Each year around Earth Day the American Institute of Architects (AIA) celebrate the top ten green projects of the past year. This year's list included two homes — one a net-zero live/work home, the other a small affordable house in a planned community.

When I told my dear friends that I'd be moving to the prairies of Illinois, they were all excited for me, thrilled about the new adventures I'd be embarking upon. But whenever acquaintances hear I'm moving to the country, they immediately start listing all kinds of elaborate ways I can fill my apparently soon-to-be-empty days...

Featuring new video today....

British inventor, James Dyson, has done it again. Embracing his trademark "there ought to be a better way" approach that spurred his most well-known high-end vacuum cleaners and blade-less fans, he has now revolutionized, or at the very least streamlined, the way we wash and dry our hands. We were lucky to get a recent sneak peek here in NYC of his latest creation, the Airblade Tap. More

I recently installed under cabinet lights in the kitchen of my rental apartment, and for a relatively small investment, they have made a big impact: They provide lighting for such kitchen tasks as dish washing and food prep, and their ambient glow is a pleasant alternative to the harsh overhead lighting I relied on previously. Fluorescent, halogen and xenon are all popular choices, but if you are looking to go the energy saving route, check out these LED options below: More

What if you could live in a city, without most of the problems of a city? Everything within walkable distance, no cars (so less grime), a green space larger than the city itself, access to mass transit, plenty of plazas and parks, serious energy and water conservation, and more. It sounds amazing, but I think I'd be lonely… More

Living in a 1930's building, it's obvious the era of "plug in everything" is a very recent change in lifestyle. And although our modest one-bedroom apartment isn't a big energy hog (modest refrigerator, window AC, gas heater, and LED/CFL bulbs throughout), there are always a few more ways to nip and tuck at the monthly energy bill... More

Today's Coffee Tip comes from Katie Deedy of Grow House Grow, and goes out to all those hard-working, multi-tasking parents, artists, and home-dwellers, doing everything they can to go after their dreams. More

It's only just the first week of July and already we've experienced heat waves across the country. You've probably heard about it from your Twitter and Facebook friends. You've probably also noticed the rise in articles about whether air conditioning is a saving grace or just plain bad. Living in the midwest I've experienced the extreme swings of heat and cold, nonetheless, I know where I stand on the issue — what about you? More

Continuing my work on the "earth, air, fire & water" theme in our "back forty" out in our summer place in Springs, NY (see yurt raising here), I just (this weekend) finally finished getting the super cool, new wood stove powered hot tub ready for use. More

When it comes to green buildings, most people think of either sleek, super modern architecture, or weird, organic forms. For the past three years I worked on a LEED Platinum home that was specifically designed to blend into its surroundings. Located in an older north suburb of Chicago, the house was surrounded by hundred-year old buildings, and this project, while using modern technology and building techniques, fits right in. More