great visit from the students at IPADE

Yesterday, executive MBA students from IPADE visited our offices in Redwood City. The 20 students and professors are visiting Silicon Valley for a few days to learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship. It is quite flattering to be on the same tour as Google and Northwest Venture Partners. They were a very sharp group and I probably learned more from them then they did from me. We talked a lot about the cultural challenges of building in Mexico (or anywhere for that matter) with a new type of building system no matter how much better it is. I hope have a great visit and I will look them up the next time I am in Monterrey or Mexico City.

CCTO

I haven't being blogging much lately; I have been busy in the shop working on changes to our panel machine. I started this blog to talk about better building techniques for the developing world and to ask people for their input. But first I want to make another plug for the California Clean Tech Open which is hosting their 2008 Official Launch tomorrow at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda. We will be there. I was also on a panel CCTO did for the Commonwealth Club at the end of February. That will be all for now about where I was or will be; we have a project in Mexico we have been asked to help with and I could use input on best practices for passive heating, composting toilets, low cost solar, etc. More to come.

Regards,
Patrick

We're Famous...in Japan

Well maybe not that famous, but we were excited to be interviewed by Michiya Matsuo from the LA branch of the Sankei Shimbun Newspaper in Japan. You can read the article here:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/america/080107/amr0801070818000-n1.htm, but if your Japanese is a little rusty, try using babelfish and entering in the URL above. My name came back as Free Bar Moth, so take the translation with a grain of salt. Michiya-san did say that the Japanese people think of Americans and Californians as huge consumers and they like to see articles about people like us focused on clean tech and environmentally responsible solutions. Enjoy!

First SCIP house seeking LEED Platinum Certification approved

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I just wanted to pass along this post. In Pasadena they are making a TV documentary as they build the first ever LEED platinum certified house using SCIP panels. Historically SCIP panels have been used for their disaster resistance and their speed of construction, but now their environmentally friendly aspects are also being appreciated. More info can be found at the architects Studio RMA's website here. We wish them much success with their project.

Regards,
Patrick

All PR is good PR?

We got a mention in Forbes.Com. Although she noted we were underdressed for the high power VC forum we were attending, it was still fun to be quoted. Sue even got a quote. You can check out the article here:

http://www.forbes.com/2007/12/18/holiday-silicon-valley-tech-ebiz-cx_wt_1218party.html

Happy Holidays to all.

Patrick

Sexy is the new Green - TriRod Motorcycle introduces new 3 wheel motorcycle

TriRod Motorcycles is focusing on the aging baby boomer market segment with its new 2 wheels in front, 1 wheel in back vehicle. While they don't claim to be green, a strong argument can be made for those who want to get around more environmentally friendly, but still want to look good doing it. There are certainly greener ways to get around town, but you have to admit this looks alot more fun. Of course this is hardly the first 2-1 trike.

Does anyone remember the now-defunct Sparrow?
If people won't be caught dead in it, it doesn't matter how great gas mileage it gets. I am sure Leanardo DiCaprio will be first in line for one of the new TriRod's. But it looks to intimidating for you, there is always the Sparrow.

Green Building For Dummies available soon

Although Eric Corey Freed himself is not a dummy, I am sure it will have a lot of useful information for 'the rest of us' to use. Eric has been working on this book for months and I know he has a lot of good information to share. I am looking forward to reading it as I put on an addition and green up my existing 1949 house. Eric is a prominent architect in San Francisco and you find out more about what he does on his website. Once I read the book I will post my thoughts, but if you get a copy first, please let me know what you think. You can pre-order his book on Amazon. It will be shipping in a few days.