I was really pleased to learn on Friday that the governor had mentioned zHome in a speech in Shanghai, at the Sustainable Cities Forum that was part of the World Expo.  It is great for zHome and other initiatives like the BMW Mega-City electric vehicle to get this sort of exposure – it’s all part of leading the way into a carbon free, economically healthy future.

Clint is our construction superintendent.  He is a steady hand with a lot of experience and has been a great addition to the team.  I have personally appreciated just how seriously he has taken the project and getting the details right.  He is great to work with, fun, smart, and engaged.  I know as we move into vertical construction that he will steer the ship and keep the myriad subcontractors working well together.

Check out this interview of Clint!

Clint Hamilton, zHome construction superintendent from zHome on Vimeo.

FutureShack is a great program by the Seattle chapter of the American Institute of Architects. It looks at the question: How has design changed and where should it be going? Are you thinking of a new home project of your own? FutureShack provides a chance to learn about what resources are available to you and meet the professionals who can help make your project a reality. Come to the event for a glass of wine and a lively discussion about the future of residential design and how it fits into your neighborhood.

FutureShack is a new way to think about residential architecture. It’s about how it works, not just how it looks. FutureShack creates a platform for dialogue between the public and design professionals. How can architecture help improve the quality of your city? Your neighborhood? Your home? How can you share your vision of living in the future? It showcases creative responses to our changing lifestyles, across a wide range of building types, budgets, constraints and social agendas. Part debate about how we want to live, part recognition of innovative architecture, FutureShack is judged by a panel of both designers and engaged members of the public. The Seattle Times’ Pacific Northwest Magazine will publish the jurors’ selected projects on September 12. The public will also be able to choose their favorite as part of the People’s Choice Award. That winner will be announced at the FutureShack program on September 15. (Just FYI, zHome is in the running!)

Details:
5:00pm – Get your project questions answered and find resources while enjoying a glass of Salmon Safe wine

6:30pm – Jury Presentation

Location
Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion

Cost
$15 General Admission
$5 Students w/ ID
$5 Seniors w/ GOLD card
$5 People w/ FLASH card

 

Our rainwater cisterns are in the ground and about ready to be backfilled. Watch this very interesting video of Nick Nied explain how the cistern and stormwater systems are tied together – low water use and low impact development hand in hand.

Nick Nied discusses zHome cistern and raingarden system from zHome on Vimeo.

Nick Nied and Clint Hamilton, our construction managers, talk about the first phases on construction – ground work. Hear about lessons learned, challenges, and inspirations.

Nick and Clint share their thoughts on initial phases of construction from zHome on Vimeo.

This may be better on our Facebook page, but what the heck!

Nick Nied, construction project manager for Ichijo USA, got up at 12:30 at night to catch an albacore tuna to make sashimi for his coworkers. They were very happy about it!

Nick’s Albacore from zHome on Vimeo.

Incidentally, the Environmental Defense Fund lists Albacore Tuna as an “eco-best” sushi fish.

A very nice write up by the Northwest Energy Coalition about zHome was posted recently on their website.  Northwest Energy Coalition is a very cool non-profit – according to their website, “The NW Energy Coalition is an alliance of more than 100 environmental, civic, and human service organizations, progressive utilities, and businesses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and British Columbia. We promote development of renewable energy and energy conservation, consumer protection, low-income energy assistance, and fish and wildlife restoration on the Columbia and Snake rivers.”  Their website is a great resource – check it out!