Google SketchUp Plus Energy Data = Open Source Green Building (C. Green building geeks now have a more powerful tool for developing next-gen building designs with minimal environmental impact. Software engineers at the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory launched this week an update of their plug-in for SketchUp, Google’s open-source 3D building modeling tool. With a growing list of features, the latest version of the free OpenStudio plug-in, will enable architects to create more detailed simulations of their designs’ energy efficiency, and marks another step in the effort to make advanced green building design tools widely available at low or no cost.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu spoke earlier this year about the need to provide this kind of technology via open source. Google has been quick to promote the potential for SketchUp (which the search giant acquired along with startup @Last back in 2006) to help bring environmental factors into the building design process early on. Chapters. The World's Most Polluted Cities. Green-Hotels-Map. A 'Zero Carbon Footprint' Dinner at the St.
Julien Hotel Green hotels? We've got you covered. Hotel restaurants? We like those, too. But now we can put both together, thanks to the Zero Carbon Footprint dinner coming up Jill's Restaurant at the St. Julien Hotel & Spa. The swanky Boulder hotel (known for its pricey drinks) has put together a five-course tasting menu featuring ingredients drawn from within 100 miles of the hotel. On the menu are Hoppin' John with local mushrooms, flatiron steaks and a brulee banana split. It's Easy Being Green at the Ambrose Hotel HotelChatter tipster Ray Burger recently gave us the tip that the Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica is worthy of being included in a list of top green hotels in the US. The Ambrose is proud to be green, and the "Green Initiatives" button hits you pretty loud and clear from their website. [Photo: ShamrockTattoo] Related Stories:· Once Upon A Time in LaLa Land [HotelChatter]· Best Green Hotels in the US [HotelChatter] more ›
Welcome to Google Maps Mania! Welcome to Google Maps Mania! If this is your first time here.. Welcome! This is a blog that covers all the cool new Google Maps mashups, tools and applications being created by people all over the world. Posts also cover features and additions to Google Maps itself such new mapping data being added, new features and so on. Here are some cool mashups to get you started: Some other places to check out while you're here: Mashups and Tools Index - A long list of mashups by categoryMashups By Country - Collections of mashups by specific countrySpecial Features - Special posts of collections of mashups (travel, music etc..)Media & Blog Mentions - What the press and blogosphere have to say about this blog.