First, Nash utilizes internet advertising. Electronic advertising allows her to reach many demographics while omitting paper waste. She advertises on common sites like Facebook, ModelMahem, and even Craigslist. Her paper advertising is limited to business cards that are passed from person to person and contain samples of her work and contact information. The paper business cards represent a valuable advertising tool, as well. Her clients pass these on to other individuals, who then contact her. 

Additional paper waste is omitted through her photo reproduction techniques. Rather than make physical prints of the photos, Laur creates digital releases of her work. This allows clients to choose the photographs they like and make only necessary prints. Many times, photographers reproduce their work in a paper format that merely causes excess waste. By providing her clients with the actual digital copy, the client is able to reproduce however many copies of only the desired photos. Printing, therefore, is completed at the cost of the client.

The most influential green practice of her business resides in her studio. Most of Nash’s work is set in natural landscaping. This allows her to use natural lighting, thus reducing energy consumption and creating the most natural color rendering. By using the existing outdoors as a backdrop, there is no construction waste as would exist with a built environment. She actually has many more settings with this practice, thus allowing for a more versatile business. The appeal resides with in the changing seasons, variations in weather, and true interaction of the client with the setting.

Many small business owners believe that costs associated with sustainable business practices exceed their budget. Owners are often disillusioned by commercial industries who utilize sustainable design merely on large scale building envelope practices. Nash, however, exemplifies how even the smallest businesses can effectively and cost efficiently use sustainable ideas through every day business practices. By keeping practices simple, Nash is able to not only run her own business, but minimize environmental degradation.

For further information and to view her portfolio, please visit Laur Nash Photography’s website. http://www.laurnash.com/

Samantha Smigelski
s.a.smigelski@gmail.com
c. 517-231-3484 <tel:517-231-3484>

Elvis & Kresse have established an entire business philosophy centered around the concept of adaptive re-use. The company creates “stunning life-style accessories by re-engineering seemingly useless wastes” (http://www.fire-hose.co.uk/). Beginning in London, the  group began making commonly used goods from old fire-hoses. Once fire hoses are relinquished from their intended careers, they are “destined for landfill” (http://www.fire-hose.co.uk/). Elvis & Kresse collect the otherwise useless fire hoses and design items like handbags, belts, straps, candle stick holders, and even place settings.

As if its not remarkable enough that the designers can make beautiful accessories from “junk,” Elvis & Kresse even consider re-use in their packaging processes and in store displays. All packaging is either reclaimed or recycled. Therefore, the packaging is recyclable and reusable. Some of the items they use as packaging are pre-used shoe boxes, grapefruit crates, cardholder pouches, and waste tea sacks. In the shop, the items are dispayed on old pallets that otherwise would have been thrown away.

The company began in London and has since been expanding throughout the UK. Now, throughout Britain, fire brigades donate their old hoses to the accessory making company. Along with expanding beyond London, the company began exploring more reclaimable options. They currently accept not only condmned fire hoses, but also waste coffee and tea sacks, used air traffic control flight strips, closed cell foam, cardboard, pallets, parachute silk, and office furniture textiles. The products, once they have ran the course of their intended use, are typically thrown out. In a landfill, most of the objects are unable to deteriorate, therefore existing forever as trash. This group, however, has utilized re-engineering techniques to the fullest in order to reduce unnecessary waste. The accessories demonstrate how seemingly useless junk can be re-engineered into desirable treasures.

In order to show their appreciation for donations, Elvis and Kresse give 50% of their profit back to the Fire Fighters Charity. For more information, or shopping enjoying, visit the Elvis & Kresse website: http://www.fire-hose.co.uk/

Samantha Smigelski

Frank Lloyd Wright designed with a deep connection to nature. The connection to nature gave him a sustainable advantage that was decades beyond the sustainable trend of today.  FLW introduced skylights  into the Affleck Home that not only heightened the natural connection, but also reduced the need  for electric lighting. Floor to ceiling windows in the loggia and living areas provide similar results. Extensive glazing causes heat loss during the winter months, and heat gain in the summer months. The wood burning fireplace compensates during the winter. The most phenomenal technology in the home is tactic for cooling the home during the summer months.

FLW utilized convection currents to cool the living space. The interesting slope of the site directs a stream under the walk out. A small retaining pool sits directly under the living area. Within the living area, a raised opening similar to a window can be opened. When opened, air travels over the water, cooling in temperature. Vents in the roof allow heated air with in the home to rise and exit. The cool air naturally rises up through the “floor window” to replace teh exiting hot air. The cool air thus passes through the living space and, as it heats, exits through the same roof vents. Due to the naturally occuring air flow through the home, cooling costs are reduced.

The natural cooling system can be experienced during the tour on September 25th. Tickets can be purchased from from several area businesses, the AIA Detroit website, or directly from committee members starting in August. The tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at “Home Base” the day of the tour. Contact the AIA Detroit Chapter (www.auadetroit.com <http://www.auadetroit.com/>  or aiadetroit.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=167&Itemid=196 <http://aiadetroit.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=167&Itemid=196> )  for more information on the tour. Additional information and photos of the Affleck home can be found at http://michiganmodern.org/architects-designers-firms/architects/frank-lloyd-wright/affleckhouse/.

Samantha Smigelski
em1: s.a.smigelski@gmail.com