As a group of avid bike enthusiasts, there’s little we like more than seeing other people love their bikes. This collection of portraits South Africans with their bikes photographed by Stan Englebrecht and Nic Grobler by is available in a kickstarter funded book, unsurprisingly called “Bicycle Portraits.” The whole project is an amazing union of […]
Environment
Four Principles of a Clean, Green Bathroom Update
Four Tips for a Green Bathroom Remodel: Choose Water Saving Fixtures, Maximize Daylight, Incorporate Recycled and Upcycled Materials and Keep Toxins Out!
Six Guidelines for a Green Kitchen Update
Since we just introduced the Sawyer House on Thursday and it’s design features a lovely and sustainable kitchen update, today seemed like a good day for a run down of some of our favorite green kitchen remodel concepts. The list below includes some of the main things we consider before starting a new kitchen update […]
Coming Soon: Sawyer Street Residential Remodel to Begin Construction Shortly!
Check out the petite and practical kitchen, sun-flooded bath, and flowing indoor-outdoor space of the new addition and patio of our latest residential remodel!
Arbor Day and the Importance of Chicago's Urban Forest
sketch from City of Chicago press photo We’ve been talking a lot about trees lately – which is only appropriate as last friday was Arbor Day. While protecting the rainforest and preserving our National Parks is vitally important to the health of our planet, we can’t forget the trees right around us. Urban trees are important. Dan […]
Why You Should Care About Saving Water At Home
Today’s post has 5 great reasons why we should all be a little more conservative (so to speak) with our domestic water use. How you can be saving water?
Earth Day: Three (easy) Ways to Love Your Planet
Did you know that Earth Day is the world’s largest civic holiday? Here are three totally manageable ways to say “THANKS” to the planet we call Earth:
Green Construction: What You Should Know About VOCs in your Home Improvement Project
Starting a home improvement project bumps the odds of bringing VOCs inside WAY up unless you are explicitly planning to avoid them. Here’s how you can.
Think Spring: Plant Shade Trees Now for a Cool Summer
Spring is the best time to plant young trees in your yard. Why and how to use shade trees to keep your home cool and cost effective.
Is it Good for Humans? Lessons and Questions from Structures for Inclusion, New York
While moss isn’t explicitly a public interest design firm, we all definitely try to keep a finger on the pulse of that community. We helped spearhead the People Spot project here in Chicago, designing the first parklet which is re-installed every spring here in Andersonville. Team member, Lety Murray, has served on the board of […]
The Dyeing of the Green – St. Patrick’s Day Reminds Us About the State of the Chicago River
There’s an old joke most famously spoken by Tommy Lee Jones’s Marshall in the Fugitive: “If they can dye the river green today, why can’t they dye it blue the other 364 days of the year?” Just dyeing the Chicago River blue isn’t a great idea, environmentally speaking, but perhaps we could treat the St. […]
Winter Can Show: Do you have Leaky Windows?
Cold winter days are an excellent see just how much because you have maximum contrast between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
Why the Polar Vortex is Part of a Changing Climate
Recent temperatures during the “Polar Vortex” in Chicago left an arctic fog crawling over Lake Michigan, and those who were able to, sequestered in the safety and warmth of their homes as dangerously cold weather hit on a Sunday night through Tuesday afternoon. More incredible photos via Huffington Post. A warmed up Arctic caused a […]
Support USA grass fed beef and reduce our dependency on international supplies
What we eat and how it is produced is one of the biggest influencers of climate change, whether it is grown locally or abroad, whether it is meat or vegetable, down to the type of meat and what it’s been fed. Environmental Working Group’s Meat Eater’s Guide helps break down some of these choices, using […]
The heritage of heritage Turkeys, and how to get one
We’ve all heard a lot about the benefits of biodiversity when it comes to purchasing fruits and vegetables. Think purple carrots, black radishes, russian blue potatoes, and other varietals that you encounter at your local farmers market, but can be hard to find elsewhere. Growing and enjoying many varieties of fruits and vegetables, not just […]