Glazed terra cotta was extremely popular in the first half of the 20th Century.  Clay could be inexpensively molded to complicated shapes and could be glazed to give it a stone-like appearance.  Gladden McBean was a local manufacturer of glazed terra cotta and continues to make ceramic products in Northern California to this day.  I try and keep Gladding McBean in mind because they are local and ceramic tile is pretty sustainable -- earning possible LEED points.

Built in 1937, this building at 9th and Harrison in San Francisco was a Gladding McBean office  building -- just a block from our office.  It is completely clad in glazed terra cotta and is now the home of the Salvation Army.  I once thought glazed terra cotta was great, but if it was chipped it was gone for good.  I had noticed the nicks and chips on the building, but last a few months ago I noticed someone was repairing the damaged terra cotta.  He said it was no problem repairing it.  You fill in the voids and then they can "re-glaze" it in place.  The restoration was completed by Lewis Restoration and Consulting of San Francisco.  Now it looks good to go for another 70 years. 

I recently attended a seminar about the Living Building Challenge.  It's another approach towards sustainable design complementary to LEED Certification.

In many ways, it takes a broader approach to the notion of what is sustainable. The seminar was held at the EcoCenter at Heron's Head Park near the old Navy Shipyards.  Heron's Head Park was built as a demonstration project to show what can be done in terms of sustainable design.   It features a "black water" systems that treats water from the toilets that is re-used to water the grounds.  Once, they obtain the final permits, they will be able to use the water to flush the toilets as well.  Once this is completed, they will completely free of City power and sewer utilities. LM

Whole Foods has opened a store in the venerable and historic Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco showing that nothing is sacred.  Kidding aside, the cashiers area features a re-cycled gymnasium floor from DeAnza High School in the East Bay. 

The designer had fun just using the pieces with colored stripes installed in a random fashion creating a handsome floor.  As a bonus probably could have earned some LEED credits as well for using re-cycled materials.  LM

I take a lot for granted when I walk down the street not thinking about the skill and craftsmanship that goes into our built environment.  When I was in Bologna last year, a medieval city where the covered sidewalks are made of terrazzo, I saw these workers setting marble chips in mortar forming a pattern.  When completed, the surface is ground forming a smooth hard durable sidewalk.  Terrazzo has been made in this fashion since Roman times and is still used today. 

Terrazzo uses left over marble chips so it is an extremely environmentally friendly and sustainable  product that can contribute toward LEED credits in terms of recycled and low VOC materials.  Per square foot costs start at about $20, but the real savings come over the lifetime of use as the maintenance costs are very low compared to other materials.  If you know the floor will stay in place for a long time, then terrazzo may be the right product. LM

The vertical garden or living wall movement is making an impact in San Francisco.  Notable French design Patrick Blanc and creator of the vertical garden concept designed the living wall at the Musee du quai Branly in Paris (see photo below).  He is also installing one at the new addition to Drew School at California and Broderick Streets in San Francisco.  They started installing the plants this spring and with the recent rain and warm weather, the plants are starting to take off. 

Musee du quai Branly in Paris by Patrick Blanc featured one of the first vertical gardens.  The living wall may add insulation to the building and  filter storm water and can contribute to earning LEED certification points.   It makes a great "billboard" that encourages people to think about sustainability.  I hope they can sustain the effort to maintain it. 

Update:  Check out this link for a discussion on vertical green walls.  LM