Synthetic Genomics

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Synthetic Genomics

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A company spun out of work at The Institute for Genomic Research, now the J. Craig Venter Institute, on what was termed the “minimal genome project.” The research centered on the very small genome of Mycoplasma genitalium, a bacterium with only 517 genes that primarily causes urinary tract infections in humans. The research team led by Dr. Hutchison surmised that perhaps they could ascertain which genes were essential to sustain the life of the organism. After using a technique pioneered by Dr. Hutchison called global transposon mutagenesis, the team was able to knock out non-essential genes and get to a core set of 265 to 350 genes that were needed to sustain life.

MetaEfficient

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MetaEfficient

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A web magazine that covers the latest green products and technologies.

Green homes going mainstream

Many energy-consumption problems can be addressed with simple tweaks to conventional house design, according to the founder of eco-friendly home design company Michelle Kaufmann Designs. Windows and sliding glass doors placed on opposite walls, for instance, allow the sun to more evenly wash a room with light and eliminate contrast, which reduces the need for electrical light during the day.... Similarly, a glass wall can make a room seem bigger than it is, which cuts down on the need for McMansion-size family rooms and therefore the amount of raw materials required for building the home in the first place.

"Where you get the most bang for your buck are things like (window placement) that save energy but don't cost more," she said.

...Mainstream developers such as Centex Homes, Lennar Corporation and The Grupe Company have also begun to emphasize green features in their homes, particularly as concerns about electricity grow and housing sales stagnate.

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Green homes going mainstream

Ideal Bite

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Ideal Bite

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Easy eco-living tips are presented in a short, sassy and free email each weekday. From organic pet products to eco-friendly fashion, the Daily Tips provide level-headed advice for people who want to do the right thing without giving up creature comforts. The beautiful thing? Collectively we are creating a more sustainable world by connecting Ideal Bite's subscribers with eco-friendly products and companies.

Powerhouse Enterprises

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Powerhouse Enterprises

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PowerHouse is not just any other modular home builder. we are not even another "green" home builder. PowerHouse offer professionals in the residential building and design community a suite of services and products. PH can assist with conceptual design, marketing, graphics, engineering... et al... on any single family home to a large, multi-unit development. Our goal is nothing less than the transformation of the residential market.

Hive Modular Homes

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Hive Modular Homes

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A HIVE home is an eminently practical, somewhat whimsical, always functional, affordable expression of how you want to live. For those who value a modestly sized, well-designed residence, be it modern or more traditional, there is a Hive home to meet your needs.

Hive homes use a modular construction system, which provides a high level of quality control, minimizes exposure of building materials to the elements, and shortens construction time.

MARMOL RADZINER PREFAB

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MARMOL RADZINER PREFAB

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MARMOL RADZINER PREFAB combines the efficiency of factory-built homes with the benefits of custom residential design. Our green homes are not a kit of parts – we build the prefab modules in our own factory and ship them complete with your choice of pre-installed interior and exterior finishes, flooring, appliances, and more. We can oversee the entire process, from design to delivery and installation, so no additional contractor is required.

We create our prefab homes with the environment in mind and have designed them to achieve LEED certification. For long-term sustainability, the module structures are made from recycled steel. The homes employ other green materials, including Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), FSC-certified wood, low VOC Green Seal paint, solar panels, and more. Floor-to-ceiling windows capture natural light, while expansive decks provide shade for passive cooling and promote the best of indoor/outdoor living.