Inhabitat


June 28, 2009

Philippe Starck Will Never Be Idiotic Enough to Do Fashion

by Yuka Yoneda

philippe starck, non-fashion, green fashion, eco-fashion, ballantyne, intelligent cashmere, responsible fashion, sustainable style, sustainable fashion

It is not surprising that world renowned french design star Philippe Starck, most famous for his posh hotels and slick furniture recently said “I will never be idiotic enough to do fashion.” The setting of his proclamation, however, was a bit perplexing - it was in Florence at the launch of Mr. Starck’s new eco-conscious clothing line. Say what?!

Well this is also the guy who said ‘Design is Dead‘ and announced his retirement from the world of design, while simultaneously launching a line of eco-chic mini wind turbines. We aren’t quite sure what Mr. Starck has against the f-word, but we are pretty confident that his adamantly non-fashion line made of luxurious cashmere and silk cloaks, knit dresses and jackets does indeed fall under the realm of fashion, whether he likes it or not. But you can be the judge of that.


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June 27, 2009

TwistTogether LED Block Tree Blossom at MoMA Store

by Beth Shea

TwistTogether Blocks Tree, LED lamps, twist-together blocks, eco-friendly lighting, lamps

The Museum of Modern Art’s Midtown Manhattan Store has sprouted a vibrant, luminous tree, made from the “Candy” collection of Glide’s TwistTogether LED Blocks. This display undoubtedly proves that design possibilities are indeed fruitful when it comes to configuring the “Legos of the lighting world,” and that LED’s are truly efficient — the entire tree display uses as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb! This type of design gives us several bright ideas for how we’d like to incorporate colorful LED’s into our own homes!

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June 27, 2009

Scrap Lab: Furniture Made of Industrial Scraps

by Olivia Chen

Black Nest by Scrap Lab, scrap lab, scraplab, scrap funiture, eco furniture, recycled materials furniture, re-purposed materials furniture, industrial scraps furniture, industrial waste furniture, eco friendly furniture, green furniture, leftover materials furniture

Scrap Lab is a group of designers based out of Bangkok’s Kasetsart University’s Architecture program that creates fun and innovative furniture out discarded industrial scraps. The group makes an eclectic variety of furniture, from a funky shaggy lamp to a lounge chair with a quilt-block pattern — all masterfully re-purposing materials that were once considered waste. While their list of materials includes traditional materials such as wood and metal, it also includes less traditional items such as foam and rope. The purpose of the group’s work is to not only create physical products, but also to collect research on how discarded materials can be used effectively to design functional and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

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June 26, 2009

Links Roundup of the Week: Water

by Olivia Chen

water, water conservation, natural resource conservation, rain barrel, rain water, natural cooling

It officially became summer this week, and in anticipation of the heat we have talked about keeping cool, and why wind is important. This week we are thinking about water, because who can argue how refreshing a cool glass of water can be on a hot summer day? In the past, water often had to be moved across miles to get to its consumers. It seems, perhaps more so with a looming water crisis,  that water continues to fascinate people because at times, it can be an obstacle to overcome while at other times,  it is a giver of life. We wondered how contemporary designers respond to man’s relationship with water and this is what we found:

MoCo Loco tells us a little about these natural water filtration systems for aquariums that make a nice little garden too.

New York City has been rainy! Fortunately, Treehugger features these raincoats made of potatoes.

ENN covers a rather exciting innovation: water-cooled computers that can double as heaters.

Green Options shows us how to make our own rain barrel.

Designboom highlights a tree-inspired water barrel for the home.

Notcot features a soon-to-be completed Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge — although we think it is quite nice to look at, we do wonder about its eco-friendliness.

And here’s a combo of last’s week and this week’s roundup: Notcot shares this new and interesting way to travel that uses water for stability and wind for propulsion

June 26, 2009

Coco Hut: An Outdoor Shed Made of Scrap Wood

by Moe Beitiks

coco hut, sustainable building, scrap wood building, scrap wood structure, scrap wood hut, outdoor shed, salvaged wood hut, green building, eco friendly building, gert eussen

What do you do if you love treehouses like us, but don’t have a tree to build on? Netherlands-based designer Gert Eussen may have a solution with his Coco-Hut, a cozy and round hut made of scrap and FSC-certified wood. With an element of whimsy, the structure looks a little bit like a beehive with a linear version of the honeycomb texture. The Coco-Hut is also unmistakably cute with its round shape and humble staircase leading inside.

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June 26, 2009

ANNOUNCING: Our Pimp My Eco-Ride Winner!

by Mike Chino

sustainable design, green design, inhabitat pimp my eco-ride contest, strida 5.0 SX Limited, erika

DRUMROLL PLEASE…

AND NOW THE ANNOUNCEMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR..

ERIKA has been selected as the winner of our Pimp my Eco Ride Contest


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June 26, 2009

Froebe: Gold-Plated Shipping Container Bling Bar

by Bridgette Meinhold

Froebe, shipping container, mobile shipping container bar, bar, mobile food restaurant, recycled shipping containers, upcycled shipping containers, prefab bar, push button prefab, push button restaurant

The world of shipping container architecture just got a little bit more exciting. We recently heard about Froebe, a gold-plated shipping container bar from Linz, Austria which is the latest addition to the world of hip, mobile food establishments. Designed by artist Andreas Strauss, the Froebe is an upcycled, blinged-out container equipped with hydraulics and a ‘rich’ paint job — making for an eye-catching and unusual hangout spot to have a beer.

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June 25, 2009

Registration Open for the 2010 eVolvo Skyscraper Competition

by Bridgette Meinhold

eVolo, eVolo Skyscraper Competition, skyscraper, competition, urban design

As the world’s population shifts from rural areas towards dense urban cores, skyscrapers, urban infill, and redevelopment will become even more important in the structure of our lives. Now In its 6th year, the eVolo Skyscraper Competition is currently accepting entries for future-forward skyscrapers that redefine how we envision urban design. They’re looking for buildings which examine the relationship between the skyscraper and the natural world, the skyscraper and the community and the skyscraper and urban living, so if you have a project that pushes the envelope in these areas register today!

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GREEN OFFICE 2015: Workplace of the Future

GREEN OFFICE 2015: Workplace of the Future

The Netherlands being the tiny country that it is, it’s no surprise that we tend to look to them for innovative design for dense urban spaces. RAU Architects developed their Green Office 2015 concept for a multi-functional office building that combines a spacious interior for comfortable working and ample green space for recreation. Designed for a site with existing infrastructure, this green office integrates sustainable transportation and is outfitted with photovoltaic cells and wind turbines to keep the office’s carbon footprint low.

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IC Green Container Dwellings Sprout Up in California

IC Green Container Dwellings Sprout Up in California

Inhabitat loves shipping containers, whether from down under or the Great North. These self-contained quadrilateral wonders are the perfect modular building unit; easily transported, super durable, and, with over 700,000 containers being abandoned per year in U.S. ports, in need dire need of being re-purposed. That’s why we are happy to see IC Green, another innovator in the field of shipping container architecture. Check out their line of modest but sustainable and stylish container dwellings as they sprout up all over Southern California, including this weekend at Dwell on Design!

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Chicken Feathers May Fuel Hydrogen Cars in the Future

Chicken Feathers May Fuel Hydrogen Cars in the Future

Chickens may start losing sleep over more than Americans’ love of McNuggets. Chicken consumption in the US creates over six billion pounds of feathers each year. Previously discarded as waste, researchers at the University of Delaware are developing an innovative way to put all that wasted plumage to use — as fuel to power hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. If this technology was implemented in a fuel cell vehicle, it would cost about $200, as opposed to using carbon nanotube tanks (which cost about $5.5 million) or metal hydrides (which cost about $30,000).

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LOOWATT: Toilet Made From Poo Transforms Excrement into Energy

LOOWATT: Toilet Made From Poo Transforms Excrement into Energy

Design gets very literal in this toilet made from poop!

Form follows function to whole new level in Virginia Gardiner’s energy generating toilet - which is literally made from poop! Designed for use in developing countries, the LooWatt is a waterless toilet system that transforms human waste into a highly valued commodity - energy. The low-cost mechanical eco commode encourages people to trade in their waste for biofuel, creating an urban infrastructure that encourages proper waste disposal, cuts down on the spread of water-born illnesses, and provides a reliable source of energy (so long as you’re regular). Check out Dwell’s fantastic video (below) for an interview with designer Virginia Gardiner, and read on for more on the poop toilet!

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Swaying Tree-Shade Sculpture Mimics Real Pines by the Sea

Swaying Tree-Shade Sculpture Mimics Real Pines by the Sea

ARTEKS Arquitectura have created a gorgeous sculptural shade structure at a beachside park in La Pineda, Spain that mimics the shape of real nearby pine trees. The architects recognized the park’s need for shade, but were presented with the dilemma that salt spray from the nearby water would make it difficult to grow the same pine trees that already existed on the site. To solve the problem, architects developed a fiberglass, salt-resistant shade structure that would complement the angled and varied effect of the pine tree’s shape — and we think the completed effect is quite impressive.

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Win a Voltaic Bag: Planet Green’s Solar Backpack Sweepstakes

Win a Voltaic Bag: Planet Green’s Solar Backpack Sweepstakes

Tired of trying to find an outlet to charge your cell phone, iPod, and computer while on the go? Then what you need is a solar powered bag to charge all your devices and free yourself from the grid. Our friends over at Planet Green are giving away 2 Voltaic Solar backpacks each week this summer, and all you have to do …

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Aveda is Saving Oceans & Marine Life One Plastic Cap at a Time

Aveda is Saving Oceans & Marine Life One Plastic Cap at a Time

Wondering how to turn all of those plastic bottle caps running rampant in your household into a green, planet saving endeavor? Well, lucky for you, and for marine life everywhere, Aveda has come up with an alternative solution for all of the un-recyclable rigid plastic caps that invade your medicine cabinets, refrigerators and kitchen drawers. The very same ubiquitous bottle-toppers pose a dangerous threat to oceans, birds and marine life when they are improperly disposed of and wind up in landfills or sent down storm drains. Aveda’s Caps Recycling Program will re-purpose these toxic plastics as a base for new packaging, in an effort to eliminate them from our oceans before it’s too late.

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Your Analog TV is Dead, Repurpose it into Something Fun!

Your Analog TV is Dead, Repurpose it into Something Fun!

Last week, millions of TV sets became obsolete, all due to the switch from analog to digital television. So, what does an eco-minded individual do with an old, ugly, lead and toxin filled box? Well, throwing it away is not an option! You could always recycle your old television — but that doesn’t quite do the trick, does it? What is a true green geek to do? Thanks to Make Magazine, we now have a few, very clever ideas for repurposing your defunct boob tube.

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LAST CALL: Pimp my Eco-Ride Contest Closes Tonight!

LAST CALL: Pimp my Eco-Ride Contest Closes Tonight!

PIMP MY ECO-RIDE CONTEST CLOSES TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!

Heads-up all eco-enthusiasts looking for a slick new summer ride! Our Pimp my Eco-Ride Contest is closing tonight at midnight, which makes this your LAST CHANCE to convince us why you should win this limited edition Strida 5.0 SX folding bicycle! To enter, simply click on the link below and submit a photo and comment explaining why we …

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San Francisco Signs Mandatory Recycling & Composting Laws

San Francisco Signs Mandatory Recycling & Composting Laws

Just yesterday On June 23rd, the City of San Francisco signed into effect the nation’s first law mandating that all residents and businesses separate their recycling and compost material from normal trash. While many other cities in the US require recycling, no other city requires separation of food scraps and foot material to be composted. The measure, which will take effect this fall, is intended to help increase landfill diversion rates to 75% by 2010 as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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15 Year Old Invents Algae-Powered Energy System

15 Year Old Invents Algae-Powered Energy System

Thanks to 15 year old Texan Javier Fernández-Han, we feel a little more hopeful about the next generation’s ability to adapt to a world of limited resources. The high school student developed a fully featured algae-powered energy system that combines a dozen new and existing technologies to treat waste, produce methane and bio-oil for fuel, produce food for humans and livestock, sequester greenhouse gases, and produce oxygen. Dubbed the VERSATILE system, the project is this year’s winner of the annual Invent Your World Challenge $20,000 scholarship.

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Foster + Partners Break Ground on Virgin Galactic Spaceport

Foster + Partners Break Ground on Virgin Galactic Spaceport

It’s an exciting time for space fanatics everywhere as construction recently began on the world’s first commercial space launch pad, Spaceport America. Designed by Foster + Partners, the facility is located in southern New Mexico near the White Sands Missile Range and will serve as a launch site for private space travel. Built into the side of a hill, the Spaceport will meet LEED building standards and includes some high-tech green building strategies including a solar roof, excellent use of thermal mass, and a highly efficient HVAC system.

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Inhabitat’s Pimp My Eco-Ride Contest Closes Tomorrow!

Inhabitat’s Pimp My Eco-Ride Contest Closes Tomorrow!

CONTEST CLOSES TOMORROW AT MIDNIGHT!

Our Pimp my Eco-Ride Contest ends tomorrow, June 24th at midnight, which means there’s only a day left to enter and win this slick limited edition Strida 5.0 SX folding bicycle! All you have to do to enter is click the link below and submit a photo and comment convincing us why it should be yours, so don’t miss out …

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Mecanoo’s Sustainable Social Housing in Málaga, Spain

Mecanoo’s Sustainable Social Housing in Málaga, Spain

Delft-based firm Mecanoo Architecten recently began construction on a new green public housing project in Málaga, Spain. Sustainability plays an integral part in the construction of the project, which is located in a new development on the outskirts of Málaga called Universidad. The development comprises 170 residences and it was designed with solar paneling to minimize energy use, and alternating heights of five or six stories to allow natural ventilation and natural light to penetrate the interior spaces.

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Monolab’s Soaring Solar Rotterdam Tower

Monolab’s Soaring Solar Rotterdam Tower

Monolab is aiming to take solar power to extreme heights by designing their sky-high Rotterdam Tower with a skin of photovoltaic panels. At 450 meters, the Rotterdam Tower design is intended to connect Europe’s largest port to the city by reaching into the vertical landscape. The tower, which has been designated as a mixed-use building, will incorporate public, commercial, and residential spaces. An intricate series of gondolas, which move up, down, and diagonally across the tower will leave passengers with a bit of vertigo while affording them an amazing view of the city.

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TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: Madsen ‘Bucket’ Bike

TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: Madsen ‘Bucket’ Bike

If you’re an eco-minded cyclist looking to tote your tots alongside groceries or library books on your next jaunt, a ride aboard Madsen’s kg271 Bucket bike may be just the ticket. Ideal transportation for parents, this cargo bike enables bicyclists to make errand running with small kids in tow a green undertaking. Or, on solo ventures when …

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All-Electric Smart Cars Announced for the UK!

All-Electric Smart Cars Announced for the UK!

After a successful series of trials in London, Daimler has just announced that the Smart Fortwo Electric is officially ready for small series production! The all-electric version of everyone’s favorite ultra-efficient minicar will feature a 41 hp Zytek electric motor capable of propelling it up to zippy top speed of 60mph with a range of 72 miles, making it perfect for inner-city driving and daily commutes. Now that seems like a smart <sorry> idea to us!

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Koenigsegg’s Quant Solar Supercar May Hit the Streets Soon

Koenigsegg’s Quant Solar Supercar May Hit the Streets Soon

Recently supercar company Koenigsegg revealed that it has obtained a controlling interest in Saab, and according to a Swedish website, their plan is to not just keep Saab running, but to use its facilities to manufacture the solar powered Quant supercar in the near future. The Koenigsegg Quant is a fully-electric four person solar powered vehicle with a top speed of 170 mph, and a 0 to 60 speed of around 5.2 seconds. The entire body is covered in a photovoltaic thin-film solar coating designed by NLV that powers the vehicle.

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300% More Efficient Saturn VUE Wins EcoCAR Challenge

300% More Efficient Saturn VUE Wins EcoCAR Challenge

Ohio State University recently took top honors in the 2009 EcoCAR Competition, which challenged students across the US and Canada to redesign a standard Saturn VUE into an ultra-efficient vehicle. Their winning EcoCAR utilizes a lithium battery and an ethanol-fueled engine to achieve an incredible 300% increase in fuel efficiency over its standard model counterpart! The vehicle took plenty of man hours, good design and well-honed math skills, but the end result proves that future-forward vehicles can be built with the technology of today.

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Living Lamp Provides Green Indoor Gardening Space

Living Lamp Provides Green Indoor Gardening Space

Rooftop and balcony gardening has seen a great resurgence as of late, but many apartment dwellers lack balconies, rooftop access, or garden space and are unable to indulge in these green trends. Apartment gardeners, take heed! The Green Indoors is a high-tech gardening solution that provides ample light and water to growing plants while making the most of available space by housing plants vertically. Up to 24 specialized plant pots can be connected to the stand to grow any number of vegetables, herbs, or flowers all year long.

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Wood iPod Puts Nature In the Palm Of Your Hand

Wood iPod Puts Nature In the Palm Of Your Hand

This re-covered iPod is almost like hugging a tree, except it fits in the palm of your hand. So perhaps it’s more like giving a tree a handshake and hearing your favorite tunes at the same time. Josh D, from Australia, took his Apple iPod Mini apart and built a brand new case from red cedar to update the otherwise outdated gadget into a stylish, natural, and woodsy example of heirloom design.

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Recycled Egg Carton ‘Tamago’ Furniture by Merci Design

Recycled Egg Carton ‘Tamago’ Furniture by Merci Design

We’re impressed with this ‘grade A’ upcycling of egg carton pulp into multifaceted children’s play funiture. The Tamago (Japanese for ‘egg’) furniture series by Latvian design team, Merci Design consists of seven soft-contour furniture forms which may be easily manuvered to create letter and number patterns for playtime learning and fun. Tots …

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US Government May Bulldoze 50 Cities; Create More Green Space

US Government May Bulldoze 50 Cities; Create More Green Space

It seems virtually everyone—from Wall Street bankers to small business owners—has been affected by the economic downturn. Now, the recession’s latest victims may be American cities. The Obama administration is reportedly considering plans to raze sections of 50 economically depressed US cities, condensing these towns’ shrinking populations and city services to smaller areas. The plan, dubbed “shrink to survive,” may seem kooky, but it could be big news for environmentalists: In many cases, bulldozed districts would be returned to nature via forests or meadows.

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Living Lawn Chaise is a Grassy Human Transporter

Living Lawn Chaise is a Grassy Human Transporter

Talk about bringing the outdoors in! This Chaise Lawn Chair is perfect for citydwellers who want that fresh cut grass feeling without the hassle of a full lawn. Designed by Deger Cengiz, the lounger is sure to elicit a chuckle from your friends. And if you really want to show them a good time, cart them around and take full advantage of the human transporter (wheelbarrow) functionality. Note: It is not recommended for use on stairs.

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World’s Largest Solar Project Planned for Saharan Desert

World’s Largest Solar Project Planned for Saharan Desert

If just 0.3% of the Saharan Desert was used for a concentrating solar plant, it would produce enough power to provide all of Europe with clean renewable energy. That is why 20 blue chip German companies are gathering together next month to discuss plans and investments to create such a massive project. Both the meeting and project are being promoted by the Desertec Foundation, which is proposing to erect 100 GW of concentrating solar power plants throughout Northern Africa.

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Icy Cool Recycled Eco Jewelry by Kumvana Gomani

Icy Cool Recycled Eco Jewelry by Kumvana Gomani

When you want to beat the summer heat, there’s nothing more satisfying than the sensation of frosty ice against your skin. Since wearing ice cubes isn’t the most practical idea, you might want to try the next best thing - Sweden-based jewelry artist Kumvana Gomani’s sparkly, refreshing jewelry made of filigreed shards of plastic she reclaimed from old water bottles and ice cream cartons! Just like snowflakes, no two are alike.

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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY from INHABITAT!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY from INHABITAT!

Celebrate your dad!

Today is a day for us design aficionados to honor the men who had a huge role in designing us! We are so grateful to have such wonderful, supportive and strong role-models to look up to no matter what age we are. Thanks so much dads - we love you!

photo via Theos

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