Archive for the ‘Greenhouse’ Category

Builders Zero In on New Goal of Energy-Neutral Housing: Wall Street Journal

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Wall Street Journal – Jim Carlton writes that the green building movment is aming for a zero net energy use goal, and I agree that he’s right. Play the zero sum game by clicking the links in the article.

But a bigger shift toward net-zero construction faces hurdles, largely because such buildings often are more expensive to build. To reach zero energy use, for instance, a building needs to produce its own power such as through solar or wind. Rooftop solar panels can cost upward of $10,000 on a three-bedroom home alone.

Some industry analysts say the costs of erecting net-zero homes have declined somewhat as green building has become more mainstream. With energy costs more than doubling across the U.S. in the past decade, energy-savings measures have become more attractive to builders.

Wall Street Journal (12.24.2009) link; Carlton, Jim

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Architecture, Design, Green design, Greenhouse, Interior design | No Comments »

Garbage will illuminate you – Gaon Street Light

Friday, November 13th, 2009

[exclude]You know, they used to call my mother “the garbage queen”. Not because she was trashy, or not because we lived in swill, but because when she would be designing her world famous floral designs she would pick stuff out of the trash and use it. You know what? it was beautiful. Prince Charles & Lady Di, Meatloaf, and Cher didn’t even know it – their floral arrangements had trash in them.

This is freaking brilliant. So we make power out of our refuse already, why not make a smaller, compact generator that lights up your night?!? But wait, it gets better. It composts! Did your jaw drop like mine did? Amazing. More at Yanko

Tags:
Posted in Greenhouse | No Comments »

The Bathroom Re-Evaluated

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

We should all be so lucky as to be able to intuitively move through a complicated area of our lives with the senses heightened instead of having to turn this, move that, stand here, scrub it (ring a bell and we’ll salivate,) and then waste it all away. This amazing student project by Joel Williams, Claire Finch, Alexander Archer-Todde, Ethan Mcquillan, Liam Smith and Joel Neild does just that. Foot panels that activate the water, lit up wall tiles that turn on the mechanics, and a sink that uses the grey water to fill the toilet resivoir. Oh yeah, this is the future people.

The Bathroom Re-Evaluated by Joel Williams, Claire Finch, Alexander Archer-Todde, Ethan Mcquillan, Liam Smith and Joel Neild » Yanko Design.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Greenhouse | No Comments »

Designing Through a Depression: Article

Thursday, April 9th, 2009
The Design Sequence courtesy MIT

The Design Sequence courtesy MIT

A depression, not a recession or a downturn, can referr to the point or period in a time in our lives where things didn’t go as planned – in fact they got so bad we didn’t even know it could get this bad. This isn’t a down-on-your-luck type of scenario but a loss of control. It’s important to remember that without change there would be nothing to move us upward.

Allison Arieff speaks to this in her article “Designing Through a Depression” (NYT, April 8, 2009).

Design editor Pilar Viladas echoed Moss, focusing her essayin T magazine on her love for (and support for the ongoing production of) a $900 Royal Copenhagen plate — and “for those of you who can actually afford it,” she concluded, “mazel tov.” And, never one to shy away from an opportunity, provocateur/designer Philippe Starck jumped in and attempted yet again to end his own career with the suggestion that any talk of the beauty of the designed object ” . . . seems a bit obscene.”

Arieff speaks of the “shovel ready” projects to contribute to our economy – but at what sacrifice? The design, the products, the environment? Re-think design, re-think process, re-think manufacturing and that requires time – which we have. She speaks to mercury-free light-bulbs, abandoning the car for the 20 minute commute… things we may or may not be thinking of ourselves.

It is a time to re-think, not re-do or undo, re-imagine, re-purpose and recycle. I agree with Arieff, the designer is the problem identifier first and solver second. “The body has to be impeccable as well – that helps alot” says Karl Lagerfeld to Harpers Bazzar “If it’s not, buy small sizes and less food.” (thanks PJ!) I know it’s twisting something someone said to suit my needs, but our lives and thoughts, like our bodies, should be pristine and finely tuned machines. It takes less work to smile than frown, one negative thought equals 7 positive ones, it takes 21 days of change to make it stick… and so on. We need our actions and reactions to design, heck, life even, to propel us forward.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Greenhouse | No Comments »

Book: Design is the Problem – by Nathan Shedroff

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Design is the Problem by Nathan Shedroffs. Photo courtesy Core77.com

Design is the Problem by Nathan Shedroff's. Photo courtesy Core77.com

Nathan Sherdoff’s new book “Design is the Problem”(now available from Rosenfeld Media) is being heralded as a must read for all types of designers, business persons and, well, everyone. Interesting subtext “The future of design must be sustainable” heralds not from a hippie at heart, but from a logical, sensible approach to design.

Sustainability is more than a trend, it’s a movement that all developers need to better understand. Sustainability is about more than just the environment and encompasses social and financial issues as well. In fact, sustainable solutions are still more easily “sold” in terms of advancements in efficiency, health, and social justice than on the basis of environmental benefits—and that’s OK. This “new” movement, now almost 40 years old, has evolved quickly and there are many contemporary examples to learn from. With a short introduction to the issues and frameworks and a concentration on sustainable strategies, all designers, engineers, and managers can make more sustainable design decisions. 

I hereby challenge all designers of all kinds (fashion, industrial, floral, interior, software… etc.) to put forth ideas and executions with sustainable practices. Punishment or failure will be to write out the entire book in foolscap legal size paper. By hand.

Tags: ,
Posted in Greenhouse, Interior design | No Comments »

Hippie home: BC Home

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

This months BC Home features a simple and easy article for greening your home:

Create warmth in your home and your heart using natural and sustainable products.

  • Buy sustainable: Buy decorative wood furniture products that have been made with reclaimed wood, or are Forest Stewardship Council approved (FSC). This means the wood comes from responsibly managed forests and verified recycling sources.
  • Reuse: Give your old wooden furniture a second chance by painting or refinishing it. Use zero-VOC paint or water-borne wood finishes.
  • Limit emissions: Nothing says rustic charm like a fireplace. Convert your old wood-burning fireplace to an energy-saving natural gas fireplace. Look for the EnerGuide Fireplace Efficiency rating and compare the energy performance and operating costs of each model.
  • Soften your lights: To get that cosy, rustic feel install a dimmer and lower your lights. You’ll also be saving energy.
  • Incorporate life: Buy native plants and grasses to fill your home with life. Enjoy your area’s natural beauty while helping boost your local economy. Alternatively, bring in clippings taken from blooming trees in your garden.

Tags:
Posted in Greenhouse | No Comments »

Bling is out! Modesty is in.

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

c/o Corey Klassen

c/o Corey Klassen

The luxury industry is floundering because we’re not buying it. Luxury and fashion head down from the Avenue Montainge in Champs-Elysées to Pont de Alma (RIP DS) and then jump in to the Seine River and flourish through the world. Head fashion designers have caught wind:

“This whole crisis is like a big spring housecleaning — both moral and physical… Bling is over. Red carpetry covered with rhinestones is out. I call it ‘the new modesty.’ ” Karl Lagerfeld to New York Magazine

“Luxury is an attitude just as much as a state of dress.” Amy Odell for The Cut

Does this finally mean that we will see a departure from animal prints? Will the obsessive pink little girls room be replaced with builders beige?

Interior design is at a changing point, indeed. Urban density, sustainability, green design – all are changing the landscape of up-and-comming designers. Followers will be the previous generation – our now teachers, mentors and firm partners – and the will need to adapt.

“[A]n increasing awareness of our carbon footprint and the effect our style of living has on the environment will have further implications on how we construct the inside of our homes in future.” Mike Steer for CNN

So, it’s true. Less is more.

Tags:
Posted in Greenhouse, Interior design | No Comments »

Attack of the Toxic TV Zombies: Las Vegas

Saturday, January 10th, 2009

 

Photo via Electronics TakeBack Coalition

Photo via Electronics TakeBack Coalition

Activists respond to the CES minimal green gadgets section at the ‘09 show in Las Vegas. “Greening” the CES includes mass-transit and recycling bins, but is severely lacking in the eco-gadget sections of the show itself. Rather than focusing on recycling old gadgets for the compulsive-re-placers or non-toxic materials like the Grass Phone, the TV Zombies have taken it upon themselves to spread the word.

E-waste scrap yards are popping up in China, India, and south-east Asia where severely underpaid workers dis-assemble parts to be recycled, while parts that can’t be are left at the side of the road to be rained upon and washed into the water systems.

Luckily, here’s a little cartoon to put the current issue (HTDV conversion) into perspective:

What to do with your e-waste:

  • Encorp (BC) already has an electronic recycling program. ERA covers more.
  • BestBuy cover’s what Encorp doesn’t. Just drop it off
  • Bell will donate $1 to WWF-Canada for any carriers device and has free shipping. They’ll recycle it or provide it to Women in shelters in need
  • Telus will plant a tree when you drop of any carriers device
  • Rogers does nothing for e-waste. Shocked?
  • HP will send you shipping packets to return your ink-waste and their products. FOR FREE
  • Sony & Toshiba also have programs, but here’s how they rank overall

Think before you buy.

Tags:
Posted in Greenhouse | No Comments »