Sparkflight Studios

Nindo House - Finland Micro-housing can be defined by size at under 1,000 square feet of living space.   A very talented and resourceful couple in Iowa have managed to build a 572 square foot home, which they put on wheels in case they want to move.   While its small size certainly qualifies for micro, other attributes add to the livability of the design. What makes micro-housing attractive?   Compact and efficient space management immediately come to mind along with the inherent need for a clutter-free, minimalist built environment.   Portability can also be a useful feature for rural settings.   While this home features an eclectic bohemian aesthetic, it’s easy to see how the space-saving attributes could translate into a modern style.   Special features that charm in Tim and Deb’s “Movable House” are the pushed out dining area, which can be detached and loaded inside for transport and the creative catwalk running across the ceiling.   On the ...

It's Earth Day today!  There were many local events to enjoy over the weekend.  Take a moment to catch up on global events at the Earth Day Network website .  Add your own " Act of Green ," or take local action by supporting Green Chips , or cleaning up your own neighborhood.  Project Green is one hands-on local organization that welcomes volunteers to improve our green and waterways.  Green Chips helms a broader effort to "build community through collaborative partnerships for a more sustainable future." See some more Earth Day inspirations from past years here... Celebrate the day!

The Green California 2014 conference is just wrapping up today.  It was exciting to learn of the latest developments in California Green action and legislation.   Sessions included innovation, electric vehicles and EV infrastructure, government best practices, green schools, energy and buildings, funding strategies, water, farm to fork to fuel and an Expo with exciting new products. Energy policy updates are of special interest since CALGreen and the updated 2013 California Energy Code are barometers for code updates coming regionally and nationally.   Other sessions explained current developments in renewable energy production--including renewable natural gas created from organic waste.  What an incredible way to divert from the landfill!  Learn more at the CleanWorld website.  Related to the CALGreen policies, were updates on water policy related to the current drought and graywater usage. Our April post focused on the use of graywater in fi...

Being a native of the Southwest, and living in Las Vegas for a decade, I've eagerly awaited building codes that support graywater use in our region.  Our water is a precious resource, right?  Recently, our residential clients are beginning to inquire about graywater use as well. What is Graywater? According to the California Graywater Code, "Graywater" means untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by any toilet discharge...and does not present a threat from contamination by unhealthful...wastes.  "Graywater" includes but is not limited to wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs, but does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers. How is Graywater used?  Graywater is acceptable for use in landscape irrigation, however the landscape system must be designed to prevent ponding or spray of graywater.  If spray irrigation is part of the landscape design, for example at a tur...

Hosted by Green Chips , the Green by Southwest Conference is a 3-day event held this week starting Thursday, April 3 and running through Saturday, April 5.  Events include: leadership conferences breakout sessions professional education expo and mixer bicycling and walking tours It's an opportunity to re-connect, learn and be inspired.  Hope to see you there! Learn more at the Green Chips website and register at the USGBC NV website .

image by Desert Sol team The 2nd Place Global winner from the 2013 Solar Decathlon, Desert Sol, is now at its permanent home at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas.  Admission to DesertSol is free for members or with paid general admission. Built by teams of UNLV students, the 754-square-foot sustainable solar-powered home took over two years to conceptualize, design and build.  Per the Springs Preserve website, its features include: Solar panels Low-flow fixtures and a multipurpose water system that combines plumbing and fire sprinklers Remote access to temperature controls Strategic window placement to promote cross-ventilation A custom screen along the outdoor deck that filters sun in the summer and retracts to allow warmth from the sun in winter  Intended primarily as a vacation home The bullet points don't begin to describe the beauty and function of this home.  See it in person to experience the textured and weathered materials, contemporary int...

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is,  'What are you doing for others?"  - Martin Luther King, Jr.  A quote we're keeping in mind this week in memory of Dr. King and his stand for social justice.  In life, do our daily interactions treat others with kindness and dignity? In our work of architecture and design, are we creating functional and beautiful spaces for our clients?  What are we doing to enhance the lives of people in our community and world? More inspiration can be found at The Kindness Wall .