Sparkflight Studios

As discovered on a recent visit to Phoenix’s Sky Harbor airport, bottle fillers are becoming a more commonplace way to hydrate.  According to the Pacific Institute , global sales of bottled water are growing faster than any other beverage.  If you must buy a bottle, refill it for seconds.  Better yet, get a reusable bottle in BPA-free plastic, steel, aluminum or even glass. Ready for a refill? Elkay EZH20 bottle filling station has a fill rate of 1.1 gallon-per minute (gpm) for a refrigerated unit, which is three times faster than a standard drinking fountain.     The unit is sensor-activated, so users don’t have to touch anything. The bottle can be held or placed on the designed platform to balance the bottle as it is being filled. The intuitive, touchless operation helps keep the station clean and germ free. What makes Elkay EZH20 bottle filling station appealing? It fills bottles with filtered water in seconds and providing sustainable benefits b...

From WPA to the U.S. Interstate Highway system, to ARRA and local bond initiatives, projects for public works and infrastructure keep cities and the economy humming along, but can they do even more.  Can economic, environmental and social synergies contribute even more to our communities?  The developers of Envision (TM) say "Yes!" Envision is a "green" sustainability rating system for infrastructure projects.  Introduced in 2012, it's the result of a joint collaboration between the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). Public works and infrastructure projects can now receive the recognition for sustainable approaches that their architectural and development projects have received through LEED, Living Building Challenge, Green Globes and similar third-party rating systems. Similar to LEED, the system has 60 sustainability criteria, ...

Melina Soto is a versatile designer with strong graphic skills and interests that span from architectural design to fine arts.  Her experience includes various tenant improvement for large Property Managers in Clark County as well as large companies such as Republic Services. At Anne Johnson, AIA, clients’ projects benefit from Soto’s expertise in architectural design, great understanding of spatial qualities and a rich backgound in design-build process.  Melina has been with the firm since 2013. A graduate of University of Nevada Las Vegas, Soto went on to achieve a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Utah.   During this time, as a student with Studio 23, Soto completed a 1,000 square feet design-build residential project including construction with recycled and renewable materials and passive solar system to accommodate a   family on the Navajo Reservation.  Following graduation, she went on to be a project administrator ...

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...