Among the most innovative, noteworthy green designs are those which transform and upgrade ubiquitous existing structures, such as skyscrapers, by making them sustainable in composition and eco-friendly in function. The Zuidkas is a prime example of such a venture. Commissioned by the Government Buildings Agency in the Netherlands, Architectenbureau Paul de Ruiter’s design is centered around a rooftop-based ecosystem that stands to sustain and enrich the structure’s offices, homes, school, and restaurants in addition to a park, a biogas electrical plant and retail facilities.

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Post tags: "sustainable skyscraper", Architectenbureau Paul de Ruiter, eco-friendly skyscraper, green skyscraper, Sustainable Building, the zuidkas, zuidkas

We’re perpetually amazed by the way that Japanese designer Daisuke Hiraiwa transforms everyday objects into striking examples of found design, and we were particularly impressed with his incredible line of Indication chandeliers – made from recycled plastic spoons. Exhibited at this year’s ICFF, each one is completely composed of clear plastic spoons that have been punctured with hundreds of tiny holes to allow light to filter through them in beautiful ways.

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Post tags: daisuke hiraiwa, found design, green design, icff 2009, Recycled Materials, spoon lamp, sustainable design, sustainable lighting

We love this prefab home because it’s extremely energy efficient and affordable coming in at under $75,000 for the smaller model and under $94,000 for the larger model. Clayton Homes, the largest manufacturers of mobile homes in the U.S., recently released this high tech green home that is far removed from your standard trailer park dwelling.

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Post tags: affordable housing, clayton homes, energy efficient home, energy efficient housing, Green Building, green homes, green tech home, modular architecture, modular building, prefab architecture, prefab design, Prefab Housing

Gone are the days of using cork only for corkboards and wine preservation. With the emergence of cork as a furniture-building material, designers are able to create eco-friendly pieces with a unique look. Recently debuted at ICFF 2009, Iannone Designs’s new Cork Media Console is crafted from renewable material harvested from the bark of the cork tree – a sustainable process that doesn’t harm the tree itself.

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Post tags: "sustainable furniture", cork furniture, cork mosaic sideboard, fsc certified cork, iannone daisy dresser, Iannone Design, ICFF, renewable cork, sustainable building materials, sustainably harvested cork

Fading right into the Big Sur landscape, this three-bedroom house is nearly invisible when viewed from certain angles. And that’s just how Mickey Muennig, the mastermind behind the project, wanted it. The 74-year old architect kept the environment in mind when he designed the sod roof and seeded it with native grasses and wildflowers. The roof is part of a garden that starts at Cooper Point, Big Sur, and stretches out to the Pacific Ocean.

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Post tags: "wind-resistant grasses, alternative energy, big sur, cooper point house, drought-resistant plants, grass roof, Green Building, green roof, landscape design, mickey muennig, sod roof, Solar Power, Sustainable Building

One of our favorite finds at this year’s Milan Furniture Fair were these beautiful modular felt One Cut stools by Swedish designer Britta Teleman. Each one is composed of a stack of matching pieces of felt that once assembled becomes a set of design-savvy, comfy furniture to sit on. The felt of each stool is cut into different shapes and colors allowing the owner to mix and match each layer, building their personalized stool.

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