Southface Institute: Blog

100% Solar a Growing Reality for Nonprofits

Blog
Green Building

On a hot, humid September day, dozens of students, teachers, well-wishers and project participants gathered outside The SAE School in Mableton. The occasion was to celebrate a ribbon-cutting of the school’s new solar array, an installation that puts The SAE School on its way to becoming the first 100% solar-powered school in Georgia. Its path to get there is unique, but it’s one that could soon be adopted by more schools and nonprofits in other states. The SAE School’s newly …

Tags: Gooduse, Solar

Creating a Virtual Space for Southface’s Biggest Night of the Year

Blog
Events

The 2020 Visionary Dinner gathered the nonprofit’s community of supporters with an exquisite online cooking demonstration, an inspiring message on regenerative and just placemaking and a chance to meet up with old and new friends. Every year, Southface’ Visionary Dinner brings together people who are passionate about sustainability to be inspired by innovative thought-leaders, to connect with others wanting to impact the future of the industry and enjoy exquisite meals made by top chefs. But what does all that look …

Tags: AEC inspiration, Asha Gomez, Liz Ogbu, Regenerative placemaking, Spatial Justice, Urbanism, Veronica Wandui, Visionary Dinner

A New Perspective on Green Architecture

Communities

How can we best prepare for the effects of a warming climate? With so many organizations focusing on reducing carbon emissions, Miami-based architects Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk share a new perspective that shifts our focus from green architecture to adaptive architecture.

Tags: Resilience Hubs, architecture

Turning to AEC Professionals to Solve the Plastic Crisis

Regenerative Design

In the past, the plastic industry has turned to recycling and consumer behavior to solve the plastics crisis. While the challenge to reduce plastic waste remains, the design and building industries’ power may have a more significant impact. AEC professionals can make choices at the beginning of the planning process to reduce plastic in the long term. AEC professionals can make a positive change toward plastic reduction in the built environment from building material selection and sustainable purchasing practices to …

Tags: Waste, Zero Waste

The Future of Travel Is Regenerative

Regenerative Design

Leading up to the pandemic, sustainable travel was a popular buzz word in the tourism industry. However, as many travel plans have been put on hold, regenerative travel is making its way to center stage. Instead of focusing only on how to slow environmental degradation, regeneration aims to restore what has already been lost.

Tags: COVID-19, Travel

Southface Institute’s Online Visionary Dinner Celebrates Spatial Justice and Regenerative Placemaking

Blog
Events

Southface Institute’s Visionary Dinner convenes forward-thinking innovators who are committed to building an equitable and sustainable future. (ATLANTA, GA.) September 4, 2020 – Southface Institute, the Atlanta-based nonprofit leader in the design and implementation of high impact sustainability solutions, is presenting its annual Visionary Dinner online for the first time on September 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST. The evening convenes forward-thinking innovators who are committed to building an equitable and sustainable future, bringing them together for a …

Tags: Visionary Dinner

Building Resilient Communities With Integrated Design

Communities
Green Building

The 2020 Enterprise Green Communities Criteria established standards for affordable housing based on construction practices that consider all aspects of a healthy living environment. Standards are organized around five essential themes, including integrated design, which brings all stakeholders into the planning process.

Tags: Affordable Housing, Enterprise Green Communities

SAE School Set to Become First 100% Solar-Powered School in Georgia

Blog

ATLANTA, GA—September 2, 2020— Southface Institute announced today the completion of solar installation work for its partnership with The SAE School and a groundbreaking philanthropic financing structure that opens the door to solar for other schools and nonprofits. The ribbon-cutting event to unveil the project, a cornerstone of the school’s net-zero goals, was held Wednesday, September 2, at The SAE School, 6688 Mableton Parkway SE, Mableton, GA 30126. The SAE School’s Unique Mission In its eighth year of operation, The …

Tags: Gooduse

LIFT Announces New Study of Solar Financing

Blog

The LIFT Solar Everywhere research project is proud to announce the release of a three-part research report: Applying the PAYS® System to On-Site Solar to Expand Access to All. The study provides detailed analysis of whether, and how, a utility investment program based on the Pay As You Save® (PAYS) system could overcome the upfront cost barrier to on-site solar for low and moderate-income (LMI) customers. “We explored whether site-specific investment by a utility with on-bill cost recovery could work with …

Tags: Solar, Utilities

Reusable Packaging Helps the Environment and More

Regenerative Design

Demand for reliable packaging material has made plastic the most popular choice, but this has created a single-use model that cannot be fixed by recycling alone. Switching to reusable packaging will benefit the environment and bring financial benefits to businesses and consumers alike.

Tags: Circular Economy