When Tropical Storm Nicole roared through in the fall of 2010, it left its mark on Jim and Joan Hunter’s yard. The storm destabilized the area, the slope slumped, and the Hunter’s had to figure out how to put it back together. After considering many different options and wading through the maze of permitting and engineering consultations, the Hunters, with the help of Jimmy Dick of Furbish Co., decided on a SmartSlope living retaining wall.

What is SmartSlope? SmartSlope is a locally produced plantable retaining wall.

Why Smart Slope? For starters, it was the lowest cost option. The installation cost ranges from $30-50 per square foot. The Hunters wanted the slope to look as close to its natural state as possible and be consistent with the neighboring slopes. Matt Ciminelli, of Ciminelli’s Landscape Service feels, “if you care about the environment, this wall has a lower carbon footprint. Smart Slope is part of the environment instead of an attachment.” As the plants and roots grow, the wall gets better over time and only requires maintence like any other landscape bed.

As an added benefit, Ciminelli’s was able to complete all of the construction through manual labor and did not have to bring in any heavy construction equipment to the residential area.

Mr. Hunter’s advice to others wishing to do the same? Be sure to explore all various options of retaining walls. And remember, you “don’t have to compromise what is best for the environment for cost reasons.”

A special thank you to Jimmy Dick, a Master Watershed Steward, who nominated this month’s project! Got green at your home? Tell us about it and you could be the next South River Federation’s“Got Green Project of the Month!”

Sustainable Industries magazine recognizes Baltimore-based, eco-friendly business
 
BALTIMORE, – Baltimore-based SmartSlope® Living Retaining Walls have been selected by Sustainable Industries as one of the Top Ten Green Building Products of 2011.
 
This year’s sixth annual Top 10 award winners were selected by a panel of expert judges from more than 100 entries based on environmental performance, scalability/market impact, innovativeness, design aesthetic, value and compatibility with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system.
 
For the first time, the Top 10 winners were presented on Sustainable Industries’ new microsite, http://top10greenbuildingproducts.com/winners/, which includes 3D models of each product designed by San Francisco’s Igloo Studios. Winners will also be highlighted in the July/August issue

Living wall will help to enhance the environment on the pedestrian/bike trail at Boschert Greenway!

SmartSlope^® Living Retaining Wall System has been selected by Great Rivers Greenway (GRG) District – a public organization leading the development of the region-wide system of high-quality greenways, parks and trails.  This structural living retaining wall will be constructed at the latest Pedestrian / Bike trail at the Boschert Greenway Phase 2 project in St. Charles, Missouri.

Rather than use a traditional “Hardscape” retaining wall to hold up a section of the trail running parallel with highway 370, GRG has opted to use a “living wall” system by SmartSlope^â LLC in order to create green-space, habitat and enhance the environment at its  featured “over-look segment” of the trail.

This is the first SmartSlope^® Living Wall to be built in the St. Louis region.  Construction is underway and is being conducted by Ideal Landscape Group.

A luncheon is planned on Friday, October 14^th.  Attendees will have the opportunity to see firsthand how the system is being built and have questions answered by SmartSlope^® inventor, Mark Woolbright.

Luncheon:  Friday, October 14^{th -} Sandwiches and beverages will be served from 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Location:    Boschert Greenway Bike and Pedestrian Trail

N 3rd St & Little Hills Expy – St Charles, MO 63301 US

RSVP:          Mark Woolbright – no later than Noon Thursday, October 13^th – markw@smartslope.com

Michael Furbish, the President and Founder of SmartSlope, was featured in this morning’s issue of the Baltimore Business Journal.

Read the article.

Free Virtual Trade Show Focuses on Green Building, Green Manufacturing and Design, and Energy and Resource Management

SmartSlope can be used for vegetable and herb gardens, succulent gardens, low maintenance plantings and more.

Smart Slope is pleased to announce its new sales agreement with Pizzo & Associates, Ltd., a premier ecological restoration firm with offices in Illinois, Michigan and Missouri.

Smart Slope is pleased to announce its new sales agreement with Landtech Irrigation Consultants, an Indianapolis-based design and consulting group specializing in irrigation infrastructure solutions. Smart Slope is pleased to announce its new sales agreement with Landtech Irrigation Consultants, an Indianapolis-based design and consulting group specializing in irrigation infrastructure solutions. Landtech will begin promotion of Smart Slope to their strong customer base throughout the Midwest and all over the world. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, their design specialties include climate-based controllers; water harvesting; greenroofs and greenwalls; and high-efficiency irrigation systems. At Smart Slope, we value our business relationships and look forward to working with Landtech on a wide variety of responsible design projects. For more information about Landtech Irrigation Consultants, please visit http://www.landtechdesign.com

Bambeco has chosen Baltimore for its corporate headquarters, moving into 5,900 square feet of office space at the former Lucky’s warehouse building at 3430 Second St, an adaptive reuse building in the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay area.

bambeco has chosen Baltimore for its corporate headquarters, moving into 5,900 square feet of office space at the former Lucky’s warehouse building at 3430 Second St, an adaptive reuse building in the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay area.

bambeco is also currently scouting warehouse locations of about 10,000 sq feet in the Baltimore area. They are focusing in the Enterprise and Empowerment zones.

Furbish Co. bought the 90 year old, three-story Lucky’s Warehouse in 2008, which it has redeveloped for its corporate headquarters. The building’s primary heat is provided by 28 rooftop solar panels and primary cooling is ground source water. Its HVAC system is radiant hydronic distribution encased in polished concrete floors. All windows improve efficiency while embracing natural daylight, both primary tenets of green building.

bambeco co-founder and CEO Susan Aplin\’s retail and start-up background includes executive stints at retailers Williams Sonoma Inc. and Gap Inc. as well as retail payments brands Bill Me Later and MODASolutions Corp. She co-founded bambeco in 2008 after conducting consumer and market research and finding that the market for sustainable home furnishings and décor was underserved. Her research showed there was a market opportunity for a comprehensive green retailer with affordable options, and that almost half of US consumers would make an eco purchase if price, quality and service were equal.

Launched on Earth Day 2009, bambeco has since become a bit of a media darling, earning coverage in publicatons like Real Simple and on television including Every Day with Rachel Ray and The Discovery Network. It was scheduled to have a featured holiday gift item on the Today show this past weekend.

The space is near the Baltimore Bay and Patapsco River and features kayaks mounted on the walls; employees are encouraged to \”put in\” during the day. The space is also outfitted with work stations made from reclaimed materials and other features made from sustainable materials.

SmartSlope selects Modern Foundations to produce retaining wall modules
Baltimore-based SmartSlope® Living Retaining Walls, the creator of high functioning, fully landscaped retaining walls, has announced a new partnership with Modern Foundations of Woodbine, Md. Modern Foundations, which specializes in concrete retaining walls, foundations, sediment control and excavation, is now a local manufacturer of the concrete modules for SmartSlope’s living retaining wall system.

SmartSlope modules are made with post-consumer recycled materials that use 50 percent less concrete than traditional retaining walls, helping to reduce heat island effects and storm water runoff while creating a distinct urban environment. Once installed, the modules are planted with native grasses, herbs and plants that grow out to transform the “hardscape” into a unique vertical landscape. SmartSlope fills the need for a functional, ecological and aesthetically pleasing product.

“We are very excited to be working with SmartSlope. There is definitely a need for this type of sustainable product in the marketplace. SmartSlope has great potential to be incredibly successful,” said Bruce Neale, owner and president of Modern Foundations. “From a selling standpoint, the benefits of SmartSlope far exceed those of typical retaining walls. The blocks are lightweight compared to other concrete blocks, and they are easier for installers to work with.”

“The resulting green wall is great for areas along rivers and bays. It’s great for cleaning up the bay and working to stop erosion,” stated Neale. “It\’s a perfect solution where you don\’t want ordinary concrete blocks.”

“We are pleased to be joining forces with another Maryland company, Modern Foundations,” said Michael Furbish, founder and president of Furbish Company, who along with entrepreneur Mark Woolbright developed SmartSlope?. “They have a proven track record and a solid reputation in the concrete industry. We look forward to a long-term business relationship that benefits our customers, end-users and the environment.”

ABOUT SMARTSLOPE

SmartSlope® was developed by entrepreneur Mark Woolbright and Furbish Company. As a vegetated retaining wall system, SmartSlope® transforms hardscape into landscape while providing storm water retention and erosion control. SmartSlope requires less concrete and labor, and offers greater cost savings. SmartSlope? was recognized by the Department of Natural Resources for its innovation and contributions that improve water quality. Learn more at www.smartslope.com.

ABOUT MODERN FOUNDATIONS

Modern Foundations, Inc. of Woodbine, Maryland was founded in 1981 by construction experts with a better idea about building: combine proven management principles with comprehensive services which result in making the homebuilding process simple and reliable for the customer. Throughout the years, the company has grown to include more than 90 employees. Today’s Modern Foundation crews can be found throughout the Baltimore-Washington region working with many of the area’s most respected builders and homeowners alike. As a full service company, Modern Foundations is a recognized leader for its work in sediment control, excavation, tree clearing, demolition, concrete foundations, concrete flatwork, foundation waterproofing and concrete retaining walls.