Stop Waste.org Landfill Ban

I had the pleasure of working with Judi Ettlinger from StopWaste.org a few months ago to create imagery for Alameda County's Landfill Ban. The shoot wasn't glamorous but it felt good to know my imagery would help educate the people of Alameda County on how to properly dispose of green waste.

Nutrient rich soil is hard to come by these days and it is important that we start realizing the value in the yard waste we generate.

The imagery we shot provided a step by step visual of how to separate your waste, where it goes, and what it will then become.

This ban will help to reduce landfill volumes, improve soil health and help Alameda County meet its voter-mandated diversion goals. For the people in Alameda County it's no longer an option...it's the law. I hope other county's follow their lead.

It's great to be associated with and educational project that will truly have a major impact on changing behavior for a more sustainable future.

For more information please visit:

http://stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=941

Portland Green Cottage

This two-bedroom cottage is a modest example of how to maximize a small footprint and effectively use recycled materials to create a simple single family home.

Green Features

Site:
Remodeled cottage
All improvements were made within the original footprint
The floor plan was reconfigured to create more space and allow more natural lighting

Water:
Converted old driveway into a garden to improve the rainwater run-off
Rainwater filters through the soil and ground water nourshing the soil for native plants
Native plants in landscape

Energy:
Added windows and French doors to bring in west light
Soapstone woodstove used to heat the house
Energy efficicent water heater
Porch on west side provides summer shade and winter sunlight
Single pane windows were replaced with double pane low-e glazing
Operable windows allow for natural cooling

Materials:
Porch posts are two old cedar trees from a....and the beams are salvaged
Open shelves in the kitchen were made out of old bleacher seats
Kitchen counter tops made out of salvaged whiskey barrels
Salvaged oak flooring to patch up original flooring found under old carpeting
Cabinetry made of wheatboard

Indoor Environment:
Operable windows allow for natural ventilation
Paints are low - no VOC content

Corte Madera Green Remodel

Designed by Michael Heacock (www.michaelheacock.com) this award winning home features many green materials and sustainable design features. I photographed this project 2006 and it was then chosen to grace the cover of Jennifer Roberts new book: Good Green Kitchens (www.goodgreenkitchens.com). In 2008 it was again chosen for the cover of E. Ashley Rooney's: Green Homes, Dwellings for the 21st Century (http://www.amazon.com/Green-Homes-Dwellings-21st-Century/dp/0764330330).

The green features of this project and all the future architectural projects posted on this blog will be divided into the following categories: Site, Water, Energy, Materials and Indoor Environment...

Site:
Minimal addition to and maintenance of modest original footprint (2,000 sq. feet)
Minimal site disruption during construction.
Maintenance of owners organic gardens.

Water:
High efficiency irrigation
Native and drought-tolerant landscaping
Efficient washing machine

Energy:
Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) roof construction
Insulation exceeds Title 24
Insulated floor over crawl space
Overhangs on south facing windows
House wrap installed under siding
Dimmer controlled lighting
Double paned low-E windows with wood clad frames
High-efficiency water heater for radiant floor heat and domestic hot water in studio
Energy Star appliances

Materials:
Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) roof construction
Existing home deconstructed for salvage and recycling
Engineered lumber
OSB for subfloors and SIPs
Salvaged redwood exterior siding and stairs (Blacks Farmwood)
Reused existing deck for new deck
Salvaged Black Acacia wood counter and table
FSC-Certified Brazilian cherry flooring (Eco Timber)
Exposed concrete as finished floor in work studio
Built-in recycling center

Indoor Environment:
Range hood vented to outside
Fiberglass batt insulation with no added formaldehyde (Johns Manville Comfort Therm)
Radiant-floor heat in work studio elimates forced-air vents
Low-VOC interior paint (Benhamin Moore EcoSpec)
Natural lighting
Outdoor views

Green Photography: Photography with a Conscience...

www.emilyhagopian.com

Photography with a Conscience...

Are you a photographer, art director, architect, interior designer or entrepreneur with an eco-sensitive outlook? Lets discuss ways to bring socially responsible products to the consumers!

I am an architectural photographer, currently focusing on Green Design, but I would like to expand my portfolio to include any and ALL products that are environmentally responsible and healthy for consumers.

You can view my work at: www.emilyhagopian.com

I am looking to collaborate efforts with like-minded people. My ultimate goal is to create imagery that will help inform consumers that we have OPTIONS when it comes to the products we choose on a day-to-day basis.

Interested in teaming up? Send me an email: eh@emilyhagopian.com