Chuck: The World’s First 100% Recycled Cardboard Wastepaper Basket

Chuck, a recycled wastepaper basket designed by studioCRANK, was created out of necessity — the necessity to turn piles and piles of unwanted cardboard into good use. Chuck is printed with low VOC inks and is completely recyclable. No tools or glues are required for its fold-n-tuck assembly. Chuck is in its final concept and [...]

Somewhere Between a Car and a Bicycle: URB21

Eliseu Santos is the designer of the “Human Energy Moving Urban Vehicle”, or URB21 for short. I think this design takes the best elements of a small urban car (like the SmartCar) and the best elements of a bicycle, and puts it all together into one sleek little package. The result: a zero emission vehicle [...]

Off-Grid, Self-Sufficient “Food City” in Dubai

Dubai has been renowned for its luxurious and over-the-top architectural developments. Given the current economic environment, however, Dubai is now beginning to focus its energies on creating the most innovative and sustainable developments in the world. Following this trend, the GCLA Architects of Dubai are planning the creation of Food City — an off-grid, fully [...]

Honda Insight Now the Leading Hybrid Car

The new Honda Insight is beyond impressive. The Insight was the number one selling vehicle in Japan last month, up from 21st place in March! With its sales, Honda is knocking Toyota out of the lead in the hybrid car market.
This has started a bit of an advertising war between Toyota and Honda, as the [...]

POWERleap: The Potential in Every Little Step You Take

POWERleap is a company that turns human foot traffic into electricity by way of special energy-generating floor panels. The creation of POWERleap flooring began as a 4th year BFA design project by POWERleap co-founder, Elizabeth Redmond. Above is the original video she created to display her work.
The best placement options for [...]

The Symbiosis City Air Purifier by Ken Jasinski

Ken Jasinski of Ohio has created a device called the Symbiosis City Air Purifier. It’s a beautiful, streamlined device that is mounted on streetlight poles to purify the air in big cities. Carbon dioxide is taken out of the air and oxygen is released in its stead. The Symbiosis Purifier runs mostly on solar energy, [...]

Make Things, Even During Recession

I found this image on Edificial. Creativity is the best way to solve problems.

What is Good Design?

Metropolismag.com lists 10 qualities of good design. Whether you’re designing a toothbrush, a shoe, or a house, keep these in mind.
Good design is:*
- Sustainable
- Accessible
- Functional
- Well-made
- Emotionally Resonant
- Enduring
- Socially Beneficial
- Beautiful
- Ergonomic
- Affordable
*Click on each word to see an extended definition or overview.
***
image from Wikipedia.

Sustainable Fashion: Christopher Raeburn’s Parachute Jackets

Women’s Parachute Bomber Jacket

Men’s Parachute Bomber Jacket
Sustainable clothing designers and companies are finding ways to make themselves stand out with unique products and innovative design. Christopher Raeburn crafts his products out of de-commissioned European military stock. Among his most recent creations is a line of bomber jackets made from military parachutes.
This makes me think about [...]

Green Building Practices for Real Estate Developments

Here are some considerations for Green Building and Development:

As a real estate developer, you must first practice what you preach. If the individuals in your company are not following Green Practices in their lives, it will be difficult (if not impossible) to create truly Green, Sustainable developments together.
The building should be constructed as one system, [...]