The "Green Design Jim" Blog
James Heimler is known around the industry as "Green Design Jim". His blog covers a lot of the reasons why. Whether he's talking to a client or Architect to Architect, Jim's got economy and ecology in the forefront of everything he does.
JHAI's President has been in architecture since 1974. His architectural expertise is coupled with his care for the environment and his clients. He has been involved in over 2000 projects and has worked with over 900 clients dating back to 1982. His projects are located throughout
WHAT ARE SOME GREEN SOLUTIONS FOR LIGHTING UNDER KITCHEN CABINETS?
Written by James Heimler
There are 2 reasons for the lighting with many options for both. First let’s take the daytime requirements for lighting. Having good natural lighting from many directions reduces the requirements for electrical use! Windows, Skylights, Clearstory windows, solar tubes, light wells, reflective finishes all achieve this. Other local options include, glass doors on the cabinets, motion sensors for the electrical lighting, Individual switching for the lights only where you need them, and then there are different types of mood lighting for different types of uses. I always try for the one light needed for the middle of the night. Then we finish with night time lighting especially under the cabinets.
STEEL FRAMED THERMAL EFFICIENT PANEL SYSTEMS (STEP)
Written by James Heimler
Since the 1970’s there have been manufactured insulated panel systems. They have been used for site walls, building walls, and panelized roof systems. What is consistent in many of these systems is the use of expanded polystyrene mixed with a structurally integrated component. Options on the structural integrated structures include steel wire framing integrated into the foam panels, fully imbedded steel framing within the panels, and partially imbedded steel framing within these panels. The non-masonry systems are similar in wall thickness to standard wall framing and yield similar usable floor areas compared to masonry systems. These systems are factory manufactured leading to a more efficient use of building materials and a faster construction schedule. These systems are lightweight and being factory fabricated are designed using less material than would be required on a site install standard framing and insulated project. Panel sizes can be up to 18 by 50 feet and depending on the thermal requirements come in different widths. The steel and foam panels can be fully recycled for new products in the future. These materials are also “green” in that they are made from past used recycled products. This is “Cradle to Cradle” thinking. These are “green” products.
What is ‘REAL’ Sustainable Design?
Written by James Heimler
One must start with the greatest vision, the overall implications to living on this planet. Any thing less is just negating the honest understanding of sustainability. You can always change your definitions, but earth friendly - is earth friendly!
So, consider a building and see what its' function is today. Then add in the future flexibility making it usable to you or others in the future without having to demolish it. How many square feet per person per use is being used? How does this compare with others with similar functions? The same applies for all utility uses. Take the embodied energy in the building process and add that into your equations.
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