SOLiD Architecture Talks 'Green' | Denver, Colorado

If you are a fan of forward thinking building design, I recommend taking a few minutes to look at the web site of SOLiD Architectural Design, a Colorado company.  You will see homes like the ones pictured here, and you will also see some of their unique commercial projects, including the Tokyo Joe's Restaurant on 13th Avenue in Denver.  They were also responsible for building the Shoshone Development, which is an urban infill project in Denver (pictured below). 

I contacted Owen Beard at SOLiD recently, and asked him if his company incorporates any 'green' features into thier designs.  He answered with the following:

'It seems that Solar electric is the most popular green feature. Right now we have 3 or 4 projects that incorporate photovoltaic panels. This is probably because there are great rebates from power companies and the government.  It would be nice if I could find clients that foot the extra bill for gray water reuse systems, on site water retention, natural or recycled fiber insulation, no V.O.C. plywood and steel construction.  These would greatly increase the interior air quality while reducing the impact on the environment. But some of these add a lot of extra cost to a project.

A while back I designed a bog that would use cattail to convert gray water to usable irrigation water. The system is simple and really quite attractive. It ends up looking like a water garden. Since I do have clients that are environmentally aware I have recently been pushing steel structural systems. Even new steel has a high percentage of reused material and nearly all of it will be recycled after the building has been torn down. So it doesn't end up in a land fill.'

SOLiD Architectural Design is located at 70 South Cherokee Street, Denver, Colorado, 80223.  The phone number is 303-825-2313.