Eco-modernism has accepted an appointment to the board of advisors for Triangle Modernist Houses, a  pending 501c3 non-profit focused locally and nationally on the preservation of modernist houses.  TMH aims to protect  existing modernist houses as art & culture of 1950′s and 1960′s era design, and to promote the construction of new modernist houses in step with that of 2000′s.

Old and new

Our interpretation of new construction includes adaptation of existing spaces to contemporary livable homes as well as new ground up construction. It also embraces a responsible approach to the environment, with sensitivity to sustainable material use, minimalist style and an efficient spatial footprint.

Ecomod has been marrying modern and green since 2001 and is looking forward to partnering with TMH to keep our dwelling footprints light and simple.

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Eat the View: Turn the White House Lawn into and Organic Garden!

Work with what you have

Susan over at the IKEAFans blog posted about an article in the International Herald Tribune about how design thrives during tough economic times. As Susan so aptly puts it: “Necessity is the Mother of Invention, no?”.

There’s no doubt that constraint breeds creativity, whether it’s lack of space, material, money, or time. And it *is* possible to create good, durable design under those conditions, which are all present in a depression.

Modern is already green

What I love about modern, simple design, is that it lends itself so easily to being responsible to the planet. Heck, minimalism is one of the modern design camp’s most very favorite words! And so should responsible be.

Generally speaking, modern = clean lines = less materials for detailing. And less materials means less energy to fabricate. It also means less weight to ship, especially if it’s flat packed.

Lucky for us, IKEA® embodies all of those aspects of design at an affordable price. Unsurprising, since its roots are in frugality without sacrificing culture.

Soft spot for the pre-cursors

Susan also brings to light a book called Livable Modernism, by Kristina Wilson, about how interior designers responded during the depression. Early pioneers of American modernist designers combined the avant garde with middle class taste to create products for the middle class during the depression. (Also, I had no idea that the buffet party was a Depression-era invention!)

This book is totally on my wishlist, since it recognizes designers like Russel Wright and Donald Deskey – designers who preceeded the usual attention hogs like Frank Lloyd Wright and Corbusier, but are equally deserving of recognition.  Color me crazy, but I have a soft spot for folks who set the stage for the credit grabbers after them. (Like Eileen Gray, for example, before Corbu.)

What if?

Wonder how it would have fared had IKEA® (it was founded in 1943) been around during the depression?

SAS turns on their new solar power farm

Grow your own.

Obviously, it starts with seeds. Where do you get them? One option is to get them from Seed Savers Exchange. Combine seed savers with container gardening, using something like Earthboxes, and there is zero transportation involved from farm to table. As far as what to grow, Seed Savers Exchange has plenty to choose from:

• herbs
• vegetables
• potatoes
• garlic
• flowers

The ultimate self-perpetuating cycle

You can even harvest & preserve your own seeds, with guidance from Suzanne Ashworth’s book, Seed To Seed. There is a bigger picture purpose of Seed Savers Exchange: the dwindling genetic diversity of our vegetable crops is a threat to their (and our) existence. The guidebook explains how to produce and save seeds for vegetables on a small scale, tailored to whichever of the seven main regions of the US in which you live.

SSE also works closely with the  folks at the Slow Food movement. by nominating varieties to include in the Ark of Taste selection. Slow Food has created an ARK of Taste catalog, dedicated to preservation of heirloom varietals:

The US Ark of Taste is a catalog of over 200 delicious foods in danger of extinction. By promoting and eating Ark products we help ensure they remain in production and on our plates.

Congrats to Growing Power, Inc.: 2008 MacArthur Fellow

SmartWay was launched by the EPA in 2004 to provide cleaner and more efficient transportation methods in the United States. Subsequently, SmartWay Transport was begun as a joint effort between the EPA and the freight industry — trucking companies, railroad carriers, maritime cargo — to achieve the same environmental and energy goals.

To become part of the program, the EPA ranks each freight carrier’s fuel efficiency methods and environmental performance. Penske’s 200,000-vehicle fleet received a 1.25 rating, the highest score possible. Penske’s cutting-edge fleet technology, as well as other fuel efficient strategies and ongoing education of customers and employees alike, helped it achieve the score.

Why it matters to Eco-Modernism

We’ve been leasing trucks and vans from Penske for our IKEA® runs to the DC IKEA® store. It would appear we selected a conscientious business truck leasing option. Nice little tidbit to add to the green factor of our making one trip for many instead of the other way around. [via the awesome MATTER blog]

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Jetson Green: Prefab is not the answer to affordable, modern, green homes

REGISTRATION OPEN: Oct 4 Dwell NextHouse Tour in Hillsborough

Earthbox is a great solution for urban dwellers who want to grow their own but don’t have garden space. I will have to try one out firsthand next season. At first glance it looks like a winner:

• optional wheels so you can move it inside for the edges of the season when nights get nippy
• self regulating watering system
• add on staking system for climbing plants like tomatoes
• ready to grow starter kit for under $50 which includes soil, fertilizer, casters, watering system & box

What to grow?
Plenty. Strawberries, leeks, beans, artichokes, eggplant. There’s even diagrams to illustrate how to space the plants.

Ecomod: Green thumbs up.
I can’t say enough good things about this product, seriously. Like I always say, I’m a sucker for well thought out design. Clear diagrams, good information and links, easy to find the contact info if you need help, and it fills a need that’s responsible and healthy. There are even separate sections of the site that are tailored to Consumers, Educators, Dealers and Commercial Farming.

[via apartmenttherapy]