manager for Best Masonry. Herb is considered a leading expert on pozzolanic chemistry and formulating cementitious products with pozzolans. A pozzolan is an additive to the cement hydration process (a silicate type of material) that combines with calcium hydroxide to form calcium silicates. Okay, chemistry class is over. These additives improve the performance of concrete and the type of pozzolan determines how the properties of a particular batch of concrete change. The first pozzolan was volcanic ash, and probably the most talked about pozzolan around green building types is today's fly ash, a byproduct of burning coal for power plants or cement curing.
Don't go away. Herb will not focus on pozzolans, but he will introduce to many of you a construction process that we may be seeing more of in the near future. SCIP's have been around since 1970, and are commonly used in third world countries. While there are several versions, in general they consist of an engineered wire cage, insulation in the center and a cementitious skin on each side. With a one inch thick layer cement plaster on each side of a panel, it reacts not unlike a solid reinforced concrete wall. Structures can be built to resist 180 mile per hour sustained winds, California brush fires, Formosa termites, and many other disasters, all for the cost of a 2 x 6 wood stud structure. Not only are they economical and disaster resistant, they are extremely durable, can include recycled material, and reduce utility bills.
With the devastation on Galveston Island due to Hurricane Ike last year, the presentation Herb will make was developed to let code officials, property owner associations, and city officials know that there is an economical building system available that could have prevented much of the devastation. This month, we meet at our regular time and place, from 7-8:30 pm in the classroom inside Whole Foods Market (behind the wine & cheese section) in the Quarry Shopping Center. See you then!

Easy to Read Comparison of Natural Building Wall Systems by Michael G. Smith

Austin's Natural Building Network hosts an easy to read comparison of natural building wall systems by Michael G. Smith. It briefly looks at the materials needed, structural properties, thermal properties, best applications, advantages and disadvantages of a variety of natural building approaches.

Wall systems compared include straw bale, cob, adobe, rammed earth, earthbags, stone, straw light-clay or slipstraw, wattle and daub, clay wattle, cordwood masonry, papercrete, fibrous cement and fidobe.

Express-News Sustainable Round-Up: Local Algae Energy Research, Recyled Water over the Recharge Zone, CPS Peak- Performance Home, Fay Sinkin dies

Here are links to stories in the San Antonio Express News which you might have missed.

1. Going Green by Growing Green. UTSA Assistant Professor Kyle Murray searches for native algae as a source of biodiesel. Wednesday March 4. 2009.
2. Recycled Water in Recharge Zone Plan. San Marcos officials are considering whether to use recycled water over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. Wednesday, March 4. 2009.
3. Spending More for Saving Energy. CPS Energy and Woodside Homes partner to build peak-performance house to measure real world energy savings. Thursday, March 5, 2009.
4. Guardian of Earth and people Fay Sinkin dies. She worked from the ground roots up to improve health, advocate for smart growth and to protect the aquifer. Thursday March 5, 2009. UPDATE: It was a very good service on Sunday.
   

Free eBook Offer from Real Goods Solar 101—Solar, Wind, and Hydro Electric" from Solar Living Source Book

Thinking about solar power for your home or business? Want more information on how solar power works? Interested in what you can do to help the environment? For a limited time you can get all the answers you are looking for with FREE information from the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book.

For a limited time, Real Goods is offering a free digital copy of “Renewable Energy 101—Solar, Wind, and Hydro Electric”, an excerpt from their Solar Living Source Book, 30th Anniversary Edition. All they require is your name and email address. (If you use Firefox and you don't see the boxes to enter the information, try viewing the page in IE.)

LEED 2009 Compared to LEED 2.0

You can find a LEED 2009 Scorecard Comparison showing differences between LEED 2.0 and LEED 2009 on JustGotGreener.org. *

LEED 2009 is part of of LEED 3.0 and applies to commercial construction. The US Green Builders Council states in their LEED 2009 FAQ that the most noteworthy advancements in LEED 2009 include a process that will allow continuous improvement in LEED, a scientific re-weighting of credits to reflect the impact of environment on health, and the addition of regionalism to the program which will give bonus credits for items that are most important for a particular geographic area.

*“Just Got Greener” is a voluntary program encouraging businesses to take a hands-on approach that is not only great for the environment, but also for their bottom line. Just taking one step to corporate sustainable practices into your business, is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference both now and for the future.

FCA-SA will help you live your funeral sustainably.

One often overlooked aspect of natural, green, simple and sustainable living is what happens after we stop living. Often the way our bodies are handled leaves a legacy of pollution to groundwater and expense to our descendants. These are issues that the Funeral Consumers Alliance- San Antonio, organized in 1948, definitely pays attention to.

This non-profit all-volunteer organization looks at all aspects of funeral industry trying to make sure that they comply with existing consumer protection laws and to prevent the legislature from passing anti-consumer laws. They negotiate with a local funeral home to provide services to their members at cost well below those offered elsewhere. A simple direct cremation through FCA-SA is only $555.00. Since members will only need the group's service's once in a lifetime, it is appropriate that membership fees of $35 are paid only once in a lifetime, although additional donations are always welcome.

Members of the national Funeral Consumer Alliance examine all aspects of the the American way of death including lobbying for laws that allow for home funerals and green cemeteries and against laws that require services by funeral homes.

If you are interested in the FCA-San Antonio, their annual meeting is Sunday, March 15 at 2 pm at the Baha'i Center, 735 W. Magnolia, San Antonio. Call 210 341-2213 for more information or email: fcasatx9@gmail.com.

5th Annual Adobe USA Conference May 14 & 15, Provides an international education in earth building at an affordable price.

The Adobe Association of the Southwest presents Adobe USA 2009, May 14 & 15 on the campus of Northern New Mexico College in El Rito, NM, just west of Alburquerque on IH40.

Speakers at the conference include Carole Crews, one of the leading practitioners of artistic mud plastering, John J. Morony of Southwest Texas Junior College speaking on the topic of Mexican Green Roofs which was his subject at a recent San Antonio Sustainable Living meeting and Simone Swan speaking on "Hassan Fathy Father of Sustainable Architecture".

Architects, designers and builders from Nigeria, Italy, Bangladesh, France, Mexico, Ghana, the United Kingdom, Yemen, Brazil, Germany, Iran, and Portugal will be presenting at the conference.

Registration for Friday May 14 and Saturday May 15 is just $100. But pre-conference workshop courses begin May 11. These courses are offered by the Adobe Construction Department at Northern New Mexico College. Courses include: “Adobe Construction Basics”, “Arches Domes and Vaults” and “Rammed Earth Construction” taught by Eduardo Carvalho, an architect and rammed earth specialist from Portugal.

Each workshop is a two credit course. Cost per out of state credit is $87.50. Costs for New Mexico residents is $37.50. (Some additional administrative fees may apply.)

NNMC recommends completing the application for admissions and course registration process entirely online! Please visit the NNMC admissions page for more information and to begin the online registration process.

On Sunday, a local Adobe bus tour will take visitors to Taos Pueblo and the Adobe Factory. The cost for the tour has yet to be determined.

Sisters of Charity ministry: Headwaters Coalition works to protect and improve the San Antonio River watershed sanctuary

On the Headwaters Coalition website you will learn about the mission of this ministry of the Sisters of Charity. While they have broader goals, they particularly seek to protect and repair the headwaters of the San Antonio River.

They are participating in the Basura Bash on Saturday March 7 from, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. If you register online they ask that you choose Olmos Creek for a “Preferred Area”and Olmos-Headwaters Sanctuary for "Zone".

If you can't make the bash or if you are volunteering on another part of our watershed, you can join them any third Thursday. This March 19 is “Feline” Fun Workday from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. Non-native catclaw vines will be cut down at the north end of the sanctuary. No heavy lifting is involved. Meet at the entrance to the soccer fields.

UPDATE: Here's a link to the San Antonio Current's 2/25/09 story "San Antonio returns to its ailing Yanaguana" which includes more information on the work of the Headwaters Coalition.

With Sustainability, Champion High School of Boerne makes cover of Metal Builder Developer Magazine

Metal Building Developer featured Boerne's Samuel V. Champion High School on the cover of their January/February 2009 issue. A brief article inside included a picture of a metal cistern that is part of "the largest water capture and reuse system in Texas". Other sustainable features noted include water conserving plumbing, efficient lighting and day-lighting, regionally derived materials, xeriscaping and HVAC condensate capture for irrigation. The architects on the high school were O'Neill Conrad Oppelt Architects Inc of San Antonio and Pfluger Associates Architects of Austin. Joeris General Contractors Ltd of San Antonio was the general contractor.

Earthen Floor Workshop with Frank Meyer

From: Design Build Live Austin, Tx

Saturday, March 14, 9:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Earthen Floor Workshop
Instructor: Frank Meyer of Thangmaker Construction
Location: North Central Austin Residence
Fee: $75, including lunch
Experience Level: No previous experience required
Limit: 10 people

Registration and payment required

Description

Natural clay soils can be used to create durable, beautiful, healthful floors. Learn how to select materials and build these unique floors. Discuss techniques for final finishing and sealing.

There are many flooring options on the market that claim to be "green." While some of this is "greenwashing," there are actually some products that offer considerably more sustainable features than the conventional carpet and sheet vinyl. But it is difficult to get greener than an earthen floor. When properly finished and sealed, earthen floors offer beauty and durability while delivering superbly on sustainable features such as:

• Natural, nontoxic
• Local or regional materials
• Abundant resources (clay, sand, gravel)
• Thermal mass for improved thermal comfort
• Easy on the body (unlike hard surfaces such as concrete or stone)
• Maintainable and repairable

During this workshop you will learn what type of materials to select and where to get them, the steps involved in creating an earthen floor, and how to finish and seal. Building an earthen floor is a multi-step process that requires some drying time between steps. During this workshop we will install all but the final thin coat of clay, but you will be introduced to all steps in the process. Fee for the workshop is $75 and includes a healthy vegetarian lunch and all necessary workshop materials and tools. Water, coffee and tea will also be provided. Enrollment is limited to ten people.