Have you heard of Edith Macefield? This old lady turned down a million dollar offer to sell her home to make way for a shopping mall in Seattle, Washington. Without Edith’s land, the developer had to alter the building’s plan so that it would meander around the small, two-story house. At 84 years old, Edith become a folk hero. And if you think her house looks familiar, it’s probably because it looks amazingly similar to (and could be the inspiration for) the famous flying house in Pixar’s animated film UP.

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Climate change and the ills of capitalism are often harped on as two of the biggest threats to society, but many of us have trouble picturing such far-off threats. Artist Issac Cordal offers us a new perspective on these issues through his provocative series of tiny cement sculptures that challenge our views of society. Thoughtfully arranged without the need for exposition, these miniaturized scenes are often arranged as site-specific street art interventions.

 

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The last time you may have given thought to window treatments might have been when you noticed your neighbor peering into your living room window while you were eating breakfast in your undies. But in addition to providing privacy, window treatments are important for a number of reasons – they can help you sleep better, keep your house cool and comfortable, and save you energy. Did you know that the right window treatments can help you save a significant amount of money on your electricity bill each month? By carefully investing in the right window treatments for your particular environment and location, you can help prevent your house’s indoor warmth from escaping in the winter (cutting down on winter heating), and keep your house cool in the summer (cutting down on air conditioning). You can also dramatically reduce the need for electric lighting during the day by being smart about your window design. Read on to learn how to choose the best possible window treatments for your particular windows, and save money and your sanity in the process!

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Garden Igloo offers the perfect solution for people who love the outdoors but sometimes need a little respite from the elements! This 2.2 meter high geodesic dome is made from rust and rot-free recyclable materials and can be used in a myriad of ways-as a greenhouse, playground or even a Jacuzzi cover. Hit the jump to learn more about this adorable shelter and find out how to buy your own!

 

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Japanese firm Fujiwarramuro Architects' Nada House is a narrow and minimalist home sandwiched between two buildings in downtown Kobe. Squeezed onto a small 397 square-foot lot, the skinny three-story multi-family home builds up to make the most of its tiny urban footprint. To maximize the amount of natural light in the house, the architects created an innovative series of slatted openings to allow a column of light to pass through from the roof skylights to the first floor.

 

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A Dutch start-up called Plant-e has developed a way to use living plants as a continuous source of clean energy – all that’s needed is a light source, carbon dioxide, water, and, of course, a field or patch of plants. The system works best in wetlands or watery fields like rice paddies, but it doesn’t matter if the water is brackish or polluted, so areas unsuitable for growing crops could be repurposed as a power source. There’s no complicated infrastructure to install, which makes it super easy to bring electricity to isolated regions that are currently without power.

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President Obama said he wouldn’t wait for an intransigent Congress to take action on climate change – and the White House is following up on this promise by launching the Climate Data Initiative. The website at Climate.Data.gov will make climate science data from different government agencies easily available to empower communities to prepare for the impacts of climate change, and it should also stimulate private sector innovation in the field of climate change preparedness. The website is currently in a pilot phase with a focus on coastal flooding and rising sea levels.

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Designers at Planet 3 Studios created a nest-like woven structure at Baya Park offices in Mumbai. The project was inspired by a bird species after which the company was named and is meant to provide a private meeting space that is part of the building’s lobby area.

 

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Yield‘s Pantry Shelf is a modern suspension shelf made in San Francisco from natural pine and heavy-duty bronze cable. The shelf was inspired by the classic kitchen shelves in the old Spanish Colonial houses of St. Augustine, which were suspended to keep goods safe and dry. This is a fresh take on that classic design, combining honest materials with rugged construction.

+ Yield Design

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The sun's rays can be harnessed to power everything from homes to gadgets, but one graduate student is using the sun to create a super-printer capable of printing elaborate glassware. Markus Kayser took his graduate project all the way to the sands of the Sahara in Egypt to create his innovative idea dubbed the 'Solar Sinter'. The incredible design uses a 3D digital printer and the sun’s rays to turn the sand into incredible glass bowls and sculptures that are out of this world.

 

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Uruguayan surfer Victoria Gonzales has built the accommodation of her dreams. Located in a fishing village called Punta del Diablo north of Uruguay, the complex consists of three bright thatched-roofed cabins standing close to the sea. Both charming and self-sufficient, Solo Mare del Diablo comes with solar panels, a solar water heater, and a windmill.

 

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French architects Guérin & Pedroza turned part of an abandoned old war building complex into a brilliant, gold-clad apartment building. Part of an impressive urban design renovation of the Issy-les-Moulineaux fort, the complex was originally built to protect the French capital from the Prussian invasion. Today the complex is undergoing a radical "eco-district" transformation that is a collaborative project between local government, developers, urban planners and various architects.

 

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Here’s some good news for both the safety of New Yorkers and landlords looking to save some cash: Con Ed has announced that it will be significantly increasing the energy savings incentives it offers in light of the expected shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear power plant station that currently supplies us with about 20 percent of our power. Cash incentives for major landlords who cut their electricity usage during peak summer hours will be more than doubled to around $307,000 per megawatt.

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As the days lengthen and the sun grows stronger, many of us are champing at the bit to get our gardens started. Seed catalogues are being pored over, dog-eared, and circled, and some folks may have even begun to order vegetable seeds in preparation for early starts indoors. Although annual edibles like tomatoes and lettuce are favored by many, you might like to look into some perennial vegetables as well: they only require one season’s worth of time and effort to establish them, and you’ll be rewarded with delightful edibles forever.

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Some of the best outdoor holidays involve camping and some kind of water activity, and now it's possible to do both without having to bring any extra gear. The Sealander is a relatively lightweight caravan that can be hitched on the back of a car and driven down the road. Once you reach your destination - say a scenic lake in the mountains - it's possible to unhitch the caravan, attach a motor, and ease it into the water.

 

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