Musings on Arcology and Upcoming Califia Sketchbook Contest

The recent Califia Sketchbook contest got me thinking about my Arcosanti days where I spent many hours talking with those inspired by the place (as well as frustrated by it) and the vision it represented.

Green Century Institute formed to evolve the vision of Arcology for the Bay Area. Thus what better a term to use than that of Califia, representing the idyllic yearning to live in a more compassionate, sustainable and uninhibited world driven by free spirits rather than fear, weapons and/or dollars and cents? This idea of Califia captures what California and the Bay Area mean to many who are attracted to the place.

Green Building Exchange Promotes Business and Educational Sustaianability at New Bay Area Eco-Center

The Green Building Exchange according to its organizers is a “55,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY ENCOURAGES BUILDERS, DEVELOPERS AND CONSUMERS TO ‘THINK AND LEARN GREEN.’”

On July 28 in Redwood City the 55,000 square foot marketplace facility will open to the public.

Its a way for the public to learn first-hand about everything from solar panels to bamboo flooring, energy-saving coil bulbs, and water-saving irrigation systems.

Green Seed Radio is hosted by Ginnie Waters and can be heard every Saturday, 2-3 p.m. on 960AM “The Quake,” which will be be broadcasting live from the grand opening. The Radio show is also produced by Green Building Exchange, and its apparently the first commercial radio show promoting ecological design and green building.

The center is designed to provide information on every aspect of green building, particularly content relevant to promoting sustainability in the Bay Area. Michael Schaeffer, President and CEO of Green Building Exchange says that “As someone associated with the construction business, I was quick to realize that there was a tremendous interest in environmentally friendly construction, but there was no single source that could provide information on all aspects of the industry.”

Eric Corey Freed, founder of organicARCHITECT is recognized for keeling alive the tradition of Organic Architecture first developed by Frank Lloyd Wright. He will share his approaches to organic and ecological design

Visionary architect Sym Van Der Ryn will address ways that design, project planning, education and public access to ecological principles make green building a viable solution to our global challenges;

Sustainable Spaces founder, Matt Golden, who was highlighted on NBC’s “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” addresses a holistic system of identifying improvements in comfort, air quality and energy efficiency in the home;

Green Builders of Marin founder, John Shurtz , will discuss healthy approaches to renovation, reuse of materials in building, and structurally sound building practices;

Scott Fossel, from Green Century Institute, will look at the vision of a whole system approach to ecological and economical urban development. GCI is a founding sponsor of the upcoming 2008 Eco City World Summit in San Francisco.

July 3 – 12 Regenerative Design Institute’s Natural Building workshop at the Commonweal Garden

I have been meaning to check out more about the Regenerative Design Institute is planning a Natural Building workshop at the Commonweal Garden.

Professional natural builders and instructors featured at the event include: Michael Smith and Janine Bjornsen, a presentation from Darrel DeBoer, bamboo architect extraordinaire, and the Kleiwerks West Team of Marisha Farnsworth and Kevin Rowell.

Marisha and Kevin are professional natural builders who have been
working all over the world. They will be bringing amazing bamboo
builder friends from Costa Rica, Martin and Grace Coto, who will be
teaching bamboo construction during the workshop.

They also will have delicious organic food prepared by chef Carin McKay and music around the campfire.