Sustainable Materials

Recycled Paperpulp Cabinet by Debbie Wijskamp

It never ceases to surprise us that much of good, sustainable design is also deliciously fun. Take Debbie Wijskamp’s paperpulp cabinets, for instance. They are what their name implies: drawers and shelves made out of pureed paper mache. And while I want to write sophisticated sentences with phrases like ‘materials reuse’ and ‘resource conservation,’ I just can’t help thinking about how glorious it must be, in a third-grade sort of way, to mash paper into furniture. Wijskamp’s process validates these daydreams.

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Icelandic Prefabricated Home To Remember Summer Days By

by Danielle Rago, 10/23/09

As the winter winds begin to blow, we’d thought we say one last goodbye to the things of summer by featuring Icelandic architectural firm Glama-Kim Architects’ modern, modular, eco-friendly summerhouses situated in the Western part of Iceland, in the town of Stykkishólmur. Project architect Olafur Mathiesen led the design, which boasts spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, as well as the use of readily available materials combined with the ease of construction and simplicity of design.

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Team California’s Refract House Currently Leading Solar Decathlon!

by Bridgette Meinhold, 10/13/09

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We’re excited to report that as of today Team California is in 1st place at the Solar Decathlon competition going on right now in Washington DC with their stunning Refract House! Just moments ago, they emerged victorious from the Communications portion of the scoring and as of yesterday they received an almost perfect score of 98 out of a 100 for Architecture and a 92 out of a 100 for Market Viability – combined with their other scores, this puts them in 1st place as of now. Close on their tails are Team Germany and Team Ontario/BC, and all the teams are anticipating the remaining scores which will be rolling in throughtout the rest of the week culminating in the score for Net Metering, which garners the hugest chunk of points. Stay with us on Inhabitat for news and updates on the winning teams. We can’t wait to see who the winner is on Friday!

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Brad Pitt Unveils Flood-Surviving Float House for Make It Right Foundation

by Bridgette Meinhold, 10/06/09

Brad Pitt has been making waves in the green building world lately, so it’s only appropriate that the newest house completed for his Make It Right Foundation project be a floating one. Being revealed today in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, the Float House by Morphosis Architects, goes beyond sustainable design and construction and is built within the context of its environment – it can float. In case of flooding, the home can literally break away from it’s moorings and rise up up to 12 feet on two guideposts. It won’t float away, but it will act as a raft and provide the family with enough battery power to allow them to survive for up to three days until help arrives.

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Scrap Lab: Furniture Made of Industrial Scraps

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.

Ditto Ecological Hangers Save Landfill Space

One of the debut brands at last week’s Greener by Design Conference in San Francisco was a company called Ditto Hangers, co-founded by industrial designer Gary Barker, also co-founder of Greenheart Global, Inc. It may seem trite to focus a brand on something as rudimentary as the everyday hanger, but that’s precisely why this kind of ‘re-thinking design’ is so pertinent. An estimated 8 billion polystyrene and polycarbonate hangers clog our landfills every year, and as Gary Barker points out, that’s enough to fill the Empire State Building 4.6 times!

BKLYN Designs Sneak Peek: Uhuru Designs

Lots of up-and-coming and established designers will present new collections at BKLYN Designs this weekend, and we don’t want to miss a single, solitary piece of work—which is why we love getting an advanced look at what’s to come! Bill Higendorf, co-founder of Brooklyn–based furniture company Uhuru Design, sent us a sneak peak of the three new locally and sustainably produced designs he and partner Jason Horvath are debuting at BKLYN Designs this week. While they’re every bit as functional as Uhuru’s previous products, the limited edition Stitched Table, Standard Chair and Metal Stoolen have a little added oomph that sets them apart.

POO BRICKS: Students Develop Cow Dung Building Bricks

A group of students from Prasetiya Mulya Business School in Indonesia recently won the 2009 Global Social Venture Competition with their “EcoFaeBrick“, a quality, easily manufactured, low-cost sustainable building material made from cow dung. The bricks are not only 20% lighter, but they have a compressive strength 20% stronger than clay bricks and their production doesn’t rely upon devastating quarry mining techniques.

Whirlpool & Elmar Debut Green Living Kitchen

The rules of kitchen design have just changed. Whirlpool and Elmar recently debuted the kitchen of the future at the Milan Furniture Fair, and it’s energy efficient, eco-friendly, and interconnected. Their Green Living kitchen brings together contemporary cabinetry, advanced appliances and systems that work together in a culinary-centered symbiotic relationship.

Project Earth Day Eco Fashion Show 2009!

If you weren’t able to attend this year’s Project Earth Day Eco Fashion Runway Show, we have good news for you: Inhabitat was on the scene at Openhouse Gallery to bring you all of the pics and juicy details. From several killer runway shows to a rockin’ reception where people (including our very own editor-in-chief, Jill Fehrenbacher) were chatting so excitedly that their voices were hoarse the next day, Project Earth Day officially blasted away any stereotypes that eco-fashion is boring or crunchy. FINALLY!

VIDEO: Project Earth Day Eco Fashion Show!

Calling all eco-fashionistas in NYC!The third annual Project Earth Day fashion show is set to stun this Thursday with a dazzling array of sustainable looks by the hottest eco-fashion designers.

Inhabitat has been a fan of this fun event for years, and at last year’s event we made a couple videos that we’d like to share with you. We’re thrilled to bring you two exclusive videos that will give you a taste of what to expect at this year’s show. Check them out and stay tuned for our coverage of the 2009 runway show and student competition which take place on April 23rd!

IS IT GREEN?: The Biodegradable Credit Card

No question about it, Americans have an overconsumption problem. The total outstanding balance of bank-issued credit cards per consumer was $5,710 in December 2008, according to Transunion. Americans like to buy new things and throw out the old ones. We also like to own lots of stuff we don’t need. Retailers profit from this, but so do money lenders. And many of these excessive retail purchases end up on credit cards. Discover has taken a step toward sustainability by introducing a new card made of biodegradable plastic, which it says is the first. But how green can a credit card really be if serves to encourage consumption?

Timbuk2’s Custom-Built Pro-Planet Bags

Timbuk2 built its base among the bike messenger set, where their bags are revered for their tough-as-nails construction, cycle-friendly ergonomics, and and on-the-go ease of use. We’re excited to announce that the San Francisco-based company recently updated their lineup with a variety of sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics, and we had a chance to try out their custom Bag Builder first hand! Read on for our first-hand impressions as we run a Lex Pack through the ringer.

Part Prefab, Part Custom, All Green: Culver City Hybrid Home

Take prefabricated panels, add a dose of ingenuity, and a desire for an extremely green home and you get this half-prefab, half-custom Culver City home, designed by Sander Architects. Not only does the house play host to eco-friendly details that makes it sustainable inside and out– but its acoustically-tuned-to-concert-perfection interior provides owner Thomas Small the ability to play chamber music with perfect resonance. The 4,200-square-foot home uses a prefabricated structure that was assembled on-site and then outfitted with necessary trim, plumbing, and interior fixings for a grand total of $528,000, about a third of an architect-designed home in the Los Angeles area.

London Design Festival: Ash Pendant Lamp by Tom Raffield

Designed by Tom Raffield, co-founder of Sixixis, these beautiful Ash Pendant lamps are formed from 80 meters worth of locally-sourced FSC-certified English ash. Their delicate interwoven shades are steam-bent, and each is illuminated by a giant low-energy bulb. The design was recently featured in [re]design’s Lighten Up exhibition.

The New LEED Certified Brooklyn Children’s Museum

A vibrant swath of yellow amid the brownstones of Crown Heights, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum re-opened on September 20 after its completed expansion. Designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, the expansion will be New York City’s first LEED-certified museum in addition to being the first structure to tap geothermal wells as a means to heat and cool its grounds. The museum’s new exterior -composed of 8.1 million canary yellow tiles- is a playful voluminous canopy that rests above the pre-existing buildings. Subtly glistening, its vibrant color engages and beckons viewers to come explore its earth -and kid- friendly grounds. Read on for all the details, and be sure to check out Inhabitots for an inside tour!

London Design Festival 2008: Inhabitat’s Highlights

This year’s London Design Festival was an incredible event that showcased some of the world’s most acclaimed designers in addition to a host of upcoming talents. From innovative furnishings and lighting solutions to clothing and accessories, this year’s event featured a variety of cutting-edge concepts in sustainable design. Read on for our highlights from the event!

WEST COAST GREEN 2008: Highlights from the Show

This past weekend Silicon Valley erupted in a fantastic celebration of sustainable design as green building experts from all disciplines converged in San Jose for West Coast Green. From architects, contractors and interior designers to eco entrepreneurs and clean tech mavens, this year’s exposition focused an incredible spectrum of skills towards the common goal of greening the built environment, the world’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The conference itself showcased an incredible set of sustainable strategies including solar power provided by SolaRover, recycled carpeting and finishings, compostable food and beverage containers, and carbon neutrality. Read on for our highlights from the show!

Lowepro Camera Bags Made with 95% Recycled Material

For all you amateur and professional photographers out there, Lowepro now has a series of camera bags made from 95% recycled materials. The durable fabric is made from 100% recycled Cyclepet®, while the hardware is made from reground plastic, which is recycled from industrial trimmings salvaged from factory floors. The Terraclime bags are available in 4 different sizes and can accommodate small cameras, GPS units, all the way up to a DLSR with an extra lens. You can choose from 3 hip colors as well – black, plum and grass.

ANNOUNCING: Our West Coast Green Contest Winners!

With West Coast Green right around the corner we’re excited to announce the winners of last week’s conference pass giveaway! With over 380 exhibitors and an extensive lineup of speakers, this year’s conference will be bigger and better than ever before, so we’ve chosen two talented readers to join us as Inhabitat correspondents. See our winners after the jump!

WEST COAST GREEN CONTEST: Win Free Conference Passes!

WIN A FREE PASS TO WEST COAST GREEN!
The last weekend of September is right around the corner, which can only mean one thing – we’re gearing up for West Coast Green, the nation’s largest green building expo! Inhabitat will be on the scene in Silicon Valley to bring you the latest and greatest green building innovations, and we’re looking to bring two lucky readers in on the excitement. That’s right, we’re giving away two full conference passes, worth $575 each. Read on to find out how you can get a free pass to this fabulous conference >

ANNOUNCING: West Coast Green 2008!

Later this month Silicon Valley will be opening its doors to West Coast Green, the nation’s premier exposition of sustainable building, business, and design. Taking place from September 25-27th in San Jose, this year’s event will feature more than 380 exhibitors showcasing the latest and greatest in sustainable materials, technology, and practices, as well as an incredible lineup of speakers including Al Gore, David Suzuki, and Sarah Susanka. Inhabitat will be on the scene to bringing you coverage of all the cutting-edge developments – last year’s show-stopper was the unveiling of the Michelle Kaufman’s stunning MKLotus prefab, so we can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year!

Palmyra House by Studio Mumbai

Pitched as having over 800 uses, the Palmyra Palm (or Borassus) is recognized as one of the most important trees in Cambodia and India. Earlier this year, Indian born architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai illustrated the ecological potential of the palm when he designed and built the beautiful Palmyra House. Constructed entirely from locally sourced and sustainably harvested palmyra, the home is sited on a working coconut plantation in the West Indian coastal town of Alibaug.

Bright Ideas from Buenos Aires: Minimahuella

We all recognize the light bulb as the universal symbol for a bright idea, but we could do without its dismal degree of energy efficiency. Buenos Aires-based sustainable design studio Minimahuella gives the simple bulb a second chance at life as a subtle (but pretty) reminder of what a difference small household choices can make. Their innovative line of sustainable goods is full of a creative gestures that are both brilliant in their simplicity and ripe with meaning.

ECOLLECTION DAY 2: Fresh Eco-Friendly Fashions

ECOLLECTION took sustainable fashion to the mainstream this week in Las Vegas, introducing an international audience of buyers to a variety of emerging eco-brands and products. Inhabitat scoured the floor to find the latest and greatest in sustainable style, so keep an eye out in Spring 09 for these cool new wears!

ECOLLECTION DAY 1: Sustainable Style Hits the Mainstream

MAGIC’s sustainable lifestyle show ECOLLECTION debuted this week to an international crowd of fashion industry buyers. The expansive showcase featured a juried and progressive collection of eco-minded apparel and products, as well as seminars, fashion shows, a plush lux lounge, and a bookstore. The sheer volume of exhibitors illustrated how many new brands are turning an eye toward sustainable design. While the products varied in degree of true “green-ness,” the overall fashion prognosis is optimistic. By fall, it will be much easier to shop for a stylish and sustainable wardrobe. Check out the highlights from day one!

Inhabitat heads to Magic to cover the first-ever Ecollection

It’s time for a little green MAGIC! Next week, Inhabitat will be reporting live from the first-ever ECOLLECTION fashion show in Las Vegas. Part of the larger international MAGIC show, ECOLLECTION is the most comprehensive collection of environmentally conscious apparel and lifestyle brands. With over 80 brands exhibiting their sustainable wears as part of ECOLLECTION and more than 60 showcasing their eco-lines throughout the show at-large, sustainable fashion has definitely hit the mainstream. Check back next week as Haily Zaki reports with the latest and greatest new designs and products.

PREFAB FRIDAY: EcoShack’s Breezy Summer Shelter

This week’s prefab breaks out of the hard-lined modern box with a beautiful soft-shelled structure that finds elegance in its simplicity. That’s right – it’s a Nomad Yurt! SoCal based Ecoshack has updated the ancient shelter with a modern construction that is light, flexible, and composed entirely of eco-friendly materials. The airy shelter is perfect for a summer’s eve spent stargazing, an impromptu backyard gathering, or anyplace that a peaceful private space is desired.

PREFAB FRIDAY: Beautiful Flatpak House in Aspen

We’ve been fans of Flatpak home designs for quite some time, but are continually impressed when we find more of these unique, customizable prefabs in full form. This home in Aspen, Colorado, is our latest Flatpak discovery courtesy of Jetson Green’s Flickr habit. We’re captivated by the setting of course, but also decidedly enamored with the owner’s choice to combine the Flatpak custom components into this amazing abode in the Rocky Mountains.

HOK Unveils London Olympic Stadium’s Hemp Facade

Last week, we thought the idea of a prefab, flatpack, reusable stadium sounded like a great way to cut down on the cost and waste associated with what is basically a one-time-use showpiece. As of Friday, that was the latest plan for the London 2012 Olympic stadium, designed by HOK Sport and Peter Cook. This week’s news shines an even more interesting sustainable light on this much anticipated project. The new design has just been unveiled with a host of low-impact material choices, including a façade wrapped in environmentally friendly hemp.

HUSQUE: Recycled Macadamia Nut Bowls by Marc Harrison

We are nuts about Mark Harrison’s Husque homewares made from recycled macadamia nut shells. The inspired form of these fun pieces reflect the material’s origins, and take advantage of an often discarded resource. Harrison developed a special compound that combines the shells with injection molding to create colorful bowls inspired by nature and place. Using nuts, pods and other organic shapes as inspiration, each piece carries with it a natural history of Australia.

Ecolect and NAU Event in Chicago this Friday!

We love NAU and we love Ecolect (one of our recent holiday party cohosts). So it’s natural that we’re wishing we were in the Midwest for the Ecolect “3rd Coast” launch party at the NAU store in Chicago.

ANA LINARES PLUR STOOL

Inhabitat came away from this year’s BKLYN Designs raving about the originality at the Pratt students’ exhibition booth. While all the designs were impressive, the one that really stood out in our minds was Ana Linares‘ Plur Stool. Emerging from gestural drawings and an interest in using sustainable materials, the rocking stool’s gentle flowing lines combine beautifully with the unfinished look of the materials, making it look a little like a giant puzzle piece. For double utility, the lower curve also functions as a magazine rack.

MTRL: A New Material Resource for Designers

The design community has a valuable new resource with the recent launch of Mtrl - an industry initiative aimed at providing designers with “material about materials.”

The brainchild of ASM International, the Materials Information Society, Mtrl debuted earlier this month with designer workshops in Boston and Chicago. Additional workshops are planned for the fall and in the coming months Mtrl will launch a searchable materials database on their website along with other valuable resources for designers.

NEW MATERIAL: Alusion Aluminum Foam

Scott Bennett from housefish.com writes:

I’ve had a sample of this stuff sitting around on my desk for a few years now, just waiting for the chance to use it. That chance still hasn’t come for me, but maybe you can think of something. Alusion is the trade name for Cymat’s “stabilized aluminum foam” product. The best way to describe it is as a sort of aluminum sponge. Using a patented process , the manufacturers take a molten aluminum metal matrix composite (made from recycled aluminum) and aerate it, then cool it to preserve the bubbly cellular structure. Being mostly air, the finished product weighs almost nothing. It looks like metallic volcanic rock.