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Recent Articles from Stephen Aiguier
Can government stimulate the economy?
I have generally found the presidential debates to be less than inspiring (I guess that oil, gas and coal expansions are more impressive than an agenda based on green jobs, […]
FSC: Our only choice for natural forests
Each second, one ton of old growth trees is ground into pulp for paper we use for writing or wiping our bottoms. Thanks to Greenpeace and the commitments made by […]
Migrant workers built one of the most sustainable buildings in the U.S.
For two years, migrant farmworkers in Oregon have volunteered their time fundraising and building one of the world鈥檚 most innovative commercial office buildings, free of any bank debt and with […]
Is there illegal wood in your guitar?
Nashville-based Gibson Guitar is settling a lawsuit with the U.S. government over use of illegal timber from Africa and Asia.
How to improve indoor air quality
In my last blog post I wrote about how Portland鈥檚 air stinks and generally indoor air (including the air in my drafty old home) stinks. Homes, I mentioned, mimic living systems, and my home is like a smoker on life support. How do I reconcile this?
Why Portland’s air (and my home) stinks
I鈥檓 coming out of the closet about something: my air stinks. Indoor air quality in existing buildings like my 1920s Northeast Portland bungalow is stale, smelly and causes severe health issues.
A sustainable community for baby boomers
One year ago, two progressive boomer couples hired Green Hammer to design and build a place where they could age among friends in a walkable community with healthy, comfortable buildings that produce as much renewable energy as they consume. The result is Ankeny Row, an urban community of townhouses on the Ankeny bikeway near the bustling shops and restaurants of Southeast 28th Avenue.
Big buildings may not be greenest, but they inspire
Green Hammer鈥檚 Ashland house boasts more than 5,000 square feet of ultra-high-performance inspired living. When completed, the structure will be the first Forest Stewardship Council Chain-of-Custody (FSC-COC) and LEED platinum rated Passive House building in the United States.
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
