Fri 29 Jan 2010
Environmental Engineering
Posted by Carina under Architecture, Energy, Environment, Green Tech, Sustainability, Urbanism
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Every once in a while someone tells me about a new blog they are working on that lists the “top 50 something green.” Most of the time they are certainly interesting enough but don’t always make it to the blog. Today though, with thoughts of Haiti’s reconstruction, the state of the union, and other built environment tasks on the mind, a new blog (about blogs) is making the cut. 50 Must-Read Green Engineering Blogs is a compilation of resources that focuses on the built environment and the potential for engineering and better design to be the solution, where bad design might have been the problem. That applies to both Haiti’s woes and America’s. The system design is flawed; architecturally, socially, politically. But that is more than one blog entry worth…
From the blog about blogs: “In all its varied incarnations – technology, architecture, civil, construction, materials science, transportation, energy, computers, and product design among them – the field of engineering has something to offer mankind’s quest to keep the planet as clean, safe, and sustainable as possible. The following blogs wonderfully illustrate how creative, innovative engineers are synthesizing their studies with the environmentalist movement as a means of bettering Earth for current and future inhabitants.”
After scrolling through their selection, which includes things like WorldChanging, which certainly isn’t solely about engineering, I found one on prefab houses that I thought I would share. Ecosteel. They are a “building system provider specializing in speed, efficiency, and green building. Our system is based on steel frames and insulated panels that feature high recycled content, extreme thermal efficiency, and direct LEED rating benefits.” Their projects look pretty fun, ranging from houses I would certainly be happy to live in to the Cuna De Vida (cradle of life) off grid, farm hosting resort off the Pacific Coast of Panama.
Take a look around. Imagine cities that were all built like this…Then look outside your window and think about what you would change if you had the training. Then, try and make it happen.












