Is it realistic to make the White House energy-efficient? That's one of the American Institute of Architects (AIA)'s recommendations for President-Elect Barack Obama. The AIA offered to help the Obama administration promote green buildings and focus on the needs of urban areas. What do you think of making the White House a model of energy-efficiency? Survey and more green suggestions below the jump...
The AIA suggests that President-Elect Obama appoint a high-level advisor on green buildings who would coordinate executive branch activities and promote these issues to the public. The AIA wants to help develop a White House Office of Urban Policy (which Obama proposed during the campaign).
We like Mediabistro's idea that "the Obama team draw all energy for the White House from a basement full of Gilligan's Island-style pedal-powered generators." Read the AIA's press release by clicking here.
[Photo above the jump from Viral Politics.]
A Contemporary Space in the Queen City 
Before & After: Trashed Hutch Turned Vanity Dresser 
Like us on Facebook
RSS Feed (Atom)
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Geneva Sound System...
How To Cook a Steak: 15 Recipes for a Weeknight Valentine's Meal
How To Make Cake Pops
Comments (24)
Like anyone would really say no to this.
Who opposes energy efficiency...?
File this one under "Duh."
I would love to see the White House covered with solar panels and windmills.
Yea, if 500 sq ft. apt tenants worry about their carbon footprint, tenants of a greek revival mansion damn well better!
That lawn itself is a major carbon bootprint. :P
I think with all the change he wants to implement, I'm sure some CFLs will also be incorporated. :) He's too modern not to.
It's a great but sort of tricky in that we don't want tons of our tax dollars to go toward a green update in this tight economy. BUT, that being said, I think it's way better use of that money than say all the random pork that sucks billions away from us. Honestly, it's not black and white, but like the commenters stated...who's really going to say this is not "Hot"?
Great idea... just as soon as we have spent tax money solving the problems of hunger, homelessness, and medical care in America.
Wilson kept goats on the lawn to keep the grass clipped and to grow wool for the war/relief effort.
Carter had solar panels installed on the roof during his Presidency...
...Reagan had them ripped out.
According to this site http://blog.coolerplanet.com/2008/03/08/solar-panels-at-the-white-house/ the White House had some solar panels installed in 2003: "In 2003, solar photovoltaic panels were installed at the White House. Two smaller solar thermal systems were also installed to heat water: one for landscape maintenance personnel, the other for the presidential pool and spa."
Why should this have to cost a ton of money? I'm sure "green designers" would KILL to have their solutions implemented at 1600 Pennsylvania...
Have a juried competition for solutions to acheive various efficiencies at the White House and pay for the materials and labor but not the design costs (in lieu the designers get a ton of PR).
Um, so... where are the other green suggestions?
The White House is a drop in the bucket. Now a self-funding, job-creating program to greenify all Federal office buildings would be both politically bold and environmentally impactful. Just reducing the amount of air-conditioning used in the typically muggy Mid-Atlantic summer could have a significant effect on power consumption in the area.
Why is this a poll, really?
Who wouldn't want a green white house? What would be the harm in setting a beautiful example for the rest of the country?
Actually, Obama has already met with White House staff to discuss this issue, especially given that all the lights have to be on so much.
He stated that making the White House more energy efficient is something he wants to do.
So, like it or not, green is in.
FYI: He's also looking for an organic chef, whatever that means. Wonder if we'll be seeing some compost pile on the White House lawn?
Hmm...
it is too bad Ronald Regan took down the solar panels the Jimmy Carter installed to heat the hot water consumed at the white house.
http://www.energybulletin.net/node/9657
Laurin1981....I was just about to make the same comment! Maybe Obama will put them back up?
Amen laurin1981! Seems like some of the infrastructure exists, so let's reuse it.
And yes, this is a no-brainer. The costs to do this are minuscule compared to the other stuff he's got on his plate. Just because our multi-billion dollar health care system is broken doesn't mean we can't spend a mil to make the WH efficient. Eeesh.
Eat the view (http://www.eattheview.org/) is hoping to replant a large organic urban "victory garden" back onto the White House Lawn, harking back to previous presidents such as Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor Roosevelt
Given the move away from victory gardens and such since WWII and the destruction of a lot of the White House gardens, I think Obama would be most likely to reinstate such a movement.
Great idea... just as soon as we have spent tax money solving the problems of hunger, homelessness, and medical care in America.
If we didn't flat out waste so much energy in this country, we'd have a lot more tax money available to spend solving the problems of hunger, homelessness and medical care.
and just to add my two cents, we won't need to worry about hunger, homelessness and medical care if we disregard the environment issue, we won't be around anymore to care. (which will be a lot better for the planet anyway i guess)
Well if this is the case SIGN ME UP! I'm an unemployed Interior Designer specializing in green design and ready for the challenge!
I think it's an awesome idea. They could also improve working conditions, ie: daylighting! Some of those offices are like dungeons.
Energy efficiency saves money in the long run. So this suggestion is great. Get the government to spend the money now, while businesses are struggling, and the green investments will pay themselves off in the future. It could be a microcosm for Obama's green investment, economic stimulus package.
"The AIA wants to help develop a White House Office of Urban Policy (which Obama proposed during the campaign)."
Yes please. Sign me up.
I think this is a great idea.
Especially if the emphasis is actually on 1) long-term savings (both energy and money) and 2) solutions that can be used around the rest of the country.