Sparkflight Studios

Over the remainder of 2011, we're reviewing sustainable practices in our office.  Although accustomed to many "green" habits, we've never evaluated our office's process and progress.    Many of you have also adopted some of these first steps of greening:  turning off equipment and lights not in use, recycling, printing on both sides of paper, and using teleconferencing whenever possible.  What are areas for improvement? Using Harvard’s green office program as a basis, we’re using checklists in nine impact categories to discover how we can grow greener.   You’re invited to join us in this year of discovery.   Please post and share your experience too!

We’ve been busy in the office with a few government projects, as well as some additional design opportunities.  Two of our projects are focused on energy production in the form of photovoltaic covered parking.  B oth are funded through the Department of Energy, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).   We're optimistic that President Obama's new Better Buildings Initiative for energy efficiency will bring new opportunities in the commercial sector.  Energy efficiency combined with energy production is an ideal mix for retrofits.   Clark County Development Services' Russell Road Campus is home to a newly constructed steel parking canopy made up of photovoltaic panels covering 17 employee parking spaces.  An interactive, public kiosk is provided in the main lobby to demonstrate the renewable energy production process.    Starting construction this spring, Clark County Gover...

Green Drinks Las Vegas is hosting a viewing party for TEDxManhattan's “Changing the Way We Eat” on Saturday, February 12. Sustainable agriculture goes hand in hand with sustainable design as it also embraces the triad concepts of environmental, social and economic viability.  Just like design requires careful choices, understanding where our food comes from, and the impact of its production, allows us to make food choices that support the health of the planet and its inhabitants.  Supermarkets and farmer's markets aren't our only options in the Las Vegas valley.  Perhaps you'll be inspired to give urban farming a try in your own backyard. From the Green Drinks website: This is a one-day event in NYC highlighting the sustainable food movement and the work being done to shift our food system from industrially-based agriculture to one in which healthy, nutritious food is accessible to all. Attendees are invited to bring healthy recipes and local produce to sh...