Posts Tagged Sustainability
A Design Dilemma…Green vs. Blue?
Posted by Irene Turner in Interior Design & Renovation, Nature, Sustainability on April 22, 2010
Here we are, 40 years after the very first Earth Day, and I have a dilemma…
As a designer I am torn on the subject of water features as a design element. With the evidence of the water crisis continuing to mount it seems irresponsible as a professional to propagate this issue. Yet…I love the sound of trickling water, the feel of water in the environment, the visual beauty of water walls, and am guilty of having designed them! However, I think there is an option.
Vertical Gardens. Yes, a green wall, instead of a blue one. We’ve seen them…mostly on the outside of buildings or on roof tops. Patrick Blanc has been touted as the inventor of the concept of a vertical garden and is famous for his many large scale installations. You can see his work in the video below. But, on a smaller scale, in the home or office? Yes, it can be done there too, and quite beautifully.
Think of these lush green walls or table tops as both practical and as living art. Plant a living picture by framing them, or…
grow your favorite cooking herbs in them (by the way, this helps your whole kitchen smell good too),
Continue reading “A Design Dilemma…Green vs. Blue?” »
Are You a Change Agent?
Posted by Irene Turner in Giving Back, Inspiration, Sustainability on April 19, 2010
There is no doubt about it, we live in a time of change!
While the media and many people are touting all the negative issues and events that happen in our world, I personally am quite optimistic and inspired by the positive movements I see happening at a grass roots level through individuals, projects and organizations. Some I’ve already talked about such as Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, David de Rothschild’s expedition the Plastiki and the Global Let’s Colour Project by AkzoNobel . These are all agents of change and transformation.
Recently I came across another change agent, Four Years.Go who’s purpose is to change the course of history. Really.
Their creed is that we are living in a time of unparalleled opportunity. And, that while there are tremendous dangers it is clear that we already possess all the technologies and practical solutions required to resolve the crises confronting us.
There are powerful transformative trends that are emerging and shaping a world ripe with new possibilities, such as: Continue reading “Are You a Change Agent?” »
A Glimpse Into Future Housing-The Lumenhaus
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Sustainability on January 26, 2010
I recently read about LUMENHAUS and fell in love with the design, the technology and a glimpse into what housing can be like for our children! Designed by a collaboration of Virginia Tech Students from different academic departments, the 800 square foot LUMENHAUS was their 2009 entry to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition.
LUMEN means “the power of light.” HAUS is a reference to the BauHaus movement, and architect Mies Van Der Rohe, whose Farnsworth House inspired LUMENHAUS. LUMENHAUS does more than literally deliver a brighter day, however. LUMENHAUS epitomizes a “whole building design” construction approach, in which all the home’s components and systems have been designed to work together to maximize user comfort with environmental protection. Continue reading “A Glimpse Into Future Housing-The Lumenhaus” »
Green Pre Fab Home
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Interior Design & Renovation, Nature, Sustainability on December 7, 2009
Pre Fab Homes can stand for Pretty Fabulous! Marin based Michelle Kaufmann first came out with her eco friendly, pre fabricated glidehouse in 2004 and it’s is still a beautiful and viable answer to modern home construction in our world today.
The Glidehouse was designed “to collaborate with nature.” Built with eco-materials and made for solar, wind, or geothermal power, the “glide” in the prefab house’s name refers to both the wall of sliding glass on one side of the building and the bank of storage opposite. Sliding wood panels give you the option to use the shelves either as display or as a hidden clutter-catcher. Naturally, the glass wall helps out with lighting and heating, meaning the electricity bill will be lower even if you do connect the Glide to the grid.
Some eco features of the Glidehouse include: Continue reading “Green Pre Fab Home” »
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