Posts Tagged ‘environmental’

GIH Holiday Lights are Now Carbon Neutral!
by Robert Fortunato on December 31st, 2011 No Comments »

We were given permission to turn on our 6.5kw solar array this week.  That means that our LED holiday lights (adorned with ornaments that we made from the scrap metal leftovers from our stucco contractor) and the electric power tools that we are using on site are now offset by
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In Hot Water Yesterday
by Robert Fortunato on December 7th, 2011 2 Comments »

Many thanks to Gary Klein for sharing his genius with us yesterday.  In two hours Gary took us through all the water related systems that are so crucial for us in hitting our net zero energy goals.
Gary is great at debunking myths about things like tankless water heaters and solar
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In Hot Water Today
by Robert Fortunato on December 6th, 2011 No Comments »

Gary Klein, one of the country’s leading experts in hot water technologies, will be visiting the construction site and leading a group discussion.  We have invited officials from the city, other experts in the field and manufacturers and contractors who could benefit from the wealth of Gary’s expertise.  The tour
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Getting Ready to Deliver the Thermal Envelope – Step One: The Sheathing
by Robert Fortunato on December 5th, 2011 No Comments »

The thermal envelope of our building is what separates the interior from the exterior in terms of moisture, air, heat and cold.  It is critical to the overall performance of the building and getting us to our net zero goals.  It also ensures that the building is comfortable and is
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Nothing More Sustainable than Peace
by Robert Fortunato on November 17th, 2011 No Comments »

As part of his regular day job, Robert is honored to be invited to Japan next week to work with the Rotary Peace Fellows on leadership and strategy for their master’s level studies.  It will be hard to be away from the GIH project for the week; but versus war,
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City Council GIH Update Tonight at 7pm
by Robert Fortunato on November 8th, 2011 No Comments »

We will be giving one of our periodic construction updates to City Council this evening.  The meeting starts at 7pm and we should be presenting shortly thereafter.  You can also view the meeting on Verizon Fios Ch. 31, Warner Cable Ch.8, and online at www.hermosabch.org under Agendas/Minutes/Video.
During
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Robert Gets a Round of Applause for NOT Speaking on Tuesday night!
by Robert Fortunato on October 14th, 2011 No Comments »

The City Council meeting was packed on Tuesday night as Robert looked forward to giving the GIH update.  He was second presentation on the agenda – but the first presentation went much longer than expected.
 
Sensing the vibe in the room Robert got up to the podium and, out of respect
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Patch Article Today and Presentation to City Council Tomorrow
by Robert Fortunato on October 10th, 2011 No Comments »

AOL’s Patch Press service published an article on the Green Idea House this morning: http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/hermosas-greenest-house-of-them-all Eric Farrell, the Hermosa Beach Patch reporter, did a very nice job summarizing the conversation we had last week.
 
On a related note, we will be giving one of our periodic construction updates to City Council
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Flashing to Prevent Rotting Foundations
by Robert Fortunato on October 3rd, 2011 No Comments »

Over the weekend Cater and Robert finished up the flashing that was needed as a result of the footings being poured too low into the ground in 1959 (see Foundational Problems).  We started with Hohmann and Barnard’s environmentally friendly water based primer and mastic to ensure proper adhesion  Then we
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Denmark: Inspiration for the Perspiration
by Robert Fortunato on September 28th, 2011 2 Comments »

Robert just returned from a week of lecturing at the international innovation school in Denmark, Kaos Pilot.  The students and faculty there know of his interest in all things sustainable and Denmark is a haven for all things sustainable.  Therefore, every time he goes to visit they take him on
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