Inhabitat

2007 INDEX AWARDS: Design to Improve Life

We at Inhabitat believe in good design – design that shows thoughtfulness, awareness of global and environmental issues, and aims to make the world a better place in both small and big ways. So it’s no surprise that the recently announced Index Awards (Index is a Danish non-profit network organization that supports design to improve life worldwide) piqued our interest and produced so many great entries. So many of the 2007 Top Nominees demonstrate what design should be all about. In the coming days, we’ll be highlighting some of our favorites from each of the five categories (work, home, body, play, & community). Here’s to design that hopes to do good.

+ 2007 INDEX AWARDS: Design to Improve Life

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AMPHIBIOUS HOUSES FOR RISING WATER LEVELS

The Dutch have fought their marshy surroundings with clever engineering since the country’s inception, and we’ve seen some impressive “floating architecture” from DuraVermeer and WaterStudio. Now that global warming is fanning the flame: melting ice-caps and raising sea levels, more and more Dutch designers are getting into amphibious architecture. Builder Hans van de Beek’s amphibious houses are an obvious yet genius solution to rising water levels. He explains; “They are pretty much just regular houses, the only difference is that when the water rises, they rise.”

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ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE KATRINA: Design for Disaster

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina flooding tragedy and to make sure that people don’t forget it about the massive devastation that affected so many people on the Gulf Coast, we would like to remind people how important it is to tink about ways to improve home and landscape design so that something like this never happens again.

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GREEN YOUR APPLIANCES! Dishwashers

The dishwasher is a modern convenience that saves us hours of cleaning and drying time, not to mention pruny dishpan hands. But is the dishwasher an extravagance in our eco-conscious age? You might be surprised! The answer is no – and that’s a win-win for those who believe that technology can lead to a greener, more prosperous future.

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THE 11th HOUR: Be the Change

For those of you looking for some end-of-summer cinema, the most important film to go see in the next few weeks is The 11th Hour, a global warming documentary produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Nadia Conners and Leila Conners Petersen. The film – which just recently opened in your local cineplex to great reviews – is a moving look at the world’s contemporary environmental crisis, and a rousing call-to-action to try to stop global warming before it is too late.

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BIOBLING: Making Biodiesel Accessible (and sexy!)

If you love the idea of biodiesel but can’t work out the practicalities- finding fueling stations, fixing up your car, or getting all your bio-fuel questions answered, look no further- BioBling has got you covered. The Southern California-based service connects eco-conscious people to green cars and the clean, renewable fuel to run them. Let them turn your old Mercedes into a lean green automotive machine, or have them hook you up with a biodiesel distributor who will deliver the fuel right to your garage door.

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TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: Top 6 Sexiest Cycles

Last week we brought you our Top 5 Sexiest Sports Cars, and while there is no doubt that all of the cars we featured are beautiful and innovative, the sexiest and most sustainable form of transportation out there is the one you power with your own two legs. Not only does cycling get you outdoors get you in shape and give you a chance to flaunt those legs — it is also the only form of speedy transportation that comes with ZERO carbon emissions. So now we present to you our list of the cutest, most innovative, and most useful bicycles we’ve encountered. (We tried to narrow it down to five, but just couldn’t cut any of these). Counting down from 6 to 1…

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ENERGY JOULE: Get paid for your energy reduction

How would you like to be paid to save some energy? That is the concept behind “demand-response” a process in which energy companies pay users to use less power. There are a number of companies that are able to manage this process, but only one of them does it with style, by using the Energy Joule, designed by Ambient Systems (we mentioned them earlier today as the makers of the Ambient Orb)

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UNITED NATIONS HQ GOES GREEN

If there ever were a building in the world that should be as green as possible, the United Nations Headquarters in New York would probably be it. The good news: the UN seems to agree. The almost-60-year-old building, one of the most influential and iconic buildings on the Manhattan skyline, will be undergoing extensive renovations that will transform the building into a model of energy efficiency for all to follow.

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THE ENERGY ORB: Visualize Electricity Consumption!

As energy-conscious citizens, wouldn’t it be great to know the best (and cheapest) times to use more or less energy? Thanks to a clever little gadget and an equally clever manager at the Southern California Edison power company, that info could easily be at your fingertips with the Energy Orb.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: TOP 5 Eco Book Bags

As the summer comes to an end, it’s time for some of us to start gearing up for the school year, ideally in sustainable style. If you’re looking for the greenest way to carry all your textbooks, laptop, and other gadgets to and from class, here are our top five recommendations for eco-chic book bags…

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JUICE SOLAR TOTE from ReWare

Here’s the perfect carry-all solution if you’re headed back to school but just don’t want summer to end- the Juice solar tote from Reware is big enough for your new textbooks, but beach ready for your last few Indian summer adventures. These durable bags can “re-juice” smaller electronics such as cell phones, BlackBerry, PDA, MP3 player or handheld GPS. And even better, they’re made from biodegradable canvas, and the panel itself can be removed and use separately from the bag.

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ECO SAILOR BAGS! Red Flag Recycled Sail Tote

Ahoy matey! If you like the high-seas aesthetic and are looking to go back to school in eco-sailor style, then boy do we have the perfect tote bag for you! Breathing new life into old sailboat sails, the super cute AUM Shoulder Tote from Branch transforms a distinctive yet very durable material into a long-lasting, limited edition bag that retains the marks of its nautical origins.

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SUSTAINABLE STYLE: Demano Recycled Bags

The cultural activity in Barcelona generates a huge number of advertising banners every year, which are hung from street lights to advertise exhibitions and events. In 2000 there were approximately 19,800 banners that were largely not reusable. Enter Demano to the rescue: the Spanish company recycles these banners into a variety of cool products for portage (similar to Baumm’s recycled banner bags).

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PARK(ING) DAY RETURNS This September

What started as a few grassy plots of sod occupying metered parking spots in San Francisco has blossomed into a world-wide event scheduled to take place September 21st, 2007. Rebar’s Park(ing) Day is back for its third year and is bigger and better than ever, this time partnering with both Public Architecture and The Trust for Public Land. ReBar hopes to expand this year’s event beyond the 13 participating cities from 2006 including New York, London, and Rio de Janeiro; and they’re inviting everyone to get involved- that means YOU!

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CRADLE-TO-CRADLE ECO-TEXTILE Certification Re-Launch

Following their hugely successful and influential book, William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s Cradle to Cradle textile certification is now launching the second generation of its sustainable rating system for the greenest fabrics out there. Their sustainable design consultancy group McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) will launch the new and improved Cradle to Cradle programs in September 2007, with new criteria based on information gathered during the first two years of the existing standards, and a ‘Basic’ level to sit alongside the Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of certification.

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MEDLOCK AMES SOLAR-POWERED WINERY

In a sunny valley of Sonoma County two winemakers have forged green building, renewable energy and biodynamic agriculture into a bountiful endeavor. Founded in 1998 by Christopher Medlock James and Ames Morison, the Medlock Ames Winery has come to full fruition beautifully with glowing wine reviews and an operation that is now 100% solar powered. The sustainable philosophy of this forward thinking vineyard is entwined in its structures and practices. The winery building, designed by George Riley of Sebastopol, incorporates passive solar design, natural daylighting and natural ventilation.

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KEETWONEN RECYCLED CONTAINER STUDENT HOUSING

While the words “back to school” may conjure up images of new backpacks and pencil boxes, for a very lucky few Dutch students it means moving into some very hip and well-designed dorm accommodations. Keetwonen, a student housing project in Amsterdam, turns shipping containers into 1000 units and provides all the amenities a student could ever want. And aside from the obvious green usage of surplus shipping containers, Keetwonen has integrated a rooftop to accommodate efficient rainwater drainage while providing heat dispersal and insulation for the containers beneath. Designed by TempoHousing and completed last year, this is a great example of large-scale shipping containers serving as functional and comfortable space.

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2-FOR-1 VASE LAMP: Vessel by Michelle Kaufmann

Architect Michelle Kaufmann has become known around the country for her innovative green prefab homes, and now the talented designer is launching a new line of green lighting products, starting with a brilliant 2-for-one vase lamp that holds flowers (or whatever else you want), while also lighting up your room in a sustainable, energy efficient way.

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INDIA TOWER: India’s Greenest Skyscraper?

Green skyscrapers seem to be all the rage these days, and now India is jumping on the bandwagon with FXFowle Architects’ India Tower, currently being built in South Mumbai to house a new Park Hyatt Hotel. According to the designers, India Tower will be the greenest skyscraper in the entire country, boasting rainwater harvesting, green materials, and a possible US LEED Gold rating.

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AIRWASH WATERLESS WASHING MACHINE

While the concept of dry-cleaning isn’t foreign, a waterless (and detergentless!) home washing machine sure sounds too good to be true for the green-minded consumer. Enter Airwash, the “waterless washing machine for the home of 2020,” one of the winners of the recent INDEX Awards: Design To Improve Life Competition. Innovative in both form and function, the design was submitted by two students from Singapore, Gabriel Tan & Wendy Chua, after it won the prestigious ElectroLux Design Lab Award back in 2005. Using negative ions, compressed air and deodorants to clean clothes, the gracefully shaped and eco-friendly appliances will have your whites whiter and colors brighter in a matter of minutes.

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CYCLEAN BIKE-POWERED WASHING MACHINE

Turns out riding a bike can have more benefits than simply exercise or green-transportation… these days your pedal power can provide juice for your cell phone, the TV at your gym, and now even your washing machine. Pedal your way to cleaner clothes – and save energy and get fit in the process!

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GREEN YOUR APPLIANCES! Washers and Dryers

We’ve enjoyed covering the surging interest in eco-fashion at Inhabitat – particularly new designers experimenting with bio-based materials and organic sources, produced with green and socially conscious methods. But the next time you covet the latest NaturevsFuture corn-based dress or Linda Loudermilk bamboo and silk trousers, consider this: the majority of a garment’s ecological impact occurs during the washing phase. So with that in mind, this week’s installment of our Green Your Appliances series focuses on your washer and dryer.

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SUBWAY SUNLIGHT PROJECT

Sunlight transport systems are an Inhabitat favorite, as they make it possible to channel actual natural light into dark places and cast it through a fixture. The Subway Light Project is the first we’ve seen that incorporates sunlight transfer in public urban art, to save the city money on energy, and infuse public space with a good mood boost. Parsons student Caroline Pham, who designed the Subway Light Project, won first place in the school’s 2007 Sustainable Design Review. Her concept uses sunlight capture devices and fiber optics cables to channel sunlight into the enclosed corridors of the subway.

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WALKSCORE: Calculate Your Neighborhood’s Walkability!

In the way of eco-minded transportation, it really doesn’t get much greener than your own two feet- ah yes, those two built-in vehicles that we all-too often forget these days. Aside from the lack of carbon output, walking is great exercise and allows you to be more engaged with your surrounding environment and community. In fact, “walkability” is a primary principle of good urban design, and a quality that can now be quantitatively measured using Walkscore, a website that calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. (My urban apartment scored a 91/100!)

Calculate your home or office’s Walkscore here >

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TOP 5 SEXIEST SUSTAINABLE SPORTS CARS

It is often said that for green cars to be taken seriously, serious car buffs must realize that they can compete with the big boys. You see, most people think that you just can’t get proper mileage out of electric cars, that they are ugly, and most importantly, that they just can’t go fast. Well, to prove them wrong, and to start out our brand new Transportation Tuesdays series, we’d like to bring to you the top 5 greenest, fastest, and sexiest beauties on wheels that we’ve ever seen. Counting down from 5 to 1, here they are…

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TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY STARTS TODAY!

Regardless of your occupation, age, or travel habits, it’s safe to say that almost all citizens of our contemporary world have the need to get from Point A to Point B. We’re not going to stop needing to get places anytime soon, so the demand for greener, cleaner transportation is great, but so far there aren’t a myriad of viable sustainable options, especially for longer distance travel. The ever-present issue of transportation shapes cities, infrastructure and home design, uses energy, and moves people. No matter how you look at it, transportation is a hugely important issue, and will play a pivotal role in the future of our society. With that in mind, Inhabitat is excited to launch of its newest weekly column, Transportation Tuesdays…

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HELP PERU EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION!

Following a ground-rocking 7.9 earthquake that hit central Peru last Wednesday evening destroying nearby towns and killing hundreds, Architecture For Humanity has launched a Peru Earthquake Reconstruction Appeal to raise funds for upcoming reconstruction efforts. While actual design and construction aid may not begin for a few months, AFH needs your donations today to help provide funds for long term rebuilding.

DONATE HERE>>>

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WORLD HOUSE PROJECT Initiative

Following the Massive Change project and exhibition, the Institute without Boundaries embarks on their second multi-year collaboration; “to design a sustaining, universal and healthy human dwelling”. This collaborative initiative, titled The World House Project, will explore the evolution of shelter whilst planning for the next generation of holistic housing design.

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X-SEED 4000: World’s tallest tower will house 1 million people

There’s a lot of debate about what the tallest tower in the world currently is. Some say the Taipei 101, at 1671 ft to the tip of it’s spire, is the world’s tallest tower, whereas we might argue that the Sears Tower, at a whopping 1731 ft (and 110 stories), still takes the prize. However, if the enormous, 13,000 ft X-Seed 4000 structure ever gets built in Tokyo – it will win the worlds-tallest-building competition hands down and leave its puny competitors in the dirt.

Looking eerily like Mt. Doom in the above rendering, the mountain-like X-Seed 4000 represents a utopian eco-vision for a self-contained high-rise city in the Tokyo harbor – powered mainly by solar energy. Aesthetically inspired by nearby Mt. Fuji, the behemoth building would measure 13,123 feet tall with a 6 square-kilometer footprint, and could accommodate five hundred thousand to one million inhabitants.

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RECYCLED GEEKWEAR: old computer parts given new life!

Wondering what to do with all those old floppy disks, scratched CDs and random computer parts you can’t get yourself to throw away? Check out the clocks, notebooks and jewelry the clever folks at Acorn Studios have fashioned from old keyboard keys, circuit boards and floppy disks for a little inspiration. Acorn Studios transforms electronic waste into fun gifts perfect for computer geeks and eco-friendly consumers.

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