LOW-INCOME HOUSING PRODUCES ELECTRICITY

In light of rising energy costs and potentially disastrous environmental policies in the United States, timing couldn’t be better for the opening of Colorado Court. Located in Santa Monica, California, the five-story "green" building, by architects Pugh Scarpa Kodama, is designed not only to reduce energy consumption, but to return unused power back to the city’s energy grid. Next week, writer Allison Milionis will walk us through this model of award-winning, sustainable, and affordable housing.

PENTAGON — MODEL OF STABILITY

The American Society of Civil Engineers has just released a report on the structural damage done by the hijacked plane on September 11, 2001. The analysis by a team of six prominent structural, fire protection, and forensic engineers concludes that the Pentagon’s resilient structural system was responsible for minimizing damage and saving lives. Next week we'll explain the results of the ASCE's "Pentagon Building Performance Report" and the implications it may have for future design and engineering standards.

INDUSTRIAL SITE RETURNS TO ITS COMMUNITY

Another model of sustainable and affordable housing has just been completed in Somerville, Massachusetts by Mostue & Associates Architects. In this "brownfield- to- greenfield" project, the community has reclaimed an urban enclave. Unlike in many affordable housing projects, there has been a high up-front investment in durable materials and systems that will mean lower maintenance costs over the long term. Next week we'll look at some of the special design features that make these houses home.