The Whole HOG: June 2012

Water-centric Green Design News

This June we’re finding inspiration in unexpected places, like the toy race car featured in B.U.G. Design powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology.

But we’re also inspired to see how the concepts of rainwater harvesting and stormwater management are moving into the mainstream. The Campus Rainworks Challenge, sponsored by the EPA, is a great illustration of this.

So, if you’re looking for inspiration this summer, you’ve come to the right blog. We also have giveaways and good design (see: Australian beach eco-renovation at Bondi Beach) inside to sweeten the deal.

June 2012: Campus Rainworks Challenge

A Green Infrastructure Design Contest for Colleges and Universities

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has launched Campus Rainworks Challenge, a student design contest engineered to raise awareness of green infrastructure alternatives for stormwater management.

Let’s pause a moment before we go into more detail. At HOG, we love this idea! In fact, we’d like to make an offer to participating student teams. Incorporate HOG tanks into a winning entry, and we will give you three HOG tanks.

Student teams, working with a faculty adviser, will submit design plans for a proposed green infrastructure project for their campus. Entries will be judged on:

• Analysis and Planning
• Preservation or Restoration of Natural Features
• Integrated Water Management
• Soil and Vegetation Management
• Value to Campus
• Likelihood of Implementation

And what’s the prize? Winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,500 – $2,500, as well as $8,000 – $11,000 in funds for their faculty adviser to conduct research on green infrastructure.

Registration opens September 4 and ends December 14, 2012. Winning entries will be selected by EPA and announced in April 2013.

In other words, boys and girls, there’s plenty of time to devise an award-winning, money-making, campus-improving stormwater management plan for your school.

Looking for Inspiration?

An 8-HOG catchment system provides an on-site reserve of water for the Green & Main Pilot Project. Workers install a bioswale in the foreground.

Check out the Green & Main Pilot Project in Des Moines, Iowa. Eight HOG tanks were incorporated into the ambitious greening of a mixed-used commercial building. Their comprehensive
stormwater management plan is part of their bid to achieve LEED Platinum status.

June 2012: HOG Giveaway at the Sonoma-Marin Fair

The City of Petaluma will be giving away a 3-HOG tank system at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

From Wednesday, June 20 through Sunday, June 24
at the Petaluma Fairgrounds (click for directions)

Check out the City of Petaluma exhibit showing off ways to conserve water inside and   outside of the home. Sign up for a free Water-Wise HouseCall and be entered to win.

 

And coming soon, more details on the 10-HOG installation for the City of Petaluma.

June 2012: Bondi Beach Restoration in 3-D

QuickDominguez Architects mid-century revitalization in Bondi Beach
Sydney, Australia

Street view of the Bondi Beach property.

Follow the transformation from mid-century brick to 21st century green roof resplendence with QuickDominguez Architects radical eco-update on this Sydney, Australia residence, pictured to the left.  We’re keeping you in the design loop from concept inspiration and initial models to the next phase: 3-D rendering.

 

Rendered in 3-D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

QuickDominguez Architects estimates the projected ground-breaking on 58 Mitchell Street for August of 2012.

June 2012: B.U.G. (Beautiful.Useful.Green) Design

H-Racer 2.0
Remote Controlled Green Energy MicroCar

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies thinks big by starting small. The international producers of alternative hydrogen fuel cells are bringing clean energy to kids with the H-Racer 2.0 – a remote-controlled car that uses water and solar power to create hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Why is it beautiful? “The H-racer [is] a 6-in.-long toy car that does what Detroit still can’t,” TIME magazine wrote in its review of the H-racer, which they named as one of the best inventions of 2006. Horizon now offers the H-racer 2.0, the next generation model race car that runs faster and goes longer than the original.

Why is it useful?  “It may be years before you can buy a Chevy powered by hydrogen fuel cells,” writes TIME. In the meantime, at home or in the classroom, these remote controlled cars – the world’s smallest hydrogen fuel cell cars – are a powerful teaching tool for budding scientists (and mom and dad too). The H-Racer 2.0 transforms an abstract – hydrogen fuel cell technology – into something physical and fun.

Why is it green? The H-Racer 2.0 kit comes with a  solar cell, hydrogen recharging station, remote control, and the car components.  How does it work? An electric current, produced by solar cells, removes hydrogen from the water (in the recharging station) and runs the car’s electric motor.  When the H-Racer is attached to the refueling station, a balloon inside the vehicle fills up. Once a switch is turned on, the car takes off.

With no need for oil, and no carbon dioxide emissions, the H-Racer 2.0 offers a speedy lesson, in miniature, in alternative energy technologies harvested from renewable resources.  Ladies and gentleman, start your engines!

Want more inspiration? This month in Wired Magazine discover How to be a Geek Dad. After you’ve solved the mystery of hydrogen technology with a racecar, get tips on building a hovercraft, constructing a catapult, or making a Buckminster Fuller blanket fort.
Check out Sally’s blog for more B.U.G. Designs.