Archive for the ‘Green Real Estate’ category

Lake Washington – The Most Unique and Wonderful Places to Live

September 17th, 2011

One of the most unique and wonderful places to live in all of Washington, much less Seattle, is undoubtedly on the shores of Lake Washington. For those lucky enough to be able to afford waterfront property, this is an opportunity that should not be missed. Even the more affordable houses with views over this magnificent body of water should not be overlooked, as Lake Washington offers those who live near it aspects of beauty you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

The second largest lake in the state after Lake Chelan, Lake Washington has availability for housing developments along its entire shoreline. Because of its long, skinny shape, the shoreline is considerable and is still open for more building opportunities. Save for the areas that are parks, marinas or airports, the rest of the shores are dedicated to homeowners, and giving those people some of the most incredible opportunities around. The waters of this lake are fresh and blue, and are extremely clean after extreme measure were taken to improve the water quality in the 60′s.

Houses built along Lake Washington are built to take in the view. Sweeping windows are common, along with sloping lawns to take advantage of the shoreline. Most houses have docks with the capability to house 1-3 boats, and a smaller percentage of them have covered boat houses. Even those that don’t have docks often take advantage of the required buoys just off the shore, and can tie boats off there. Waterfront condos are less common than waterfront houses along Lake Washington, but condos are often built on the hills that rise away from the water, meaning that every floor can enjoy a waterfront view. Great snowy Mount Rainier can be seen from just about anywhere on Lake Washington, as it rises over the southern section of the lake on clear days. Because of the north-south orientation of the lake, and how skinny it is, the vast majority of houses face either due east or due west, which makes for some of the most stunning sunset or sunrise views of the whole state. There is nothing quite like enjoying your morning cup of coffee while the sun rising golden over the forests on the other side, and turning light to liquid fire as it touches the water. » Read more: Lake Washington – The Most Unique and Wonderful Places to Live

The Versatility of Cargo Containers

September 15th, 2011

hipping containers are quite versatile in their uses. These steel boxes are durable, weather resistant, mold and pest resistant, intact they are theft resistant, and they come in varying lengths to accommodate different cargos which lends itself quite nicely when recycling these sweet steel building blocks.

Sure, shipping container houses are all the rage lately, and why not? The designs that have surfaced take home architecture to new heights in function and elegance. From the simple weekend getaway cottage next to the lazy river in the woods, to the multi-family ultra-modern high-rise complex in a metropolis, these boxes are adaptable to nearly any and every climate and setting. From urban to suburban and rural homes, the innovative plans available for shipping container homes are astounding in their function and form. But is there any other use for a surplus shipping box?

How about government use? We are all looking for ways to save money and the government should be no different- what about using surplus shipping boxes for military use? The standardization of the boxes is perfect for many applications such as:

  • Portable toilets for training sites or disaster sites.
  • Portable showers for large groups at trainer or disaster sites.
  • Portable command posts and temporary offices during emergencies or natural disasters.
  • Portable or temporary kitchens for training, terror, or disaster sites.
  • Underground and portable emergency shelters.

These are just a few possibilities for government uses of these resources, but what about private or business uses? Is housing the only way to recycle a Cor-ten Steel box? The applications for volunteer projects alone are astounding. Here are some other possibilities for personal or business uses:

  • A potting shed
  • With a few modifications, a greenhouse for multi-season crops
  • Personal emergency shelter and emergency supply storage.
  • Bulk grain storage
  • Temporary office buildings
  • Building project bathroom facilities
  • Portable On-site storage for machinery and tools
  • A small diner
  • A coffee shop
  • A store front
  • Warehouse for small business inventory
  • Artist’s studio
  • Builders workshop
  • Community Food pantry
  • Barn for livestock
  • Homeless shelter
  • Homeless soup kitchen
  • Homeless emergency medical station » Read more: The Versatility of Cargo Containers