rainwater

Rainwater is one of our society’s greatest forgotten urban resources. We design our developments to drain rainwater from our property turning streets in to rivers. From there, water is directed down storm drains and forgotten about. Here's a few easy tips to start using some of this water as a resourse.

Currently, there are more than 176 "green" colleges and universities, according to the U.S. Green Buildings Council, and the number continues to grow. Among them is Portland State University. Their newest engineering building has natural lighting, and natural ventilation. Rainwater is also captured on rooftops and treated on site to be used to flush toilets.

PASADENA - For Jules Dervaes and his three adult children, each branch sagging with fleshy eggplant and every lick of sun-generated energy are small steps along the "path to freedom."

Laboring full time at their urban homestead in Northwest Pasadena, the Dervaeses cook up their own biodiesel fuel in their garage, while outside, pygmy goats trim their lawn and provide fertilizer.

The family has invested seven years of ingenuity, sweat and sacrifice decoupling from the status quo and connecting to the world at large.