It could be considered the country’s (or at least San Francisco’s) first Green mini mall or mini Green department store. Over on Polk Street, near a lot of mass transit and foot traffic, the recently opened Green Home Center had eco-sexuals checking out not only the shops but the interior as well.
Talk about making use of density, the small retail space combines several sustainably minded companies in one space. The Green concept shops offer Green minded consumers kitchen and bath cabinets with low or no formadlyldle and FSC wood (Brand Kitchens & Designs), Green bedding and furniture (Eco-terric), reclaimed wood doors (Liberty Valley Doors) and as they say much, much more.
As much as we support these companies, we also give a big Roger Ebert type thumbs up to the interior. It’s not only what they have but what they don’t have. No VOC paint, no artificial heating or air conditioning. They cool with the ocean breezes and heat with the residue heat from the waterheaters used by the apartments above the space. As far as the “haves”, we especially like the OSB (orientated strand board) floor, a green building material finished with waterbased floor finish by Bona, which represents the only Greenguard certified finish on the market.
Onward Green shoppers, onward.
bath cabinets combines concept store consumers kitchen and bath density department store eco foot traffic fsc wood kitchens kitchen and bath mass transit minded companies mini mall polk street retail space san francisco sexuals
I love the Green Home Center. Dieter was incredibly helpful, and gave me a tour.
One of my favorite materials is the paper stone for counter tops. Recycled paper is compressed with VOC-free resin for a look like slate. As a sometmes paper artist, greenie and homeowner with a ratty kitchen, the paper stone seems pretty great.
My main concern is what could be done with it someday down the road when someone wants to re-do the kitchen? And are there actually any recyclable counter materials besides steel or wood? What recycling options are there for marble and slate counters?
Danielle,
Thanks for the comment. Yes, Dieter is quite helpful. True, Paperstone is a great Green option. Another choice would be Vetrazzo and there are so many options on the market besides these. I believe that slate counter tops can be recycled into slate roofs and marble into floors but they still are not Green options.
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