MNN - Mother Nature Network

Co.Design is alarmed by the "Home of the Future," an out-there housing concept from Laboratory for Visionary Architecture Asian Pacific (LAVA) that's actually being built on the roof of a Chinese mall. LAVA calls the home a "showcase for future living, with nature, technology and man in a new harmony" while Co.Design notes "it looks like a rave collided with the set of 'Jurassic Park.' We're doomed!" That's it pictured up top. 

 

Architectural Record reports from Japan: the building of prefab temporary houses have commenced in the earthquake and tsunami ravaged city of Rikuzen-Takata. "The planned makeshift houses are one-story buildings that have two rooms plus a dining kitchen, with a total floor space of 30 square meters each. In this school yard, about 200 houses will be built in about three weeks."

 

TreeHugger wonders why Earth Hour, an event so hyped just a couple years back, has seemed to have lost its steam. Lloyd Alter asks: "What's causing this Earth Hour ennui?" And in case you forgot, the apparently not-so-big-anymore event is tomorrow night (Saturday, March 26) at 8:30 p.m. 

 

GOOD also chimes in with some thoughts on Earth Hour 2011. In a provocative post titled "Why I Won't be Turning Off Any Lights For Earth Hour," GOOD contributing editor Ben Jervey writes: "I think Earth Hour is 'one of the most misguided and counterproductive actions' the environmental movement has seen. It does more damage than good to the climate cause." What are your thoughts on the event? 

 

The Daily Mail gossips about a three-bedroom, 1920s home in Chelmsford, Essex, UK, that's so "smothered" with ivy that real estate agents attempting to sell the property have been forced to drop the asking price by £230,000. Apparently, there's also a tree growing in the living room. 

 

Re-Nest has the scoop on "10 Eco-Friendly Cleaning Brands You May Not Know About." Even me, Mr. Green Clean himself, wasn't aware of brands like Murchison-Hume and Sapadilla. 

 

Dwell chats with Chad Lundeman, owner of Philly's fabulous 100K House, "about a few tips and tricks on keeping things affordable and green no matter what your situation."

 

The New York Times shops for urban gardening accessories with stylist and designer, Shane Powers. 

 

The Atlantic packs its bags and travels to the theoretical suburb of Sustainaville in Kaid Benfield's great article that imagines what a full-fledged sustainable community actually looks like.