Category: Design & Architecture

Design & Architecture

Green-roofed shipping container homes planned in the England town of Aylesbury

Eight shipping containers will be converted into green-roofed homes to provide low-cost housing in Aylesbury, England. The Gatehouse Road project is the latest effort by the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust to provide “quality affordable homes” to people in need. It will replace 39 garages, most of which are currently not in use. London-based Fraser Brown MacKenna Architects (FBM Architects) recently secured planning permission to … Continue reading Green-roofed shipping container homes planned in the England town of Aylesbury

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Design & Architecture

The Climate Tile: Pilot project on Copenhagen sidewalk trials new climate adaption system for future cities

The Climate Tile, an innovative tile designed for urban spaces to hep catch and redirect 30% of the projected extra rainwater due to climate change, is preventing floods in a Copenhagen neighbourhood as part of a pilot project. The tile, which has been in development by Danish startup Tredje Natur since 2014, was installed in Copenhagen’s Nørrebro neighbourhood last September, on a 50-metre-stretch in front … Continue reading The Climate Tile: Pilot project on Copenhagen sidewalk trials new climate adaption system for future cities

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Design & Architecture

Vertical Forests: Integrating plants and trees into urban architecture to improve quality of life and air

Italian architect Stefano Boeri most certainly knows the importance of trees to the environment and the need for them in cities, which is why he created Vertical Forests. Vertical Forest is a model for a sustainable residential building incorporating more trees and plant life as part of its exterior, which assists in absorbing carbon dioxide and in producing more oxygen. The first Vertical Forest of … Continue reading Vertical Forests: Integrating plants and trees into urban architecture to improve quality of life and air

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Design & Architecture

Designer Simone Post turns “hard to recycle” old trainers into rugs

Dutch designer Simon Post has managed to recycle old trainers, which are said to be the hardest fashion items to recycle, and turn them in to rugs. The textile and product designer was commissioned by Adidas to turn old trainers into rugs for use at their Champs-Élysées store in Paris. Trainers are among the hardest products to recycle because they are made from so many … Continue reading Designer Simone Post turns “hard to recycle” old trainers into rugs

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Design & Architecture

Three designers showcase versatility of a raw material derived from wastewater in their projects

Three Dutch designers have utilised a raw material made from wastewater in their creative applications – including a dye for textiles, a ceramic glaze, and a glue. The designers were commissioned by Energy and Resources Factory, who developed the raw material derived from wastewater known as Kaumera, to show Kaumera’s versatility. Kaumera Nereda Gum is extracted from sludge granules from a water purification process known as … Continue reading Three designers showcase versatility of a raw material derived from wastewater in their projects

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Design & Architecture

BottleHouse: Emergency shelter created from discarded plastic bottles

Discarded plastic bottles have been transformed into an emergency shelter in a bid to tackle both plastic pollution and provide emergency shelter to disaster-stricken communities. The pyramid-shaped emergency shelter, otherwise known as BottleHouse, was designed and built by architectural and design start-up, small (Six Miles Across London Limited). Using bamboo for the structure and plastic bottles filled with either sand or straw as building bricks, the … Continue reading BottleHouse: Emergency shelter created from discarded plastic bottles

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Design & Architecture, Motoring

First of its kind sustainable EV charging station focuses on creating a green space for drivers to recharge

A series of sustainable charging stations for electric vehicles in Scandinavia have been designed in line with creating a relaxing green space for drivers to recharge mentally and physically. The stations are constructed in certified wood and surrounded by trees, grass and shrubs with the aim of enhancing biodiversity around the station. Danish architecture studio COBE’s charging stations – the first of which has opened in … Continue reading First of its kind sustainable EV charging station focuses on creating a green space for drivers to recharge

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Design & Architecture

Opendesk: Making making local again with open-source furniture designs

Opendesk is a global platform offering open-source furniture designs that can be made anywhere in the world by local makers. By connecting customers to a library of designs, and a host of nearby craftsmen, Opendesk is ensuring furniture is made on-demand – locally, sustainably and affordably. Currently Opendesk make workplace furniture only because it’s the “best fit” for current digital fabrication technology. More than 30 … Continue reading Opendesk: Making making local again with open-source furniture designs

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Design & Architecture

Groenmarkt: Amsterdam’s nature-inclusive housing blocks with rooftop dune

Two new housing blocks in Amsterdam are to be built as a place where bats, birds, bees, and butterflies live alongside humans, and with a spectacular rooftop dune landscape. The nature-inclusive blocks, situated on the Singel canal, feature green facades and a rooftop dune, where trees and native grass will be planted. An open-air natural swimming pool, greenhouse and wooden terrace completes the rooftop community … Continue reading Groenmarkt: Amsterdam’s nature-inclusive housing blocks with rooftop dune

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Design & Architecture, Kids

VAC Library: Open library becomes learning centre for children in Hanoi to learn about urban farming

An open library-come-city farm-come-kids playground is providing a way for kids in Hanoi, Vietnam to learn about self-sustaining ecosystems and urban farming. VAC Library is a large wooden climbing frame with various cubicles filled with books. The large wooden structure also houses an integrated production system that is designed to teach kids about sustainable food production. It uses solar-powered aquaponics to keep vegetables and koi carp. … Continue reading VAC Library: Open library becomes learning centre for children in Hanoi to learn about urban farming

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