Overlooking the Sea of Japan in the Shimane Prefecture, the incredible Stairs House offers an intimate interior while providing a welcoming exterior environment. The passive solar house is built not just for a couple and their twin children, but for all the children of the neighborhood to enjoy. The exterior takes the form of a huge staircase that rises two stories and provides views and a place to lounge. The interior is a thoughtfully-designed space that consists of bookcases, cubbies, and open rooms that are illuminated by the constantly changing light provided by the unique windows. Thanks to passive heating and cooling and a host of other green building strategies, the Stairs House stands out for being as generous to the environment as it is to its neighborhood.
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DIY Altoids Mini BBQ Grill Is Curiously Awesome!
Happy Labor Day!
As households across the states prepare to fire up the BBQ today, why not give your grilling a smaller footprint this year with this awesome mini grill made from a tin of Altoids! This ingenious DIY project was pulled together using an empty tin of Altoids Sours, two salvaged computer fan guards, and a bunch of nuts and bolts, and it’s large enough to hold a single veggie dog or hamburger patty. Don’t forget to check out our guide to throwing a greener BBQ for more great last-minute eco tips!
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Banksy’s Coin-Operated, Politically Charged Dolphin Ride Mocks BP
If you think this dolphin looks furious — it is — and with good reason! This colorful kiddie ride comes courtesy of gleeful art prankster Banksy, an artist well known for his graffiti and politically charged installations. In his most recent creation, the artist transformed a coin-operated ride into a searing statement against the BP oil spill. Wrapped in a real tuna net and fully oiled, this dolphin is fully operable, and ready to take you on a ride that’ll get you forgetting about all the eco-damage BP has done – and like BP, all you’ve got to do is throw some money at it. Watch a video of this mereswine in motion after the jump.
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BOXHOME: Small Living Inside A Stylish Norwegian Box
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5 Phone Apps to Boost Your Brain!
Is texting, twittering and surfing the web on your cell-phone making you stupid? Quite possibly, according to journalist Nicholas Carr, and a whole host of other articles that have been published this year about the deleterious effects of communicating in 40 character bites of information. So, how so we put the ’smart’ back into ’smart phone’ and put those devices to work for your brain? Instead of spending all of your smartphone time texting and twittering, it’s worth checking out some other cool apps you can use on phones that can help you exercise those neurons. If you’re a person who understands the importance of keeping your mind sharp through mental exercise, then you’ll love our latest round-up featuring five awesome apps geared at boosting brainpower. From Sodoku to Wiki Hunt, to a even few sessions with Dr. Kawashima, we guarantee you’ll find more than a few exercises that’ll make your brain sweat!
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Foster + Partners Design Undulating Eco Villas for Mauritius
Inhabitat favorite Foster and Partners designed these gorgeous eco-friendly residences for a community called Banyan Tree Corniche Bay in Mauritius back in 2006. The plan calls for discreet and environmentally-sensitive homes that integrate harmoniously with the lush landscape. The project makes use of indigenous materials and features beautiful undulating roofs — we just wish it was a reality and not just a concept.
Spain Shines Bright With Elegant Eco Lighting Options

Living in country that constantly basks in the beautiful sun, it comes as no surprise that Spain’s lighting designers know a thing or two about inspiring light. From lighting systems reminiscent of comets, to parasols that provide shade and solar illumination, here are some Spanish lighting designs that are both gorgeous and green! Jump ahead to see a stunning collection of green lighting options for both the indoors and out — and all courtesy of our Spanish counterparts!
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Win a ReFind Originals Upcycled Leather Purse (Worth $300!)
We love summer, but we definitely can’t wait to start digging into our fall wardrobes! If you’ve been looking for a lasting piece sure to compliment your autumn style, the ReFind Originals luscious leather bag is the perfect way to accessorize your outfit with an eco-friendly punch. Made from re-purposed leather from old jackets and battered upholstery, the ultra-versatile Cali bag also comes accented with a handmade wooden buckle and lovely little tassels. And if you’re on a bit of budget this month, good news! This week we’ve teamed up with with Green With Glamour to give away one of these beautiful bags to one lucky reader (worth $300)! Enter to win today!
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Nike Shoes That Double Up as Wii Controllers (Video)
The Wii has given new meaning to working-out, taking the heat off your trainers and setting a compact console on fire! But if you’re looking to get a more true-to-life experience when it comes to breaking a sweat, we recommend taking some inspiration from Nick Marsh, who brilliantly hacked his Nike Swooshes and fashioned them to work in synch with the Wii’s console. As Marsh states, “Gaming platforms have made it possible for people to get their own personal sports workout from the comfort of their living room, using hand held controllers and a balance board to participate. So why can’t a pair of Nikes work in the same way?” Read ahead for more details on Marsh’s reinterpretation of this classic sneaker.
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Awesome Net Zero Ocean Adventure Lab Up for Auction!
This year’s Project Playhouse brought forth a bevy of whimsical designs that got us wishing we were 4-feet tall again, but it was the design submitted by the folks at LPA Inc. and Turner Construction that really blew our socks off! More than just a space for kids to sit around and sip air-tea, the Ocean Adventure Lab is an incredible playhouse designed to mimic a real oceanographer’s lab. Equipped with lab coats, a working wave tank, microscope, books, a working projector featuring sea creatures and a Play Station 2 (all for learning, of course), this incredible little space is also net zero and was even awarded an honorary certification by the USGBC Orange County chapter. Read ahead for all the green details on this awesome playhouse, which will soon be auctioned off for charity on September 10th in Orange County!
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BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY: Win this Green Prize Package Worth Over $500!
GO BACK TO SCHOOL WITH AN AMAZING NEW SOLAR BAG!
If you just started school this past week, but found yourself utterly unprepared, don’t fret over that old, empty frayed backpack because we’ve got a giveaway going on that’s sure to put a smile on your face! In celebration of education, this week we’re giving away a grand green back-to-school bundle to one lucky reader! Featuring a sweet new Sakku solar powered bag made from recycled sails (worth $450), we’ve packed this baby full of eco-friendly school supplies, including 7 awesome 100% recycled hardcover notebooks in assorted colors and styles by ecosystem, a 100% recycled binder, tabs and binder pouch from Naked Binder! And this prize package isn’t the only thing we’ve got in the works, 5 other lucky winners will also have the chance to win some sweet Inhabischwag! Enter to win today!
ENTER TO WIN HERE>
Amazing Natural Packaging: The Wombat’s Super Butt!
If you’re into marsupials (and who isn’t?), my favorite, hands-down, is the wombat. Not just because they are vegan and terribly, terribly cute, or because they’re a bit lazy and are known Down Under for their ability to find shortcuts between A and B whenever possible — but because they have developed an incredible physical adaptation: The reinforced rump. When a predator attacks a wombat, it runs to its burrow and uses its tough cartilage-filled bum to block the hole. Since the super tough wombat behind is just made from modified skin cells, this physical feature would be a smart place for designers and fabricators to look when they are considering more natural alternatives to non biodegradable, unsustainable plastics.
Stunning Hawaiian Residence Features Cyclone of Reclaimed Wood
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Beautiful Iceberg on the Baltic is a Brilliant Summer Cabin
You’ve dreamed of having a summer cabin settled along a lake, but did you ever imagine an escape placed directly on the water? Architect Daniel Andersson has envisioned a nouveau lake house that lets guests sleep with the fish — where the living space sits directly below the water’s surface and from above emerges an expansive roof deck. Andersson’s design came about when he was approached by his client, Ålands Hotell & Restaurangskola, to create a fresh concept able to attract more guests to a resort located on the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea. What resulted was an incredible iceberg shaped building that sits beautifully on the waterscape and provokes onlookers to consider new, unconventional forms for living.
2 Nest Village is a Cluster of Shaded Prefab Homes for El Paso
The ‘Altoids Sours’ BBQ Grill Is Curiously Awesome!
Talk about upcycling — this tiny barbeque grill is made from a single Altoids Sours tin, two salvaged computer fan guards and a handful of nuts and screws, and it’s big enough to handle a wiener or a hamburger patty! Instructables user vmspionage claims that he (or she) got the inspiration from the eBq, which employs the larger Altoids mints tin, but in the name of progress vmspionage has made that original grill look like a 1980s computer by comparison.
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West Coast Green 2010 Kicks off September 30th!
Join Inhabitat at West Coast Green this month!
Heads up Bay Area architects, designers, and green builders! West Coast Green 2010 will be taking San Francisco by storm this September with another incredible event that explores green innovation in the built environment. We’re looking forward to an exciting lineup of offerings including talks by William McDonough and Michelle Kaufmann, an …
Get the Drip Detective iPhone iPad Water Conservation App for Free
Drip Detective is a smart new iPhone/iPad app that shows you exactly how much water and money is lost from a water leak. Designed with a fun, interactive interface, the app is a lot more appealing than most conservation oriented apps. Check out a demo video here or to download Drip Detective for free, check it out at the iTunes store and click on …
Knu Desk is Like Your Elementary School Desk But Much Better
Remember those desks we had in elementary school with the space inside for notebooks and pencils? Well this beautiful Knu desk may make you nostalgic, but trust us, it’s a lot better than your workstation of yore. Made of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood and finished with an extremely tough environmentally friendly catalyzed varnish, it has …
SkyFuel’s SkyTrough is World’s Most Efficient Solar Concentrator
When it comes to producing solar power, efficiency is the key – efficiency of the panels, efficiency of the system’s collectors and, according to SkyFuel, efficiency of the solar concentrator technology. Solar concentrators are increasingly being used in the industry, due to their efficiency in providing cheap solar energy. By harnessing the sun’s energy, a solar concentrator can provide the necessary heat for dozens of homes and thus save electricity. As such, the systems are more efficient than regular solar generators as captured power is not just converted into electricity. But according to SkyFuel, a U.S.-based company, their SkyTrough solar concentrator technology has a thermal efficiency of 350˚C (662 ˚F), which exceeds the standard by 73%. More than just a shallow claim, their statement has been confirmed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which has certified the SkyTrough solar concentrator technology to have the highest efficiency in its class!
US and China Invest $100 Million in Energy Research Partnership
As it turns out, the United States and China are going to walk hand in hand into the renewable energy future. Yesterday, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that the two countries have formed the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center and will both provide a total of $100 million dollars in funding to research to get both energy hungry countries on the path to a greener future. While the plan sounds like a green dream come true, there’s a twist — the problem with the new initiative is that a half of the cash is going to clean coal technology, something we know doesn’t exist.
Sakku.Traveler is a Stylish Solar Bag Made from Recycled Sails!
If you love cruising along the city streets on your two-wheeler or charging along the sidewalks on foot, what better way to take advantage of the outdoors than with this super practical solar bag? Designed by Swiss company Sakku, the sakku.traveler is a stylish solar bag that not only stores energy from the sun to power up your favorite gadgets, but each bag …
Would You Swim in a Dumpster Pool?
Adaptive reuse is all about starting with an object and transforming it into something new and useful through the power of smart design. Case in point: these old dumpsters turned into swimming pools! Talk about trash …
New LEED Gold Old Faithful Education Center in Yellowstone
New Black Silicon Solar Cells are Cheap and Absorb More Sun
While the reflective and shiny solar panels that researchers have been making thus far look pretty, they’re no match for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) recently discovered black silicon solar cell. The scientists at NREL discovered that etching thousands of tiny holes into a silicon wafer causes it to be almost black and thus able to absorb almost all of the sun’s rays, and more absorbent solar cells mean more efficient panels.
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