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Collection by Diana Budds

Highlights from Greenbuild 2012

Greenbuild is charging full steam ahead at the Moscone Center in Dwell's home town of San Francisco. From November 11–16, an estimated 35,000 people will trawl the show floors, seeking the newest products and technologies for sustainable construction—everything from energy monitoring devices to insulation to cladding. We took a spin through the show and picked our favorite design finds.

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Prefab builder Method Homes partnered with Bogue Trondowski Architects for their Paradigm model, a 722-square-foot home that features all the bells and whistles of a deep-green design: composting toilet, graywater system, high-efficiency floor-to-ceiling windows by Western Window Systems, solar panels, LED lighting, bamboo flooring, and more. We especially loved the integration of space-saving Murphy bed from Resource Furniture. The house has some mighty fine detailing on the exterior, namely a perforated Cor-Ten sun screen and wooden protrusions that make the facade more visually appealing than most modular construction. The full-scale prototype is on view at Greenbuild outside of Moscone North.
Prefab builder Method Homes partnered with Bogue Trondowski Architects for their Paradigm model, a 722-square-foot home that features all the bells and whistles of a deep-green design: composting toilet, graywater system, high-efficiency floor-to-ceiling windows by Western Window Systems, solar panels, LED lighting, bamboo flooring, and more. We especially loved the integration of space-saving Murphy bed from Resource Furniture. The house has some mighty fine detailing on the exterior, namely a perforated Cor-Ten sun screen and wooden protrusions that make the facade more visually appealing than most modular construction. The full-scale prototype is on view at Greenbuild outside of Moscone North.
Audi's A3 e-tron electric vehicle is in the pilot program stage and we took a quick zip around SoMA to test how it drives. It has an 87 mile range, which is great for quick local trips, and features the same stylings as its gas-powered cousins.
Audi's A3 e-tron electric vehicle is in the pilot program stage and we took a quick zip around SoMA to test how it drives. It has an 87 mile range, which is great for quick local trips, and features the same stylings as its gas-powered cousins.
Red Pine
Red Pine
Kul's vertical gardening system made from recycled plastic was really eye catching. We loved the colorful array of planters, which really brightened the show floor.
Kul's vertical gardening system made from recycled plastic was really eye catching. We loved the colorful array of planters, which really brightened the show floor.
Lutron exhibited its dimmer that's compatible with LED, fluorescent, and halogen lighting. When connected to traditional dimmers, these bulbs have a tendency to shut down entirely when dimming or for the light to flicker. Not so with Lutron's Maestro dimmer.
Lutron exhibited its dimmer that's compatible with LED, fluorescent, and halogen lighting. When connected to traditional dimmers, these bulbs have a tendency to shut down entirely when dimming or for the light to flicker. Not so with Lutron's Maestro dimmer.
IndoTeak's line of FSC-certified flooring saw a few new additions to its offerings. The Herringbone pattern really dialed into the great trend we've seen in other home products.
IndoTeak's line of FSC-certified flooring saw a few new additions to its offerings. The Herringbone pattern really dialed into the great trend we've seen in other home products.
Suberra exhibited its cork surfaces, which were quite attractive. They require no sealant, just a bit of natural oil.
Suberra exhibited its cork surfaces, which were quite attractive. They require no sealant, just a bit of natural oil.
GreenGrid's modular green roof system stood out among the other companies offering similar products.
GreenGrid's modular green roof system stood out among the other companies offering similar products.
Indow Windows has a decidedly low-tech alternative for creating a more energy efficient home: custom window inserts that are just as efficient as double-pane windows but at one-fifth the cost, says founder Sam Pardue (a bit of trivia: he's also one of the Lensbaby cofounders). Essentially an acrylic panel wrapped in a compression tube, the window fits pops into the interior of an existing window, forming an air-tight seal.
Indow Windows has a decidedly low-tech alternative for creating a more energy efficient home: custom window inserts that are just as efficient as double-pane windows but at one-fifth the cost, says founder Sam Pardue (a bit of trivia: he's also one of the Lensbaby cofounders). Essentially an acrylic panel wrapped in a compression tube, the window fits pops into the interior of an existing window, forming an air-tight seal.