eco stucco™ Website by DK Design Studio

eco stucco is a range of lime plasters designed to provide healthy, functional, and sustainable mineral finishes for walls, facades, and ceilings in the form of artistically handtrowel artisan plasters.

A sustainable alternative to cement plaster, acrylic plaster, and other high embodied CO2 coating products, eco stucco cures and hardens naturally by carbonation and without exhalation of toxic, hazardous gases. During the curing process, the lime (calcium hydroxide) slowly absorbs the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases its water content.

The process results in a mineral crust made exclusively of calcium carbonate – the chemical structure of limestone – derived from the presence of sand and the carbonation of lime.

We recently finished up their website design and programming.

The site is a WordPress CMS system that allows the user to make changes to text and photos without knowing any code.

One particularly interesting feature on the site is the Color & Texture page. We developed a program that allows the user to see the results available with their 216 colors and 7 textures. If you click on a texture and a color you get a representation of what it would look like once applied to a surface.

We had a lot of fun designing this site and working with eco stucco. They are based in Sausalito and have a great product and philosophy.

Happy Halloween from DK Design Studio

We just ordered our “responsible” halloween treats from Clif Bar. Spooky S’mores! Sound….spooky. http://clifbarstore.com/detail/CLF+191+SS

Here are some chocolates that are fair trade.
http://www.sweetearthchocolates.com/prod.itml/icOid/333

AND….here’s our halloween wallpaper or desktop image for 2009. HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

Click to download.

The Bathroom Reinvented: Hyphae Design

Didn’t even know about these guys who happen to be neighbors in West Oakland! Kudos to them….not only for their products but for their nod to the hyphy music scene.

Marvin Deal Identity System by DK Design

A home is more than just the house where we reside. It is where we are inspired, where we recharge, where we escape from the hectic demands of work, where we live, play and love.

No one understands this better than Marvin Deal of Marvin Deal Construction.

Marvin has a true artisan approach to fine home building and remodeling using natural and reclaimed materials for their beauty and to respect the environment. His philosophy is that a home should be both functional in layout and design and equally beautiful in every detail no matter how small.

DK Design Studio approached his identity in much the same way that Marvin approaches his projects. After a thorough discovery phase we decided to focus on his attention to detail, his modern and classic style, and to use natural, earth-friendly processes and materials. The full project included his identity, business system, a brochure, a direct mail postcard marketing program, and his website.

Stimulus Funds Locator Map

The General Services Administration has received $5.5 billion in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The GSA has designated more than 250 projects that will utilize these funds to build new federal buildings (courthouses and ports of entry) that are energy efficient, as well as weatherize existing buildings to improve efficiency and reduce water and energy consumption.

It’s pretty cool. Check it out here.

DK Design Solves Another Identity Crisis

[and you thought we were just designers]

If blue plus yellow makes green, then green plus green makes evergreen. Such was the case when two eco-entities, DK Design Studio, Inc. and Alameda County, came together to create an identity for Alameda County’s sustainability initiative.

The successful partnership between DK Design Studio and Alameda County is another example of how eco-minded teams can be matches made in heaven, yet rooted in the Earth.

The full project included the Logo Design, Style Guide for Logo & Template use, Fact Sheet Templates, and Auto Decals for Alameda’s eco-friendly transportation options.

If your company needs a new identity or a brand overhaul please contact DK Design Studio @ 415-944-8541 or email us at info (at) dkdesignstudio (dot) com. We also do websites, marketing plans and implementation, print, and photography.

Creative Director: Darilyn Kotzenberg
Lead Designer: Joe Wright
Copywriter: Kristin Slye
Project Manager: Hilary Crawford

Green America Adds Airlines To It’s Responsible Shopper List

Ah…..Southwest. Like Apple & FedEx is becoming one of our all time favorite brands.

Check out more airline and travel info here.

Earthship Seminar ~ Building Homes Out Of Trash

This past weekend was spent at a seminar learning how to build sustainable, off-the-grid homes at the Earthship headquarters just outside of Taos, New Mexico.

The homes are not the run of the mill green homes that we are getting used to. Architect Mike Reynolds has been building these structures for about 40 years and they are, in large part, made out of trash – specifically used tires, cans, and bottles.

Since he started back in the 1970s, the homes have been refined to allow for recycling all waste [grey and black water], organic greenhouses, water collection and purification, power generation, and temperature regulation….even in extreme weather locations.

We got hands on experience learning how to pack tires into the load bearing and thermal mass foundation for the homes, can and bottle walls, and how to plaster interior walls with a mixture of mud, sand, and hay. In addition, we got to tour many of the homes on the site in Taos. Mike has developed several models over the years and we were able to get inside and explore the size and benefits of each option.

I recommend anyone interested in green build to visit them and take the seminar. You can find more information here. A good article here. And the trailer for the Michael Reynold’s documentary, Garbage Warrior is here.

Many more photos here.

Consumers want healthier foods and better packaging

According to a new study of 1000 consumers in several counties conducted by Ipsos Marketing, Consumer Goods, the top three things consumers want from food manufacturers are: fresher ingredients, increased health benefits, and more environmentally friendly packaging.

More information here at 2sustain.com

Skyscrapers as living organisms

This fresh, new, and fascinating approach to sustainability and human population growth is truly awe inspiring.

Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut has redefined the conventional skyscraper. His 132 story complex for the south edge of Roosevelt Island addresses the pressing need for environmental and ecological sustainability. This conceptual design focuses on creating a completely self-sustaining organism that not only utilizes solar, wind, and water energies, but also addresses the pending food shortage problem.

More here on archdaily.