Category: Design & Architecture

Design & Architecture

The Voxel: Solar-powered “quarantine” cabin built from sustainable materials and under quarantine conditions

A solar-powered “quarantine” cabin, built entirely of wood from 40 pine trees felled within a 1km radius of the construction site, has been built in Barcelona’s Collserola park. Known as The Voxel, the cabin was built by a team of students and researchers from the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) Valldaura Labs in under five months under quarantine conditions. The cabin accommodates a single occupant … Continue reading The Voxel: Solar-powered “quarantine” cabin built from sustainable materials and under quarantine conditions

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Design & Architecture

Xuhui Runway Park: Former airport runway transformed into sustainable urban park in Shanghai

A disused runway, which was once part of Shanghai’s only civilian aiport, has been transformed into a linear park which is now home to an array of flora and fauna native to the Yangtze River Delta. Xuhui Runway Park, which is almost two kilometes-long, features pedestrian walkways, designated bike lanes and six rows of deciduous trees. Located in the Xuhui Riverfront Area of Shanghai, architecture studio Sasaki designed … Continue reading Xuhui Runway Park: Former airport runway transformed into sustainable urban park in Shanghai

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Design & Architecture

World’s largest 3D-printed sculpture, designed by Māori design institute, tells the story of geothermal energy’s arrival

The world’s largest 3D-printed sculpture – Te Ahi Tupua (The Eternal Fire) – has been installed at the southern gateway to Rotorua in New Zealand. Designed by Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI), Te Ahi Tupua tells the story of the arrival of geothermal energy to the Rotorua region. The 12-metre-high 3D sculpture, built from composite materials by Kilwell Fibretube, incorporates … Continue reading World’s largest 3D-printed sculpture, designed by Māori design institute, tells the story of geothermal energy’s arrival

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Design & Architecture

Singapore leads the way with biophilic design, embracing nature in the construction of its buildings

A new approach to design and architecture that involves the use of natural materials, natural light and plants to create a more pleasing and effective built environment is being adopted by Singapore. Known as Biophilic Design, the concept means architects embrace nature in their design, bringing nature into the city, replacing columns, walls and neon with trees, leaves and wildlife. The island city-state of Singapore has … Continue reading Singapore leads the way with biophilic design, embracing nature in the construction of its buildings

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Design & Architecture

Solaire Box: French startup constructs eco-friendly wooden houses

Solaire Box is taking on the construction of green ecological houses in France and further afield with its eco-friendly wooden houses. The Paris-based startup constructs its eco-friendly homes with three things in mind – a structure made from French pine and wood fibre that offers optimal thermal performance; a large photovoltaic roof that produces up to twice as much energy as consumed by its inhabitants; … Continue reading Solaire Box: French startup constructs eco-friendly wooden houses

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Design & Architecture

BiodiverCity: Three sustainable and biodiverse islands slated for the south coast of Malaysia’s Penang Island

Three artificial islands in Malaysia centred around sustainability and biodiversity, and powered by sustainable technology such as solar power and wind turbines, is being proposed by design company Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). The project, which has been penned BiodiverCity, is slated for the south coast of Penang Island. The design was created in collaboration with Hijjas and Ramboll, and was declared the winner of an international architecture competition, … Continue reading BiodiverCity: Three sustainable and biodiverse islands slated for the south coast of Malaysia’s Penang Island

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Design & Architecture

Hello Wood create flat-pack designed tiny home that can be used as a vacation cabin or workstation

A tiny cabin – flat-pack designed – for use as a weekend retreat or private workstation has been created by Hungarian design studio, Hello Wood. The tiny flat-packed home, known as Kabinka, draws inspiration from the tiny house movement, which advocates living simply and sustainably. Available in four sizes (between 12-20 sqm), the compact small house can easily fit a kitchenette, desk, couch and stove. The modular … Continue reading Hello Wood create flat-pack designed tiny home that can be used as a vacation cabin or workstation

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Design & Architecture, Solutions & Innovations

Design studio creates bento-style food containers from sustainable materials to rethink takeaway packaging

A sustainable option for restaurant takeaway containers that is reusable and plastic foam-free has been conceptualised by design studio PriestmanGoode, as part of Wallpaper* magazine’s Re-Made project. The London-based studio has designed a range of bento-style food containers and a bag for takeaway deliveries based on circular design principles. The new concept features a bento-style stacking system, eliminating the need for individual lids by placing each … Continue reading Design studio creates bento-style food containers from sustainable materials to rethink takeaway packaging

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Design & Architecture

FabBRICK: Turning old clothes in to bricks to create furniture and partitions

Old clothes are being turned in to building materials to create furniture or insulating partitions by Paris-based startup, FabBRICK. The building material is made from recycled textiles that have been shredded and then combined with a bio-sourced glue before being placed in a mold and mechanicaly compressed. Each FabBRICK brick contains the equivalent of two T-shirts. Structural and insulating, FabBRICK can be used to create … Continue reading FabBRICK: Turning old clothes in to bricks to create furniture and partitions

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Design & Architecture

Chicago nonprofit repurposes USPS van in to an on-the-road “makerspace” for young people to learn design skills

Chicago-based nonprofit Chicago Mobile Makers has converted a USPS van into an on-the-road “makerspace” for young people to learn new design skills. The nonprofit, which was set up in 2017, offers free and low-cost design programming to young people, teaching architecture, fabrication, and construction in partnership with museums and local institutions. The converted USPS van enables Chicago Mobile Makers to now deliver services directly to … Continue reading Chicago nonprofit repurposes USPS van in to an on-the-road “makerspace” for young people to learn design skills

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