Litigators' heaven by Wiley Miller
, Full image here

We like showing examples of innovation in stair design; in non-residential settings it encourages people to walk instead of taking the elevator; in residential settings we like to show designs that take up less space and integrate storage.

Wherever there is an escalator there is often a stair beside it; escalator treads are not proportioned properly for climbing and don't count in the building codes as exits. (this rule seems to break down in shopping malls and stores) As we posted recently, escalators are insane energy hogs; they are also slower than walking.

Image source: West Coast Green

Image source: West Coast Green

We'd like to give a quick nod to Big Ink. We know the printing world isn't always very green, and we appreciate their efforts to improve their operations and spread the word to their clients and others within their industry.

The Green Plan

One of the world's shortest escalators

Passing the LEED Exam

Willis Carrier with his first air conditioner

We have written often how electricity-sucking air conditioners caused the massive post-war transfer of people and votes to the sunbelt; Edward McClelland of Salon thinks that air conditioners make people vote Republican.