The Latest

Green Living: Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan: Phase II

Input from Philadelphia citizens—through completed surveys and community meetings—played a major role in developing Phase I of Philadelphia’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan (released in October). The plan detailed recommendations and strategies for creating a more pedestrian and bike-friendly Philadelphia.

More
1 min read

Green Living: Energy Tips for Philly Renters

Replace your lightbulbs and leave your lights ON - If you haven’t already taken advantage of PECO’s low-cost CFLs—available at retailers all over the city—get thee to a hardware store! According to EnergyStar.gov, swapping out the energy-guzzling incandescents in your five most frequently used lighting fixtures can net you $65 in annual savings.

More
3 mins read

Recycling Challenge: Metal Clothes Hangers

FACT: 3.5 billion metal hangers, the equivalent of 200 million pounds of steel, are used each year by the dry cleaning industry alone.
Problem: Metal (or wire) hangers are the scourge of the recycling industry. In addition to the low percentage of steel reclaimed per hanger, they can catch on recycling equipment and cause jams and

More
1 min read

Land Grab: Urban Tree Connection

The Polselli lot at 53rd and Wyalusing in the Haddington section of West Philadelphia was a dangerous eyesore. Equipment from the owner’s contracting business, stripped cars and barrels of gasoline sat nestled in the overgrown weeds.

More
1 min read

Award Show: Philadelphia Housing Authority

The Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects has awarded the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s rehab project on the 800 block of Markoe Street a 2010 Design Excellence Award. Local architecture firm Jibe Design began work on the West Philly homes after winning PHA’s Sustainable Housing Competition in July of 2008.

More
1 min read

Site Design: Yikes

Yikes has always been a triple-bottom line business—people, profit, planet—so, when the opportunity arose to make their office space as green as their ethos, they acted. A certified B Corporation and SBN member, the web design company has been in their current rental space in Northern Liberties for eight years and decided it was time

More
1 min read

California Dreaming: Re:Vision Architecture

Re:Vision Architecture, the local sustainable design firm responsible for the Fair Food Farmstand and the PECO building’s green roof, recently opened a second location in Berkeley, CA. The move represents an opportunity to share sustainable design ideas between the East and West coasts.

More
1 min read

Open Studio: Arts Street Textile Studio

It’s tempting to lump Art Street Textile Studio in with the current wave of DIY, sustainably-minded manufacturing. Handmade goods are produced using donated and repurposed fabrics, and you can see local flavor in the colorful array of hand-knit scarves, tapestries and holiday ornaments. But there’s something else going on here:

More
1 min read
1 … 306 307 308 309 310 … 405