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William McDonough is arguably the world's most famous green architect and is the father of cradle to cradle design. Here he is describing one of his planned eco-cities in China. Keep watching until the end, it gets good. This is taken from McDonough's Ted talk. There's a longer version of it here. 

 [video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY4o3WzCfmM&feature=player_embedded 500x400]

Happy new year to all Construct Ireland readers. We're getting right back into the swing of things here with a new issue due out before the end of the month. Here's a few interesting stories you might have missed over the holidays.

Six green building trends to watch for 2011 Jetson Green 

Ten more (slightly US-centric) trends for 2011, also from Jetson Green

A review of green technology in 2010 Guardian

Largest postwar prefab estate set to be demolished Guardian

Following on from Mark Stephens's blog posts for us on going off grid, here's another guide from Green Building Advisor

How one US town is dealing with the problem of vacant houses New York Times

Should dangerously cold houses be illegal? (I'm going with yes on this one) Treehugger

From the Ireland After Nama blog, a post on the "true extent of Dublin's functional urban region", and a series of interesting-sounding papers on the future of Dublin city

Here's some linkage for y'all.

Think Ireland's ghost estate problem is bad? China may have up to 64 million vacant homes Sustainable Cities Collective 

The UK is backtracking on plans for a green bank Guardian

Clare councillor wants to build on floodplain. Will we ever learn? Ireland After Nama

A striking renovation and extension project in Kentucky gets Leed Platinum status Treehugger

The most popular design and architecture posts of 2010 Treehugger

Crossway, an eco house featured on Channel 4 TV show grand designs, meets the passive house standard Green Building Advisor

A US perspective on using EPS to insulate foundations Green Building Advisor

Interesting analysis of the government's new greenhouse gas emissions targets Irish Economy

We're getting down to the real work on the January issue of the mag now. Expect to see case study articles on the renovated architectural landmark that is the former Carroll's cigarette factory in Dundalk, and on a couple of excellent passive houses. We'll also have features on the state of the economy, and on whether it makes more sense to use electrical-based heating devices as our power supply is gradually decarbonised. For now, here's some stories that might be of interest.  

Ireland helping to break logjam in climate talks Irish Times

In the Guardian, George Monbiot says the UK is shifting on its commitment to zero carbon homes. Not surprisingly, the Tory housing minister disagrees.

The cost of not going green for architects Architect magazine

Our cities need intelligent transport systems  Sustainable Cities Collective

Anyone want to buy an apartment in Donegal for 11 grand? Ireland After Nama

The Construction Industry Federation doesn't seem to like Nama terribly much Irish Times

New car engine generates electricity from exhaust heat Inhabitat

The solar industry is helping to revive declining industrial cities in the US midwest New York Times

The case for "clean construction" Reuters

Is there too much focus on building regulations and not enough on proper training for builders? Green Building Advisor

Ron and Collette Wardle started suffering ill health almost immediately after a sloppy energy upgrade. But reading a copy of Construct Ireland started a chain of events that led to the couple getting a brand new ventilation system — and seeing a marked improvement in their health.

Here's a few stories that might distract you somewhat from the economic doom that surrounds us. Actually though, if you want to be totally distracted, maybe ignore the first two.

On big currencies and big banks New Economics Foundation

Work begins on Europe's largest straw bale building The Guardian

Energy efficiency adds just $800 to the cost of a home, according to US research American Solar Energy Society

Are these the top ten green building products of 2010? Jetson Green

272kW hybrid solar installation launched in California Jetson Green

Green building priority number one — reduce energy use Green Building Advisor

China's coal consumption continues to grow New York Times

Five reasons electric cars will catch on The Infrastructurist

In 2005 Construct Ireland profiled the timber frame extension to Hannah and Martin Naughton’s Meath cottage. Five years later we’re returning to profile the upgrade of the original bungalow — a renovation that demonstrates how to detail dry lining without running the risk of mould growth

Randy Ralston and Mel Cronin aimed for the passive house standard with their upgrade, and though they didn’t quite get there they ended up with a house that produces more energy than it consumes, making it one of the country’s flagship green renovation projects.

I've just returned from Plan Expo, where we spent two days flogging the new and past issues of Construct Ireland. There was a steady enough crowd over the two days, and I spent most of yesterday morning at the Rebuilding Ireland conference on the second floor of the Convention Centre (here's a pic of the view from up there). I tweeted some of the speeches — you can find all our Twitter coverage here. Tomorrow morning, I'll be covering US energy secretary Dr Steven Chu's appearance in Dublin. Anyway, here's some interesting stories you may or may not have seen:

Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions drop Irish Times

In the UK, landlords to face fines for energy inefficient properties Guardian

Electric Toyota Prius's coming to Ireland Dept of Energy

Metro North: good idea or not? Irish Economy

The 'VillageTown': a viable concept in urban planning? Sustainable Cities Collective

Why is the UK so bad at construction training? And do any of these lessons apply to Ireland? Guardian

What is the carbon footprint of building a house? Guardian

Should supermarkets and DIY chains insulate homes? Guardian

An interview with passive house pioneer Dr Wolfgang Feist Green Building Advisor

Will this be the first certified passive house building in New York? Green Building Advisor

More of Green Building Advisor's priorities for sustainable building projects: ensure durability, build smaller, reduce the need for driving

Wood-wrapped green office complex opens in Chile Inhabitat

Is this going to be the tallest timber building in the world? Treehugger

Ireland needs a plan, not a budget Ireland After Nama