Earth-sheltered houses save some residents of Longmont, CO from excessive heat and cold while cutting energy bills.
Built during the 70s Arab oil embargo to save on energy bills, residents of rural colorado are again enjoying the benefits of using natural materials and innovative technology to save on expenses while adding comfort. With no change in weather patterns or oil prices in sight, such environmental innovations may become more common.
"Like all earth-sheltered homes... is built into a knoll on the north. Double-paned 4-by-8-foot windows cover the south side of the house, and six overhead skylights fill the interior with sunshine. ... the prominent south-facing windows don't take in as much heat or light in the summer when the sun is higher in the sky. The earth packed around the outer walls on the north and east sides of the house keep the place cool."
FULL STORY: Staying Grounded
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
Can We Please Give Communities the Design They Deserve?
Often an afterthought, graphic design impacts everything from how we navigate a city to how we feel about it. One designer argues: the people deserve better.
The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America
With “the deck stacked” against rural areas, will the great electric American road trip ever be a reality?
Judge Halts Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal
Lawyers must prove the city was not acting “arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally” in ordering the hasty removal.
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)