Earth Blog

Today the EPA released their annual top 25 metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings.

Three California cities are in the top ten with Los Angeles ranked 1st, San Francisco at 3rd, and Riverside is ranked 9th. According to the EPA, Los Angeles has been in the top spot since 2008.

California has a total of six cities on the list with Sacramento (12th), San Diego (19th), and San Jose (21st) making the Golden State the host with the most.

How do Energy Star buildings differ from buildings that carry LEED certification?

Frank Lloyd Wright died 53 years ago today. That news is certainly not “breaking” but Wright was a groundbreaker and is widely recognized for his contributions in the field of architecture and interior design.

According to The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, founded by the architect himself in 1940,  409 out of 532 of his works are still standing which includes libraries, churches, museums and houses. His two personal homes Taliesin in Wisconsin and Taliesin West in Arizona are maintained by the Foundation and open for tours.  Twenty Wright houses are now open to the public and more than one-third of the buildings he designed are designated as historical landmarks or preserved in historical districts.

Wright was inspired by nature and this is evident in his designs. The “Prairie houses” and the highly-recognizable Fallingwater House in Pennsylvania are examples of Wright’s dedication to the school of thought he passed on to his students: "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.  It will never fail you."

The City of Claremont (nickname: “The City of Trees and PhDs”) has been awarded Silver level status by the California Green Communities (CGC) program for their work toward sustainability. Claremont is only one of four cities that have reached Silver status; the others are Monrovia, Riverside, and Santa Clarita.  Seven other cities including Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Ventura are using the program’s criteria to better their towns and earn recognition.

"Our City takes its commitment to sustainability seriously," said Mayor Sam Pedroza.  "It is a priority for the City Council and it is a consideration in every project and program we provide. Achieving the Silver level status validates the tremendous work this community has done."

LivingHomes is considered the premier builder of pre-frabricated (pre-fab) sustainable homes.  Founded in 2006 the company features homes designed by Ray Kappe and architectural firm Kieran Timberlake. LivingHomes may be pre-fab but can also be customized and are available nationally. 

This weekend their new C6 model will open for tours in Long Beach at The Long Beach Performing Arts Center and in Palm Springs as part of Modernism Week.