InfoAnda - Texan builds artful, green homes out of trash

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

An app for keeping kosher during Passover and beyond | | 20 February 2012
Pope urges Norwegians to reject hatred and conflict | | 24 July 2011
Mubarak diagnosed with cancer before his August trial | 21 June 2011

U.S. wants U.N. to lift ban on Iraq nuclear imports | 15 December 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Texan builds artful, green homes out of trash

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World Texan builds artful, green homes out of trash AFP - 2 hours 29 minutes ago Send IM Story Print Texan builds artful, green homes out of trash HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AFP) - – Texas home builder Dan Phillips transforms trash into artful treasures, creating intricate floor mosaics with wood scraps, kitchen counters from ivory-colored bones and roofs out of license plates. The fantastical houses which spring from his imagination are made almost entirely with materials which would otherwise have ended up in a garbage dump. "People have been doing this for hundreds of thousands of years: using whatever is available to build shelter," Phillips said. "If you ponder what could be used, then building materials are everywhere." Phillips founded Phoenix Commotion 12 years ago with the aim of creating a new model for sustainable, affordable housing. The 13 homes he has built so far would fit better in an art museum than the residential streets of Huntsville, a conservative town of about 35,000 people best known for housing Texas's death row. Living in them is a bit like living in a roadside attraction. "Almost every day, somebody knocks on the door and says 'Is there any way that we could see?'" said Edie Wells, an artist who rents a room in the Bone House. Her home features patio furniture and a stairway made of bones, floors covered in wine corks and beer bottle caps, and a skylight that used to be a Pyrex baking dish. Wells said visitors are most impressed when they see a bathroom with its walls, floor and ceiling entirely paved in mirror shards. Then there's the Storybook house that looks like it was transplanted from a 16th-century German village. Hansel and Gretel could have lived here. One family built the Budweiser House in homage to their favorite American lager. The home doesn't look exactly like a beer can, but the exterior keeps the red, white and blue coloring and the symbolism -- stars and Hops blossoms -- you'll find on the Budweiser label. Phoenix Commotion is a for-profit company that operates more like a nonprofit, aiming to solve several universal social problems. For as little as $10,000 it builds affordable homes for single parents, low-income families and artists. Plus, each house is highly energy efficient with ample insulation, an on-demand solar hot water heater and a catchment system that recycles rainwater to flush the toilet and wash clothes. Phillips hires unskilled workers, teaches them marketable skills and helps place them in higher-paying jobs when they're ready. "He's given me the opportunity to learn how to build, but also to tap into that creative side of myself," said apprentice Shannon Bryant. "And it's nice to find that, and let that out." The company has diverted hundreds of tons of construction waste from landfills by upcycling the materials into habitable buildings. So much construction material comes to Phoenix Commotion's door that storage is a constant dilemma. Large, wholesale companies avoid costly disposal fees by sending Phillips 18-wheeler trucks loaded with lumber, tile and granite. Local residents also donate old fixtures like doors and bathtubs after remodeling their homes. Phillips helped the city of Huntsville start a program called Trash Into Plowshares in 2003 after being overwhelmed with donations. The materials are stored in a city warehouse and distributed for free to low-income residents and nonprofits to make building improvements. "It does save us in costs," said Jenine Dean, assistant superintendent of Huntsville Solid Waste Services. "But more importantly it keeps the stuff out of the landfill. Because we are just running out of room." Huntsville's endeavor has been so successful that people across the United States and the world have talked with Phillips and city officials about creating reuse warehouses. The city of Houston, the fourth largest in the United States opened a similar warehouse in October 2009. Within just six months, Houston's warehouse diverted 200 tons, the weight of a Boeing 747. Phillips continues trying to spread his recycled-house philosophy by speaking at events across the United States, and by using the Internet to reach out to like-minded individuals. "It's cradle-to-cradle thinking. It's sustainable. And we are tidying up our own backyard at the same time," Phillips told AFP. "I'm not going to be saving the world anytime soon. But there needs to be at least cameo visibility for this model in this century." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Kate Tsui schizo gimmick? CinemaOnline - Thursday, January 13 Chinese pop diva Faye Wong to come out with new album soon ANN - Thursday, January 13 US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Thursday, January 13 Showtime cable network passes on "Kennedys" Reuters - Thursday, January 13 Bob Geldof is keynote speaker at South by Southwest Reuters - Thursday, January 13 News Search Top Stories Spain faces first big debt test of 2011 Hezbollah forces Lebanon govt collapse Prince Harry eyes North Pole trek World Bank sees 2008 risks for global economy 2010 ties 2005 for warmest year on record: US More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Falling blackbirds baffle Arkansas officials Hasta la Vista: Arnie quits as California governor Goldman deal 'values Facebook at $50 billion' Spain lotto winner nearly loses millions by tossing tickets Brazil's 2010 trade surplus lowest in 8 years: official More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Thursday, 13 January 2011
Hezbollah, allies quit Lebanese goverment
UK confidence in online shopping rattled by snow: poll
Hezbollah forces Lebanon government collapse
Portugal claims success in bond sale
EU launches new era of tighter economic governance
Fujitsu unveils 'world's first' glasses-free 3D PC
Lebanon's unity government collapses
Attacks in Afghanistan kill 5 NATO troops
EU divided over debt crisis fund boost
NATO: 5 service members killed in Afghanistan
Haitians grieve on quake anniversary
At least 127 dead as rains pummel Brazil regions |
Gaza militants say to halt rocket fire at Israel |
Qatar restore pride with China victory
Five more killed in Tunisia clashes: witnesses |
China bans German pork, egg imports
China says stealth jet test flight not a threat |
Biden tells Pakistan: 'We are not the enemy of Islam'
Djeparov fires Uzbeks towards Asian Cup quarters
Divided you will fail, Loach warns Palestinians
Crew under pressure to land Kaczynski plane: Russia |
Two Thais in Cambodia court on spying charges
Russian spy Anna Chapman to host TV show
U.N. says Gbagbo-backers loot food convoy in Abidjan |
N. Korea reopens border hotline with S. Korea
Book tells inspiring tale behind King's Speech film
U.S. Vice President Biden warns against Pakistan extremism
England win thriller to set T20 record
Geithner urges China reform ahead of Hu visit
Nvidia shares surge 12 percent, extend rally |
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee firms; o/n rates flat
IBM, Samsung to jointly develop chip technology |
Clearwire shares rise on hopes of funding deal |
Activist manager sells Cisco shares on rights concerns |
Wikipedia, 10 years old, targets India for growth |
Demand Media moves ahead with $112.5 million IPO |
Toyota to make lithium batteries for hybrids: Nikkei |
John Travolta and Kelly Preston show off new baby |
Seth Rogen, Jay Chou dish on new Green Hornet |
German firm develops Internet eraser for photos
David Nelson of Ozzie and Harriet TV family dies |
Ten years on, Wikipedia eyes a better world
US-TECH Summary
Clearwire shares rise on hopes of funding deal
News Corp., Apple to unveil 'The Daily' next week
Demand Media moves ahead with $112.5 million IPO
Lebanon plunged into uncertainty as government falls
Spain faces first big debt test of 2011
Brisbane avoids worst in floods but sees years of rebuilding |
YouTube mobile video viewing tops 200 mln a day
Hezbollah and allies resign, toppling Lebanon government
Lebanon plunged into uncertainty as government falls |
Prince Harry eyes North Pole trek
PC sales growth slows in fourth quarter: Gartner
Afghan police: Explosion reported in Jalalabad
Hezbollah forces Lebanon govt collapse
Ivory Coast army seals off pro-Ouattara area, bars U.N. |
Russia blames Polish pressure for Kaczynski crash
Investors bet on Nvidia's new mobile chips
U.S. agencies believe Iran's nuclear efforts have slowed
Haitians recall 2010 quake hell as death toll upped |
PC shipment growth lackluster in Q4
World Bank sees 2008 risks for global economy
Taylor Swift Scores Lowest-Selling #1 Album On The Billboard Albums Chart With "Speak Now"
2010 ties 2005 for warmest year on record: US
Egypt Christians clash with police over shooting
Google turns Android smartphones into interpreters
U.S. agencies believe Iran's nuclear efforts have slowed |
Global economy to slow in 2011: World Bank
Philippine floods, landslides kill 42 |
Citing rights failings, firm divests Cisco holdings
Gaza militants say to halt rocket fire at Israel
Blackpool pile on agony for Liverpool in Premier League
Mobile airwaves seen key to U.S. competitiveness
Special Report: Vietnam capitalist roaders follow China's trail |
Palestinian fails in bid to win control of settlement
Ultimate Software looks at selling itself: sources
A Kuwaiti PM in first Iraq visit since war
Winter brings fiery killer into Afghan homes |
Wikipedia, 10 years old, targets India
At least 270 dead in Brazil floods |
IBM, Samsung to jointly develop chip technology
Japan PM to tap fiscal hawk in new line-up: report |
N. Korea must act to defuse tensions: Gates
Bob Geldof is keynote speaker at South by Southwest
Brisbane a 'war zone' as huge flood smashes city
Edward Furlong scraps trip after latest arrest
Japan PM to tap fiscal hawk in new line-up
Imam criticised for NY mosque embarks on U.S. speaking tour
N. Korea's uranium for making bombs: South
Obama leads mourning of Arizona shooting victims
Factbox
Brisbane avoids worst in floods, sees years of rebuilding
Obama visits wounded U.S. Congresswoman Giffords
Hard times make way for fuller-figured lingerie
China says shares U.S. goals on Korea as hotline reopens
Texan builds artful, green homes out of trash
News Corp says looking at spinout or sale of MySpace |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Biden in Baghdad to meet Maliki: WHouse
Brisbane flood peaks well below expected high: officials
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Investors bet on Nvidia's new mobile chips |
Showtime cable network passes on "Kennedys"
Australia rebuilding task 'of postwar proportions'
Disruptive Arizona suspect axed from online group
Bob Geldof is keynote speaker at South by Southwest
Mobile airwaves seen key to U.S. competitiveness |
US 'not the enemy of Islam' says Biden
Edward Furlong scraps trip after latest arrest
World Bank says China has room for more rate hikes
PC shipment growth lackluster in Q4 |
S. Korea raises key rate, moves against inflation
Taiwan capital to levy 'luxury residence' tax
Ultimate Software looks at selling itself: sources |
Carmakers target inland China to maintain growth
Seoul shares end down amid options expiry
HIGHLIGHTS-Bank of Korea chief's comments at news conference
Japan PM taps fiscal hawk in cabinet shake-up
India's Infosys reports 14.1% net profit rise
Tyler Perry nabs 19 NAACP Image Award nominations
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea steps up inflation battle, raises rates
"Green Hornet" never reaches top speed
Pakistan
Obama Visits Hospital, Meets With Injured And Families
Conan feels liberated after year of tumult
“The Game” Scores Huge Ratings For BET
Katie Holmes new face of Ann Taylor clothing
"The Big Bang Theory" Renewed For Three More Years
“The need of the hour is return of sanity, remembering that we are one"
China’s stealth jet fighter sends signal about its military power
Facebook paid $8.5 million for fb.com domain
Somber mood as Tucson prepares to welcome President Obama
Study: Energy drinks don't lessen effects of alcohol
AP, Fairey copyright case involving Obama's image dismissed
Principal at NYC prep school fired over affair with 18-year-old ex-student
Conan feels liberated after year of tumult |
Edward Furlong scraps trip after latest arrest |
Green Hornet never reaches top speed |
Tyler Perry nabs 19 NAACP Image Award nominations |
Showtime cable network passes on Kennedys |
Bob Geldof is keynote speaker at South by Southwest |
Three actors exit Law & Order: Los Angeles series |
Book tells inspiring tale behind King's Speech film |
David Nelson of Ozzie and Harriet TV family dies |
British health tech startups seek US foothold
Lebanon in political turmoil as govt collapses
Spotify, Shazam tie up on finding and buying music
Ship carrying acid overturns in Germany: police
Analysis: a year after China retreat, Google plots new growth
RIM gives India access but not to secure e-mails
Violent clashes spread to centre of Tunisian capital |
Prize-winning Korean director shoots iPhone film
Iran's nuclear sites tour proposal flounders |
News Corp says looking at spinout or sale of MySpace
Gates warns on North Korea, eyes Japan ties |
U.S. and European officials warn Belarus after crackdown |
In France, far right seizes on Muslim street prayers |
Iran's nuclear sites tour proposal flounders
Japan boss: Asian Cup like Champions League
Cambodian court grants bail to 2 Thais
More foreign film shooting in Thailand expected
ANALYSIS: Leadership a vexing issue for Thailand's opposition party
Analysis: A year after China retreat, Google plots new growth |
US envoy blasts China, India on WTO talks progress
Rain washes out tennis at Kooyong Classic
Pakistani stocks end on 31-mth high; rupee flat
AT&T to take Q4 $2.7 billion charge on accounting change |
RIM gives India access but not to secure e-mails |
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $17.09 bln
Ultimate Software says no current plans for sale |
BlackBerry announces answer to India security fear
MTS estimates 2010 Russia handset sales rose 25 percent |
POSCO posts sharp drop in profit
Prize-winning Korean director shoots iPhone film |
Police halt body recovery at N. Zealand mine
South Korea steps up inflation battle, raises rates
Frenchman held in Indonesia over drugs: official
Prize-winning Korean director shoots iPhone film
China's Li into Sydney tennis final
Troubled Indonesia budget airline halts operations
Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, Eminem To Perform On The Grammys
Judge says Homeland Security can keep scanned image secrets
Study: Antibiotics best treatment for toddlers with ear infections
Snow covers 71 percent of U.S.
AIG to sell Taiwan business for $2.16 billion
California man charged with threatening Washington congressman
Prize-winning Korean director shoots iPhone film |
Nude housekeeper on trial for stabbing client to death
Space observatory finds smallest Earth-like planet outside solar system
Japan firm launches mirror thermometer for detecting flu
Laos opens first stock exchange
Cuba registering first lung cancer vaccine in South America
Seattle 'superhero' attacked over the weekend, thugs break his nose
It’s a Bird, It’s a Shark, It’s a Mossad Spy
Saudi court sentences woman to 3 years for torturing, mutilating Indonesian maid
Forget gossip: Facebook will not shut down March 15
'Butt dial' sends SWAT team to school
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01