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This month, Modular builder Keiser Homes and architecture firm Kaplan Thompson Architects launched the net zero energy series of modular homes called the "Modular Zero Collection."  These homes have been designed to use the smallest amount of energy possible and, if purchasers opt for solar hot water and solar photovoltaics, can produce as much energy as is consumed on an annual basis. 

Kaplan Thompson went through five wall assemblies before settling on the one rendered above.  The homes will have a cellulose double-stud wall system with R40 walls and an R60 roof.  The higher cost of insulation will be offset with a smaller, less expensive heating system.  

These energy-efficient homes will also have triple-glazed windows, airtight construction, long-life roof and siding, efficient ventilation, low-flow fixtures, low-VOC paints, and passive solar heating and cooling. 

The team has three designs shown below — Chebeague, Peaks, and Great Diamond — that start at $205,000, not counting land, utilities, and solar systems.  First units will be sent to Peaks Island in Maine, while Keiser Homes can ship throughout New England. 

Chebeague
960 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (from $205,000)

Peaks
1,200 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (from $205,000)

Great Diamond
1,680 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms (from $235,000)

[+] More info on the Modular Zero Collection by Kaplan Thompson. 

Credits: Trent Bell (top); Kaplan Thompson Architects (others). 

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The USGBC recently held a competition for the design of an affordable, single-family house with between 720 and 880 square feet that meets the requirements of LEED Platinum certification.  Local chapters chose 49 designs and a national jury picked two professional finalists and two student finalists.  These four designs will be built in the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans by enviRenew.

The Little Easy (Emerging Professional)

The Little Easy was designed by FreeGreen.com and ZeroEnergy Design for an elderly resident on a fixed income. The energy-efficient home features and open kitchen and living room, a chair lift and spacious front patio, and rainwater harvesting for the vertical garden and planter beds.

RAMPed UP (Emerging Professional)

The RAMPed UP house was designed by a team from Buro Happold Consulting Engineers and Rogers Marvel Architects. The home features a rainscreen facade, building integrated shades, and several elements aimed at accessibility.

E.A.S.Y. House (Student Team)

The E.A.S.Y. House – Efficiency, Accessibility, Safety, You – was designed by a single Carnegie Mellon architecture student, Wuijoon Ha. The home features operable skylights, a green roof, and a wheelchair lift.

Greenboy Design (Student Team)

The Greenboy Design was designed by a team from the University of Hawaii and features a side entry that splits the home on each side and a design that incorporates passive ventilation.

[+] More on the USGBC 2010 Natural Talent Design Competition. 

Images via Open Architecture Network.

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Image Credit: mattk1979 via Flickr

Global warming has done a lot of damage this summer, from deadly flooding in Pakistan to the heat wave of the millennium in Russia. Now, the New York Times reports, there’s another vict… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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Boasting “hot style for a cool planet,” Bambeco.com is an online eco-friendly home and decor store smartly stocked with everything from stylish aprons to outdoor seating. We love the pet section, specially curated for your furry friend, and the gift ideas category, where you can search by recipient, holiday or price. Searching out vendors that utilize materials in at least one of the following categories: all-natural, biodegradable, nontoxic, organic, recycled, recyclable, repurposed or renewable, Bambeco is committed to advancing a more sustainable and just world. Shipping materials are made of recycled and biodegradable materials whenever possible and the company contributes 1% of net sales to the World Wildlife Fund. Check out a few of our top picks below:

	Aqua Chelsea Vases: Made of 100% recycled glass, these hand blown vases add a pop of color to any room ($45-$55).
	Bamboo Curvy Servers: A great gift item, these bright servers are made of bamboo and painted with a natural food-safe lacquer in hot colors like Cayenne, Kiwi and Sunflower ($14).
	Duo Wool Wine Bag: Thick merino felt and vegetable tanned leather handles make for an eco-friendly wine carrier that’s as fashionable as it is functional ($105).
	Gate Linen Aprons: These cute aprons feature mod graphic patterns made with low-impact dyes on 100% linen fabric, a natural material made from the fibers of the flax plant ($44).
	Agra Dog Collars: Made of 100% certified recycled plastics, this Hindi-urban designed dog collar is hands down the hottest way to adorn your pooch ($17).

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Photo via Sarah Depper

As much as 95% of the corals in the Philippines have suffered bleaching after the 2009-2010 El Niño event that boosted the temperatures in the Indian Ocean and waters off Southeast Asia during the beginning of this year. Warmer water is often responsible for bleaching (the die-off of symbiotic algae living on the corals) and we usually hear about corals impacted in the Caribbean. But such a massive bleaching as this in the Philippines is a rare and particularly distressing news item as the possibility for recovery of b… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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Photo via The Telegraph

Old and new animals made the news this week, with babies — including giraffes and lions — joining the family and brand-new species of spider and shrew turning up, while rediscovered reptiles, whales, and amphibians surprised researchers. Read more about these animal stories (and more) in our slideshow.

<img alt="The Week in Animal Photos: Unlike… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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Photo via EarthEcho International

Philippe Cousteau, the renowned oceans advocate, has been doing some of the best reporting on the Gulf out there (some of it has been published here on TreeHugger). I caught up to him at the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative, where he’d just launched a student-citizen journalism program called STREAM — which he discussed further in an interview I’ll publish tomorrow. But with the news coming last week that leaking we… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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