Monday, July 31, 2017

Tesla's new Solar Roof is actually cheaper than a normal roof

Good news for those who have been eyeing Tesla’s new Solar Roof since it was announced less than six months ago. Recently, the company revealed the cost of the eco-friendly solar tiles, and they have a price tag of just $21.85 per square foot. That’s nearly 20 percent less than a normal roof — even without factoring in the energy savings. The sought-after Tesla Solar Roof tiles are made of glass layered over a photovoltaic substrate as a replacement for traditional roofing materials....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/teslas-new-solar-roof-is-actually-cheaper-than-a-normal-roof
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Scientists discover ingredient for life on Saturns moon

Will Titan, one of Saturn’s moons, be the next rock humans aspire to reach after visiting Mars? According to new research published today in Science Advances, possibly so. This is because researchers have found a complex molecule in the atmosphere of the moon that could very well lead to the formation of life. The molecule is vinyl cyanide and researchers believe it could be the key to developing cell membranes in Titan’s environment. Unlike Earth, Titan’s atmosphere is extremely...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/scientists-discover-ingredient-for-life-on-saturns-moon
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Shell Oil CEO says his next car will be electric

You know the electric vehicle era has arrived when even oil execs are giving up their gas-powered cars for battery-powered cars. Royal Dutch Shell CEO Ben Van Beurden just announced that his next car will be a Mercedes-Benz S550e. Beurden will be ditching his diesel car when he purchases the plug-in hybrid this September. When Beurden goes electric, he will be joining Chief Financial Officer Jessica Uhl already drives a BMW i3.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/shell-oil-ceo-says-his-next-car-will-be-electric
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Honolulu is the first US city to ban using your phone while crossing the street

Though people may claim they can walk and text, statistics prove otherwise. Between 2015 and 2016, for instance, there was a 10 percent spike in pedestrian fatalities in the United States. It’s because of this that Honolulu, Hawaii, recently passed legislation which will target texters and other “smartphone zombies” as they step off the curb. On Thursday, Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed the “Distracted Walking Law” which is the first law of its type to be passed in the U.S. Reuters...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/honolulu-is-the-first-us-city-to-ban-using-your-phone-while-crossing-the-street
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Give goods, find goods, and do good on National Thrift Store Day

If you’re the type of scavenger that lives for finding hidden gems in vintage shops, then you’ll want to mark August 17th on your calendar. That’s when National Thrift Store Day returns to encourage everyone to support their local thrift shops and score secondhand goods. New York City is taking this initiative a step further by bringing awareness to the day’s charitable component and reminding us why it would do a world of good if we went the thrift store route instead of buying brand new....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/give-goods-find-goods-and-do-good-on-national-thrift-shop-day
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DIY: How to make your own natural deodorant at home

1 T Coconut Oil 1 T Shea Butter (or Cocoa Butter) 1 T Baking Soda 1 T Arrowroot Powder (or cornstarch) 1 Teaspoon Bentonite Cosmetic Clay 6 Drops Essential Oil (your blend) - I used Lavender and Tea Tree All photos by the author 

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/diy-how-to-make-your-own-natural-deodorant-at-home
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Chicago drinking fountains have been running non-stop for months, and the reason why is infuriating

When excess levels of lead are ingested (and just to be clear, health officials say no amount of lead exposure is safe), symptoms such as constipation, vomiting, developmental disabilities, hyperactivity, irritability, insomnia and sometimes, memory loss, crop up. It’s because of this that Flint, Michigan, was — and remains to be — more than a scandal, but an actual health crisis. However, Flint is not the focus of this story; rather, Chicago, Illinois is. For the past few months, drinking...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/chicago-drinking-fountains-have-been-running-non-stop-for-months-and-the-reason-why-is-infuriating
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These wooden blocks can be stacked up to create cabins, treehouses, and wilderness shelters

A few months ago Ofis Arhitekti unveiled their amazing idea for self-contained wooden living units that can be adapted to different programs, locations and climate conditions. The designers, who worked in collaboration with C+C, C28 and AKT, just released photos of the first built version of the structure which will serve as a temporary library at Ljubljana's landmark medieval fortress. The basic modular unit provides accommodation for two people, with a kitchen, a bathroom, a bed and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/these-wooden-blocks-can-be-stacked-up-to-create-cabins-treehouses-and-wilderness-shelters
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Dark unused garage is transformed into a cozy light-filled studio in San Francisco

The garage is the last place most people want to cozy up in, but that’s not so for the lucky owners of this beautiful garage-turned-studio space in San Francisco. Local architect Beverly Choe transformed an old, unused garage into the Clifford Studio, a dreamy, light-filled work studio and reading nook. Filled with suffused light and lined with timber, this adaptive reuse project is the perfect cozy hideout brought to life with minimalist decor with splashes of greenery and warm textures. The...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/dark-unused-garage-is-transformed-into-a-cozy-light-filled-studio-in-san-francisco
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Beautiful timber pavilion unfolds like origami

There’s something irresistibly charming about bringing the paper art of origami to life in large scale. Architects Manuel Bouzas Cavada, Manuel Bouzas Barcala and Clara Álvarez Garcí drew inspiration from folded paper in Origami, a temporary installation for the architecture and design festival Concéntrico 03 in Logroño, Spain. Built of timber panels, this ephemeral pavilion is a beautiful structure that glows from within and delicately unfolds to reveal a multifaceted interior. Selected...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-timber-pavilion-unfolds-like-origami
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Friday, July 28, 2017

Evovelo unveils cute little solar car you can pedal like a bicycle

Today Evovelo unveiled a tiny solar-powered vehicle that combines the advantages of a car — such as safety, weather protection and stability — with the ease of a bicycle and the low energy consumption and space utilization of a light electric vehicle.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/evovelo-unveils-cute-little-solar-car-you-can-pedal-like-a-bicycle
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Two storms are about to collide in rare Fujiwhara dance

Have you ever wondered what happens when two cyclones get a little too close to each other? As we're witnessing off the coast of Mexico this week, it can be strangely beautiful. Tropical Storms Irwin and Hilary are nearing each other, and when they meet, they will engage in what is called a Fujiwhara dance - a dance where two storms tango around each other until the stronger "eats" the weaker storm. A Fujiwhara dance Fujiawhara storms are not that common, but this summer we've already...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/two-storms-are-about-to-collide-in-rare-fujiwhara-dance
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Tadao Ando embeds open-air prayer hall around massive 15-year-old Buddha statue

Japanese architect Tadao Ando's work usually leaves people stunned, but his latest work is a piece of art. His latest work, the Hill of Buddha in the Japanese town of Sapporo is a landscape architecture project that consists of building a prayer hall around a 15 year old stone sculpture of Buddha. The aim of this project was to build a prayer hall that would enhance the attractiveness of a stone Buddha sculpted 15 years ago. The site is a gently sloping hill on 180 hectares of lush land belonging...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/tadao-ando-embeds-open-air-prayer-hall-around-massive-15-year-old-buddha-statue
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Antarctica plants show potential as natural sunscreen ingredients

Photos by Herson Rodriguez and Cassie Matias on Unsplash [Via Reuters]

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/antarctica-plants-show-potential-as-natural-sunscreen-ingredients
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Couple buys 100% sun-powered home built for the Solar Decathlon

The MiSo house is a net zero home which runs completely on solar power. 660 square feet green energy machine After debuting in the 2005 Solar Decathlon event, the MiSo House has been on display as an exhibition in the Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens. It was meant to be mobile, and self-sufficient using solar energy collected by rooftop solar panels to create electricity and heat for the home. The aluminum home is also constructed in such a way to stay cooler than you would expect...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/couple-buys-100-sun-powered-home-built-for-the-solar-decathlon
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Last orca bred in captivity at SeaWorld dies, aged 3 months

Keepers and animal rights activists are mourning the passing of the last orca bred in captivity under SeaWorld’s breeding program, which ended in 2016. The calf, named Kyara, was just three-months-old when she perished at the establishment’s San Antonio, Texas, park due to an unknown illness. Regrettably, she is the third killer whale to die at a SeaWorld park in 18 months. According to a statement made by SeaWorld on July 25, the exact cause of Kyara’s death is presently unknown....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/last-orca-bred-in-captivity-at-seaworld-dies-aged-3-months
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This earth-sheltered Australian hobbit home stays cozy all year

Located in Quindalup, around 20 km from Busselton, this earth-sheltered house is loaded with nearly 1,000 tons of dirt. Kirkwood has spent 25 years in the WA mining industry, which inspired him to create a hobbit home. He knows how huge tunnel structures are quite cool on the inside. Moreover, when you are protected underground you don’t have to face major moisture problems or seismic problems. https://youtu.be/rFz-qAixvR8 Related: This cute little hobbit home cost just $100 to build...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/this-earth-sheltered-australian-hobbit-home-stay-cozy-all-year
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Finnish scientists make food from electricity

A team of researchers from Finland might have solved world hunger. The scientists just produced a single-cell protein from electricity and carbon dioxide. The protein can be further developed for use as food or animal feed. Renewable energy sources such as solar can be used to produce the protein. The final product is a nutritious mix of more than 50 percent protein and 25 percent carbohydrates with the rest consisting of fats and nucleic acids. "In practice, all the raw materials are available...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/finnish-scientists-make-food-from-electricity
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Exquisite Shore House is a modernist triumph that embraces nature

Hidden away in Long Island’s North Haven village is an exquisite modernist home that looks like a natural extension of the landscape. Leroy Street Studio designed the Shore House, a green-roofed retreat in Suffolk County, New York with views of the Peconic Bay. Built partly into a hillside, the charred cedar-clad home uses a natural materials palette to sensitively blend into the surrounding environment. Surrounded by windswept trees and tall grasses, the Shore House enjoys a secluded...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/exquisite-shore-house-is-a-modernist-triumph-that-embraces-nature
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Light-filled Danish home with flexible interiors welcomes the forest indoors

Who needs wallpaper when you’ve got exquisitely framed forest views in almost every room? C.F. Møller Architects designed Villa Rypen, a 158-square-meter dwelling that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Built on the edge of a forest in Aarhus, Denmark, this light-filled home offers a lovely contemporary living environment with large glazed openings that offer front-row seats to nature’s changing seasons. Villa Rypen has a rectangular footprint with two roughly triangular...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/light-filled-danish-home-with-flexible-interiors-welcomes-the-forest-indoors
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Thursday, July 27, 2017

The world's first all-electric sport utility truck is finally here - and it looks incredible

Electric vehicle buyers are spoiled for choice these days - there's electric sports cars sedans, SUVs, minivans, and motorcycles. So where's the electric pickup truck? New York-based Bollinger Motors just answered that question with the B1 - the world's first all-electric, all-wheel drive sport utility truck. It's remarkably refined with a strong, stealthy profile - and it's rough and rugged enough to haul heavy loads and tackle challenging terrain. The B1 has better horsepower, torque, and ground...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/the-worlds-first-all-electric-sport-utility-truck-is-finally-here-and-it-looks-incredible
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Sono Motors unveils the $14,000 SION solar-powered car

If you've love the idea of being able to commute to work in a solar powered car, your dream is now a reality. Sono Motors has unveiled the SION solar-powered electric car that can travel up to 18 miles using energy from the sun. The best part is that it only costs 16,000 Euros ($19,000).

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/sono-motors-unveils-the-14000-sion-solar-powered-car
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CA communities sue Exxon, Shell and 35 other fossil fuel companies over climate change

A trio of California communities are standing up to fossil fuel peddlers and holding them to account for their role in climate change. San Mateo and Marin counties, and Imperial Beach filed an unprecedented suit against 37 companies, including major players like Shell, Chevron and Exxon Mobil. The complaint states that these companies have knowingly caused billions of dollars worth of damage and have caused sea levels to climb, putting lives and property in serious danger.  

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/ca-communities-sue-exxon-shell-and-35-other-fossil-fuel-companies-over-climate-change
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First fully-integrated sustainable smart energy system promises to democratize renewables for all

Solar might be the future, but few people and businesses can afford to invest in the technology. This is why SolPad’s latest innovation is so newsworthy. The new SolPad Mobile is the first personal, portable solar energy generator capable of providing power anywhere. Developed to “democratize” renewable energy for all consumers, the 25-pound invention has built-in battery storage and output power that exceed any other portable solar device in its class. Additionally, it is capable of providing...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/first-fully-integrated-sustainable-smart-energy-system-promises-to-democratize-renewables-for-all
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The 2,500-year-old bracket that protects China's Forbidden City against earthquakes

Chinese builders have had to consider earthquakes in their designs, and as far back as around 500 BC they came up with a solution to earthquake-proof structures: interlocking flower-shaped brackets called dougong. The joints have helped the Forbidden City to remain standing through 200 earthquakes in 600 years.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/the-2500-year-old-bracket-that-protects-chinas-forbidden-city-against-earthquakes
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This robotic "eel" hunts down the source of water pollution

+ École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne [Via Techcrunch]

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/this-robotic-eel-hunts-down-the-source-of-water-pollution
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This Oregon dome home could be yours - if aliens don't come for it first

Related: + Via Estately

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/this-oregon-dome-home-could-be-yours-if-aliens-dont-come-for-it-first
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HuskeeCup is an eco-friendly cup made entirely from coffee waste

+ HuskeeCup [Via Springwise]

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/huskeecup-is-an-eco-friendly-cup-made-entirely-from-coffee-waste
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Self-sufficient SCARAB remote living habitat can be placed almost anywhere

This completely self-sufficient, lightweight mobile home makes remote living feasible practically anywhere. The bug-like shell of the SCARAB houses every necessary amenity for modern-day living– from on-board cooking, shower and lavatory, sleeping bunks and adaptable storage and work areas, to freshwater holding tanks, an on-board filtration system and battery cells. Eric Wang designed the SCARAB as a potential research and mission control station to be constructed using aerospace and nautical...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/self-sufficient-scarab-remote-living-habitat-can-be-placed-almost-anywhere
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Wind power supplied 124% of household electricity needs in Scotland from January through June

Wind power in Scotland is soaring again. The renewable energy source generated 124 percent of Scottish home electricity needs during the first half of 2017. And the entire country's electricity demand was met by wind energy for six days in June. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/wind-power-supplied-124-of-household-electricity-needs-in-scotland-from-january-through-june
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Grapevines spread through the cracks of Stuttgarts proposed stone-clad high-rise

Pockets of greenery appear to split apart the stone facade of this new mixed-use tower planned for Stuttgart, Germany. RKW Architektur+ won a competition to design a residential high-rise at Mailänder Platz that will set itself apart with its planted stone facade and abundance of public space. Robust grapevines will be planted in the stone niches and irrigated with collected rainwater. Set on a triangular site, the Mailänder Platz tower will comprise residential units, cafes, retail...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/grapevines-spread-through-the-cracks-of-stuttgarts-proposed-stone-clad-high-rise
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Unexpected giant spikes and other oddities take over a Scottish mansion grounds

A curious sight has taken over one of Scotland’s finest historic grounds. Environmental artist Steve Messam crafted XXX, a series of site-specific installations that add modern whimsy to the late 18th-century Mellerstain House & Gardens. Commissioned as the first works of the newly opened Borders Sculpture Park, the giant inflatable artworks create dialogue between the past and present, from the enormous roof of spikes atop a decrepit gatehouse to the floating white spheres on a lake. ...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/unexpected-giant-spikes-and-other-oddities-take-over-a-scottish-mansion-grounds
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Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Book Giveaway - Win a copy of TEEMING: How Superorganisms Work to Build Infinite Wealth in a Finite World

There is so much that we can learn from the natural world. ‘TEEMING: How Superorganisms Work to Build Infinite Wealth in a Finite World,’  by Dr. Woolley-Barker reveals all the ways in which animals societies can helps us thrive in the modern world. We talked to Dr. Woolley-Barker about her book, but if you want to get your hands on your very own copy, we are giving away 25 copies to a few lucky readers. Enter to win below:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/book-giveaway-win-a-copy-of-teeming-how-superorganisms-work-to-build-infinite-wealth-in-a-finite-world
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Luscious eco-resort design in China inspired by the Silk Road

A green revitalization proposal aims to transform an existing native village in China received into a modern eco-resort that offers a variety of activities and spaces. Architects Jean Pierre HEIM and Carolyn HEIM of HEIMdesign approached the redesign of Sasseur eco-tourist village using "One Belt, One Road" development strategy that focuses on the connectivity and cooperation among China and the rest of Eurasia. The project will be implemented near the city of Chongqing– starting point of the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/luscious-eco-resort-design-in-china-inspired-by-the-silk-road
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Beached whale appears in Paris, stunning tourists and residents

  Imagine strolling along the Seine river in Paris, hand-in-hand with a partner when all of a sudden, you glimpse a beached whale stranded on the shore. Without a doubt, the scene would inspire distress. However, this is exactly the reaction the Captain Boomer Collective was on a mission to evoke. You see, the 17-meter (55-foot) “whale” isn’t actually a marine mammal; rather, it is an art installation which was installed overnight to raise awareness about humanity’s detrimental impact...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/beached-whale-appears-in-paris-stunning-tourists-and-residents
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Doctor warns falling sperm counts could lead to extinction of humans

Will our lifestyle lead to our extinction? New findings from an international team of researchers indicated sperm counts in men from North America, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe have halved in under 40 years. Lead author epidemiologist Hagai Levine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem told the BBC, "If we will not change the ways that we are living and the environment and the chemicals that we are exposed to, I am very worried about what will happen in the future." Sperm count studies...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/doctor-warns-falling-sperm-counts-could-lead-to-extinction-of-humans
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BatBnB unveils line of stylish (scientifically designed) homes for our flying friends

If you think Airbnb is cool, wait until you see BatBnB - the modern answer to bat housing. With climate change making winters shorter, we are seeing more mosquitos all year long. One of the best ways to naturally control pesky bugs is with predators like bats, and while bat boxes are a great way to attract bats, let's be honest, they aren't exactly good looking and aren't always designed with the needs our flying friends in mind. That's why we are loving the elegantly designed BatBnB. Created...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/batbnb-unveils-line-of-stylish-scientifically-designed-homes-for-our-flying-friends
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Britain to ban new diesel and petrol cars in 2040

Ministers in the British government think low air quality poses the biggest environmental threat to public health, but that threat is avoidable. They're moving to clean up the skies by targeting emissions-pumping vehicles. Following a similar move in France, Britain aims to ban the sale of diesel and petrol cars from 2040 on. Earlier this year, London smashed annual air pollution limits in a mere five days.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/britain-to-ban-new-diesel-and-petrol-cars-in-2040
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This beautiful but toxic weed could make you go blind

Be careful before you pick that pretty wildflower. Giant hogweed, which can grow up to twenty feet tall and produce large, white flowers resembling those of Queen Anne's Lace, is a beautiful but dangerous plant which produces a clear sap that is capable of causing third-degree burns or even blindness for those who contact it.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/this-beautiful-but-toxic-weed-could-make-you-blind
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Delightful treehouse residence weaves through a forest in Thailand

A family in Thailand planted a small forest in their backyard and built their home to meander around and adapt to the trees. Studio Miti designed the Forest House as a cluster of four structures interconnected via wooden terraces and walkways. The house brings together architecture and nature by creating a balance between the two. The main idea was to build around existing trees and offer different views of the lush surroundings. Related: Thai eco-resort delights guests with woven pods and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/delightful-treehouse-residence-weaves-through-a-forest-in-thailand
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New subway-style map shows how US rivers connect cities and national parks

When we think of transportation in the United States, we don't always think of rivers. But according to designer Theo Rindos the country's waterways once were a still are a means of travel. He designed a subway-style map inspired by Harry Beck's 1930's London Underground Tube Map of America's major rivers. The map reveals how rivers connect major cities and national parks in the country. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/new-subway-style-map-shows-how-us-rivers-connect-cities-and-national-parks
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Google enters nuclear fusion clean-energy race

Nuclear fusion is the holy grail of sustainable energy -- a potentially unlimited source of pollution-free energy that can power the world. No greenhouse gas emissions. Only helium and a neutron are produced. Now Google has jumped into the race to commercialize nuclear fusion technology, teaming up with California-based fusion company Tri Alpha Energy to develop a new computer algorithim that optimises plasma -- an ionized gas that conducts electricity.  

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/google-enters-nuclear-fusion-clean-energy-race
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Spectacular forestry dome shines like a gem in the woods of Belgium

Like the Russian Matryoshka doll, this dome-shaped facility for the reproduction of forestry material houses another building inside its shell. Architecture studio Philippe Samyn and Partners designed it as an utilitarian structure that maximizes its usable surface area, while adopting a minimalist exterior appearance. The facility, located at Marche-en-Famenne in the heart of the Ardennes Forest in Belgium is dedicated to the treatment process of sylviculture grains coming from the Walloon Region....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/spectacular-forestry-dome-shines-like-a-gem-in-the-woods-of-belgium
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Salvaged materials from devastating fire take new life in a British pier

A British seaside pier destroyed by a devastating fire in 2010 has made an incredible comeback in the hands of dRMM Architects. After a seven-year process, the century-old pier in Hastings, England was transformed from its decrepit and dangerous state to a vibrant new public space clad in reclaimed materials. Crafted in collaboration with the community, the Hastings Pier is an inspiring story of sustainable restoration and craft, earning it a place on the shortlist for the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/salvaged-materials-from-devastating-fire-take-new-life-in-a-british-pier
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Twin warming huts for TED conference evoke the Great Canadian Wilderness

The architecture and design students of DBR | Design Build Research created ELEVATE, unique pop-up structures that brought a slice of the Canadian backcountry winter experience to downtown Vancouver. Crafted as part of a three-month design/build course, this temporary installation served as a sheltered outdoor living room for the TED2016 conference. Innovation with wood and technical fabrication were explored in the project, most notably through the curved planks of CNC-milled timber used to create...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/twin-warming-huts-for-ted-conference-evoke-the-great-canadian-wilderness
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Tuesday, July 25, 2017

DIY device emits a distinctive sound to keep cyclers safe

Related:Life-saving Classon bike helmet has built-in cameras and turn signals + Studio Jose de la O Studio Jose de la O, city bike presence, eco bike

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/diy-bike-safety-device-emits-a-distinctive-sound-to-keep-cyclers-safe
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India to ban driverless cars to protect citizens jobs

Though the Boston Consulting Group predicts that by 2030, a minimum of 25 percent of American citizens will transit via self-driving vehicles, few will be commuting in similar fashion in India. This is because India’s transport and highways minister, Nitin Gadkari, announced today that self-driving cars will not be allowed in the country. He told reporters, "We won't allow driverless cars in India. I am very clear on this.” As Engadget reports, the statement does not reflect safety...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/india-to-ban-driverless-cars-to-protect-citizens-jobs
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'Provocative' RIG eco-lodge designed to conserve Louisiana's vanishing marshes

The Louisiana Coastal Marsh vanishes by a football field every hour. The heavily exploited area is also an incredibly productive ecosystem local groups - and even oil and gas companies - are now trying to save. Architect Robert Obier, who was raised in Louisiana, designed a facility where people could come to the marsh and not only experience the environment, but help preserve it. His provocative design, so reminiscent of an offshore oil rig, caught our attention, and Inhabitat spoke with Obier to...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/provocative-rig-eco-lodge-built-to-conserve-louisianas-vanishing-marshes
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Conservative billionaire to build America's largest wind farm

Wyoming could soon be home to the United State's biggest wind farm, complete with 1,000 turbines. Conservative billionaire Philip Anschutz, who got his start at his father's oil business, is behind the massive wind farm, which will be large enough to power every single home in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. But wind power in Wyoming could face an upwind battle as legislators angle to increase the tax on the renewable energy.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/conservative-billionaire-to-build-americas-largest-wind-farm
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One of Africa's biggest cities could run out of water by September

Kenya's capital city, Nairboi, is dangerously low on water. The city, home to around 3.4 million people, has been rationing water since January 1, but it may not be enough. 60 percent of residents already don't have reliable water - and the city could run dry in September. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/one-of-africas-biggest-cities-could-run-out-of-water-by-september
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Oldest living manatee in captivity, Snooty, dies at age 69

Grab your tissues, folks. A 1,300-pound manatee named Snooty recently passed away after celebrating his 69th birthday. In the wild, manatees are fortunate to live into their teens, which is why the elder marine mammal was beloved by so many. According to the South Florida Museum, Snooty’s death was accidental and that the circumstances are being investigated.   Snooty was born in captivity in 1948 — before laws were passed to protect marine wildlife. Every year, a party was...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/oldest-living-manatee-in-captivity-snooty-dies-at-age-69
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New Traveler XL Limited tiny house can comfortably sleep up to 10 people at once

This house on wheels combines mobility with comfort and features a surprisingly spacious interior that can fit up to 10 people. The tiny house firm Escape Traveler unveiled an updated version of their Traveler design which comes with two bedrooms and offers the possibility to go completely off the grid with solar panels, battery storage and composting toilets. The Traveler XL Limited features the modern, clean design of the original, but offers much more space and a wide array of functions and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/new-traveler-xl-limited-tiny-house-can-comfortably-sleep-up-to-10-people-at-once
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Upcoming nuclear power plant in the UK may shoot giant rainbows into the sky

Related: Artist weaves stunning rainbows from 60 miles of thread One Creative Environments director, Mark Martin, comments: “To see our landscape designs in the top five is an achievement in itself, and going by the comments received, we appear to have caught the imagination of the public. The landscape designs, discovery centre and rainbow installation will create a destination in their own right, helping the power station blend in with the stunning scenery in the region, whilst providing a place...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/upcoming-nuclear-power-plant-in-the-uk-may-shoot-giant-rainbows-into-the-sky
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Celebrate the magic of silence in this magical sound-proof treehouse

Related: Wolfgang Buttress’ Hive is brought back to life in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Poppy Szkiler, co-founder and MD Quiet Mark, comments: “The Quiet Treehouse is a stunning combination of the latest acoustic and architectural design, not only beautiful to the eye, but a peaceful place that represents the value of quiet. After touring some of the UK’s most prestigious events, we wanted the structure to continue its Quiet legacy with the perfect partner that would fully utilise...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/celebrate-the-magic-of-silence-in-this-magical-sound-proof-treehouse
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World's first autonomous, all-electric cargo ship to launch next year

The world’s first crewless, autonomously operated ship is set to sail in late 2018. The Norwegian-built Yara Birkeland is being dubbed the "Tesla of the Seas" because the vessel is fully electric. The $25 million ship will initially start out as a manned vessel, moving to remote operation in 2019 before going completely autonomous in 2020. The 100-container ship is being developed by two Norwegian companies -- agriculture firm Yara International and technology company Kongsberg Gruppen. In...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/worlds-first-autonomous-all-electric-cargo-ship-to-launch-next-year
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This flower-clad home that spreads contagious happiness goes on sale in L.A.

A unique new home said to spread “contagious happiness” has hit the Los Angeles market—and it’s checking all the major boxes for walkability, amenities, and even sustainability. Architect and artist Cameron McNall originally designed the home, known as 4016 Tivoli, for his family, drawing inspiration from his dual careers and the California spirit of the 1960s. Wrapped in giant metallic flower cutouts, the quirky artistic home is also built to the City of Los Angeles’ “Green Building”...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/this-flower-clad-home-that-spreads-contagious-happiness-goes-on-sale-in-l-a
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Thousands of plastic bottles transformed into an inspiring tower of hope in South Africa

A million plastic bottles are purchased worldwide every minute, with annual consumption set to top half a trillion by 2021. In a bid to bring awareness to the problem of plastic bottle use and pollution, artist r1 led a project to transform over 7,000 plastic bottles into an incredible sight to behold: a 20-meter-tall permanent art sculpture. Created in collaboration with the local community, the environmental art piece, called the iThemba Tower, symbolizes hope and inspiration in Troyeville, Johannesburg. Artist...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/thousands-of-plastic-bottles-transformed-into-an-inspiring-tower-of-hope-in-south-africa
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Monday, July 24, 2017

INTERVIEW: Dr. Tamsin Woolley-Barker on how biomimicry can improve happiness and creativity in the workplace

If you’ve ever admired the work ethic of an ant colony and wished you could apply those principles to your company, you’ll do well to check out Dr. Tamsin Woolley-Barker’s newest book. In ‘Teeming: How Superorganisms Work to Build Infinite Wealth in a Finite World,’ Dr. Woolley-Barker describes the many ways companies can learn from animal societies, as well as sensible ways to to apply those principles. A combination of sociobiology, biomimicry, and organizational theory, this book is...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/interview-dr-tamsin-woolley-barker-on-how-biomimicry-can-improve-happiness-and-creativity-in-the-workplace
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Centuries-old apartment in Israel transformed into a remarkable modern "cave"

This renovation of this apartment in Israel unifies the cavernous, centuries-old rooms into a modern residence that offers multiple views of the sea. Pitsou Kedem Architects concealed some parts of the ceiling arches while uncovering others to create a subtle combination of the old and the new. The rooms of the apartment, located in Tel Aviv-Yafo¬– an ancient port city in Israel– have been altered over hundreds of years. Each room has its own character and ground level. The architects...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/centuries-old-apartment-in-israel-transformed-into-a-remarkable-modern-cave
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New discovery suggests large quantities of water hidden inside the Moon

For years, scientists have assumed that the interior of the Moon is largely depleted of water.  However, a new study of satellite data has located numerous volcanic deposits distributed across the surface of the moon, leading scientists to believe that large amounts of water are trapped in the rock’s interior. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, explains that the ancient deposits are believed to be glass beads formed by the explosive eruption of magma from the deep lunar interior. As a...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/new-discovery-suggests-large-quantities-of-water-hidden-inside-the-moon
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Lockheed to turn shuttle-era module into a prototypical space habitat for NASA

Deep space missions in the future will take us farther and farther away from Earth, and last year NASA chose six United States companies to develop deep space habitat prototypes, demonstrating where astronauts might live and work in space. Aerospace company Lockheed Martin recently won a Phase II contract for the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) study from NASA to develop a cislunar habitat, and they're repurposing old materials to do so. They'll be building a full-scale...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/lockheed-to-turn-shuttle-era-module-into-a-prototypical-space-habitat-for-nasa
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Maryland grad turns recycled plastic bags into eco-fashion

Plastic is Trisha Cheeny's bag. A recent graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art, where she majored in interdisciplinary sculpture, Cheeny is looking to launch Pälemer, a line of clothing and accessories derived from used plastic bags and other recycled materials. Cheeny created Pälemer to "challenge 'fast fashion' and eliminate consumer waste," she wrote on Kickstarter, where she's raising funds for her inaugural collection. Cheeny has created several prototypes, including...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/maryland-grad-turns-recycled-plastic-bags-into-eco-fashion
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Fukushima robot finds lava-like deposits thought to be melted nuclear fuel

Six years after the Fukushima meltdowns, there's still a lot of cleanup to be done. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) deployed an underwater robot to assess damage inside the Unit 3 reactor late last week, and the robot obtained images of debris that might be melted nuclear fuel. In some areas, the debris was around three feet thick. Related: Fukushima radiation levels at highest since 2011 disaster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Dbp7-JQFo Via The Guardian Images via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/fukushima-robot-finds-lava-like-deposits-thought-to-be-melted-nuclear-fuel
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Germany expects to add 900 MW of new offshore wind capacity in 2017

Germany's offshore wind boom is accelerating. The Federal Republic has already brought online a total of 626 megawatts (MW) of new offshore wind capacity in the first six months of 2017 and an industry group expects to see total installations of 900 MW by the end of the year. If the Germany hits the 900 MW mark in 2017, it would exceed the 818 MW added in 2016. At the current rate of expansion, Germany could be on track to blow past government targets of 6,500 MW for 2020, the industry group...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/germany-expects-to-add-900-mw-of-new-offshore-wind-capacity-in-2017
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Studiolada used all wood materials to create a beautiful, affordable open-source home that anyone can build

Related: Oregon couple spends years building their net-zero ‘extreme green dream home’ + Studiolada Architects Via Archdaily

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/studiolada-used-all-wood-materials-to-create-a-beautiful-affordable-open-source-home-that-anyone-can-build
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Lyme disease shot could offer 100% protection

Lyme disease is a growing issue in the United States. Since the 1990's, the number of cases has more than doubled. Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School are working on an answer, and have made remarkable progress on a shot that could protect people against contracting the disease. Related: GUIDE: Effective Non-Toxic Bug Repellents for You and Your Family Via Images via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/lyme-disease-shot-could-offer-100-protection
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Cool homestead retreat with vintage trailer brings glamping to Mojave desert

Related: Experience the good old days of off-grid living at the El Cosmico vintage trailer park + Andreas M. Larisch Via Dwell Modern trailer homestead, Andreas M. Larisch,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/cool-homestead-retreat-with-vintage-trailer-brings-glamping-to-mojave-desert
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London scientists want to revive plants buried in 'ghost ponds'

Life will find a way, even if that way is winding and submerged under layers of soil, vegetation, and water. According to a recent study by a scientific team at University College London, uncovering hidden habitats buried under so-called "ghost ponds" could prove decisive in restoring ecosystems and biodiversity and may even hold the key to reviving extinct plant species.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/london-scientists-want-to-revive-plants-buried-in-ghost-ponds
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Provocative timber horn explores the hypnotic pull of the unknown

Digital fabrication and traditional woodworking fuse together in Y, a modern sculpture with a provocative and pixelated appearance. A team of international architects and carpenters comprising &' [Emmi Keskisarja & Janne Teräsvirta & Company Architects] collaborated with the Finnish National Museum to create the funnel-shaped art piece in Helsinki’s Seurasaari open-air museum. The intriguing artwork is built from horizontal prefabricated cross-laminated timber elements interlocked by 568 timber...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/provocative-timber-horn-explores-the-hypnotic-pull-of-the-unknown
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Epic Iron Ring symbolizes Wales majestic legends and landscapes

Simply put, Wales’ ancient landscape is epic. To celebrate the land’s majestic history and nature, George King Architects designed the Iron Ring, an enormous rusted steel crown that will be embedded into the earth beside Flint Castle. The massive sculpture won Wales’ Year of Legends contest and symbolizes the relationship between the medieval monarchies of Europe and the castles they built. Unveiled last week, the £395,000 Iron Ring will be built next to Flint Castle, one of the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/epic-iron-ring-symbolizes-wales-majestic-legends-and-landscapes
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Friday, July 21, 2017

We've made enough plastic trash to bury Manhattan under 2-miles of the stuff

  Whether one is getting an iced latte to-go in the morning, received their restaurant leftovers in a plastic takeaway container, or forgot to take their reusable bags to the store, there are numerous ways one can obtain disposable plastic — and that is a problem. According to the first global analysis of the production of plastics, humans now produce more plastic than anything else and, as a result, have created 8.3 billion tonnes (9.bn tons) of the stuff since the 1950’s. If the trend...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/weve-made-enough-plastic-trash-to-bury-manhattan-under-2-miles-of-the-stuff
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Frederike Top's geometric LED lamps cast colorful rays of ever-changing light

Related: Stickbulb’s new Boom LED lamp is made of reclaimed wood from NYC water tanks + Via Organisaion in Design

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/frederike-tops-geometric-led-lamps-cast-colorful-rays-of-ever-changing-light
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US DOI scientist claims he was reassigned for speaking up on climate change

Is the Donald Trump administration reassigning employees who speak out on the dangers of climate change? Joel Clement, former Office of Policy Analysis director at the Department of the Interior, seems to think so. He penned an opinion editorial piece for The Washington Post saying he was moved into an "unrelated job in the accounting office." He said he's a scientist and policy expert, not an accountant - "...but you don't have to be one to see that the administration's excuse for a reassignment...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/us-doi-scientist-claims-he-was-reassigned-for-speaking-up-on-climate-change
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This boy accidentally found a 1.2 million-year-old fossil by tripping over it

Sometimes, there are benefits to being clumsy. A 9-year-old named Jude Sparks recently found this out. While hiking the Orange Mountains in New Mexico with his family, Sparks tripped over an object which at first, he thought was “just a big fat rotten cow.” Instead, it turned out to be a Stegomastodon fossil from 1.2 million years ago. https://youtu.be/xv12xqHcIhw The young boy told KVIA TV: “I didn’t know what it was. I just knew it wasn’t usual.” His family agreed, which...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/this-boy-accidentally-found-a-1-2-million-year-old-fossil-by-tripping-over-it
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Vertical farming startup raises $200M from Alphabet, Jeff Bezos

Indoor vertical farming is on the rise, if a recent funding round for San Francisco startup Plenty is any indication. The company just scored what they say is the largest agriculture technology investment in history at $200 million. Plenty has attracted attention - and quite a lot of money - from well-known tech entrepreneurs like Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt. Related: 40-foot shipping container farm can grow 5 acres of food with 97% less water

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/vertical-farming-startup-raises-200m-from-alphabet-jeff-bezos
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Scientists discover the Amazon forest sets off its own rainy season

For years, scientists have been stumped over why the rainy season in the southern Amazon rainforest begins when it does, two to three months earlier than they'd expect. But now an international team that includes researchers from NASA and Google has discovered the forest actually triggers its own rainy season, thanks to water vapor off plant leaves. The finding points to one disastrous consequence of deforestation in this part of the world: as trees are cut down, there's actually less rainfall. ...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/scientists-discover-the-amazon-forest-sets-off-its-own-rainy-season
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Configurable wooden shelter hangs from the treetops

Related: + Etablissements Tourneux Via NotCot Etablissements Tourneux, shelter design, wooden shelters, treetop shelters, Sequoia shelter

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/configurable-wooden-shelter-hangs-from-the-treetops
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Shigeru Ban designs 20,000 homes for severely overcrowded refugee camp in Kenya

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/shigeru-ban-designs-20000-homes-for-severely-overcrowded-refugee-camp-in-kenya
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Aspiring Jedis can pilot the Millennium Falcon at Disney's upcoming 'Star Wars' hotel

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/aspiring-jedis-can-pilot-the-millennium-falcon-at-disneys-upcoming-star-wars-hotel
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Montreal supermarket is Canada's first to grow produce on its own rooftop garden

A supermarket in Montreal is raising the roof on local produce. Located in the Saint-Laurent borough, IGA Extra Famille Duchemin says it's the first grocery store in Canada to sell herbs and vegetables grown on its own roof. The 25,000-foot space features more than 30 different varieties of certified-organic produce, including tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, kale, eggplant, and basil. Photos via Facebook

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/montreal-supermarket-is-canadas-first-to-grow-produce-on-its-own-rooftop-garden
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Gorgeous modern home makes stunning use of recycled and salvaged materials

Architecture studio tenfiftyfive paired modern luxury with sustainable and nature-centric design in their design of this gorgeous house extension in Melbourne. Named the Park House, this Instagram-worthy dwelling is built around two mature gumtrees and clad in timber to blend into the surroundings. More than just a pretty picture, this stylish abode also boasts energy-efficient principles as well as a natural-materials palette largely foraged from recycled and salvaged items. Completed...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-modern-home-makes-stunning-use-of-recycled-and-salvaged-materials
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Gehry Partners unveils plant-covered offices for Los Angeles

Frank Gehry’s firm Gehry Partners is bringing a burst of greenery to Los Angeles’ Playa Vista neighborhood. The world-renowned architecture firm unveiled renderings for their new eight-story office project, called New Beatrice West, that will incorporate the firm’s current offices next door. The eco-conscious structure will be covered in green walls, topped with trees, and feature energy-efficient systems. Located on a corner lot across five contiguous lots, New Beatrice West will...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/gehry-partners-unveils-plant-covered-offices-for-los-angeles
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Thursday, July 20, 2017

Elon Musk just announced he got the green light to build a New York to DC hyperloop

Elon Musk just announced that the New York City to Washington D.C. hyperloop is happening. Taking to Twitter, Musk said that he has received verbal approval to build an underground hyperloop from city to city, with at least a dozen entrance/exits in each city. Once completed, riders will be able to zoom from city to city in under 30 minutes. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/888053175155949572 Musk added - again, on Twitter - that there is still work to do to get official approval, but...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/elon-musk-just-announced-he-got-the-green-light-to-build-a-new-york-to-dc-hyperloop
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How the humble bollard can save lives while improving urban design

Good design can save lives, but sometimes, it’s the humblest designs that do the most good. For instance, you rarely notice them, but bollards are popping up all around cities as an effective way to protect pedestrians during an accident or terrorist attack. That said, no one wants to feel like they are living in a fortress, which is why some designers like Reliance Foundry are creating bollards that don’t just protect people, they enhance the architecture of the city around them. A bollard...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/how-the-humble-bollard-can-save-lives-while-improving-urban-design
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Cecil the lion's son shot and killed by trophy hunter

In 2015, Cecil the lion was reportedly lured out of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park to be slaughtered by American dentist Walter Palmer. But lion hunting in the area hasn't been stopped. The group Lions of Hwange National Park recently said Cecil's son, Xanda, was shot by trophy hunter Richard Cooke. Xanda was just over six years old and is the father of multiple cubs.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/cecil-the-lions-son-shot-and-killed-by-trophy-hunter
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Why the new Nissan Leaf won't need a brake pedal

Your next car may not have a brake pedal. But don't worry - it's totally safe. Nissan's new Leaf will feature what they call an e-Pedal, which allows users to accelerate, slow down, and stop using just one pedal. This seemingly small change could alter car design of the future in a large way. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/why-the-new-nissan-leaf-wont-need-a-brake-pedal
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Congress just voted to allow the slaughter of tens of thousands of wild horses and burros

This week, a Congressional committee signed the death warrant for tens of thousands of wild horses and burros in the US. The House Appropriations Committee voted on Tuesday to remove language from the BLM budget that prohibited the "destruction of healthy, unadopted wild horses and burros," opening the door for inhumane and unnecessary killing of the iconic symbols of the American West. Congressman Chris Stewart (R-Utah) authored the amendment, stating "I love horses and am concerned about...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/congress-just-voted-to-allow-the-slaughter-of-tens-of-thousands-of-wild-horses-and-burros
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16-year-old inspires U.S. city to pass law requiring solar panels on all new homes

More United States cities are taking strong measures to move the clean energy economy forward. This week, South Miami passed a law requiring new houses to be outfitted with solar panels. The law will even apply to some renovations. It passed four to one - and some of the inspiration for the law came from a Florida high school student. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/16-year-old-inspires-u-s-city-to-pass-law-requiring-new-homes-to-have-solar-panels
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Dutch studio unveils colorful solar-powered village for area homeless

Related: Missouri community is building 50 tiny homes for homeless veterans + Studio elmo Vermijs Via Curbed Studio Elmo Vermijs, Skaeve Huse, netherlands tiny house, tiny house design, tiny house living, homeless shlterrs, tiny homes for homeless, urban design, tiny homes urban design, mass tiny home construction, tiny house villages, small spaces, Tiny house villages netherlands energy-neutral tiny homes, green design, sustainable design, energy efficiency, Eindhoven tiny home vi...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/dutch-studio-unveils-colorful-solar-powered-village-for-area-homeless
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These African farmers carved an important message to the world - into the soil

Most people in Western countries reflect on Africa as a continent in which poverty is rife and economic opportunities are lacking. While this may be true depending on the country in question, it’s a fixable problem if agriculture is invested in. Such is a message a group of farmers and villagers in Zambia seeks to share with the world, which is why they spent 5 days last December tilling a field into a series of data. The series of graphs in the soil, called the Field Report, outlined...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/these-african-farmers-carved-an-important-message-to-the-world-into-the-soil
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Surprisingly modern hut in the Scottish Highlands insulated with heather, moss and stone

This small hut nestled in the Scottish Highlands combines the influences of Le Corbusier's iconic Chapelle Notre Dame du Haut and those of the region's vernacular architecture. The building, designed by Moxon Architects, is covered with heather, moss and stone was gathered from local hillsides, which camouflage it and provide additional insulation. The Culardoch Shieling hut sits in the grounds of the client's Highland estate in the mountains of Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Its...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/surprisingly-modern-hut-in-the-scottish-highlands-insulated-with-heather-moss-and-stone
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New handrail sterilizer claims to wipe out 99.9% of germs on escalators

There's no worse feeling than sliding your hand along an escalator or Subway rail and realizing the number of germs you're picking up. While most bacteria are benign and, therefore, pose no threat to human health, issues can still arise from the spread of microbes. Because this issue is a serious one, LG Innotek and Clearwin developed a new sterilizer that claims to wipe out 99.99 percent of germs on a handrail through the process of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). Reportedly, it's the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/new-handrail-sterilizer-claims-to-wipe-out-99-9-of-germs-on-escalators
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Tesla rival Faraday Future's trippy space-age campus will blow your mind

Beijing-based MAD Architects just unveiled designs for Faraday Future’s new campus—and it looks like something straight out of the Jetsons. The electric car company, once hailed as the “Tesla Killer,” plans to relocate its headquarters from Los Angeles to Mare Island, north of San Francisco. The stunning campus features sleek and sci-fi-esque buildings that reference the aerodynamic shape of Faraday Future’s recently unveiled FF91, a self-driving vehicle said to be the world’s fastest-accelerating...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/tesla-rival-faraday-futures-trippy-space-age-campus-will-blow-your-mind
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Zen-like Seattle retreat keeps a minimal footprint in a lush landscape

For those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, feast your eyes on this beautiful light-filled cabin just outside Seattle in Greenwater, Washington. Robert Hutchison Architecture designed Crystal River Ranch House, a cedar-clad home hidden in the shadow of Mount Rainier that exudes a zen-like air of tranquility. Crafted to blend into the lush evergreen landscape, the 1,900-square-foot retreat was kept as compact as possible to minimize site impact and to epitomize the small home...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/zen-like-seattle-retreat-keeps-a-minimal-footprint-in-a-lush-landscape
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PlasticWaste Labyrinth is a stunning look inside our plastic waste problem

Much of our trash is hidden from our daily lives, which is why design collective Luzinterruptus is shining the light on wastefulness in their latest environmental art installations. Located at the heart of Madrid’s popular tourist attraction Plaza Mayor, PlasticWaste Labyrinth is a massive maze constructed from the thousands of plastic bottles that had been consumed in and around the plaza in the past month. The Madrid City Council commissioned the installation, built in June for the fourth Centennial...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/plasticwaste-labyrinth-is-a-stunning-look-inside-our-plastic-waste-problem
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Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Gorgeous billboards by street artist Kelsey Montague are being turned into bags

Fans of Kelsey Montague, an artist best known for her murals of sprawling angel wings, flocks of dragonflies, and other flights of fancy, will soon be able to tote her work wherever they roam. After a stint as a featured artist for Rareform, a company that turns billboards into one-of-a-kind bags and other accessories, Montague will receive its signature treatment. Montague followed the footsteps of fellow artists Tyler Ramsey and Milton Glaser when she participated in Rareform's...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green BuildingInhabitat – Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-billboards-by-street-artist-kelsey-montague-are-being-turned-into-bags
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Oregon just approved the nations first tax on bicycles - and cyclists are furious

Because bicycling is good for one’s health and results in fewer cars being on the road (reducing carbon emissions), one would think governments would go out of their way to encourage more people to commute in such fashion. Right? Wrong. In Oregon — a state which is known for its avid bicycling culture, the nation’s first statewide bike tax has been approved. The new excise tax will require consumers to pay $15 in tax on a bike that costs more than $200 and has a wheel diameter of at least...

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The Indian startup pioneering new battery swapping system for country's electric buses

One of the hassles associated with electric vehicles is how long it takes to charge them. But in India, an energy infrastructure startup has partnered with the country's second biggest truck manufacturer to pioneer a solution: a battery swapping system. The target to start is electric buses, which could stop at stations reminiscent of today's petrol pumps to avoid having to spend a lot of time charging. Related:

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Porsche's new EV chargers top up Mission E batteries by 80% in 15 minutes

We're still about two years away from the arrival of the Porsche Mission E electric car, but Porsche has already started installing the 800-volt chargers that will power it. Porsche recently installed two 800-volt chargers in Berlin that have the ability to recharge an EV's batteries up to 80% in a mere 15 minutes. The 350kW chargers are twice as powerful as the 145kW chargers that Tesla's Supercharger network uses. Although Porsche's new charging stations, Tesla refuses to be out done, since...

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Caltech scientists accelerate part of carbon sequestration process by 500 times

Carbon sequestration, or removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it long-term, could help us fight climate change. It's a complex chemical reaction, but a team of scientists led by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) just made a breakthrough in speeding up a slow part of the reaction. Study co-author Jess Adkins said, "This is one of those rare moments in the arc of one's career where you just go, 'I just discovered something no one ever knew." Related:

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Solar-powered prefab homes for struggling millennials can be set up in a day

An increasing amount of people in the United Kingdom make too much money to qualify for social housing, but not enough to buy a house. Prefabricated homes manufactured at the Legal & General Leeds factory could meet housing needs for that group, largely millennials, and the first ones recently popped up in the London area. The

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HonoMobo's container homes can be shipped anywhere in North America

HonoMobo built an entire collection of flexible, multi-use living units out of reused shipping containers. You can use the structures as a backyard cottage, garage suite, weekend getaway or combine them to create apartments and multi-family developments. The fact that you can simply order HonoMobo houses online makes them even more appealing to homeowners. Related: You can order HonoMobo’s prefab shipping container homes online + HonoMobo Honomobo shipping container home,

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"Crown jewel" wildlife refuge is about to be decimated as Trump starts border wall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eTg6FQT5hM A 2,000 acre wildlife area known as the “crown jewel” of the national refuge system is about to be gutted as Trump begins construction on his border wall. US Customs and Border patrol has quietly been preparing to start the 18-foot tall border wall in the Santa Ana National Refuge in southern Texas, according to an anonymous official. The refuge is home to 400 bird species and the endangered ocelot, but if the wall is constructed as planned, it will...

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Taipei transforms subway cars into ultra-realistic swimming pools and sports fields

Related: + Via This is Colossal Taipei Subway Cars

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Vertical Line Garden engulfs visitors in a flurry of colorful kinetic tapes

Canadian design studio BACKOFFICE found a surprising and fun new use for commercial barrier tape for the Vertical Line Garden, a kinetic installation bursting with color that changes dramatically with the light and wind. Developed for the 2017 International Garden Festival in Quebec, the Vertical Line Garden offers a twist on the formal traditional garden, using “contemporary ready-made means and hyper un-natural materials.” The multi-sensory and interactive pavilion comes to life as the pavilion’s...

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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Dog rescues drowning baby deer in the most adorable video youll see today

We already knew dogs are saviors to humankind, but it turns out they are heroes to other species, as well! This was made evident when recently, a golden retriever rescued a baby deer from the water off the coast of Long Island, New York. The dramatic ordeal was captured on video and has since gone viral. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suh2ggzLm_U This past weekend, a pooch named Storm was out for a walk with his caretaker Mark Freeley when he “plunged into the water and started swimming...

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Innovative retractable sliding glass enclosure extends over pool for year-round fun in Maine

Turkish company Libart has installed an innovative retractable wall system for an outdoor pool in XXX. The sliding aluminum and glass structure can be extended out over the pool to protect it in inclement weather or opened during sunny days. The flexible architectural system .... Related: Sliding Walls Transform This Tokyo House Into an Office For the pool Libart installed a high-walled, 4-piece sectional design called Evolution Freestanding. The glass panels not only provide a...

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LAGI announces location for 2018 renewable energy design competition

Oil refineries and rigs aren't typically considered beautiful. But as the world transitions to more renewable sources of power, what if grid-scale energy could double as an art installation? That's the dream pursued by the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI), which holds a design competition every two years to present visions for energy-generating art able to power hundreds of homes. 2016's winners included ethereal sailboats that harvested both wind for power and fog for water, and whale-like installations...

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Greenbuild: The world's biggest green building expo is coming to Boston

The world's biggest conference dedicated to green building is coming to Boston this November, and you won't want to miss it. The Greenbuild International Conference and Expo will bring together experts, professionals and leaders in sustainable building for mind-blowing exhibits, learning activities, a Net Zero zone, and pavilions with the latest in green building technology.

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Climate change could transform one of Africa's driest regions into a wet one

Climate change is often connected to heat waves and hot temperatures. But researchers recently found almost the opposite could happen in a dry region of Africa: the Sahel. The area sprawls across multiple countries and is considered a transitional zone between the Sahara Desert and more humid regions to the south, and itself is prone to extreme dryness. But climate change could suddenly cause this region to experience heavy seasonal rainfall. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green BuildingInhabitat – Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/climate-change-could-transform-one-of-africas-driest-regions-into-a-wet-one
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New genetically engineered yeast that could clean up heavy metal pollution

A genetically engineered version of the fungus in your bread and beer could help clean up the environment. A team of seven Romanian and Norwegian scientists developed yeast that could clean up heavy metal pollution - and their research revealed the most effective strains are able to soak up 80 percent of metal ions. Related:

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Magical Cape Cod-style cottage perched on NYC rooftop goes on sale for $3.5M

Related: + Via NY Post NYC rooftop cottage, nyc real estate, nyc cottage for sale, nyc rooftop terrace, East Village rooftop cottage, East Village penthouse apartment, Gale Barrett Shrady, magical cottages, nyc penthouses, nyc design, nyc architecture, nyc secret buildings, east village cottage, rooftop gardens.

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World's first solar-powered hot air balloon visits UK school

Bristol was recently named the best place to live in Britain so it was natural that schoolchildren living in the coolest city in the UK just got a glimpse of the one of the coolest energy sources in action with the arrival of the world's first solar-powered hot air balloon. The balloon actually took its maiden voyage back in 2015 but on Monday youngsters from the Hannah More Primary School got to learn about how renewable energy can power global transport -- even a hot air balloon.   ...

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Vietnam's longest cable-stayed bridge lights up with 16.7 million colors

A prism of colors bathes the recently completed Nhat Tan Bridge in Hanoi and turns it into an illuminated work of art. Philips Lighting partnered with Vietnamese construction company, the Sun Group, and installed their cloud-based Philips ActiveSite lighting management system with Philips Color Kinetics which can create a staggering 16.7 million different colors. The new luminous landmark– Vietnam's longest cable-stayed bridge– crosses the Red River in Hanoi and connects the city to...

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Elon Musk has a simple plan to power the US entirely on renewable energy

With all the talk in the US about bringing back more coal and opening more oil reserves, it can be discouraging for those of us dreaming of a sustainable energy future. But Elon Musk, who is always looking at what we can do, rather than what we can't, has laid out a feasible plan for moving the US entirely onto renewable energy. Speaking at the National Governors Association meeting this week, Musk talked about powering the entire country with just 100 square miles of solar panels.  

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Light-filled timber home is a modern zen haven in Seattle

How do you combine countryside tranquility with urban style? MW|Works Architecture+Design strikes a thoughtful balance in Helen Street, a beautiful modern home with handsome craftsmanship and careful attention to detail. Filled with light and views of the landscape, this lovely Seattle home is built largely of wood, from the heavy reclaimed timber cladding to the naturally weathered cedar plank roof. Helen Street was commissioned by clients who had been living on a rural property east...

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Larger-than-life pineapple origami structure pops up on a historic UK landscape

If you love pineapples, prepare to pine over this gorgeous sculpture that’s popped up at the National Trust’s historic Berrington Hall in Herefordshire. Heather and Ivan Morison of Studio Morison designed Look! Look! Look!, a stunning sculptural pavilion in the shape of pineapple origami. The temporary installation is both beautiful and functional, and also draws attention to iconic landscape designer Capability Brown’s final masterpiece, the walled garden at the Georgian mansion. The...

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Monday, July 17, 2017

Modern aluminum addition blends seamlessly in with 19th century rowhouses

Related: Swedish architect surprises mum with dazzling corrugated aluminum home + Aleph Bau Aleph Bau, twelve tacoma, aluminum cladding, aluminum exterior,

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Trump may reverse decision on the Paris climate accord, says French President Macron

Though some speculated President Trump would withdraw the United States of America from the Paris Accord which was signed in 2015, the news still came as a shock to many. After all, the general consensus among 97 of scientists is that climate change is a very real threat, one that will result in incomprehensible repercussions if action is not taken immediately. Nonetheless, the U.S. exited from the Paris Climate Agreement, leaving individual states to sign their own deals with progressive countries...

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Self-sufficient hydrogen-powered boat embarks on 6-year journey

Last year, the world watched as the groundbreaking Solar Impulse 2 plane circumnavigated the globe. Now, the "Solar Impulse of the Seas" has set sail, aiming to demonstrate in a fresh way that clean energy can power our transportation. Dubbed Energy Observer, the solar- and hydrogen-powered boat will sail to 50 countries over the course of six years. Related: + Energy Observer

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Affordable home geothermal energy systems come to upstate New York

When you think of home renewable power systems, geothermal energy probably isn't the first source that comes to mind. But new company Dandelion, which starts after time at Google's moonshot factory X, aims to power houses with the clean, free source "right under our feet." They're offering their systems beginning in northeastern America. Related:

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Indian Railways launches first train with solar-powered coaches

Train travel in India just got a little greener. Last week Indian Railways rolled out their first train outfitted with rooftop solar panels in the Delhi area, which is notorious for its pollution. The solar panels will completely power fans, lighting, and display systems in the coaches. The railways expects the move will save them around 5,547 gallons of diesel every single year. Related:

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green BuildingInhabitat – Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/indian-railways-launches-first-train-with-solar-powered-coaches
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Oozing hagfish spill covers highway with slime in Oregon

Images via NOAA Photo Library and Oregon State Police

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This off-grid school bus home has an incredible raised roof

Related: Traveling family renovates old school bus as both solar-powered home and hostel + Midwest Wanderers Via Treehugger Living Big In A Tiny House, bus conversion, Bus house, raised roof bus, tiny homes, home on wheels, van conversion, living in a bus, bus life, tiny home design,

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This organic farm in New York only grows food for donation (10 tons and counting)

Artist Dan Colen needed an escape from New York City. So he purchased Sky High Farm in New York's Hudson Valley region in 2011, and worked with Berman Horn Studio to create a gorgeous haven with structures reminiscent of old farm buildings. Not only is the farm architecturally beautiful, it's on a mission to do good. The 40-acre farm donates all of its organic produce - and eggs and meat from grass-fed animals - to food pantries and banks throughout the state. Related:

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Solar-powered biodome sustains all four seasons at the same time, under one roof

Italian architect Carlo Ratti "In the garden, people can interact with nature in many ways – from working within nature, to eating al fresco during Milan's cold winters, to celebrating a wedding in the Eternal Spring area," said Carlo Ratti. "As climate change might become more extreme, the importance of envisioning strategies for climate remediation will increase dramatically," said Ratti. "This was our inspiration behind the Four Seasons Garden – in which we usher in a technique...

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New online grocery store sells quality goods for just $3

Whether you’re shopping for a facial cleanser, gluten-free brownie mix, or bowls and mugs for your kitchen, everything you seek can be obtained at low prices through the online grocery store Brandless. The new online retailer, based out of San Francisco, California, is selling nearly 200 generically packaged staples for a mere $3. Products include pantry items, beauty products, office and household supplies and personal care items. Best of all, over 50 percent of the items are organic, with many...

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UK man builds highly sustainable Passivhaus-standard home for his elderly parents

A UK man has built his parents the ultimate gift: a highly sustainable home where they can comfortably live out their lives in one of their favorite places on Earth—and it’s also a house that’s won numerous awards to boot. The loving son is Richard Pender, who began the self-built project, called Shawm, as a master’s student studying renewable energy at Newcastle University. Richard worked in collaboration with Dan Kerr of MawsonKerr Architects to create a beautiful airtight home in rural...

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Biomimetic Eye_Beacon mimics deep-sea creatures in a hypnotic light show

UNStudio and MDT-tex have tapped into the ocean’s murky depths for their design of the Eye_Beacon, a sculptural pavilion for the Amsterdam Light Festival. Illuminated with LEDs to create a hypnotic pulsating light show, the colorful art installation draws inspiration from the bioluminescence of deep-sea creatures. The pavilion was created as the festival’s ticketing and information booth, and follows this year’s theme of biomimicry. Installed on the western side of the ‘Blauwburg’...

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Friday, July 14, 2017

Energy-efficient Bluebonnet Studios offers sustainable housing to Austins most vulnerable citizens

Bluebonnet Studios social housing development in Austin supports a healthy lifestyle through the design, construction and operation of the project. The property, designed by Forge Craft Architecture + Design, provides housing for the homeless, low-income veterans and local musicians. It features forward-thinking sustainable elements such as a well insulated envelope, optimal orientation, low-flow fixtures and occupancy sensors. The architects worked with a difficult site and a very tight budget,...

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Tardigrades will be the last surviving creatures on earth after the sun dies

In the event that Earth is struck by an asteroid, the sun goes supernova or the planet is struck by gamma ray bursts (an extreme energetic explosion), the last surviving creatures won't be cockroaches, they will be tardigrades. Oxford University researchers recently discovered this after exposing the microscopic water bears to the only astrophysical phenomena likely to eradicate life on Earth. Not only did the team learn that the tardigrade can endure temperature extremes of up to 150°C (302°F),...

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Your macaroni and cheese could contain harmful industrial chemicals

Around 10 years ago, chemicals called phthalates were banned from children's toys. But researchers recently detected them in food children commonly eat: macaroni and cheese. Phthalates can disrupt hormones and have been connected to birth defects, but were found in high amounts in the powdered cheese common in macaroni and cheese mixes. Related:

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Rotating indoor garden grows up to 100 herbs and vegetables every month

https://youtu.be/irTCTz_KqVQ Related: Grow Your Own Hydroponic Garden With the GrowBottle + Ogarden Via Uncrate Ogarden Indoor Farm, indoor gardens, home gardens, indoor farms, home growing, home gardens, ogarden farms, organic plants, organic home gardens, automated indoor farm, organic farm systems, hydroponic gardens, hydroponic farms, indoor growing systems

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46 Republicans join Democrats to protect climate change language

Bipartisanship feels increasingly rare in the United States today, but a recent House of Representatives vote shows it isn't dead yet. 46 Republicans aligned with Democrats on a vote over language about climate change in defense policy legislation, tipping the vote against legislation that would have removed the climate language. It's albeit a small step, but one advocates hope points to shifting opinions on climate change among Republicans. Related:

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This shipping container hotel is so cool you'll forget its a shipping container

Related: This amazing shipping container hotel can pop up anywhere in the world "There are so many beautiful places to go visit. That’s how this idea was born. Let’s create a portable hotel room that’s beautiful, sustainable, and comfortable for short-term accommodation and activate some of these spaces," Mezhov says. Contained directors Anatoly Mezhov and Irene Polo + Contained Via Dwell Photography by Daniel John Bilsborough Contained, shipping containers, Shipping Container...

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Reflective paint helps women in slums combat extreme heat caused by climate change

As a result of climate change, temperatures are skyrocketing in India. Sadly, this has resulted in a 150% increased incidence of heat waves which have killed thousands of people in recent years. To help those who are suffering find some relief, the non-profit Mahila Housing Trust is working with Indian women based in 100 slums in 5 cities to apply reflective pain to units which can decrease indoor temperatures by several degrees. Additional goals of the non-profit include upgrading and redeveloping...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green BuildingInhabitat – Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/reflective-paint-helps-women-in-slums-combat-extreme-heat-caused-by-climate-change
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Sleep hundreds of feet in the air in this renovated air traffic control tower

A disused fight control tower in Stockholm's Arlanda Airport was transformed into a unique luxury apartment that offers panoramic views of planes taking off and landing. Travelers can now enter a competition organized by HomeAway to win an overnight stay in this stylish space decorated by Swedish artist and designer Cilla Ramnek. Arlanda teamed up with vacation rental company HomeAway and Swedavia to give the old tower a complete makeover and transform it into a unique living space for...

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Recycled plastic paving company Platio installs first 3 solar systems

A few months ago in December, Inhabitat wrote about Hungarian startup Platio, which had designed a modular energy-harvesting paving system made with recycled plastic. The company has now installed their first three systems in Hungary, Sweden, and Kazakhstan - all in only two months. And it's not just sidewalks that now boast the solar pavements, but pontoons providing energy for ships and benches where passerby can charge their smartphones. Related:

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Sustainable solar housing with urban farming to take root in Eindhoven

A sustainable green design is taking root in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. The city just selected MVRDV and SDK Vastgoed (VolkerWessels) as the winners for the redevelopment competition of the inner city area around Deken van Someren Street. The project, called Nieuw Bergen, comprises high-quality and sustainable residences topped with green roofs and powered by solar. Billed as a contemporary and hyper-modern development, Nieuw Bergen will add 29,000 square meters of new development to...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green BuildingInhabitat – Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/sustainable-solar-housing-with-urban-farming-to-take-root-in-eindhoven
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BIG hides an invisible museum beneath Denmarks sand dunes

Don’t be fooled by these gentle sand dunes—hidden in the landscape is an “invisible museum.” Bjarke Ingels Group designed TIRPITZ, a recently opened museum embedded into Denmark’s protected Blåvand shorelines, also a historic war site. The TIRPITZ museum offers a unique experience within a building that skillfully camouflages into the dunes, providing a sharp contrast to its neighbor, a monolithic German WWII bunker. Developed by Varde Museums, TIRPITZ is a cultural complex...

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Thursday, July 13, 2017

Sprawling MW House blends into the Peruvian landscape with an undulating green roof

MW House by Riofrio+Rodrigo Arquitectos acts as an extension of the desert hills in Peru's Asia District. Resembling the relief of the rocky landscape, this seasonal house establishes a direct relationship with its surroundings and offers a series of rich indoor and outdoor spaces to its occupants. The house comprises two L-shaped blocks that house different functions. The first one is the main house which accommodates the living room, dining room, kitchen, wine cellar and a bedroom. This volume...

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Give goods, find goods, and do good on National Thrift Shop Day

If you’re the type of scavenger that lives for finding hidden gems in vintage shops, then you’ll want to mark August 17th on your calendar. That’s when National Thrift Shop Day returns to encourage everyone to support their local thrift shops and score secondhand goods. New York City is taking this initiative a step further by bringing awareness to the day’s charitable component and reminding us why it would do a world of good if we went the thrift store route instead of buying brand new....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green BuildingInhabitat – Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building http://inhabitat.com/give-goods-find-goods-and-do-good-on-national-thrift-shop-day
via Inhabitat