ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 4th 2008

Prince Charles’s New Eco Town May Be Cooler Than Disneyland

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses, green and famous — michael @ 9:19 pm

We cover Prince Charles on the Raz a lot. So much, that sometimes we believe there can’t possibly be another interesting piece of his green career to write about. Of course, the Prince ain’t content to simply sit still, so here we are again with the dish that a new eco-town created by his highness has been given the OK to start construction. From the article,

“Planners have granted permission to build Sherford, a brand new town for 12,000 people, in South Devon that is billed as Britain’s greenest settlement. Work is expected to begin later this year to transform rolling countryside near Plymouth into the experimental new town with 5,500 homes. In Sherford, cars will be banned from some parts and 390ft wind turbines will loom over a 400-acre car park on the outskirts.”

Half the power needs for the new town will come from renewable sources — with all home sporting solar panels. Additionally, most of the materials to build the town will be sourced from a 50-mile radius! The business section — which will provides jobs for about 7,000 people — will be covered in either green roofs or “covered in a thin layer of rubble to attract insects and birds.” Everything about the town will be organized to encourage walking; not to mention all waste including water and sewage will be recycled to cut CO2 emissions. All of this, and Charles intends to give it a traditional English charm — with the theme being modeled on the Wiltshire market town of Marlborough.

How amazing does all of this sound? Charles is banking that this will be the future of urban design, saying he wants to, “build again the types of places we all know strike a chord in our, by now, rather bewildered hearts, however ‘modern’ we are – places that convey an everlasting human story of meaning and belonging”.

He might just pull it off.

Check out the full Daily Mail article here for more info.

May 4th 2008

Jennifer Aniston Has Green Plans For New Malibu Home

Will it come fully stocked with bottled water?

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 10:24 am

Though she continues to plug bottled water, Jennifer Aniston is making plans to add some green into her life (beyond the three-minute showers she enjoys) with the construction of an eco-friendly pad in Malibu, California.

According to sources, Aniston was inspired by Julia Robert’s recently completed eco-home and now wants one for her own. We’re also going to chalk up some potential influence from her man of the moment, John Mayer. This is the same guy that invented a “laid-back” approach to environmentalism; one in which it’s ok to drive an SUV if you offset that by doing something good for the planet; like taking reusable bags to the grocery store or installing solar panels on your roof.

According to Star Magazine, the home will feature a solar-heating system, drought-resistant plants, all organic materials, plus an ocean view. Said the source, “Jen wants to help the environment and she has the money.”

I’m all for these green additions — but in terms of helping the environment, perhaps she could do a lot more to convince her Smart Water brand to go greener. It’s not realistic to suggest she drop it — that won’t happen — but truly, she could have some impact encouraging the company to be more sustainable. Biodegradable bottles? Offsets? Portion of sales going towards an environmental charity?

What do you think about Jen’s green home plans?

National Ledger via Green Daily

May 2nd 2008

Andie MacDowell Purchases Property In “Green” Mountain Community

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 11:06 am

Actress Andie MacDowell is getting ready to build a new home in the environmentally-friendly mountain community of Balsam Mountain Preserve, North Carolina. The 4,400 acre development is heavily focused on conservation with 3,000 acres of protected land and 354 home sites. According to the Wall Street Journal, the houses — at elevations from 3,000 to 4,700 feet — can’t be larger than 4,500 square feet and “must use materials that blend the building into the environment.”

MacDowell originally threw down $1 million for a vacant lot just under two acres in size, but has since swapped her property for one of the community’s largest lots; which at 3.5 acres can accommodate a pasture and small barn. Apparently, the property also connects to the community’s equestrian center through a series of trails.

I have no idea if the building materials for the home must be sustainable as well as ‘blended’, but at least the development itself is highly respectful of the nature around it. We’re hopeful Andie will incorporate some eco-friendly elements into her new diggs.

via Wall Street Journal

May 1st 2008

Widespread Panic Agrees To Sponsor One Of Pitt’s Green Homes

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses, donations — michael @ 3:05 pm

The members of the band Widespread Panic have come together to donate $150,000 and sponsor a home for Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation. The rock group is the closing for tonight’s conclusion of the 2008 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. From the article,

“‘This is a place where I believe hope is not lost,’ said Bell, who visited the Lower 9th Ward back in November with his family before revisiting it Wednesday. ‘It’s a real place in New Orleans with real people, people who have lost some or all of their family and their homes but are sticking it out.’ Widespread Panic began helping Make It Right back in January by offering downloads of its new single, ‘Walk on the Flood,” in exchange for a donation to the rebuilding effort. The band raised about $4,000, which was given to Make It Right along with the $150,000.”

So far, 81 of the 150 homes the foundation is aiming for have been sponsored. Celebrities like George Clooney, Will Ferrell, Ellen Degeneres, and many, many others have all given generously. Of course, you don’t have to have deep pockets to make a difference. Jump on over to the official website and see how even a little can help out many.

April 30th 2008

Orlando Bloom’s Gal Looking Forward To A Solar Powered Home, Kids

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 2:50 pm

Orlando Bloom take note: Your girlfriend Miranda Kerr has made a tidy list of expectations for the future. While attending the on-going Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, Kerr let drop her green needs saying,

“Ten years from now hopefully I’ll be living in a solar-powered house with my vegetable garden out the back. And I’m hoping it will be somewhere that has a bit of countryside and a little bit of water — whether it will be a lake or an ocean — and hopefully I will have three children, a nice hammock and a big bathtub.”

Is that tub for Orlando and his smelly dog?

Kerr, a famous model/actress, has been dating Bloom for several months — making the two an eco-dream couple. The Pirates of the Carribean star has a solar-powered home in London and has also been actively involved in Global Green USA and initiatives driving awareness of climate change.

via gossip girls

April 29th 2008

Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Org Building Strawbale Animal Hospital

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 12:16 pm

Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, the organization set up by Steve Irwin and his family, is currently in the midst of building the “world’s largest wildlife hospital” next door to the Australia Zoo in Queensland. Even better, the massive structure will be built using strawbale — making it one of the biggest such creations using the material in the world. From Treehugger,

“When completed later this year is will be about 1,300 square metres is area. The external walls will be of strawbale, protected by three coats of lime render. Internal walls of rammed earth. Recycled flooring, natural paints and finishes, water recycling, motion sensor lighting, and solar power help round out the eco story.”

Obviously, its green credentials aside, this hospital aims to do a whole lot of good for animals in need. Vets will receive more than seven times the amount of space they’re used to working in and be able to handle many more emergency calls.

Want to help? Please donate to the Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, by click here. You can also find out more on the project by visiting here.

via Treehugger

April 24th 2008

Brad Pitt The Mystery Buyer Of New Eco Home In The UK?

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 12:09 pm

Rumors are floating that Brad Pitt may be one of the buyers connected to the purchase of a wildly-designed new eco-home in Cotswold, England. The architectural plans and site for the building were recently sold for just over $14 million.

The design — which is based on a bee orchid found on the reserve where construction will take place — is expected to produce more energy than it uses, with an underground heat pump, geothermal heating and cooling, rainwater and solar and wind power. For the cash, the new owners (in about three years) will get a lakeside home complete with a glass-sided badger set in the garden. What exactly is a glass-sided badger?

Apparently, Pitt has taken a look at the plans for the Orchid Home — and sources are reporting that the anonymous buyer is connected to the entertainment industry. It’s all conjecture are this point, but with Pitt focused on green building, it’s not much of a stretch to tie him to the purchase. What do you think? Like the design?

via UK Telegraph

April 22nd 2008

Ludacris And Tommy Lee Work On Greening The Homefront

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 10:07 pm

They’re about to go head-to-head in Planet Green’s new reality show Battleground Earth, but Tommy Lee and Ludacris aren’t waiting for the cameras to start rolling before reducing their own impact at home. In a recent interview with the New York Post, Ludacris said “I’m coming from a humble standpoint, so I want to teach other people and myself how to make a difference for generations to come, by helping to save planet Earth. Everything we do is geared towards trying to educate people that are watching, so that they can become even more eco-friendly.”

For his part, Ludacris used teleconference technology to audition for his last two movie roles in Fred Clause and RocknRolla, resulting in less fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. He’s also exploring the use solar panels on his 22-acre homestead in Atlanta to power up his 15,000 square foot house. That’s going to be one hell of an array! I’ll be shocked if it ever happens. 15,000 square feet!

Tommy Lee is just as thin on the green — but probably uses less energy overall than Ludacris thanks to motion-sensor lights throughout his home that automatically shut off. He also says he keeps lights on the “dim” side to conserve energy.

Obviously, we never expected these two to be the epitome of eco-friendly. Part of the appeal of watching a show like Battleground Earth will be to witness how these two learn from their experiences — and hopefully carry on that education beyond the 10-episode series.

via New York Post

April 21st 2008

Tyra Banks To Be Neighbors With DiCaprio?

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses — michael @ 4:46 pm

Looks like Riverhouse is getting its second famous occupant.

Sources are saying that former model-turned TV host Tyra Banks has purchased a bamboo-floored condo in the same building as Leonardo DiCaprio. The 33-year old actor scooped up the luxury pad last month — and ever since the Riverhouse brand has seen its publicity shoot through the roof. We’d have no trouble believing Banks was influenced by all the media hype.

Riverhouse is a gorgeous new apartment building built overlooking the Hudson River. It features sustainable materials, a green roof, solar panels, grey water treatment system, and a bevy of other green elements. For more info, hop here.

April 18th 2008

The Real World Cast Get A Tour Of Their Green Home

Bike-powered computer, salt-water pool, and the distracting Summer Rayne Oakes

Filed under: buildings and construction, cars-houses, film-tv, television — michael @ 10:45 am

The cast of MTV’s The Real World has been thrown into their new green digs — and their initial impressions were mixes of awesome and confusion. It’s pretty funny to see one of the guys attempt to use the computer, only to realize that it needs someone riding a bike to charge it up first.

Thankfully, the cast got their own personal “green team” in the form of Summer Rayne Oakes and Think MTV’s Pete Griffin to take them on a tour and educate them in all the cool eco-friendly elements included in the home. We learn about the sustainable furniture, cool salt-water pool, recycled water from the AC units, solar panels, gardens, dual-flush toilers, and, oh yea, some sexy uses for soy candles.

Even more amusing is how the guys practically fall over themselves chatting it up with Summer. Methinks there may be future requests to get her back for some more green educating. The first vid is below, with more available here.