Positive Quote Wednesday - on Singing
November 9, 2011 by admin · View Comments
You don’t have to be singing about love all the time in order to give love to the people. You don’t have to keep flashing those words all the time. - Jimi Hendricks
Singing is a way of escaping. It’s another world. I’m no longer on earth. - Edith Piaf
The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.
Alexis de TocquevillePeople ask me where I got my singing style. I didn’t copy my style from anybody.
Elvis PresleyI like to sing ballads the way Eddie Fisher does and the way Perry Como does. But the way I’m singing now is what makes the money.
Elvis PresleyAnybody singing the blues is in a deep pit yelling for help.
Mahalia JacksonTime is important to me because I want to sing long enough to leave a message. I’m used to singing in churches where nobody would dare stop me until the Lord arrives!
Mahalia JacksonThat was the big thing when I was growing up, singing on the radio. The extent of my dream was to sing on the radio station in Memphis. Even when I got out of the Air Force in 1954, I came right back to Memphis and started knocking on doors at the radio station.
Johnny CashSinging has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. And after singing, I think the violin. Since I cannot sing, I paint.
Georgia O’KeeffeSinging is the love of my life, but I was ready to give it all up because I couldn’t handle people talking about how fat I was.
Stevie Nicks
Beth
Chic and Natural: 13 More Rustic Modern Interiors
August 29, 2011 by thegreenchildrenfoundation · View Comments
[ By Steph in Art & Design & Home & Garden. ]
Who says you have to choose between rustic and modern interior design? When blended together, these two seemingly disparate styles provide a beautiful balance of sleek, airy minimalism and weathered natural charm. These 13 (more!) renovated barns, mills, lofts and other aged spaces benefit from leaving time-worn surfaces intact.
A Modern Home in a Historic Mill
(image via: freshome)
First constructed by monks in the 12th century, this structure in Extramadura, Spain then became an oil mill and is today a jaw-dropping home. Architect Ricardo Elizondo added modern touches like large expanses of glass and lofts with steel railings, which contrast with the weathered wood, brick and stone surfaces.
Exposed Timber
(image via: lonnymag)
Aging wooden walls are stunning, but sometimes a bit busy. White drywall applied to the large surfaces of the interior walls break up the texture, while the exposed timber beams add geometric visual interest.
A Study in Textures
(image via: 1kinddesign)
A historic barn in Connecticut was renovated and modernized by New York-based architecture firm Russell Groves. The result – leaving most of the original stone and wood of the structure intact while knocking down a few walls and adding plenty of white – is open, airy and richly textured.
Residence St. Hubert
(image via: mocoloco)
Plasse Rasselet Architects painted the wood in this St. Hubert, Quebec home white to open up the interior.”The materials chosen were left in their natural state, as raw as possible, to create an authentic ambiance,” say the architects.
House of Brinson
(image via: remodelista)
“Our aesthetic is about contrast,” say homeowners Susan and William Brinson, “Black and white, light and dark, masculine and feminine, old and new, rustic and modern.” Their New York loft pairs weathered vintage furniture with sleek, chic modern materials.
Stone Dining Room
(image via: colors of life)
Modern furnishings and accessories fit seamlessly into an environment that looks like a castle in this incredible stone dining room.
White & Wood Townhouse by TBHC
(image via: digsdigs)
Mixing modern and vintage elements, this 4-story townhouse renovation in Park Slope, New York earns extra points for pairing a rustic dining table with ultramodern chairs, not to mention the worn sliding wood door.
Beams, Stone & Exposed Chimney
(images via: delight by design)
Rough textured wood and stone are perfectly offset by angular modern cabinets and tabletops in this kitchen renovation. The exposed chimney draws the eye upward to take in the height of the ceiling.
Built-in Niches in Wood Wall
(image via: imgfave)
Asymmetrical built-in niches give this all-wood wall an interesting geometric look.
Dramatic Staircase
(image via: griege design)
A modern, organically shaped staircase with a solid black balustrade gives this natural, rustic home – complete with exposed tree trunks in the ceiling – even more visual flair.
Black and Wood in the Kitchen
(image via: style files)
Matte black paint goes beautifully with a concrete floor and unfinished wood in this stylish kitchen in the Netherlands.
Renovated Dutch Farmhouse
(images via: style files)
This renovated Dutch farmhouse may have been made modern with sleek surfaces and white paint, but rustic touches still come through in the use of knobby wood accents.
Rustic Loft Interior Renovation
(images via: woovaa)
Peeling paint on the aged bricks of this renovated loft, paired with distressed concrete floors, give the space a sense of history that balances nicely with modern decor.
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Cob Creations: 18 Natural Homes, Pizza Ovens & More
August 1, 2011 by thegreenchildrenfoundation · View Comments
[ By Steph in Art & Design & Home & Garden. ]
Cob is a natural building material made using mud, straw and lime that has been in use for millennia. Fireproof, earthquake-resistant and very inexpensive to build with, cob can be used to make stunningly creative homes, sheds, benches and wood-fired bread ovens. These 18 examples of cob creations illustrate the material’s beauty and versatility.
Three Cob Hobbit Houses
(images via: simondale.net, yearofmud, cob cottage co)
For those familiar with cob construction, these three houses represent the most recognizable form achievable with the medium. Cob lends itself wonderfully to rounded structures like the Simondale ‘hobbit house’ (top two images), a green-roofed cob house at the Dancing Rabbit Eco Village (below left) and another at the Cob Cottage Company in Oregon.
Stunning Cob Interior
(images via: greenbuildingelements)
There’s no end to the customization that’s possible with cob. Because cob is so easy to work with, even beginners can create staircases, niches, built-in benches, bookcases and other cob features in home interiors. This home, built by Meka Bunch of Wolf Creek, Oregon, is an incredible example of just how creative cob builders can get.
Cute Cob Cottage
(image via: greenvillages.co)
Is this cob cottage adorable or what? Built in a somewhat more modern design, this home features a curving roof, a second-floor balcony and chains that act as gutters and are also an interesting design detail. Stone is visible along the foundation; this helps to protect the cob from water damage.
Two Indoor Cob Fireplaces
(images via: firespeaking.com, onelessbrickinthewall.com)
Niches, bookcases and stairways aren’t the only interior details that can be sculpted with cob. You can make your fireplace out of cob, two, as illustrated by these two examples.
Cob Building at the Anam Cara Collective
(image via: cultureartist.org)
This sustainable cob house at the Anam Cara Collective in Asheville, North Carolina features lots of windows, a large wooden deck and solar panels for power. Anam Cara holds regular cob building workshops that teach participants how to work with this natural, inexpensive building material.
Adorable Cob Garden Shed
(image via: cityfarmer.org)
Not ready to take the plunge with a cob house? You could give a shed a shot. This one, located in Vancouver, Cananda, has a green roof covered in local vegetation. Its exterior was plastered with clay.
Traditional Cob Houses of England
(images via: supermac1961, buildsomethignbeautiful)
Cob homes are not a new concept; clay bricks have been used to create human dwellings for thousands of years. Cob in particular has been used to build houses in Great Britain at least since the 13th century. Many of those homes, with traditional thatched roofs, still stand today, and the style is experiencing a revival with companies like Build Something Beautiful using it for new construction.
The Hand-Sculpted House
(image via: tinyhouseblog)
This beautiful structure is home to Ianto Evans and Linda Smiley, authors of The Hand Sculpted House and co-owners of the Cob Cottage Company in Oregon. Though cob houses are often round, they can be built in any shape, with or without a wooden frame.
Four Fun Sculptural Cob Ovens
(images via: natural building, designbuildlive.org, ilovecob.com, dayonedesign)
A great way to practice with cob building is to construct a pizza oven. The book Build Your Own Earth Oven by Kiko Denzer explains how with step-by-step instructions, including recipes for wood-fired bread once your oven is done. These four ovens are great examples of cob ovens that double as outdoor sculptures.
Two Combination Cob Oven/Benches
(images via: mudsunfun.org, our ecovillage)
Cob ovens can also be combined with benches into one large structure. The benefit of creating a cob oven/bench combo is that in cold months, the oven will heat up the benches, making them a cozy place to enjoy the outdoors.
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Building with Bamboo: 13 Super Sustainable Structures
June 20, 2011 by admin · View Comments
[ By Steph in Art & Design & Home & Garden. ]
It’s 100% natural, thrives in diverse climates, grows up to a whopping 39 inches per day and is super-strong; why isn’t bamboo already used more often as a building material? While bamboo structures have long been common in Asia and the South Pacific, they’re only just gaining prominence in the rest of the world. From schools to disaster shelters, these 13 bamboo buildings prove just how strong, durable, eco-friendly and visually pleasing this perennial evergreen grass can be.
Water and Wind Cafe, Vietnam
(images via: vo trong nghia)
Made almost entirely of bamboo without the use of a single nail, the Water and Wind Cafe in the Binh Duong province of Vietnam is just one example of incredible bamboo structures designed by architecture firm Vo Trong Nghia. The domed structure, dripping with lights, features a dazzling skylight, with the end result resembling a natural cathedral. The bamboo was woven together using traditional Vietnamese bamboo weaving techniques and covered in a local bush plant.
Bamboo Tower, Venice, Italy
(images via: inhabitat)
At the edge of Venice’s grand canal, a tower of bamboo seemed to sprout up organically over a period of a week. Constructed for the Venice Biennale, Stam Studio’s Big Bambu Project involves a 50-foot nest-like bamboo tower with a spiraling walkway that leads from ground level to the pinnacle. The 2010 Big Bambu installation at the MET in New York was the “seed” for the project; the creators used 1,000 poles from that installation in the new project as well as 2,000 additional poles. Artists Doug and Mike Stam lashed the bamboo together by hand with the help of a team of rock climbers.
Green School, Bali
(images via: greenschool.org)
Have you ever seen a school made entirely out of bamboo? The Green School in Bali is unusual in a number of ways, from its sustainable curriculum to the degree of freedom enjoyed by the students, but it is the structures themselves that are often the center of attention for visitors. The Green School chose bamboo because it’s green, renewable and very plentiful in Bali. “Frankly, it is hard to talk to students about sustainability while they are using the last piece of rainforest for their chair and their table. It is the painful truth that they are going to have to stretch to get enough rain forest timber to build their homes,” says co-founder, architect John Hardy.
Solar-Powered Bamboo House
(images via: design boom)
‘Sunshine Inn’, a solar-powered bamboo house, was made by the Chinese team from Tongli University as their official entry into the first European Solar Decathlon in Madrid. Bamboo was chosen as the main material because, as a highly renewable resource that fixes carbon into the soil, it minimizes CO2 emissions throughout the whole production phase. This beautiful structure features two curved solar panel-clad roofs and a solar-facing wall covered which is also covered in photovoltaic panels.
Bamboo House by Benjamin Garcia Saxe, Costa Rica
(images via: world architecture news)
Architect Benjamin Garcia Saxe created this intricate, light-filled, open-air bamboo home for his mother in Costa Rica. Being open to the air allows the house to catch every breeze that comes through, but the bamboo and roof are angled to protect against rain. Inside, a cone-shaped dome gives Saxe’s mother a view of the sun and moon, with the space protected by an umbrella-like second roof.
Mason Lane Farm, Goshen, Indiana
(images via: design boom)
This geometric bamboo structure is not located in Asia or in the tropics, but in the rather unexpected locale of Goshen, Indiana. American architecture practice De Leon & Primmer created the Mason Lane Farm Operations Facility as their entry into the 2010 World Architecture Festival. It houses farm equipment, hay and other stored goods. The bamboo stalks were laid out in a lattice grid fashion and assembled using galvanized rebar wire ties, providing perforated walls that let the wind dry the hay.
Bamboo Forest House, Taiwan
(images via: world architecture news)
This vacation house for an extended family in eastern Taiwan is connected on two sides to neighboring structures, but its two street-facing facades were given an eye-catching bamboo treatment that lets in light and air. This screen also provides privacy and security, and gives the feel of being in a bamboo forest when gazing out the windows from inside.
Zen-Style Bamboo Prefab Home
(images via: bambooliving.com)
Want a bamboo home of your own? A company called Bamboo Living provides prefab bamboo house kits in modern styles including ‘Zen Style Home’, a minimalist one-story design with a large front porch. Bamboo Living Homes are ICC-ES certified and have sold over 150 such structures, which have been assembled all over the world. They also build custom designs and larger eco-villages and developments.
Origami-Inspired Bamboo Folding House Concept
(images via: urbanrevision)
Designed for use as temporary shelters in the aftermath of an earthquake, these origami-inspired bamboo folding houses might just be the most elegant and artistic example of disaster housing ever produced. After a 2007 earthquake in China killed 69,000, Ming Tang was driven to create a shelter that was inexpensive, environmentally friendly and easy to produce. The pre-fabricated structures can be quickly assembled on-site and are then covered in post- and pre-consumer recycled paper for protection from the sun.
Cocoon Houses, Bali
(images via: inhabitat)
They may not resemble any houses you’ve ever seen, but these vertical bamboo structures could offer inexpensive housing in hard-hit places like Haiti. The design, by Saint Val Architect, marries low-tech and high-tech, using bamboo poles and x-shaped metal joints to form the ‘exoskeleton’ of each home. A circular staircase wrapping around the central support beam brings occupants to each successive floor, and canvas seals the home from the elements.
Giant Bamboo Umbrellas at a Japanese Restaurant, Jakarta, Indonesia
(images via: architectoo)
The form of an umbrella served as the basis of inspiration for the bamboo structures that make up the Outdoor Japanese Noodle Restaurant in Jakarta. Designed to be temporary and simple to disassemble, the bamboo umbrellas overlap each other to become one big roof, protecting guests from sun, wind and rain. Rainwater is diverted through bamboo ‘gutters’, poured into the ground through a pipe in the middle of the structure.
Bird-Like Amphitheater, Hanoi, Vietnam
(images via: world architecture news)
Also by Vo Trong Nghia is ‘Bird Wing’, an avian-like bamboo building used for fashion shows, live music, conferences and other public activities. Set beside a pond, the wing-inspired design of the amphitheater paired with the organic, eco-friendly qualities of the chosen material is a fitting tribute to the natural beauty of the setting. It’s made only from bamboo and rope, with no metal or other types of wood used in the construction.
Bamboo Manta Ray Dome, Thailand
(images via: 24h.eu)
Could you guess the sea creature that inspired the shape of this bamboo building, even if it weren’t in the name? Seeming to soar through the sky just as a manta ray gently floats beneath the surface of the sea, the Children’s Activity and Learning Center at the 6-star Soneva Kiri resort in Thailand fits in beautifully with its lush tropical surroundings.
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MaRS presents Entrepreneurship 101 2010/11 - Meet the Entrepreneurs - Social innovation
December 17, 2010 by · View Comments
Interested in rubbing elbows with some of the Toronto’s hottest social innovation start-ups? Come hear successful entrepreneurs discuss the challenges and opportunities they’ve faced in launching their businesses, then meet other social innovators who are trying to do the same. Moderated by Allyson Hewitt, the social innovation panel will include: Christine Ho — Founder & Executive Director, Operations, Well of Change Well of Change aims to revolutionize how people support non-profit organizations. Its online platform gives people and organizations the choice to donate their time or money to support the charity of their choice. Oliver Madison — Founder & CEO, Me to We Style Me to We Style is a social enterprise that sells ethically manufactured, environmentally-friendly quality apparel for the socially-conscious consumer. Amy Coupal — Executive Director, Curriculum Services Canada (CSC) CSC is the pan-Canadian standards agency for quality assurance in learning products and programs. CSC supports educators and community groups in taking a leadership role in their boards, schools, classrooms, organizations and communities MaRS - Building Canada’s next generation of global technology companies. www.marsdd.com
Comfort Zone Breaking
October 22, 2010 by admin · View Comments
According to Alva Noe, a writer and philosophy professor at UC Berkley, a way to make life seem longer is to break habits and venture outside your comfort zone. By doing so people must adapt to new surroundings which takes more time. This gives the appearance of a longer, more fulfilled life, according to Noe.
In an Oct. 1 article on the NPR (National Public Radio) website titled, “How to Live Forever! Or Why Habits Are A Curse,” Noe explains that habits create arcs in time which makes life seem to go by faster. As the old saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun,” and Noe believes that moving outside a pattern of familiarity will allow time to expand and will give the appearance of a longer life. He added that by stopping these arcs people lose their expertise on a routine and must adapt to a new schedule.
Noe believes that breaking habits will cause individuals to leave a “safety zone.” These zones allow people to become comfortable with a style of living; this style results in a routine that Noe believes makes life go by fast and although they may be convenient, people miss out on other aspects of life.
Noe said simple tasks such as putting down a cigarette, crawling to work or even ending a marriage will cause life to seem longer. “If you do this, each day will become an eternity,” he said. “You won’t live forever but it will seem like forever.”
Not all methods to living a longer, more fulfilling life include changing up routines. According to Mike Zimmerman in a September 2010 Men’s Health article titled, “How to Live Better on 24 Hours a Day,” getting up an hour earlier everyday will give the feeling of a longer day. Zimmerman also mentioned going to sleep earlier, keeping busy during downtime and even scheduling a vacation will allow individuals to get more out of a day and feel more satisfied. These suggestions pale in comparison to Noe’s, who believes drastic changes will create the best results.
“In many cases people go through the motions and maybe don’t experience as much as they ought to in a given day,” Jack Croxton, a professor of psychology, said. “We’re not as observant as we could be and so we do just get into the habits. And so days go by and we ask ourselves ‘where did those days go?’ because our minds weren’t that engaged.”
Croxton said that as people get caught up in routines they tend to flow through life. “Some people get so absorbed … the rest of the world disappears,” he said. “It’s a very exhilarating experience.”
Croxton, who currently teaches a positive psychology class, said he regularly teaches students how to get the most out of life. Simple tasks such as accepting gratitude and learning to forgive other people can make life more satisfying.
Part of the class involves understanding and making the most out of life’s simple pleasures. Croxton added that the course does a good job of providing some positives in life, “But it’s not like a Dr. Phil sort of course where ‘come to my class and I’ll make you happy,’” Croxton said with a laugh. “Positive psychology is the study about what is good about people and what we can do to learn about ourselves.”
Source: The Leader
Beth
For the Birds: 15 Awesome Avian Home Designs
September 3, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Steph in Animals & Habitats, Art & Design, Home & Garden. ]
No garden is complete without a house or two for our feathered friends, but why stick to boring boxes when you could have sculptural works of art, modern flat-pack steel worthy of urban design enthusiasts, and even posh bird abodes complete with swimming pools? These 15 clever and creative bird house designs – many of which are recycled or even solar-powered – provide fashionable homes for birds year-round.
Heart for the Birds
(image via: mocoloco)
When the Toronto Botanical Garden called for entries in a birdhouse design competition, they received some incredible works of art – but none quite so unusual and sculptural as this piece by Josh Coulas. Entitled ‘Heart for the Birds’, the gallery-worthy design takes human love for our feathered friends to an almost gruesomely literal level.
Spontaneous Bird City
(image via: london field works)
Bird houses tend to be lonely little structures, located far from their neighbors. Why not build an entire bird metropolis? This ‘spontaneous city’ was created by London Fieldworks, a collaboration between artists Bruce Gilchrist and Jo Joelson.
CCTV Bird House
(image via: gizmodo)
That’s not a camera watching your every move – it’s the beady little eyes of a bird. But from far away, this clever and creative birdhouse design might just fool a criminal scoping out your neighborhood.
Posh Bird House with a Pool
(image via: posh living)
Who’s to say that birds don’t love a little luxury every now and then? The lucky birds that find this home first will get a rooftop swimming pool in addition to their modern, vaguely Scandinavian cabana.
Solar-Powered Illuminated Bird House
(image via: oooms.nl)
Given that the need for an illuminated bird house is questionable at best, a solar-powered bird house may seem less than eco. But aside from how cool it looks when lit up at night, the little perch on this birdhouse attracts bugs, giving birds an easy snack.
Giving Birds the Boot
(image via: great green goods)
Luxurious? Hardly – but green? Definitely. It may seem cruel to ask your friendly backyard birds to roost in somebody’s stanky old work boot, but these tough and dependable castoffs could actually be quite cozy for small species like wrens and chickadees, and they save shoes from the dump.
Folding Modern Bird House
(image via: grass roots modern)
On the other end of the spectrum, for urbanists who won’t accept anything less than chic modern design, there are bird houses like this: ultra-modern, super-simple, flat-pack and made of steel.
Modern Bird House with a Green Roof
(image via: workshopped)
Vertical gardening and green roofs aren’t just for people. Artist Donald Corey incorporated the best green design practices into this commission, keeping the most important needs of his ‘clients’ in mind. “Using a natural green roof to protect the ‘clients’ from heat and rain, they get the extra benefit of having a good place to look for food that is very close. The house’s walls are created from salvaged wood and the front and back are made of recyclable stainless steel.”
Airstream Bird House
(image via: chrome dome studio)
For nomads, vagabonds and people who just like the look, Airstreams are a sleek and lovably retro alternative to sticks and bricks. So doesn’t it follow that migrating birds who love to be on the move might want a portable home, as well? Maybe this awesome Airstream birdhouse can’t migrate with its avian inhabitants, but it certainly captures the spirit of travel.
Bird Turf Hanging Bird House
(image via: design sponge)
Pairs of shoes hanging listlessly from power lines are a common sight in urban areas, but why not use that same concept to take back the space for wildlife? This design, with twin black and white cylindrical wooden houses hanging by a cord, creates a habitat in a place where birds often congregate.
Ephemeral Paper Bird House
(image via: design boom)
The remains of old auction catalogs fold up nicely into a sort of origami-like modern birdhouse, albeit one that won’t last long in the wind and rain. But designer Michael Young admittedly didn’t create this as a functional place for birds to nest; it’s a work of art.
CD Case Bird House
(image via: craftster)
It makes for a somewhat geeky, very cool looking birdhouse – but this DIY recycled creation, made with CD jewel cases, does have its downsides. “Now, as long as the plastic cases don’t focus the sunlight like a magnifying glass and fry any potential occupants, we will be doing OK,” writes the artist on Craftster.
Coffee Can Bird House
(image via: ignacio pilotto)
Industrial designer Ignacio Pilotto came up with an awesome and surprisingly nice-looking way to reuse coffee cans: turning them into avian abodes with a couple hooks and a modified lid, fitted with a little perch and a round entrance.
Cinder Block Bird House
(image via: design related)
Who knew that cinder blocks could be such fashionable modular bird houses? Sure, they’re a bit heavy – strong chains would be a must – but this design by Mathew Zurlinden makes great use of a common waste material and can easily stack into apartment buildings for birds.
Flowerpot Bird House
(image via: digsdigs)
So you’ve got one good branch in your yard from which to hang something pretty, but you can’t decide between a hanging pot of colorful flowers and a birdhouse. This unusual concept called ‘O_Nest_O’ by De Castelli gives you the best of both worlds with a hollow area under the plant’s soil in which birds can make a home.
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12 New Extra-Large Sustainable Building Designs
April 19, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Steph in Uncategorized. ]
As the need for cooperative sustainability becomes ever clearer, can we learn from the mistakes of our past and fundamentally change the way we live? Adapting to the new needs of our world requires much more than a sprinkling of eco homes and businesses. These 12 gigantic green building products take on the challenge in a much bigger way – with concepts for new cities, new societies and buildings that solve the world’s most pressing problems, like access to fresh water.
Spain’s Bubble-Shaped Freshwater Factory
(images via: inhabitat)
They look like nothing so much as a cluster of biospheres stacked on top of each other – or perhaps just soapy bubbles. But the glass domes of this strange tower serve a vital purpose: filtering seawater into freshwater through mangrove trees, which draw in saltwater and perspire freshwater. Once the mangroves release this precious substance, it evaporates and condenses into dew which collects in freshwater tanks.
One & Ortakoy, Istanbul
(images via: gad architecture)
Just like the beautiful hills they’re set in, the buildings that will make up the “One & Ortakoy” mixed-use complex in Istanbul have curving, organic forms and rolling roofs covered in greenery and flowers. Under construction in the neighborhood of Ortakoy, the project will consist of two buildings with natural stone facades – one a residential complex, the other commercial.
Green-Roofed High School, France
(images via: world architecture news)
Situated next to a public park, the Marcel Sembat high school in Sotteville-les-Rouen, France will almost disappear into the trees and grass of its surroundings. Additions to the existing structure – which will include a restaurant, student housing, staff housing and workshops – will be topped with a wavy green roof that will offer natural insulation.
Watertower Skyscraper Brings Freshwater to Sudan
(images via: h3ar)
In the vast desert landscape of Sudan, freshwater can be incredibly difficult to come by – yet deep under the surface is the largest underground lake in the world, which would change residents’ lives dramatically if it were tapped. Polish architecture firm H3AR imagines a solution: buildings inspired by both water towers and the native baobab tree, which would access the water through underground pumps. These towers would contain a water treatment plant, a hospital, a school and a food storage center.
Massive Rain-Catching Skyscraper
(images via: h3ar)
How could a building capture as much rain as possible? Through a web of gutters covering the entire exterior, which would then direct the water to a processing plant for use in toilets, washing machines, cleaning and plant watering. H3AR combines this ‘skin’ with a huge, bowl-shaped rainwater collector on the roof for maximum rainwater catchment capabilities.
Mixed-Use EcoDistrict in Dijon
(images via: exp architects)
Imagine living in a diverse neighborhood packed with green features galore, from vertical gardens and green roofs to bicycle paths and eco-friendly playgrounds – all adjacent to the city center. Such ‘ecodistricts’ are in planning around the world, including this concept for Dijon, France by EXP Architects in cooperation with Studiomustard Architecture, Sempervirens Landscape Designers and Even Conseil. The design will serve as a model for similar future developments in the same city.
De-Centralized Sustainable Society
(images via: ctrlz architectures)
It’s not just a building, or even just a city – but rather, a re-imagining of an entire society. That’s what CTRLZ architectures are doing with their new concept, stating ““We believe that architecture is not anymore about form and/or/…function, but that it is about relations. The development of network systems shows us that the power resides in links and connections.” Commerce, food production, ornamental gardens, housing, social public spaces and energy collection come together in a way that emphasizes cooperation between inhabitants.
Subterranean Greenbelt Hotel
(images via: reardon smith)
The subterranean design of Hersham Golf Club in Surrey by ReardonSmith Architects contains five-star lodging as well as a spa and golf facilities, while still meeting urban growth restrictions – the site is contained within London’s green belt, a ring of countryside that aims to prevent urban sprawl. The design also addresses lowering the impact of traffic flow and positions above-ground buildings in existing woodland so that nearby local residents maintain an unobstructed view of untouched landscape.
Beijing’s ‘Creative Zone’ Greenbelt
(images via: arch daily)
If there’s any city in the world that desperately needs a greenbelt to provide residents with natural space and prevents further sprawl, it’s likely Beijing. This rapidly growing city – plagued by air pollution problems – could get a greenbelt of its own that would allow interaction with nature while maintaining proximity to local conveniences like shops, restaurants and public transportation. UNStudio won a competition to create this “creative zone”, which would become a showcase of experimental architecture.
Masdar Sustainable City
(images via: lava)
Could Masdar City be a vision of the future, a modern metropolis where sustainability is built into every sidewalk, store and streetlamp? Designed by LAVA and located in Abu Dhabi, Masdar City is a planned community built to be zero-waste and zero-carbon. With housing, commerce and recreation all situated around a vast plaza, this concept aims to be a model of sustainability for the rest of the world.
Dubai’s Solar-Powered Vertical Village
(images via: graft lab)
What does Dubai have in abundance, aside from sand and mind-boggling creativity? Sun, of course -–and Graft Lab’s Vertical Village takes advantage of that plentiful resource with a surface that is angled specifically with solar energy collection in mind. The cluster of mixed-use buildings includes solar collectors on the south end that automatically pivot for maximum exposure.
Giant Energy-Generating Waterfall for Rio Olympics
(images via: inhabitat)
It looks unreal: an enormous, towering waterfall seemingly originating from the sky. But the Solar City Tower, designed by RAFAA Architecture & Design for the 2016 Rio Olympics, is actually a building that uses solar energy to generate power during the day, and a pumped water storage system to create power after the sun goes down. The tower could provide plenty of electricity for the Olympic Games and for the city, with the waterfall – “a symbol for the forces of nature” - appearing only for special occasions.
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Flat Pack Products: 30 Efficient and Eco-Friendly Packaging Designs
April 14, 2010 by admin · View Comments
[ By Elizah in Art & Design, Home & Garden, Technology & Gadgets, Uncategorized. ]
(Images via: Treehugger, Abitare, Vestal Design, Dornob, Gajitz, Home Dosh, Shiny Shiny TV, Ponoko, EcoFriend, Project Koreck, Modern DNA)
There are countless instances in which “flat” is a very bad thing. No one wants to pour themselves a nice tall glass of non-fizzy soda or discover that one of their car tires is hopelessly deflated. Even worse? The realization that a formerly voluminous hairstyle is dead on arrival or certain bodies parts (ahem…chest and derriere) are about as shapely as a piece of Home Depot lumber. The decidedly cheerful “yin” to flat’s mopey “yang” comes in the form of streamlined packaging designs which, for all intents and purposes, help to save shipping costs and consequently ease up on the environment. This is one particular case in which flat is where it’s at.
Whiz Through The Streets Without Missing a Beat
(Images via: Like Cool, Treehugger, Abitare)
Scoring second place in the L’ARGUS European Design Competition, French designer Nicholas Belly conveys the concept of simplistic, eco-friendly mobility with his wooden flat pack bicycle and scooter, both of which can be popped out of their respective templates and assembled in minutes flat. While it would be easy-breezy to navigate extremely narrow alleyways or congested city thoroughfares without going into cardiac arrest, one has to question the longevity of products like these and their ability to effectively support the weight of a typical person while also holding up to the rigors of life on the streets. Still, the notoriety he has earned is well deserved because let’s face it, we really don’t need Hummer-sized two wheelers clogging competing with conventional traffic. A complementary flat pack accessory for Belly’s on-the-go, lightweight bike and scooter comes in the form of Juilen Bergignat and Patrice Mouille’s 100% recyclable polypropylene Tatoo bicycle helmet, which is flexible enough to fold up into a compact package when not in use. While some critics argue that it isn’t exactly designed to withstand the type of traffic accidents that are common while gliding along on two wheels, it seems as though it would certainly offer welcome protection in a pinch. Naysayers of the world, how about coming up with a better design, hmmm?
Chug (or Simply Lug) With The Greatest of Ease
(Images via: Neatorama, Sustainable Is Good, Treehugger, Best In Packaging, Recygal, Vestal Design, Gajitz, Gear Patrol)
From Tetra Pak paperboard beverage boxes and rectangular Sam’s Club milk gallons to Heineken beer bottle bricks, angular French Rabbit wine packs, square soda bottles and Cubis containers, these far-out liquid ensconcing designs share three major eco-appealing features beyond their obvious sleek good looks. Conventional beverage bottle designs take up more space during transit and ultimately on the shelf, whereas rectangular designs reduce shipping costs, increase storage efficiency and ultimately curb greenhouse gas emissions since a larger amount of product can be transported at one time. Furthermore, the vast majority of redesigned beverage containers typically utilize planet friendly materials, as is the case with designer Andrew Seunghyun Kim’s collapsible, 100% sugar cane byproduct-comprised rectangular soda bottle (complete with 25% slimmer plastic cap) and the Cyprian-designed short, stubby and entirely stackable HDPE Cubis container with convenient flip top opening. Knock one back for Momma Nature (oh, go ahead…make it a six-pack) and be sure to pop your empties in the closest recycling bin when you’re done. 
Tote Stuff on the Go With Much-o Air Flow
(Images via: Interior Design, Modern DNA, Dezeen, Ektopia)
Bags already have a pretty sleek physique right out of the gates, so why bother improving on something that’s pretty great “as is”? Well, because that’s what designers do in the middle of the night instead of counting sheep! While you may not save very much storage room with these designs (compared to conventional versions), from an aesthetic standpoint, they are certainly easy on the eyes and dare say, even a little edgy.. sort of like the Sid Vicious of the reusable bag set. Artecnica gets extra brownie points for their novel, airy, stretchy and stupefyingly circular concept which is carved from 100% recycled advertising billboards using zero thread, adhesive or other extraneous materials while Demelza Hill’s reversible doppelganger version is constructed with felt-backed rubber and boasts the extra added addition of a handy top-fastening snap to ensure that all your organic goodies won’t spilleth over. Being a bag lady (or man) doesn’t seem so bad after all if you elect to carry a few of these babies around.
Give Pizazz To Your Pad With Flat Lifestyle Accessories
(Images via: Home Dosh, EcoFriend, At Home With Kim Vallee, Dornob, Haute Nature, Project Koreck, Boing Boing, Drink Stuff, Like Cool)
Featuring distinctive design elements, ease of assembly and a quirky profile that could easily give conventional versions a dysmorphic body complex, there are so many examples of flat pack housewares that it’s mind boggling. Maria Pitallano’s plastic Petal Bowl emulates the construction of a flower, while Japanese-made, fully expandable and lively patterned Plastica vases accommodate the unexpected floral arrangement in full-throttle style. Buro North’s eco-friendly, stylistic Christmas trees are made from waste wood via a low-energy production process and Jesse Korek’s laser cut, flat pack birds appear majestic in mid flight…just watch your head because those claws are notorious for drawing blood. Among the most appealing selections are Zaishu’s sustainably produced flat pack seats/tables which are gorgeously adorned with water based inks and iBride’s Diva Ostrich Console Table which rivals that of their polar bear bookshelf…but only by a smidge. So many options and so little time — seek and ye shall find!
Take On a Quirky Flat Pack Extracurricular Hobby
(Images via: Suck UK, Geekologie, Gadget World)
The above flat cardboard sound system with fully functional speakers, offered by British purveyor Suck UK, has a convenient, centrally located iPod docking station which accommodates various other types of MP3 devices and comes with a nice-n-easy, fully illustrated assembly booklet that easily puts IKEA’s headache-inducing versions to shame. Priced at under $40 US dollars, the company is so sure that you’ll be banging your head in record time that they even throw in four AA batteries, which should be music to any flat-pack-enthusiast’s ears. Also the manufacturers of an amusing trio of flat pack, transportation-inspired kitty playhouses as well as a Classic PSP Mini Arcade, anyone craving kitschy-cool fun should definitely pull out their wallet and get the party started.
Vogue-to the Nth Degree With Flat Fashion Accessories
(Images via: Of Paper and Things, Design and Design, Hello You, Ponoko)
No more belly-aching about how you can’t possibly fit another fantastic fashion accessory in your already packed-to-the-gills closet. With Studio Lo on the scene, they’ve streamlined shoes and bags to such an extreme degree that you could become a veritable Imelda Marcos or Paris Hilton (hey, if the shoe fits…wear it) without missing a beat. The French-based sustainable design firm utilizes a water jet powered cutting tool to create their highly original screen printed felt pieces, making the wearer the envy of the flat pack scene. Where are old blue eyes and Sammy D. when you need ‘em?
Let There Be Portable Flat Pack Light
(Images via: Ponoko, Dornob)
Now that flat pack lights are taking the design world by storm, there is absolutely no reason why klunky, entirely breakable bulbs should ever put a cramp in your style again. Joonhuyn Kim’s flat light still bears the hallmarks of its more bulbous brethren with a sleek glass exterior and distinctive tungsten filament interior — the only difference is that the whole thing is a scant inch in diameter and won’t ever become a casualty of a lopsided table given its lack of rollability. The button cell operated Eureka boasts a virtually indestructible LED that is implanted into one solid sheet of aluminum (offering long-term durability), whereas Hyun Jin Yoon & Eun Hak Lee’s credit card sized cardboard sibling packs an illuminating punch that won’t soon be forgotten. Makes you crave the days of dark alleys (with a side of pepper spray) just to put them to the test.
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