The CharityWorks GreenHouse is being staged in the CO2FreeLiving house, a custom-built, carbon-neutral house located in McLean, Virginia. The house showcases a new approach to sustainability whereby more efficient building design, innovative technology, and a smart location are combined to reduce carbon emissions, the leading source of greenhouse gases. (via charityworksgreenhouse.com)

The Conversation Table will be integrated by designer Ernesto M. Santalla in the Spa Retreat.

The opening is October 10.  If you’re in the DC area - check it out!

I have a deadline for this project now.  I’m going to be showing a few pieces in a Chicago gallery this summer.  More details on that later - after I sign contracts and stuff.

This week’s progress: The cardboard Conversation Table is now made of cardboard (with a high recycled content) and hardboard (made from compressed secondary wood fibers - formaldehyde-free, resin free).  It’s also now sandwiched between two protective layers that have a nice textured face.  This weekend I’m making new, final master templates for jigs to finalize processes with my guys.

Here are some photos of the new little section I made tonight to test all the changes:

I finally revisited this cardboard wall shelf.  I just simplified it - got rid of the huge middle block and updated the improved the mounting situation.

Still hashing out the details on this project.  I’ve been building table saw sleds and assembly jigs.  Getting closer to making these available soon.  I’ve got 4-5 of these in my shop that I wouldn’t feel comfortable selling yet.

This first solid prototype was really exciting to see.  It’s exceptionally solid.  This table will be around for the next hundred years at least.  Making some needed improvements in the next prototype.  These will hopefully be available in a handful of standard colors, along with custom colors.  Also in the works is a version of this table made from a combination of local hardwoods: hickory, walnut, and oak.

I wanted to design a simple, functional, flat-packed, cardboard gift to send out to friends of LKD.  After designing/building a few prototypes of bookends and other ideas, I decided to go this route…it’s a book holder… you may have been lucky enough to receive one of these to assemble on Christmas morning… I sent out 16, I think.