The Renewable Beauty of Bamboo Floors

by David McCowan
ProSource
ASID Industry Partner

Handscraped bambo
in Hickory finish

Bamboo floors have been all the rage for the past several years. Many designers and their clients understand the green aspect of bamboo and the good feeling one gets from utilizing a product that's so environmentally friendly. Bamboo floors offer renewable beauty combined with durable elegance.

A member of the grass family, bamboo grows throughout Asia from India to China and thrives in forestlands of this region. Unlike hardwood, which can take 60 years to mature, bamboo can be harvested at full maturity in just 4 to 6 years. The stalks are cut, leaving the extensive root system to regenerate for generations to come.

Vertical bamboo pattern
in Natural finish

Bamboo is the most efficient land-based plant at pulling CO2 from the atmosphere and locking it into the fibers of the plant. The only other plant that that is more efficient at sequestering carbon is kelp. This fact makes bamboo a great choice for the planet.

In the past, bamboo fell a bit short in the area of product style and selection. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Today's bamboo floors come in a wide variety of styles and colors, such as traditional bamboo in either natural or carbonized color and with a horizontal or vertical graining pattern. In addition to the traditional looks, there are now a large variety of stained, handscraped, and strand woven floors with selections of varying lengths and widths.

Horizontal bamboo pattern
in Spice finish

If you haven't looked into all of the new options in bamboo flooring lately, we recommend you do so for your next project.

David McCowan, Sales Manager
davidm@prosourcesandiego.com
http://www.prosourcefloors.com/

ProSource San Diego
8485 Production Ave
San Diego Ca 92121
858-566-8100

ProSource San Diego North
1070 La Mirada Court
Vista Ca 92081
760-477-1780

Going Green During the Holidays

We liked this post so much last year, we decided to re-post it this year! -Ed.

by Phillip Dockery
ASID Student Member. Design Institute San Diego

In today’s eco-conscious society, many of us struggle with how to be good stewards to the planet while still maintaining our quality of life. This dilemma can be especially apparent during the holiday season. Let’s face it; many of our most cherished traditions can wreak havoc on the environment. A great example of this is the use of Christmas trees. Most San Diegans who take part in this tradition are familiar with two options: they can display an artificial tree that might be made of PVC, contain lead and be imported from China, or they can choose a live, fresh-cut tree that could be imported from Oregon and will decompose and produce off-gassing. Now I will confess that these are extreme worst case scenarios, and that each of these choices does have environmentally-conscious options, but I would like to take this opportunity to shine an Energy Star compact fluorescent light on the third, less-known option of live potted trees.

A live potted tree is exactly what it sounds like. It is a tree with a completely intact root system, allowing you to transplant the tree into the ground once the holiday has passed to be admired for generations to come. Not only would the tree add aesthetic value, but trees in general offer advantages such as producing oxygen, removing Carbon dioxide from the air, fighting soil erosion, and cooling by offering shade.

For those who live in an apartment or condo, please don’t be deterred. If you don’t have a place to plant your trees once the holidays are over, you still have options. Trees make a wonderful gift. You can give your tree to a friend, church, school or to one of our numerous parks located throughout the County. Christine McDonnell, owner of Adopt A Christmas Tree, says that for the price of the tree her company will not only have two singing elves deliver the tree, but will have it picked up after the Holiday and donated to a needy organization if you do not have means or want to plant it yourself.

Other great local businesses which offer living potted Christmas trees are the Family Christmas Tree Farm located in El Cajon, and Pine Tree Acres located in Ramona. Each of these three businesses offer a variety of native California species at a variety of sizes and prices, making it easy for you and your family to start a new holiday tradition that will add as much beauty to the world after the holidays as it did to your home during them.

Get Outside! Bees, Seeds and Kids, Oh My!

by Denise Colestock, LEED A.P., ASID Eco Committee Member

Ever wonder how we can get our children to reconnect with nature? Eat healthy? Learn about sustainability? Rebuild Global has taken on that challenge by implementing a plan to build sustainable school gardens and structures throughout San Diego.

Rebuild Global is a non-profit organization which strives to create an environmentally and socially responsible world community. We collaborate as designers, organizations, city entities and creative individuals to work on projects and community building where it is unavailable and needed most.

Through our yearly design competition, ProjectFIND, Rebuild Global found a winning entry that would do just that. Taylor Scherner, a local designer, submitted the School Garden Network project which won the hearts of our judges, members and schools. Her project proposed the implementation of a sustainable garden and kitchen structure in all schools across San Diego County to teach children about local, healthy eating and sustainable design. We are well on our way to implementing our first two at Sherman Heights Elementary and Washington Elementary in downtown San Diego.

Sherman Heights Elementary, located in the Barrio Logan neighborhood, will be receiving a shipping container donated by Dole and designed pro bono by Kevin deFreitas, Architect. The shipping container will act as the kitchen where local cooks can teach the children how to cook and eat the fruits of their labor.

Washington Elementary, located in the Little Italy neighborhood, will be receiving a sustainable outdoor kitchen and host a booth in the Little Italy weekend farmers market where the children can sell some of their produce. The money made at the market will go back into the garden to keep it growing for years to come.

When childhood obesity is on the rise and children are becoming increasingly disconnected with nature, there is no better time than now to get them to discover their outside world. By engaging the children in the growth of plants and food, they will be able to understand where their food comes from and how it nurtures their bodies. They will gain an appreciation for it and an understanding of the importance of sustainable growth.

We will be breaking ground on both schools by the end of October and implementing the gardens in various stages. If you are interested in getting involved or donating garden materials and tools, please contact Sandra Plaza at splaza@rebuildglobal.org. To learn more about Rebuild Global and ProjectFIND, please visit http://www.rebuildglobal.org/.

Three Simple Steps to Reduce Energy Consumption on Design Projects

by Jim Diez
Southwest Audio Visual, ASID Industry Partner

It is estimated that on an average power bill over 50% can be directly attributed to HVAC and lighting. If you are an eco-conscious interior designer, here are some easy steps that have a substantial impact on the energy use of your project.

Energy Efficient Bulbs: On average, most standard light bulbs burn about 65 Watts of power, sometimes more. A chandelier can use well over 1000 Watts of power depending on the number of bulbs. By switching over to energy efficient light bulbs, you can cut the cut the energy use of the lighting fixtures by as much as 90%! CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs), use on average 25% of the power that a normal incandescent light bulb burns. LED light bulbs are a new technology that can be even more efficient, running on an average of 10% the power used by an incandescent light bulb.

Lighting Automation and Dimming: Lighting automation used to be an option that was only available to our elite, high-end clients. New technologies have brought the cost down significantly and made it an option that can greatly enhance the comfort of a home. Dimming a lighting circuit reduces energy consumption, and adds significantly to the life of the bulb. If used in conjunction with energy efficient bulbs, your client might not ever have to change a light bulb again! If the designer works closely with the lighting automation company, together they can create scenes that save energy and highlight the details of the designer’s work. This can be done by highlighting a beautiful stone countertop or illuminating art on the walls.

Total light Control: This is where you really start to make an impact on the power bill. In common areas where there are a lot of windows, suggest automated shade control to your clients. To do this you will rely heavily on the knowledge of your subcontractors handling the home automation and lighting control. If designed correctly using daylight sensors and timers, automated window treatments will greatly reduce the solar heat gain from direct sunlight. By doing this you reduce the demand on the AC/Heater, which is your biggest power draw in any home. This will also help protect the beautiful furniture and elegant flooring that you install in your homes.

These are 3 simple steps that will make a significant impact on the power use of any project. As we move forward into these eco-friendly times, suggest these options to your clients. Although it can cost a little money up front, in the end these investments into the home will pay for themselves and eventually even make money for your clients.

For more information, please contact Jim Diez at Southwest Audio Visual, 858-324-1704 or http://www.swavconsulting.com/.

La Jolla Home Gets Gut-Remodel for LEED Silver

by Kristianne Watts, Allied ASID, LEED AP
KW Designs
http://www.kwdesigns.com/index.html

The inspiration behind the complete remodel on Chelsea Avenue in the Bird Rock area of La Jolla, CA was to take advantage of the panoramic views of the La Jolla coast by adding a rooftop. In updating the home, the goal was to create a coastal, modern, yet simple feel by combining natural elements with novel design strategies. As the design for this modern home became more innovative with features and technology, it made sense to register this project with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a Gut-Remodel in LEED for Homes; we expect to receive at least a Silver certification for this remodel.

We wished to maximize the space in this 1800 square foot home, so some of our design strategies included using full-height pocketing doors with laminated glass and zero reveal, wall-hung cabinetry for bathrooms, and simple finishes like ceramic tile, glass mosaics, and concrete countertops. This home has a modern look but incorporates natural materials to bring in the beautiful surroundings.

Another important objective was low maintenance and durability, which was achieved by specifying ceramic flooring throughout home, avoiding wood trim, and using aluminum-coated modern windows and doors.

We recycled any material that could be deconstructed, such as concrete, aluminum, and wood. New materials that were introduced, like the concrete countertops and glass mosaics, have 40%-60% recycled content. The existing cabinetry was repurposed at another beach house and the old doors and windows were taken to donation centers. The energy-efficient cooking appliances were reused in the kitchen, which made sense and saved from ordering new appliances. Another innovative design strategy was the smart home technology that controls all lighting, shades, security, landscaping, and media, making this home easy to operate even when away.

Some challenges with this project came with structural issues and water damage that were progressively getting worse, which led to extra measures in durability with water-proofing, pest control, and insulation. Another issue that had to be addressed was the raised landscape, which was over-irrigated and was causing problems on the structure and affecting the interior air quality. To resolve these problems, the ground was leveled and sloped away from the home to minimize run off. Permeable pavers were also added to cut down on the amount of turf.

This project was all about the details, both structural and aesthetic. The designer, Kristianne Watts of KW Designs, and the builder, Paul Spadone of Streamline Development, used a team approach to bring this modern beach style home to life while keeping the personal preferences of homeowner in mind and minimizing impacts on the environment. 

To see more photos of this project, please visit Streamline Development's website at: http://www.streamlinegreenhomes.com/project_la_jolla.html.

Green Leather!?! Yes!!

by Jeanne Latoures
Edelman Leather, ASID Industry Partner

Full grain leather says luxury, but it is also very practical! Leather is durable, breathable, easy to clean and a natural product. That should translate to “Green” right?

Not always. To consider a product’s sustainability, you must consider how it is processed. Leather happens to be a byproduct of the food industry. By using the byproducts of the meat industry, waste is eliminated!

The processing of the hide is key. A tanning process that is built mostly around water-based materials which limit emissions of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) is best. Leathers that are tanned solely with tree bark extract, i.e. Quebracaho, Mimosa, and Oak, are referred to as “Vegetable Tannage.” This is a great example of how old-fashioned techniques can be inherently green when compared to highly mechanized, industrial methods. Vegetable tannage takes longer, so many companies hesitate to use it, but it is a truly “Green” method.

European full grain leather is the best! In Europe, grazing land is limited. The animals live on well-kept farms where they are grass fed, cleaned and put in at night. This preserves the land’s natural plant and wildlife balance and produces hides that are largely unstained & unscarred. The natural grain is beautiful, making it unnecessary to sand off or hide any flaws with embossing. Additionally, because full grain is unblemished, it is possible to use translucent dyes rather than heavy layers of pigment.

Full grain leathers that are aniline dyed and have small amounts of pigment in the finish have a lifespan 4 to 5 times that of fabric. Therefore, the life of a leather chair, even in a hotel lobby, is extended substantially. This eliminates waste, both financially and physically. As full grain leather patinas in, it gets better with age!

Edelman Leather uses all of the practices above. All Edelman Leathers are Green Guard Certified. Each leather has been tested and approved. Almost all Edelman packaging and shipping materials are from recycled products and are recyclable themselves.

For more information please visit http://www.edelmanleather.com/ or contact Jeanne Latoures 619.274.3042 or jeannel@edelmanleather.com.

Staying Clean and Green

By Bianca Rennick, Allied Member ASID, LEED AP
Carol Spong Interior Design

When designing a space, we have so many materials available to us, from stainless steel to wood. Once the product is installed, how do you keep it sparkling? Many of the cleaning products available contain harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, petrochemicals, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are toxic to humans, pets and the environment. Non-toxic cleaning products improve the indoor air quality of your clients’ home. While there are some off-the-shelf green cleaning products, it can be difficult to discern which ones are truly safe because manufacturers are not required by law to disclose ingredients.

Here are a few ways to clean using non-toxic cleaning products made from ingredients commonly found around the house:

• Stainless Steel and Baking Soda: Whether it’s a commercial grade stainless steel countertop or a teakettle this combination is simple. Use a soft cloth and 4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in a quart of water. Wipe with a clean cloth.

• Refrigerator (interior) and Baking Soda: Use two tablespoon of water with a quart of warm water to wash inside surfaces. Rinse them with clear water and dry with a clean cloth.

• Wood and Olive Oil: With wood furniture that was originally treated with an oil finish, use olive oil to dust wooden furniture with a bit of oil applied to a cloth. Be careful not to use on stained or antique wood.

• White Vinegar: Use as an all-purpose cleaner when diluted with 50% water.

• Vodka: Cleans chrome and porcelain. Use straight up!

With a simple trip to the pantry, you’ll find everything you need to keep your home clean and green!

For more information, please contact Bianca Rennick at:
Carol Spong Interior Design
858.453.1700
http://www.carolspong.com/

The 2008 Lacey Act Addendum for Hardwood Flooring

by Courtney Karlin
ReSource Floors Inc./ReSource Lights
ASID Industry Partner

In the past 6-8 months you may have noticed an increased trend in discontinued hardwood flooring products. A large reason for this trend is the 2008 addendum to The Lacey Act, which was first enacted in 1900 as a ban against illegal trafficking of fish, wildlife and some plants. The Lacey Act is actually the oldest wildlife protection statute in the United States. The addendum passed in May of 2008 adds additional illegally harvested plants, including timber, to the illegal trafficking list. The addition of timber to the Lacey Act made timber declaration laws much stricter thus inhibiting the hardwood flooring manufacturers from purchasing timber from individuals who steal wood from parks and protected areas, harvest without permission, fail to comply with harvesting regulation, or fail to pay royalties or taxes.

This legislation is incredibly significant for our environment and a number of other reasons. First, it protects our world's quickly depleting forests. It also protects buyers who abide by ethical business practices in importing wood from outside the United States. Additionally, it eliminates the influx of low-cost, low-quality wood flooring produced from illegally harvested wood. This is a huge step in protecting our forests from devastating deforestation and the inevitable extinction of some plant and tree species.

The Lacey Act isn’t the only way to ensure that your hardwood flooring is sustainable. Look for the FSC Certified label on your product and log on to their website, http://www.fsc.org/, to track the chain of custody. FSC ensures that the manufacturers are not only getting their timber legally, but also in a sustainable and managed way.

To learn more about the Lacey Act or to see the eco friendly hardwood options available come visit ReSource Floors at http://www.resourcefloors.com/ or call 858-536-8577. ReSource Floors is committed to our environment and a sustainable future; we can assist you in choosing the most sustainable products for your space.

The Color of Art is "Green"

Sharon Burns ASID, CID
Art Consultants + Design
ASID Eco Committe Member

As Designers, let’s think about selecting “green art” in our next projects. You know I’m not talking about the color green (although colors of green are beautiful as well), but sustainable art! There are so many creative ways to bring eco-friendly art into your client’s home or business….just think outside of the toxic landfill box! Here are some helpful suggestions:

• When working with your framer, ask to use acid-free adhesives & glues. Ask if or request that they recycle glass, matboard, and moldings.

• Select frame moldings that are manufactured with earth-friendly practices such as Nurre Caxton’s EcoCare-Blackwood at http://www.nurrecaxton.com/ which uses water-based stains. Almost all frame molding companies have sustainable frames to select from.

• Specify matboards that are 100% renewable rag cotton or recycled fiber.

• Choose graphic artists and printmakers that are developing and using non-toxic, non-polluting new methods that are safer and healthier.

• Select artists who use scrap metal and discarded industrial waste or ordinary junk to design creative new forms of art; the results are stunning to say the least!

• Choose enamellers and ceramic artists using non-toxic and sustainable methods & pigments.

• Select tapestry and fiber art makers who use natural fibers and ecological themes, or other artists who create installations of environmental interest.

• Choose painters and sculptors who use organic, natural, sustainable, recycled materials, digital methods, and no chemical solvents.

• Seek out crafts-artists working with natural and organic materials.

• Specify photography exploring the natural and social environment.

• To light your art, select warm white LED picture lights such as those found at House of Troy http://www.houseoftroy.com/
Enjoy working with the thought of providing ‘green’ art. Do something artistically innovative to help our big blue planet!

For more information, please contact:

Sharon Burns ASID, CID
Art Consultants + Design
http://www.artconsultantsdesign.com/
5580 La Jolla Blvd. #428
La Jolla, CA 92037

Credits, Rebates and Incentives, Oh My!

by Marcel Perry, SunPro Tinting, Inc.
ASID Industry Partner and Eco Committee Member

It can be a very confusing process trying to understand what’s available when it comes to Tax Credits, Federal and State Rebates, and Government Incentives. These programs are available for all of us to take advantage of, not only to save costs, but most importantly, to save energy and help green our world. Let’s start with the basics and define the terms:

Tax Credits: a direct reduction in tax liability (not dependent on the taxpayer's tax bracket).

Tax Rebate: a set monetary amount that reduces the tax to be paid by the full amount of the rebate. Tax rebates treat all taxpayers equally by giving the same amount of rebate regardless of income level.

Incentives: a means of employing the tax code to stimulate investment in or development of a socially-desirable economic objective, such as saving energy by way of improvements that reduce energy use.

Wow, what a mouthful. The government implemented a level of tax reforms and incentives for all of us starting several years ago. At one time, if you purchased an item that was energy-efficient, you could receive a 5% tax credit of the monies spent on materials (not labor) up to $500.00. In 2009 the government increased that limit to 30% and up to $1500. This tax credit has been extended through 2013. This credit is designed for residential use only, but there are several plans for the commercial customers as well.

One of the best programs is the Energy Policy Act of 2005, or EPAct, which offers commercial enterprises a one-time tax incentive for energy-efficiency upgrades. Projects that include improvements to the building envelope, HVAC, and lighting may qualify for the highest credit of $1.80/sq. ft. (per square feet of floor space in the building.) Upgrades of lighting only, for example, may quality for the lesser credit of $.40/sq. ft. to $.60/sq. ft.

SDG&E offers cash incentives/rebates for lighting, refrigeration, natural gas, food services and many other technologies improvements. Any medium- or large-sized SDG&E business customer on a valid commercial or agricultural rate with a monthly electric demand of 100kW or above and/or an average monthly therms usage of 4,166 therms or above will qualify.

In my industry, solar control window film installed on east, south, or west windows may qualify for a rebate up to $1.35/sq. ft. from SDG&E. Window film is a proven technology listed by the government to reduce energy costs by reducing excessive solar heat gain. Based on customary installation cost for medium-sized commercial projects, the average return on investment (payback) from solar film application was only 2.65 years, which is impressive. These savings were the result of reducing annual electricity kilowatt-hour usage by an average of 6.6% and reducing summer month peak kW demand on average by 6.4%. Take that savings and add the rebate of $1.35/sq. ft. and you can improve the energy efficiency and interior comfort of your building while enjoying these saving for a long time.

Bottom line: look for tax credits, rebates and incentives when you’re planning a project or just want to help your clients reduce their carbon footprint. We all need to look for ways to help save our world for generations to come. Here are some web sites that can help you get more information on what’s available, or feel free to contact me directly:

http://sdge.com/business/rebatesincentives/
www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm
http://www.energystar.com/
http://www.aeiconsultant.com/

Marcel Perry
SunPro Tinting, Inc.
687 Second Street
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-753-6418

How Green Is Your Green?

by Martin Lopez, ASID Eco Committee Member
Unique Carpets Ltd., ASID Industry Partner

The business reality of “the green movement” is rapidly becoming a campaign of too much information. True natural materials require little explanation. The common sense of fibers that require little processing should make practical sense to any designer or consumer. With volumes of green opinions being published monthly and new environmentally “official” certification organizations appearing out of nowhere, it is no wonder that the green forest can’t be seen for trees. Chemical companies are influencing government agencies, which results in their environmental conscience being little more than a misconstrued apology for expensive processing of polluting materials.

If you start with truly green ingredients, then you don’t have to worry about reclaiming anything. There are those who want you to believe that by reclaiming environmentally offensive materials, shipping them to a plant (by trucks that use gasoline) to factories that use energy to break them down, and then adding more chemicals to reprocess them into a less offensive version, that they can now claim them as “eco-friendly”.

Now that you’ve thought about this for a moment, let’s move onto the image of a serene pasture where sheep graze on grass, which is the only fuel used to produce one of the planet’s oldest natural fibers – wool.

For thousands of years, wool has been the fiber of choice in carpet and rug manufacturing. Aside from its heralded performance and unsurpassed aesthetics, 100% pure wool is an environmentally-sound selection in that it is completely biodegradable and, since the earth’s natural resources are not depleted in its production, it is a rapidly renewable resource. Further, wool is referred to as a ‘bio-based’ fiber since its production is fueled by another rapidly renewable resource – grass. Wool offers a “closed loop” recyclable option in design textiles.

Did you know that wool is an ideal selection for allergy-prone individuals? Wool allergies are virtually non-existent and, when used as carpeting, wool acts as a natural air purifier by actually attracting air-borne dust particles and common pollutants where they can be harmlessly vacuumed away. Tests show wool’s natural air purification process can last upwards of fifteen years. Wool does not promote the growth of dust mites or bacteria and is inherently fire safe through its natural flame-retardant qualities. Synthetic fibers have a melting point where they become fuel for a fire. Wool is a “Class 1” rated fiber, meaning that while it will produce smoke it will not become fuel for a fire. This is one reason why it is the fiber of choice for public areas.

Wool also acts as a natural air conditioner, absorbing moisture during periods of high humidity and releasing it when the air is dry. It is also easy to maintain. Spills and soil are easily removed, making wool a fiber of choice for projects like casinos and hotels for its serviceability. The density of wool fiber also gives it superior insulating properties over synthetic fibers. The double bonus comes when the high cost of heating and cooling a home is offset by the insulating attributes of a soft, bare foot-friendly layer of wool carpeting.

Finally, wool requires from one-third to one-sixth the energy to produce than comparable synthetic fibers. Wool has natural crimp and the scaled pattern of the fiber makes it easy to spin. Fabrics made from wool have greater bulk than other textiles, and provide better resilience, elasticity, and durability. ALL synthetic fibers have been developed with obsolescence in mind; this means they are designed to wear out, leaving your client no choice but to replace them.

Clients use designers to make wise decisions on their behalf that add value to their interiors. Wool carpets as a design element offer a cost-effective, long term solution to this challenge. As the cost of oil rises, so does the cost of the production and manufacturing of synthetic fibers.

Do yourself, your client, and the Earth a favor and specify wool carpets and rugs. This one small step speaks volumes to your true commitment to eco-friendly design.