Inhabitat – Green Design Will Save the World

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.

Read More >

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!

READ MORE >

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.

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!

READ MORE>

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.

Read More >

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!

READ MORE>

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!

ENTER TO WIN HERE>

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.

READ MORE>

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!

READ MORE>

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>

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.

Read More >

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.

Read More >

 

 

Nest-like in shape (hence its name), 2 Nest Village is a cluster of container-shaped, modern homes for El Paso, TX. Designed by OFIS Architects, the units are prefabricated and stacked in a way that optimizes light, ventilation and protection from the desert wind and sun. Each home has its own solar shade that not only keeps interior temperatures down, but also adds a cool design element which is amplified due to the repetitive look of the complex. The positioning of the units also creates an oasis-like internal park which is complemented by private terraces and roof gardens.

 

Read More >