T-box Concept by Qian Jiang & Ale Leonetti Luparini

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using turbines to make electricity, mills for mechanical power, pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, and already represents about 2% of worldwide electricity usage. (mais…)

Ausgebrannt by Kaspar Hamacher

German for “burnt out”, Ausgebrannt is the name of the project run by the Belgian designer, Kaspar Hamacher, who makes stools from wooden logs by setting them on fire. The main idea consists in stripping bark from the logs then burning away certain sections to create legs.

Hamacher’ stools were displayed on circular landings at the Biologiska museum in Stockholm as part of “20 Designers at Biologiska”. (mais…)

Fly Paper Clock by James Auger & Jimmy Loizeau

Inspired by carnivorous plants, the duo of designers, James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau, has created the prototype of a wall clock which utilizes this unique source of energy. Instead of electricity derived from batteries or solar panels, the power of the Fly Paper Clock is supplied by flies.

The insects are attracted to a trap – a revolving sheet of paper – in which they get stuck and afterwards killed by a special substance. The consequential organic material will be converted into energy due to the specific system conceived by the designers. It takes eight flies to supply the clock for twelve hours.

Controversial opinions will certainly arise. Watch the video and send us your impressions. (mais…)

Water Conservation Meter by Young-Suk Kim

It’s wide known that water consumption is among the most relevant issues of the international agenda. Water security has become as crucial as hunger and environment protection in the world; defined as an absolutely necessary element to the life and health of both humans and ecosystems, and a fundamental condition to countries’ development.

Aware of that, Young-Suk Kim has created the +-Water, which is a digital device that attaches to faucets and displays an accurate feedback about usage. It stands out from other meters by converting the consumed liters into actual cost. (mais…)

by Malcom Fraser Architects

The Edinburgh-based studio, Malcom Fraser Architects, has just completed this charming off-grid treehouse artist studio and fieldstation in Glen Nevis, Scotland. Outlandia is an artist-led project, built in 2010 to foster links between creativity and the environment; a flexible meeting space in the forest for creative collaboration and research.

Reached via a bridge, the wood-panelled structure sits atop a pillar and a meandering wooden walkway leading out from the hut nestles into the sloping landscape. The structure is made partly of trees that were cut down to clear the site. Outlandia is in line with “The Scottish Forestry Strategy” that aims to create opportunities for more people to enjoy trees, woods and forests in Scotland, and to help communities benefit from nature. (mais…)

Masdar Institute campus by Foster + Partners

The Masdar Institute, a facility devoted to sustainable research in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, is the first of four buildings planned for the urban quarter, and will generate more solar energy than it consumes. (mais…)

Wax-on by Faris Elmasu

The team of Pilgrim reaffirms its commitment to the environment by supporting ecofriend ideas and suggestions that have the power to innovate, reinvent and optimize the use of materials and the application of existing technologies.

Conceived by the young industrial designer, Faris Elmasu, the Wax-on is a solid ink printer that simplifies the process of printing, as it removes the need of producing plastic waste and annoyance of using ink jet cartridges. According to its creator, the minimal design ensures less use of desk-space and its vertical orientation works perfectly with the printing disposition. (mais…)