Archive for Category 'Eco-friendly'
Fountain at Banpo Bridge, Seoul: Major Tourist Attraction
Monday, October 20th, 2008 |Tags: Banpo Bridge, Eco-friendly, Fountain, Seoul
Just a twist of design, a splattering of paint, a cheeky addition to something old can make it look brightly cheerful and attractive to the eyes again.
The Banpo Bridge which crosses over the Han River in the Seoul capital of Korea has been given new life with the addition of a fountain. And instead of remodelling this huge structure to fit it with the usual design of a fountain, even that has been give some change, with the fountain shooting water downwards instead of up. The fountains at the Banpo Bridge were installed on September ninth and have since become a major tourist attraction. It has nearly 10 thousand nozzles on either side of the bridge that shoots out 190 tons of water every minute.
Posted in: Architecture, Eco-friendly
Solaleya’s UFO-Homes All Set to Take-off in America
Sunday, October 12th, 2008 |Tags: America, Domes, Earthquakes, Patrick Marsili, Solaleya, UFO Homes
The thought of living in UFOs is excitingly eccentric. Patrick Marsili designed the Solaleya homes in France around 20 years ago. These homes are now set to land in America through Solaleya and gained appreciation at the latest West Coast Green. Though these homes look like UFO’s, they comprise a mechanical structure at the base which helps them rotate to face the sun like a sunflower.
Made 90% out of FSC-certified wood and insulated with cork, they can survive hurricanes and earthquakes measuring up to 8 on MSK scale. With windows and solar panels on the dome-shaped roof, these rotating homes absorb maximum amount of sunlight possible to light up the house. A single rotation uses same energy as that needed to vacuum the house.
Posted in: Architecture, Eco-friendly
Smart Lock finds an ‘Explosive’ Way to keep your Bike Safe
Saturday, October 11th, 2008 |Tags: Bikes, Eco-friendly, Michael Lambourn, Smart Lock
Bicycles being one of the oldest modes of transport and are still being used frequently by people all over the world. Apart from being ecofriendly, they have other advantages like giving good exercise and cycling is a widely encouraged sport. Like all other things in the world, bikes are one of the most common commodities that are stolen. According to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1997, reported that in the last 3years, 17% cyclists have had their bikes stolen; of which 24% have quit cycling, and 66% have decreased its use.
There are a plenty of cycle locks available in the market but they have in more than one ways failed to decrease the incidence of bike thefts. A new lock which stands apart from all the others is being introduced by Michael Lambourn which helps in nabbing bike thieves in many ways. Smart Lock is clever, user friendly and light in weight. It lets the user lock both the wheels along with the frame. When the cycle is broken, it helps in identifying the bike and also helps in catching the thief.
Posted in: Automobiles, Designer, Eco-friendly, Trends
Electric Car Nuvu by Nissan
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 |Tags: electric car, Nissan, Nuvu, vehicles
Nissan had promised all of us environment friendly car lovers an electric car for the year 2010 and it intends to keep its promise. You can be sure that the Nuvu, which makes its first appearance at the Paris motor show this week, will be all you have waited for and more.
The Nuvu appears to be a golden beauty with a slightly futuristic design. The car has continuous curves that would make it as irresistible as women for car-crazy men, with a transparent roof for wondrous star-gazing on those long nightly pleasure drives. The Nuvu seats three, with one seat at the back. Apart from being electrical to make it eco-friendly, much of the cabin materials have been made from either organic or recycled materials.
Posted in: Automobiles, Eco-friendly
Air Speed Bicycle Concept Disappoints many
Thursday, September 18th, 2008 |Tags: Bicycles, Bikes, Concepts, FalconXp
Sometimes, it becomes necessary for us ride bicycles and give up the big motors. A designer, FalconXp from one of the forums recently posted his concept bicycle on the forum. Though the cycle looks good and may work out to be an interesting product, there are many flaws in the design. The two sharp points on either end look dangerous and isn’t exactly a good thing. Having a hole in the center and the offset crank arms would make strength, aerodynamics, weight, and mechanical efficiency would suffer.
The sharp blade in the crotch may be seen as a negative to some people. Also the does not seem to be an impression of forward motion to the design. Though he has got a number of critical comments, if only he tried and used more highlights and shading, it would bring out a bit and make it look more 3D and particularly shadow on downwards facing surfaces. If the designer makes necessary changes, the bike would be a really cool one.
Via: ProductDesignForums
Posted in: Concept, Eco-friendly, Environment, vehicles
Vectrix Electric Bike Concept Eliminates Unnecesary Components
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 |Tags: Batteries, Bikes, Concepts, Electric Bike, Green vehicles, Vectrix
If concepts could kill, then the concept had to be that of the Vectrix electric bike. This cool looking bike has a top speed of 200km/h and a great deal of power. The idea behind designing this bike was to eliminate unnecessary components that we are so used to seeing in a bike. The bike does not have an exhaust or an engine or a fuel system. Instead, it depends on futuristic designing that helps it to rev up and zoom. The electricity run bike is enough to grab all the attention you ever wanted.
It has a well-designed body and a sleek look. The wide frontal area means you have increased momentum when you ride. It would be interesting to see if this bike ever gets manufactured. However, like most concept vehicles, this may not see the light of the day ever and stay locked up in the archives of a design corporation.
Via: TechEBlog
Posted in: Concept, Eco-friendly, vehicles
Pathfinder: On the Roads and Over the Seas
Sunday, September 14th, 2008 |Tags: amphibian, car, hybrid, Pathfinder, sailing vessel, vehicle
Amphibious vehicles continue to wow the masses and make them yearn to own one. The thought of driving a vehicle through the streets of the city and straight into sea remain one of the most fantasised concepts when it comes to vehicle freaks. The Pathfinder takes all your dreams and makes them a reality. This hybrid vehicle is a car that transforms into a sailing vessel at the touch of a button.
The Pathfinder features four motors fitted in the four wheels. The hydrogen fuel powered vehicle is also eco-friendly because it can run on solar energy via the retractable solar powered roof and can also use wind energy as it sails over the seas. A jet drive feature for extra thrust is also included. The Pathfinder can comfortably house three people and includes a kitchen and bathroom. Too bad this cool amphibian still remains a concept.
Via: Sina
Posted in: Automobiles, Concept, Eco-friendly
FormTank Unveils 2d3d Tables
Friday, September 12th, 2008 |Tags: 2d3d, FormTank, Industrial Design, Metal Origami, Tables
We have always been covering interesting furniture designs and this has to be one of the most interesting we have covered so far. FormTank recently launched 2d3d tables, and is a London based design company. The table looks slightly industrial, and quite beautiful. The table is cut from a single sheet of steel and is then folded into a position as can be seen in the final product.
This may remind you of metal origami and is sustainable and also reduces transportation and manufacturing costs. Very little steel that is used is discarded and you could be rest assured that you are not harming the environment with this stylish and industrial looking table. The table appears neat, clean and is ergonomic and would accentuate the chicness of your space. The table is yet to be released, and hence prices are not known yet.
Via: GearCrave
Posted in: Boutique, Designers Collection, Eco-friendly, Furniture, Home Décor
Jeriko House Prefabs For Customized Homes
Friday, September 12th, 2008 |Tags: Architecture, Customized Homes, Jeriko Designs, Jeriko House Prefabs, Prefabs
Prefab homes are really catching up these days and people have been busy assembling their own houses from pieces pre-ordered. Though it might sound funny or even non-functional, it seems to work with a number of people. One of the eminent prefab developers is the Louisiana based Jeriko designs and they manufacture a self-branded line of homes, and they call them the Jeriko House Prefabs. These homes are sustainable, and can be easily customized. Though it has been slow to catch up in urban areas, especially due to space constraints, suburbs have witnessed a boom in prefab homes.
The Jeriko Jude house for example is a unique prefab house that has 3 bedrooms, high ceilings, and cool amenities and of course is sustainable and green conscious. This could come as great news to people who don’t like being coerced by builders, architects and others in to designing their homes in a professional way and lose the customized touch that every customer needs. These are the kind of houses that live with you but would never grow up. Jeriko House really seems to be the coolest prefab home building company around, for now.
Via: GearCrave
Posted in: Architecture, Concept, Eco-friendly, Home Décor
L.G.’s New Eco-Chic Washing Machine
Thursday, September 11th, 2008 |Tags: Appliances, Eco-Chic, LG, Washing Machine
If you thought going green is all about boring and dull colors, think again. LG has unveiled its eco-chic line and has been commissioned by designer NellyRidi. It is no truer that an electronic appliance that is green and environmental friendly also has to be as tasteless as it sounds. Its kind of like how a meat lover would hate to eat veggies. However, if the meat lover were given vegetables smothered with something like a meat sauce, he would lap it all up.
The environment friendly 9kg Steam direct washing machine was unveiled at the Maison et Objet show in Paris. The coolest thing about this washing machine is that it looks like a giant disco ball. According to Caroline Kim, the brand’s vice president for marketing, explained their belief that going green doesn’t mean not being chic. According to her, one could be chic, use chic products and yet stay green. The converse stays true too. The disco looking washing is available in black, white and silver and costs 599 Pounds.
Via: ElectricPig
Posted in: Eco-friendly, Environment, Gadgets