Wednesday, October 31, 2018

A modern home in India stays naturally cool without AC

When Surat-based architect Ankit Parekh of Parekh Collaborative was asked to design a family home in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, one of the prerequisites was for a comfortably cool residence without air conditioning. In response, Parekh turned to ancient, low-tech methods for natural cooling, from decorative yet functional jali screens to stack ventilation. As a result, the house, named Rambaugh, maintains a temperature variation of 6 to 8 degrees year-round. Crafted...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-modern-home-in-india-stays-naturally-cool-without-ac
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European parliament supports the ban of single-use plastics

The EU adopted new plans last week to ban single-use plastic items like plates, straws, cutlery, balloon sticks, or cotton buds - which make up over 70 percent of marine litter - by 2021. Under draft plans approved by Parliament, MEPs also added items to the banned list that contained products made of oxo-degradable plastics, like bags and fast-food containers made of expanded polystyrene. There is also a plan for several other items that do not have an alternative, like single-use burger boxes,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/european-parliament-supports-the-ban-of-single-use-plastics
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Human activity has decimated 60% of animal populations since 1970

In a new report from WWF International claims that humans have wiped out 60 percent of the world’s mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles since 1970, and experts are now warning that wildlife annihilation is an emergency that is threatening civilization. This new report involved 59 scientists from around the world, and they found that the growing consumption of food and resources by Earth’s population is destroying the web of life that humans depend on for clean air and water. “We are sleepwalking...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/human-activity-has-decimated-60-of-animal-populations-since-1970
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Garden-facing timber home uses highly efficient SIPs to minimize waste

When asked by a long-time friend to build a garden-facing retirement home in Hobart, Australia, Brunswick-based architectural practice Archier created the Five Yards House, a timber-clad abode that takes its name from the numerous “yards,” or gardens, integrated into the design. To minimize waste on site and to ensure rapid installation, the design firm turned to SIP (structural insulated panel) construction, a high-performing methodology that “provides structural, insulative and aesthetic...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/garden-facing-timber-home-uses-highly-efficient-sips-to-minimize-waste
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Sasaki designs Chengdu Panda Reserve to protect the giant panda

Thoughtful urban development and wildlife conservation go hand in hand in Sasaki’s winning proposal for the Chengdu Panda Reserve project, a series of three sites spanning 69 square kilometers in the western Chinese city known as the panda capital of the world. With approximately 1,800 pandas left in the wild, the city leaders of Chengdu have launched an ambitious plan to grow their city—partly in hopes of making a bid to host the Olympics—and provide greater tourism infrastructure to fund...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sasaki-designs-chengdu-panda-reserve-to-protect-the-giant-panda
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7 tiny homes to get you in the Halloween spirit

Tiny homes are a popular trend that allow people to live simply and affordably, while being eco-friendly. But, just because they are small spaces, it doesn’t mean that the owners can’t be creative. To get you in the Halloween spirit, here are seven tiny homes that don’t need any spooky decorations because the home itself represents the holiday perfectly. Outer Space House If you have dreams of going to outer space, you will love this tiny home inspired by the Apollo 11 mission to the moon....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/7-tiny-homes-to-get-you-in-the-halloween-spirit
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Tuesday, October 30, 2018

A dark, timber home rests peacefully among evergreen pine trees

Related: + Via Freshome

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-dark-timber-home-rests-peacefully-among-evergreen-pine-trees
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Architects recycle shipping containers into a breezy Dhaka home

In Dhaka, Bangladesh, local architecture firm River & Rain transformed four shipping containers into a light-filled, three-story house spanning 134 square meters. Completed in 2017, the cargotecture dwelling doesn’t hide its shipping container roots yet manages to exude a welcoming and livable atmosphere through strategically cut openings, terraces that emphasize indoor/ outdoor living, and greenery that grows up, around and through the building. Recycled materials were also used throughout...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/architects-recycle-shipping-containers-into-a-breezy-dhaka-home
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Former convent in Valencia is reborn as an ornate entertainment hub

In the heart of Valencia, Spain, the old convent of San Jose has undergone a sensitive transformation that has turned the historic site into a vibrant gathering space for the civic events, a food market, and soon a hotel. Barcelona-based interior design practice Francesc Rifé Studio was tapped for the adaptive reuse project and inserted modern updates while preserving the property’s architectural integrity. The renovation project was completed this year under the name of Convent Carmen. Built...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/former-convent-in-valencia-is-reborn-as-an-ornate-entertainment-hub
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Dutch couple to drive a solar-powered, 3D-printed vehicle to the South Pole

In a bid to promote zero-waste lifestyles, Edwin and Liesbeth ter Velde of Clean2Antarctica will soon embark on a thrilling adventure to one of the coldest places on Earth—Antarctica. The Dutch couple will drive from their base camp on the southernmost continent to the South Pole in a solar-powered vehicle—called the Solar Voyager—built from upcycled, 3D-printed plastic components. The expedition is expected to take 30 days and will kick off in less than a month on November 28, 2018. Weighing...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/dutch-couple-to-drive-a-solar-powered-3d-printed-vehicle-to-the-south-pole
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5 simple ways to reduce your food waste right now

Food waste is a huge problem worldwide, with one-third of all food produced globally ending up wasted or spoiled. Americans throw away about 40 percent of the food they buy, and the organic matter in landfills provides about 20 percent of methane emissions, which is a major factor in climate change. "There are three main factors: abundance, beauty, and cost," says Jonathan Bloom, author, activist, and creator of Wasted Food. Bloom explains that the overall food supply is about twice the amount...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/5-ways-to-reduce-your-food-waste-now
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Monday, October 29, 2018

Solar-powered Technova College nearly hits net-zero energy in the Netherlands

Designed by Delft-based cepezed and cepezedinterior, the Technova College in Ede has recently opened its doors as the newest branch of the Regional Education Center ROC A12 with a strong focus on sustainability. Powered by energy from a biomass plant and on-site solar panels, the near-energy neutral building largely owes its eco-friendly design to an executive consortium (Team Technova) responsible for overseeing maintenance and the energy supply. The school’s highly transparent design fills the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-technova-college-nearly-hits-net-zero-energy-in-the-netherlands
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A lakeside sauna boasts mystical views and a gleaming facade

Norwegian design practice Feste Landscape / Architecture recently completed the Soria Moria sauna, a sculptural shingle-clad structure on Bandak Lake in Dalen, Norway that overlooks breathtaking mountain and water views. Developed as part of the ‘Tales of the Waterway’ art initiative for the Telemark Canal, Soria Moria is one in a series of projects that use art, architecture and lighting design to celebrate the natural beauty of the local landscape and traditions. In addition to the use of locally...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-lakeside-sauna-boasts-mystical-views-and-a-gleaming-facade
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The peaceful Micro House serves as an artist's refuge in Vermont

Related: How high-tech Kasita microhomes could revolutionize homeownership + Elizabeth Herman Architecture and Design Via Curbed Elizabeth Herman Architecture and Design, Micro House

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-peaceful-micro-house-serves-as-an-artists-refuge-in-vermont
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Billions of pounds of pumpkin will go to the landfill after Halloween

Over the past few weeks, millions of Americans have bought a nutritious, tasty treat that they won’t eat, and after Halloween, the majority will end up throwing it in the trash. Of course, we are talking about pumpkins. And next week, millions of people who bought pumpkins in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the UK will choose to turn their pumpkins into food waste, instead of cooking or composting them. In the UK alone, eight million pumpkins will be in the garbage on November 1st, which...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/billions-of-pounds-of-pumpkin-will-go-to-the-landfill-after-halloween
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China plans to launch the world's first 'artificial moon'

This week, a private aerospace institute in China announced its ambitious attempts to launch a "fake moon" into stationary orbit above the city of Chengdu. Whether or not the team was inspired by Elon Musk's audacious Falcon Heavy test flight is uncertain, although much like the convertible Roadster, Chengdu Aerospace Science Microelectronics System Research Institute Co, Ltd. may soon join the Tesla mogul's club by catapulting a man-made non-satellite object into orbit. Referred to as an "illumination...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/china-plans-to-launch-the-worlds-first-artificial-moon
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A family's unique tiny home uses wool and hemp for insulation

Related: Leroy Street Studio’s Louver House is an Airy, Daylit Barn-Shaped Home + Leroy Street Studio</big Via Dwell Leroy Street Studio, Hill House,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-familys-unique-tiny-home-uses-wool-and-hemp-for-insulation
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Friday, October 26, 2018

Penda unveils a futuristic micro-cabin inspired by Beijings hutongs

micro-apartment concept Related: Penda unveils temporary nature-filled “village” for the Beijing Horticultural Expo + Penda Via Archdaily Prenda Cabin, mini living urban cabin, eco friendly cabins, urban cabins, sustainable cabins, micro-apartment concept,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/penda-unveils-a-futuristic-micro-cabin-inspired-by-beijings-hutongs
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This rammed earth home in India uses recycled materials throughout

When a family of six approached Indian architectural practice Wallmakers for a low-cost home, the architects saw the limited budget as an opportunity to innovate and experiment rather than a drawback. To keep costs low, recycled and natural materials were prioritized in their design of the Debris House, an approximately 2,000-square-foot dwelling that makes the most of its compact site. In addition to locally sourced materials, the eco-sensitive home includes a rainwater harvesting and recycling...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-rammed-earth-home-in-india-uses-recycled-materials-throughout
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An off-grid home in South Africa features a conservatory for fully enjoying nature

Related: Glass elements dramatically open up a solar-powered Sydney home + Nadine Engelbrecht Via Archdaily Nadine Engelbrecht, The Conservatory

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-off-grid-home-in-south-africa-features-a-conservatory-for-fully-enjoying-nature
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Earthquake-resistant Christchurch Central Library is a stunning symbol of rebirth

Nearly eight years after a magnitude-6.3 earthquake ravaged the New Zealand city of Christchurch, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects completed the Christchurch Central Library, a “stunning symbol of hope, unity and rebirth” built on the concepts of resiliency and sustainability. Dubbed Tūranga—Maori for “foundation”—the earthquake-resistant building also pays homage to the deep cultural heritage of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, the local Māori people, through various artworks as well as with its...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/earthquake-resistant-christchurch-central-library-is-a-stunning-symbol-of-rebirth
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Slide down a fire pole in this classic fire truck converted into a quirky hotel

Related: Couple transforms a fire truck into a cozy camper for traveling Europe + Holiday Cottages Via Apartment Therapy Red Rescue Retreat

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/slide-down-a-fire-pole-in-this-classic-fire-truck-converted-into-a-quirky-hotel
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How to cook and enjoy 10 types of squash other than pumpkin

‘Tis the season for squash. And that means it is time for pies, soups, breads, and side dishes. Whether you roast, puree, bake, or sauté it, squash is one of the few fall/winter options for cooking with fresh produce, thanks to their tough outer skins that shield them from cold temperatures. From butternut squash to sweet dumpling squash, there are endless ways to prepare this amazing vegetable. To help you add squash to your cooking repertoire, here is a guide that will allow you to incorporate...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-to-cook-and-enjoy-10-types-of-squash-other-than-pumpkin
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Thursday, October 25, 2018

Farmscape helps communities embrace urban farming

The majority of the world’s population lives in cities, and thanks to the increasing monetary and environmental costs of transporting food to urban areas, a trend that has exploded over the past decade is urban farming. In cities like Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, it is relatively easy to find food growing in window sills, on rooftops, in community gardens, and even on corporate campuses. Farmscape is the largest urban farming venture in the United States, and they help individuals,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/farmscape-helps-communities-embrace-urban-farming
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This net-zero home is inspired by Iceland's volcanic landscapes

In sunny Santa Monica, local studio Minarc has unveiled one of their latest projects built from mnmMOD panels, their award-winning and patented prefabricated building system that yields net-zero energy efficiency. Dubbed the Dawnsknoll project, the 2,500-square-foot dwelling champions sustainability beyond just building materials. Positioned for optimal passive solar conditions, the single-family home also boasts repurposed and recycled materials throughout, high-performance energy systems and a...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-net-zero-home-is-inspired-by-icelands-volcanic-landscapes
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An old warehouse is rehabbed into chic apartments in Montreal

A former industrial warehouse in Montreal has been reborn as an airy and modern residential development thanks to the work of local architectural practice Blouin Tardif Architectes. Originally built at the turn of the century, the building has shed its manufacturing persona yet the adaptive reuse project retains traces of its industrial past with exposed beams, tall ceilings and a brick facade. Dubbed Monument, the renovated building consists of seven contemporary residential units. Located...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-old-warehouse-is-rehabbed-into-chic-apartments-in-montreal
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Stunning Costa Rican beach home uses passive features to stay cool

Related: Via Archdaily + Studio Saxe Studio Saxe, Villa Akoya

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/stunning-costa-rican-beach-home-uses-passive-features-to-stay-cool
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SodaStream deploys an ocean-sweeper to clean up plastic waste in the Caribbean Sea

Last week SodaStream announced the launch of its massive ocean-sweeper, a contraption designed to dismantle booming plastic waste patches in marine waters.   The "Holy Turtle" has already begun cleaning up plastic waste in the Caribbean Sea; the specially designed model is stationed off the shores of Roatán, Honduras for its pilot project. SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum heads the ambitious assignment alongside a formation of multi-international executives who have refocused their energies into...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sodastream-deploys-an-ocean-sweeper-to-clean-up-plastic-waste-in-the-caribbean-sea
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This year, dish out these eco-friendly Halloween treats

October kicks off the holiday season with Halloween decor and candy lining the shelves of every store. While porches fill up with carved pumpkins, spiders, and cobwebs,  parents and children across the country begin planning their Halloween costumes. The tradition of neighborhood trick or treating holds strong in nearly every area of the country. With an estimated over 40 million trick or treaters hitting the streets, the potential environmental impact is huge. If you are looking for ways to make...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-year-dish-out-these-eco-friendly-halloween-treats
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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Endangered Malayan tigers are threatened by the demand for durian

According to environmental groups, the habitat of the Malayan tiger — one of the world’s most endangered tigers — is being threatened. Because of the growing demand from China for durian, a pungent fruit, the forests of Malaysia are being cleared, and it could have a devastating impact on the Malayan tigers’ survival. Forests in the Malaysian region of Raub, the home of the Malayan tiger, have become a popular destination for Chinese and Singapore tourists because of “durian tours.”...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/endangered-malayan-tigers-are-threatened-by-the-demand-for-durian
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A Hawaiian island has been wiped out by Hurricane Walaka

Hurricane Walaka, a powerful hurricane that hit Hawaii earlier this month, has wiped a Hawaiian Island off of the map. East Island, a small 11-acre spot of gravel and sand that sat on top of a coral reef, disappeared after coming into contact with the intense storm. According to The Guardian, scientists have confirmed that the island vanished after comparing satellite images of the French Frigate Shoals — a protected marine area in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. “I uttered a swear word....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-hawaiian-island-has-been-wiped-out-by-hurricane-walaka
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Zigzagging green terraces make up a luxury residential block in Mexico City

A challenging hillside site in Mexico City has given rise to Alcázar de Toledo, a luxury residential development designed by Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos to look like an extension of its lush landscape. Embedded into the rugged terrain, the five-unit apartment block is made up of a series of green terraces that zigzag up the slope and provide deep roof overhangs to the bands of glass that wrap around the residences. In addition to its striking and sculptural form, the 5,471-square-meter building also...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/zigzagging-green-terraces-make-up-a-luxury-residential-block-in-mexico-city
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A curved tunnel provides an unexpected connection in a renovated, mid-century home

When a well-traveled couple tapped Australian design practice Nic Owen Architects to renovate and expand their modest 1940s home in Hampton, the architecture firm channeled the clients’ love of adventure into a design that boasts elements of mystery and surprise. Connecting the original clicker brick structure to a new extension is a dark tunnel that’s curved to obscure views of either end and to create what the architects call a “surprising adventure” giving rise to the project’s name,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-curved-tunnel-provides-an-unexpected-connection-in-a-renovated-mid-century-home
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California waters could open soon to offshore wind farms

With 3,427 miles of Pacific blue coastline one would think establishing wind farms in California would be a cinch. Energy companies have been eagerly awaiting the curtain fall from government regulators that was finally announced this Friday by the U.S. Department of Interior. While turbine installation will prove to be a challenge as a result of unique terrain demands, the offshore energy producers could fulfill California's unrelenting ambitions to cap off at 100% green energy within the next six...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/california-waters-could-open-soon-to-offshore-wind-farms
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Elementary teacher installs a dreamy tiny cabin on his pickup truck

Related: 9 Brilliant Backwoods Cabins for Reconnecting with Nature + Jacob Witzling Via Dwell Jacob Witzling’s handcrafted cabins, sustainable cabins, off grid cabins, reclaimed cabins, diy cabins, cab

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/elementary-teacher-installs-a-dreamy-tiny-cabin-on-his-pickup-truck
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5 ways to reduce your food waste now

Food waste is a huge problem worldwide, with one-third of all food produced globally ending up wasted or spoiled. Americans throw away about 40 percent of the food they buy, and the organic matter in landfills provides about 20 percent of methane emissions, which is a major factor in climate change. "There are three main factors: abundance, beauty, and cost," says Jonathan Bloom, author, activist, and creator of Wasted Food. Bloom explains that the overall food supply is about twice the amount...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/5-ways-to-reduce-your-food-waste-now
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Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Indonesia accepts plastic bottles in exchange for free bus rides

Plastic waste is a huge problem in Indonesia, and this has led to the country’s second-largest city coming up with a novel approach to encourage residents to recycle -- free bus rides in exchange for used plastic bottles and cups. The city of Surabaya launched their new scheme back in April, and commuters can ride city buses by either dropping off the plastic bottles and cups at terminals or using the plastic items to pay their fare directly. A two-hour bus ticket costs up to five plastic...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/indonesia-accepts-plastic-bottles-in-exchange-for-free-bus-rides
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Microplastics have made their way into human poop

Each year, the world produces about 882 billion pounds of plastic waste, and about 80 percent of it ends up in landfills or other parts of the environment. Now, scientists are beginning to study the effects of microplastics on humans, and it turns out that they are showing up in human waste. Microplastics are the smallest particles of plastic waste, and they are so tiny that they are invisible to the human eye. They are found in most bottled and tap water, soil, and sea, rock, and lake salt. A...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/microplastics-have-made-their-way-into-human-poop
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Zambia plans to cull 2,000 hippos over the next 5 years

Two years ago, the Republic of Zambia in south-central Africa suspended their plans for the controlled slaughter of up to 2,000 hippos over five years after protests from animal rights activists. However, the country has recently revived those plans because the water levels in the Luangwa River -- where most of the hippos are located — can’t support the current hippo population. According to Zambia’s Tourism Minister, Charles Banda, it would be too costly to move the hippos to another part...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/zambia-plans-to-cull-2000-hippos-over-the-next-5-years
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A floating greenhouse is inserted behind a renovated Belgian home

Urban farming can be tough, especially when it’s in the middle of the densely packed Belgian city of Mechelen. Yet, thanks to the determination of a client “with green fingers” and the clever design thinking of Belgian architecture firm dmvA, a solution was conceived in House TP, a renovation project with a new greenhouse in the rear. In addition to space for growing greens, the transformed property also enjoys greater access to natural light and views of the outdoors. Located...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-floating-greenhouse-is-inserted-behind-a-renovated-belgian-home
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The Screen House comfortably and sustainably connects with the outdoors

When Camberwell-based design practice Warc Studio Architects was tapped to renovate and extend an existing Edwardian residence in Victoria, the Australian firm also wanted to open the house to greater connection with the outdoors. To mitigate the site’s potentially harsh Western aspect and hot summers, the architects strategically constructed an externally operable screen that inspired the project’s name, the Screen House. Passive solar principles were also applied to keep the home comfortable...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-screen-house-comfortably-and-sustainably-connects-with-the-outdoors
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This geometric cabin in Slovenia is a perfect romantic getaway for nature-lovers

Related: This itsy-bitsy treehouse in Norway offers the ultimate off-grid escape + Glamping Hub Via Apartment Therapy

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-geometric-cabin-in-slovenia-is-a-perfect-romantic-getaway-for-nature-lovers
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Monday, October 22, 2018

Hong Kongs greenest school champions environmental stewardship

Copenhagen-based Henning Larsen Architects has unveiled images of their recently completed new French International School of Hong Kong - Tseung Kwan O, a colorful and energy-efficient development that the firm has declared as the city’s “greenest school.” Designed to promote sustainability, the new primary and secondary school serves as a green oasis in the city. Boasting significant water savings and sewage reduction, the school is designed to meet Building Environmental Assessment Method...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/hong-kongs-greenest-school-champions-environmental-stewardship
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Oregon initiates first modern statewide refillable glass bottle system in the US

At the beginning of the century, refillable bottles where the only option when you purchased a beer or soda from the local merchant. With the invention of the steel can in 1938, however, that practice began to change. Within 10 years, the 100% refillable glass usage for beer had dropped to 84%. When non-refillable glass started taking over mainstream production, that number dropped to 8% by 1986 and, according to the Container Recycling Institute, refillable beer bottles now account for less than...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/oregon-initiates-first-modern-statewide-refillable-glass-bottle-system-in-the-us
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BIG completes low-income Homes for All project in Copenhagen

Beautiful yet affordable design-led apartments have been completed in the northwest part of Copenhagen thanks to the power of prefabrication. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group as part of the non-profit affordable housing association Lejerbo’s “Homes for All” mission, the Dortheavej Residence is a 6,800-square-meter curved building housing 66 new homes for low-income clients. Clad in long wooden planks and stacked to create an attractive checkered pattern, the apartment modules feature soaring...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/big-completes-low-income-homes-for-all-project-in-copenhagen
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A crimson red home is tucked into a dark green forest in Portugal

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-crimson-red-home-is-tucked-into-a-dark-green-forest-in-portugal
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Japanese cherry blossoms spring into unusual fall blooms

The springtime cherry blossom festival in Japan is an annual celebration that draws in spectators from all around the world. For the Japanese, the 'hanami' cherry blossom viewing is a moment shared among family and friends who gather to celebrate nature's beautiful and awe inspiring rebirth. This week, however, cherry blossoms have been blooming two seasons ahead of schedule as a result of two recent typhoons in the area. The premature fall blooms are extremely uncharacteristic of the sakura trees...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/japanese-cherry-blossoms-spring-into-unusual-fall-blooms
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How to throw a fun, zero waste Halloween party

October is flying by and Halloween will be here before you know it. To celebrate the holiday, many of us like to throw a party at home, work, or school full of pumpkins, candy, costumes, food, and decorations. Americans spend billions of dollars on Halloween every year, and many of the things that we buy (plus the packaging) end up in the trash on November 1st. However, if you love celebrating Halloween with a fun party, it doesn’t mean you have to generate piles of garbage and waste. There...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-to-throw-a-fun-zero-waste-halloween-party
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Friday, October 19, 2018

A recycled brick wall runs through this breezy home in Australia

Bright, breezy and surrounded by nature, the Cedar Lane House is a place of peaceful respite on the south coast of Australia. Sydney-based architect and photographer Edward Birch designed the light-filled residence at the base of a mountain in Meroo Meadow. Spread out across 280 square meters, the linear home is anchored by a recycled brick wall that runs the length of the building and imbues the interior with warmth and softness. The Cedar Lane House is organized into three pavilion-like...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-recycled-brick-wall-runs-through-this-breezy-home-in-australia
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The adorable Acorn tiny cabin is made of wood salvaged from an old mansion

Related: +

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-adorable-acorn-tiny-cabin-is-made-of-wood-salvaged-from-an-old-mansion
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Urban Nouveau proposes to turn a historic Stockholm bridge into housing and a park

In a bid to save the historic Gamla Lidingöbron bridge in Stockholm from demolition, Swedish studio Urban Nouveau has proposed transforming the structure into 50 luxury apartments topped with a High Line-inspired linear park. Created as part of a petition to protest the tear down of the structure, the design aims to spark greater dialogue and media attention in hopes of galvanizing support for the bridge’s preservation. The design practice has also proposed using the sale of apartments to fund...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/urban-nouveau-proposes-to-turn-a-historic-stockholm-bridge-into-housing-and-a-park
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6 tips for crafting an eco-friendly Halloween costume

It is hard to believe, but it’s almost that time of year again when sugar-hyped witches, ghosts, superheroes, and princesses will be ringing your doorbell and asking for candy. Halloween is a fun holiday for many of us, but the celebration can easily become expensive and far from eco-friendly, thanks to the decorations, candy, and greeting cards. Worst of all, the plastic-packaged costumes can also be an enemy of the environment, as well as your wallet. Americans spend billions of dollars on...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/6-tips-for-crafting-an-eco-friendly-halloween-costume
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An experimental greenhouse pops up at a busy Copenhagen intersection

A surprising and experimental pocket of nature has popped up in the middle of a heavily trafficked intersection in Copenhagen, Denmark. Danish architect Simon Hjermid Jensen of SHJWorks recently unveiled “Biotope,” a sculptural pavilion that houses a microcosm of plants and insects. Sixty different seeds have been sown into the soil and a beehive has been attached inside the installation to foster a thriving and evolving ecosystem of activity for the enjoyment of passersby. Created...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-experimental-greenhouse-pops-up-at-a-busy-copenhagen-intersection
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Thursday, October 18, 2018

Winter ticks are responsible for New England's moose massacres

The changing autumn climate felt in recent years has proven deadly for moose populations in the North Eastern United States. A longer fall season and warmer winter weathers have caused winter tick populations to thrive at the expense of their majestic hosts. Experts who have been alarmed by the unfolding ravage on New England moose warn "we're sitting on a powder keg" as calf survival has fallen to an all-time low of 30 percent while blighted adults - barely recognizable from the onslaught - are...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/winter-ticks-are-responsible-for-new-englands-moose-massacres
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Study finds 90 percent of table salt contains microplastics

According to a new study that looked at sea, rock, and lake salt, 90 percent of the table salt brands sold around the world contain microplastics. Several years ago, we discovered that microplastics were in sea salt, but we didn’t know how extensive the geographical spread was until now. Researchers in South Korea and at Greenpeace East Asia tested 39 salt brands, and 36 of them had microplastics. This study — published in this month’s journal of Environmental Science & Technology —...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/study-finds-90-percent-of-table-salt-contains-microplastics
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Clean energy-producing Light Up wins the 2018 LAGI competition in Melbourne

New York-based NH Architecture and Seattle architectural practice Olson Kundig placed first and second respectively in the 2018 Land Art Generator Initiative design competition in Melbourne, Australia. Sponsored by the State of Victoria’s Renewable Energy Action Plan with clean energy targets of 25 percent by 2020, the international competition sought large-scale works of public art that generate renewable energy in visible ways for St Kilda Triangle in the City of Port Phillip. NH Architecture’s...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/clean-energy-producing-light-up-wins-the-2018-lagi-competition-in-melbourne
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The Seasonal Food Guide helps you store, cook and enjoy seasonal produce

When you cook at home, there is nothing better than using fresh, seasonal produce as ingredients in your recipes. But, it can be difficult to remember what is in season near you throughout the year. Luckily, there is an app for that, thanks to GRACE Communications Foundation, a non-profit organization aiming to boost awareness and support for sustainable food initiatives. Last year, the foundation launched their Seasonal Food Guide app (available for Android and IOS) just before National Farmer’s...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-seasonal-food-guide-helps-you-store-cook-and-enjoy-seasonal-produce
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Hurricane Michael leaves uncertainty for loggerhead sea turtles in Florida

The full extent of the damage from Hurricane Michael is still not known. But, when the storm hit Florida’s panhandle, it definitely did more than destroy property and accumulate a human death toll close to 30. Part of the hurricane’s devastation included sweeping away the nests of threatened baby loggerhead sea turtles that were hatching on Florida beaches after damage from previous storms. From May through October, the Gulfside Beaches in Florida’s Franklin County are dotted with sea turtle...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/hurricane-michael-leaves-uncertainty-for-loggerhead-sea-turtles-in-florida
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Get away from it all in this tiny hut tucked into a Lithuanian forest

Related: Tiny ‘hut on wheels’ is the perfect vacation home to escape the concrete jungle + Ema Butrimaviciute / Utopium Via Archdaily Etno Hut, Utopium

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/get-away-from-it-all-in-this-tiny-hut-tucked-into-a-lithuanian-forest
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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Jamaica will ban plastic bags, straws and Styrofoam by 2019

Jamaica has become the latest country to introduce a ban on single-use plastics. In order to reduce pollution and the impact of plastic on the environment, the Caribbean nation will ban single-use plastic bags, plastic straws, and Styrofoam beginning on January 1st next year. Daryl Vaz, the minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, encourages consumers to use reusable carrier bags from local enterprises instead. One of the details of the new environmental...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/jamaica-will-ban-plastic-bags-straws-and-styrofoam-by-2019
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Beer prices expected to soar as climate change challenges barley production

Shrinking barley yields caused by climate change will be disrupting the beer industry in the coming decades. The grain is central to beer production and a new study published on Monday signals trouble for brewers who rely on the failing crop. Beer producers are not the only ones downtrodden by the news; beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage worldwide and consumers are equally as dismayed by the report, which will cause a surge in beer prices up to two times its current cost for some nations. Related:...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/beer-prices-expected-to-soar-as-climate-challenges-barley-production
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Weathered steel trees wrap around a solar-powered school building

Delft-based architectural office cepezed recently completed a new solar-powered branch for Graafschap College in Doetinchem that—unlike most school buildings in the Netherlands—eschews natural gas in favor of a power supply that’s 100% electric. Built for the students of the Sports & Exercise and Safety & Craftsmanship departments, the new school building prioritizes a healthy indoor learning environment maximizing access to natural daylight and views of the outdoors. In homage of the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/weathered-steel-trees-wrap-around-a-solar-powered-school-building
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This breezy, green-roofed home in Singapore embraces nature from all angles

Whereas many modern buildings in Singapore rebel against the country’s tropical climate with air-conditioned hermetic spaces, international architecture firm Guz Architects decided instead to embrace the natural environment in their design of the Coral House. The single-family home takes on a breezy, pavilion-like appearance with open and well-ventilated spaces that tap into passive design principles and crosswinds for cooling. Draped in climbing plants and organized around ponds and gardens, the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-breezy-green-roofed-home-in-singapore-embraces-nature-from-all-angles
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10 sustainable Halloween decorations for your green home

Halloween is just around the corner, but when it comes to decorating your home for the spooky holiday, it can be a challenge to keep things eco-friendly, thanks to most store-bought decorations being made with non-recyclable plastic and covered in toxic paint or synthetic fabrics. But, there is no need for frivolous spending and waste when it comes to decorating for Halloween. There are some great DIY ideas that you can use to upcycle things that are already lying around your house, allowing you...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/10-sustainable-halloween-decorations-for-your-green-home
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A love of theater serves as inspiration for this tiny home

When you have a passion, it is often reflected in your home. So when this San Diego family decided to join the tiny home community with a custom-built home by Tiny Heirloom, they used their daughter’s passion for the theater as an inspiration in the design. <!--more--> With only 200-square feet, the home boasts two separate sleeping spaces including a master bedroom with a double bed, a skylight and two additional windows. A stairway leads to the quarters, lit with a theater-style...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-love-of-theater-serves-as-inspiration-for-this-tiny-home
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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

An angular timber cabin is hidden inside an ancient mountain forest

Rising like a tree out of rich volcanic ash soil is the Cabin Shangri-la, the first structure in a series of mountain cabins in Las Trancas, Chile. Architect Nicolas del Rio of the Chilean architecture firm DRAA designed the geometric cabin that’s clad in timber inside and out and punctuated with large windows. Built of prefabricated structural insulation panels, the compact cabin boasts minimal site impact thanks to its elevated footprint, which also gives the dwelling a treehouse-like feel. Completed...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-angular-timber-cabin-is-hidden-inside-an-ancient-mountain-forest
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This contaminated, post-industrial site will become a massive park in Florida

New images have been unveiled of international design firm Sasaki’s proposal for transforming a 180-acre post-industrial site in Lakeland, Florida into a privately funded park with aims of becoming “one of the greatest urban landscapes in the country,” according to the firm. Billed as a future “Central Park” for Lakeland, Bonnet Springs Park will begin with a comprehensive remediation process to heal the damaged and contaminated landscape. Spearheaded by Lakeland Realtor David Bunch and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-contaminated-post-industrial-site-will-become-a-massive-park-in-florida
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This bold, sustainable home will age gracefully near an Indiana wetland

Compact, energy efficient and built with locally sourced materials, this hillside home takes a low-impact approach to its wetland surroundings in the city of Valparaiso in northern Indiana. Local design firm Bamesberger Architecture completed the home for a client who wanted a relatively small dwelling overlooking a pristine 400,000-square-foot wetland site. Named The Box after its boxy appearance, the home boasts low-energy needs and does not rely on air conditioning, even in summer. Completed...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-bold-sustainable-home-will-age-gracefully-near-an-indiana-wetland
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Meat consumption must drop by 90% to avert a climate crisis

As the saying would have it "anything in excess is a poison." This is true of a growing trend in excessive meat consumption worldwide that experts say has turned meat-eating from an unhealthy habit to a deadly addiction. While the meat industry's negative impacts on the environment have proved troublesome for some time, an assembly of scientists from various European research institutes have released a thorough analysis of the Earth's food system that if farming practices and food trends continue...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/meat-consumption-must-drop-by-90-to-avert-a-climate-crisis
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A 1972 Airstream becomes a bright, 198-square-foot home for a family of four

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-1972-airstream-becomes-a-bright-198-square-foot-home-for-a-family-of-four
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Monday, October 15, 2018

Biophilic dome homes produce more energy than they consume

It’s no secret that the building sector is a resource-intensive industry, but La Mesa, California-based nonprofit Green New World believes that the future of construction can and should be greener, healthier and energy-producing. Green New World created the House of PeacE (also known as Project HOPE), an autonomous and regenerative residential housing model that champions carbon-free living. Combining biophilic design with renewable energy systems and natural materials, Green New World’s first...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/biophilic-dome-homes-produce-more-energy-than-they-consume
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Bee hive vandalism in Iowa kills tens of thousands of honeybees

Bee vandals have struck again, this time at the Grateful Acres Farm northeast of Des Moines, Iowa. Last week, farmer Jake Knutson discovered that someone had trashed three of his strongest hives with cinder blocks, logs, and bricks, causing him to lose tens of thousands of bees and 150 pounds of honey. The vandalism allowed bees from nearby farms to steal the honey from exposed containers, and it also left Knutson’s insects to die in the rain. During the past year, hive vandalism has made news...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/bee-hive-vandalism-in-iowa-kills-tens-of-thousands-of-honeybees
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Barn-inspired home offers back-to-nature living with a crisp, contemporary twist

Reconnecting with rural roots has never looked better than at Silvernails, a beautiful hillside home fashioned as a rural barn in Rhinebeck, New York. Set on a picturesque 120-acre property near the east side of the Hudson River, the gabled holiday retreat is the first “ground-up” residential work of Manhattan-based Amalgam Studio. In addition to its modern good looks and spectacular outdoor views, the house—dubbed Silvernails—also boasts an energy-efficient design optimized for cross-ventilation...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/barn-inspired-home-offers-back-to-nature-living-with-a-crisp-contemporary-twist
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This tiny shipping container home adapts to your needs

The tiny-living movement is thriving for a variety of reasons. An emphasis on minimalism, financial benefits, and location freedom top the list. Many people who consider investing in a tiny home worry about size constraints, but the Calico home by Katz Box offers a solution to that concern. Plus, they go about it in an innovative way. <!--more--> Sustainability drives the Ohio-based Katz Box company with the goal of lowering the environmental impact of housing through reclaimed and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-tiny-shipping-container-home-adapts-to-your-needs
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Everything you need to know about online farmers markets

Online farmers markets are becoming increasingly popular with the rise in demand for locally sourced produce. With an industry that makes hundreds of millions annually, online farmers markets provide consumers with fresh food at their door for minimal costs. From how these markets work to the pros and cons of ordering online, here is everything you need to know about online farmers markets. How Do Online Farmers Markets Work? Online farmers markets typically operate within a geographically...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-online-farmers-markets
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Friday, October 12, 2018

A solar-powered home hides behind a colossal, sloped green roof

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-solar-powered-home-hides-behind-a-colossal-sloped-green-roof
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New study suggests it's time to replace modern, grassy lawns

The lush green lawns surrounding many American homes and businesses and that fill beautiful parks and other outdoor spaces might not be the greatest idea, according to Australian scientist Maria Ignatieva and Swedish scientist Marcus Hedblom. In a new Perspective piece published in the Science journal, the urban ecologists suggest that it might be time to rethink the modern lawn. Ignatieva and Hedblom say that the negative environmental consequences of green lawns far outweigh the natural benefits,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-study-suggests-its-time-to-replace-modern-grassy-lawns
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Zaha Hadid Architects weaves energy-saving tech into an otherworldly UAE landscape

Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed designs for the Central Hub, a new leisure and entertainment destination for the United Arab Emirates that looks positively out of this world. Marked by swirling pathways and pod-like buildings, the futuristic Central Hub will serve as the focal point for the US $6.5 billion Ajada development in Sharjah, the UAE’s third most populous city. Spanning an area greater than 25 football fields, the 1.9 million-square-feet Central Hub will be entirely car free and integrate...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/zaha-hadid-architects-weaves-energy-saving-tech-into-an-otherworldly-uae-landscape
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This sculptural home takes cues from the sloping Hollywood Hills landscape

Tucked inside a quiet and wooded site of Nichols Canyon is the Hollywood Hills House, a sculptural home that boasts cutting-edge green technologies and materials. Los Angeles-based design practice Tighe Architecture crafted the home for a musician and took inspiration from the terrain to form the curvaceous, multi-story dwelling. Spanning an area of 5,200 square feet, the home is faced with an abundance of full-height glazing that create a seamless connection between the indoors and out. Although...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-sculptural-home-takes-cues-from-the-sloping-hollywood-hills-landscape
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These enchanting, off-grid cabins are handcrafted from salvaged materials

Related: 9 Brilliant Backwoods Cabins for Reconnecting with Nature + Jacob Witzling Via Dwell Jacob Witzling’s handcrafted cabins, sustainable cabins, off grid cabins, reclaimed cabins, diy cabins, cabin designs, fairy tale cabins, upcycled lumber, composting toilet, sustainable design, green cabin design, diy buildings,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/these-enchanting-off-grid-cabins-are-handcrafted-from-salvaged-materials
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Studio Roosegaardes laser light art tracks floating space waste in the sky

A dazzling neon green light show is illuminating the night skies in Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde’s latest large-scale art installation, the Space Waste Lab Performance. Created as part of the Space Waste Lab, the performance uses real-time tracking information to render the space waste floating above our heads visible with bright green LEDs that follow the movement of the drifting waste. The series of live installations kicked off on October 5 in the Dutch city of Almere and aims to call attention...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/studio-roosegaardes-laser-light-art-tracks-floating-space-waste-in-the-sky
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Thursday, October 11, 2018

War ruins are reborn as a sustainable home in Lebanon

Having survived the Lebanese Civil War and previously used as a torture and detention center for militia forces, The House with two lives has had a colorful past to say in the least. So when Lebanese design practice Nabil Gholam Architects was asked to renovate the structure—originally built as a resort building in the 1930s—the firm took their time to sensitively pick apart the site’s history and breathe new and positive life into the property. Described as “difficult exorcism,” the design...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/war-ruins-are-reborn-as-a-sustainable-home-in-lebanon
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Virgin Atlantic plane takes flight with fuel from recycled waste

A Virgin Atlantic plane, flying from Orlando to London, has become the first commercial flight to use jet fuel partly made from recycled industrial waste. The Boeing 747 — which landed at London’s Gatwick Airport — used a blend of normal jet fuel plus ethanol made from waste gases. “This fuel takes waste, carbon-rich gases from industrial factories and gives them a second life so that new fossil fuels don’t have to be taken out of the ground,” Virgin Atlantic founder, Sir Richard Branson...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/virgin-atlantic-plane-takes-flight-with-fuel-from-recycled-waste
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Maya Bay closes following extensive environmental damage from tourists

The Thai beach that Leonardo DiCaprio made famous in his 2000 movie The Beach is closing indefinitely thanks to the damage caused by millions of tourists. Maya Bay, one of the most popular beaches in the world, is a small beach with golden sands and crystal blue water surrounded by cliffs on Ko Phi Phi Leh island.  But, over the years it has sustained such massive environmental damage from pollution that authorities have closed it for at least a year. The movie may not have been a hit for DiCaprio....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/maya-bay-closes-following-extensive-environmental-damage-from-tourists
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Greek island Tilos is showing the world how to go 100% renewable

The Greek island of Tilos is nearing 100 percent energy independence by using only renewable sources with the help of EU funding. The investment, which has helped the island establish the TILOS (Technology Innovation for the Local Scale, Optimum Integration of Battery Energy Storage) Project, will make the Greek landmass the first island in the Mediterranean to achieve total renewable energy dependence. Related: This massive Sun Ray could sustainably power 220 homes in Melbourne The small island,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/greek-island-tilos-is-showing-the-world-how-to-go-100-renewable
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An energy-efficient modern church references Utahs mining history

Salt Lake City-based design practice Sparano + Mooney Architecture completed a contemporary church for West Valley City, Utah that’s strikingly contemporary yet sensitive to the existing site context. Located near Bingham Canyon Copper Mine, the world’s deepest open pit mine and a major employer in the area, the church pays homage to the working class community’s mining and construction past with its material palette. The award-winning, LEED Silver-targeted church—named Saint Joseph the Worker...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-energy-efficient-modern-church-references-utahs-mining-history
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Dunkin' Donuts unveils a tiny home powered by recycled coffee grounds

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/dunkin-donuts-unveils-a-tiny-home-powered-by-recycled-coffee-grounds
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Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Even scientists are shocked by the latest UN report on climate change

According to a Monday report from the United Nations, reducing the Earth's temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is crucial if more extreme weather events and species' extinction is to be avoided. The current ceiling on temperature increase is set at 2C since the 2015 Paris Agreement to which nearly 200 nations are committed. However, new UN research shows that this pledge is not enough to avoid possibly irreparable damage to our planet's ecosystems. Related: Flood frequency of the Amazon River...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/even-scientists-are-shocked-by-the-latest-un-report-on-climate-change
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Old Sydney warehouse is transformed into an industrial-chic home

Rather than strip Balmain, Sydney of its post-industrial architectural heritage and history, award-winning architecture practice Carter Williamson Architects has taken care to sustainably breathe new life into the area’s old buildings. Case in point is the local studio’s transformation of a former timber factory into a stunning contemporary home with industrial-chic styling woven throughout its four level. Dubbed 102 The Mill, the unique home boasts 403 square meters of space with soaring ceilings...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/old-sydney-warehouse-is-transformed-into-an-industrial-chic-home
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Olson Kundig solar sail proposal could power up to 200 Melbourne homes with clean energy

Acclaimed architecture practice Olson Kundig is best known for their spectacular residential works in the Pacific Northwest, yet the Seattle-based firm has embarked on somewhat new ground in their recent submission to the 2018 Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) competition. Held this year in Melbourne, the international contest has invited designers to create a large-scale and site-specific public artwork that could generate clean energy for the city. In response, Olson Kundig developed ‘Night...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/olson-kundig-solar-sail-proposal-could-power-up-to-200-melbourne-homes-with-clean-energy
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Martian tiny home prototype champions zero waste and self sufficiency

International architectural practice OPEN Architecture has teamed up with Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi to design MARS Case, a futuristic proposal for Martian living that takes inspiration from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. Designed for easy transportation, the lightweight and compact housing prototype was unveiled to the public for the first time outside the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing as part of China House Vision, a multidisciplinary and experiment platform for ideas about the future...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/martian-tiny-home-prototype-champions-zero-waste-and-self-sufficiency
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Solar-powered cork house pursues healthy, sustainable living

Young Berlin-based architecture office rundzwei Architekten recently completed a light-filled home that showcases the many material benefits of cork. Named the Cork Screw House, the sustainably minded abode boasts a facade and roof clad in natural cork, a material that not only gives the building a highly textured appearance, but also contributes significantly to the home’s energy efficiency thanks to high insulation values. The cork-clad home is set on a base of rammed concrete and comprises a...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-cork-house-pursues-healthy-sustainable-living
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This gorgeous converted bus hotel in Scotland pulls out all the stops

Located in Bankrugg Farm, East Lothian, Scotland. Related: Vintage red double decker bus is converted into a cool, retro hotel + The Bus Stop Via Tiny House Talk The Bus Stop, Bankrugg Farm, East Lothian, Scotland, bus stop hotel, bus hotel, converted bus, converted bus hotel, bus hotel in scotland, hotels in scotland,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-gorgeous-converted-bus-hotel-in-scotland-pulls-out-all-the-stops
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Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Sculptural Sunset Houses mimic waves with rainwater-collecting roofs

Named after their spectacular sunset views, the Sunset Houses is a project of two seaside homes set into a slope in the idyllic beach town of Tibau do Sul in the northeast of Brazil. Architects Mariana Vilela and Daniel F. Florez of the local architecture firm Vilela Florez designed the sculptural pair of homes that feature bright blue and grounded brown tones to reference the landscape. To reduce the buildings’ environmental footprint, the architects used locally sourced stone and bamboo and engineered...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sculptural-sunset-houses-mimic-waves-with-rainwater-collecting-roofs
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Award-winning glass cabin is nestled inside an Australian rainforest

Lifted into the canopy of a lush rainforest, this pavilion-like guest retreat offers spectacular views while paying homage to Australia’s architectural heritage. Retired journalists and homeowners Colleen Ryan and Stephen Wyatt tapped architect Harley Graham and his Byron Bay-based design practice to realize the Hidden Studio, a breezy one-bedroom addition that complements property’s two existing buildings—the main home and writer’s cabin—both designed by the late “Sydney School” architect...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/award-winning-glass-cabin-is-nestled-inside-an-australian-rainforest
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These sustainable sunglasses smell like coffee and decompose into fertilizer

In a world headed towards sustainability at every turn, Ochis Coffee is ahead of the curve with their newly-revealed sunglasses made from natural coffee and flax. <!--more--> The only thing better than a morning greeted with sunshine is the smell of coffee, which makes the subtle coffee scent of these sunglasses a win-win. The sleek-texture glasses can be fitted for any prescription lens or buyers can select one of four colored UV options. In an innovative design, the temples...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/these-sustainable-sunglasses-smell-like-coffee-and-decompose-into-fertilizer
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Eco-friendly Scarborough Home is designed to follow the sun

Set into a steep hillside in Christchurch, the Scarborough Home makes the most of its challenging site by embracing site-specific design. The modern family home is the work of New Zealand architectural practice Borrmeister Architects, who capitalized on the property’s stellar ocean views with a pavilion-like design. Modestly sized at 250 square meters, the breezy, passive solar dwelling also boasts environmentally friendly features including solar panels, rainwater retention tanks, and a sculptural...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/eco-friendly-scarborough-home-is-designed-to-follow-the-sun
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A giant tree grows inside CRAs renovated farmhouse proposal

Italian design office Carlo Ratti Associati has unveiled designs for the Greenary, a renovated farmhouse that will be designed around a large and leafy 50-year-old Ficus tree. Rising to a height of nearly 33 feet tall, the perennial tropical plant would anchor the main living area while the various living quarters would be arranged around the upper canopy. The adaptive reuse project is the first step in CRA’s competition-winning master plan and factory for Mutti, one of the leading tomato brands...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-giant-tree-grows-inside-cras-renovated-farmhouse-proposal
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This geometric pod is an ultra-light micro-office on wheels

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from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-geometric-pod-is-an-ultra-light-micro-office-on-wheels
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Monday, October 8, 2018

Mark your calendars for the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Chicago!

Integrating nature into the built environment is no easy feat, but when done correctly, it can be a work of art that gives back to our world instead of taking from it. Greenbuild celebrates just that by exploring new ways of sustainable building and design through teaching, collaborating and empowering professionals. View the gallery below to learn about this year's Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Chicago, where you can find new inspiration, learn state-of-the-art techniques and skills and meet...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/mark-your-calendars-for-the-greenbuild-international-conference-and-expo-in-chicago
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Walkers launches free recycling program amid growing pressure from critics

An online social media campaign calling for popular UK chip manufacturer Walkers to adopt a more sustainable packaging method has succeeded. After hundreds of thousands of empty potato crisp packages were sent back to the company by environmental critics the PepsiCo owned company is launching a free recycling initiative to collect and repurpose their packaging. Initially the company intended to adopt a better packaging solution by 2025 to curb its growing waste crisis, but pressure from consumers...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/walkers-launches-free-recycling-program-amid-growing-pressure-from-critics
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Edible plants surround the curvaceous Barangaroo House in Australia

Completed just last year, the eye-catching Barangaroo House has already become a visual landmark for the inner-city suburb of Barangaroo in Sydney, Australia. The competition-winning design is the work of Australian architecture firm Collins and Turner, which created the sculptural building to house a contemporary restaurant and bar of the same name. Located near the waterfront in a high pedestrian-trafficked area, the curvaceous building mimics the appearance of three stacked bowls rimmed with edible...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/edible-plants-surround-the-curvaceous-barangaroo-house-in-australia
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A disgraceful cascade of trash follows a rare Yellowstone Ear Spring geyser eruption

While tourists flock from all corners of the globe to witness the Yellowstone geysers such as famous Old Faithful, it is a small and relatively-unknown geyser catching international attention this time around. Ear Springs had been quiet for about 60 years until its recent Sep. 15 eruption that featured a fountain of trash gushing from its depths. The natural phenomena generally emit steam and hot water, but the 30 foot surge in Yellowstone National Park included a plethora of oddities thrown out...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-disgraceful-cascade-of-trash-follows-a-rare-yellowstone-ear-spring-geyser-eruption
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Starbucks unveils store built from 29 recycled shipping containers in Taiwan

Starbucks Taiwan will debut its first Asia Pacific store that is built from recycled shipping containers in the Hualien Bay Mall. The mall has yet to be opened to the public, but is situated in a touristic area of the city that is well known for its cuisine and features breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring mountains. The store spans two stories, totaling 320 square meters (approximately 3,445 square feet), and features comfortable seating areas where guests are invited to congregate...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/starbucks-unveils-store-built-from-29-recycled-shipping-containers-in-taiwan
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Nature-inspired Teak House welcomes Vietnams lush forests indoors

Architect Pham Thanh Huy of Vietnamese design firm 282 Design recently renovated a villa into the Teak House, a Northern European-inspired getaway in the cool highlands of Ngọc Thanh in northern Vietnam. Inspired by the surrounding pine forest landscape and spurred by sustainable principles, Pham Thanh Huy created the contemporary home mainly with teak wood sourced from sustainably managed forests. In addition to the predominate timber palette indoors, the house embraces the living forest with...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nature-inspired-teak-house-welcomes-vietnams-lush-forests-indoors
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Friday, October 5, 2018

Austin passes law banning restaurants from throwing out food waste

Restaurants in Austin, Texas have revamped operations this week by adopting sustainable measures for their food waste. According to a new law, which went into effect on Oct. 1, local eateries must now dispose of waste in a responsible manner as part of Austin’s Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO). The businesses are encouraged to chose from a variety of options including donating their unconsumed goods, sending leftovers to farms or composting organic waste in order to divert trash from landfills....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/austin-passes-law-banning-restaurants-from-throwing-out-food-waste
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MAD brings a surreal sports campus that mimics a green, martian landscape to China

Architect Ma Yansong and his Beijing-based firm MAD Architects’ surreal designs often look as though they come from outer space—and his new masterplan for the Quzhou Sports Campus in China is no different. The massive development just broke ground in the historic Chinese city in Zhejiang province and will bring with it an undulating green landscape with mixed programming. Inspired by the traditional Chinese painting style called ‘shan shui,’ MAD Architects conceived a park-like setting with...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/mad-brings-a-surreal-sports-campus-that-mimics-a-green-martian-landscape-to-china
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Elzelinde van Doleweerd transforms food waste into beautiful, 3D-printed snacks

Around a third of the world’s food is lost or thrown away every year—that’s approximately 1.6 billion tons of food annually, a statistic that’s projected to rise to over 2 billion tons by 2030. In a bid to fight the global food waste crisis, Eindhoven University of Technology graduate Elzelinde van Doleweerd teamed up with the China-based technology firm 3D Food Company to turn commonly wasted food products in China into beautiful and tasty 3D-printed snacks. Van Doleweerd recently unveiled...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/elzelinde-van-doleweerd-transforms-food-waste-into-beautiful-3d-printed-snacks
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Eco-resort in Tulum features luxury beach huts made of natural materials

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/eco-resort-in-tulum-features-luxury-beach-huts-made-of-natural-materials
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This charming, solar-powered tiny home is handcrafted from reclaimed wood

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-charming-solar-powered-tiny-home-is-handcrafted-from-reclaimed-wood
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Thursday, October 4, 2018

Sculptural Haus B uses passive solar principles to surpass Germanys energy standards

Completed over the span of four years, Haus B is a passive solar home that’s a contemporary departure from the housing norm of the 1960s suburban neighborhood in which it resides. Located in Dreieich, Germany, the 320-square-meter house was designed by Düsseldorf-based design studio One Fine Day (Office for Architectural Design) in collaboration with Ulrike Thies who acted as the construction supervisor. Most impressively, the single-family residence was designed and built to surpass the requirements...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sculptural-haus-b-uses-passive-solar-principles-to-surpass-germanys-energy-standards
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Mecanoo unveils winning designs for a solar-powered velodrome in Luxembourg

Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo and Luxembourg-based design practice Metaform Architects have placed first in an international design competition for the Mondorf-les-Bains Velodrome and Sports Complex in southeastern Luxembourg. The winning design was created to look like a natural extension of the landscape thanks to its engineered timber structure and sprawling sloped green roof onto which a rounded velodrome is placed. Sustainable and passive solar principles also guided the design of the 24,500-square-meter...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/mecanoo-unveils-winning-designs-for-a-solar-powered-velodrome-in-luxembourg
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This staggered, residential tower is draped with greenery in Quito

Acclaimed architecture firm Safdie Architects has been tapped to design a new residential tower that’s expected to be one of the tallest in Quito, Ecuador. Rising to 24 stories, the eye-catching building—dubbed Qorner—features a staggered with large garden terraces on every floor. Created in collaboration with local construction firm Uribe & Schwarzkopf, the striking high-rise will also feature operable glass walls to embrace indoor and outdoor living and to take advantage of Quito’s...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-staggered-residential-tower-is-draped-with-greenery-in-quito
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A hygrothermal-optimized house boasts thermal comfort with volcano views

Known for its hot and humid summers, the Costa Rican town of Naranjo de Alajuela can be a tricky place to build a cool and comfortable home with a small energy footprint. Yet San Rafael de Escazú-based design studio 10˚84˚ Arquitectura shows that crafting a naturally cool home can be a breeze if you employ the right passive design strategies. One such example can be seen in their VV Residence, a 2,023-square-foot abode that boasts a well-ventilated environment as well as strong connection to nature,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-hygrothermal-optimized-house-boasts-thermal-comfort-with-volcano-views
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Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Lecomte reaches mile 1,000 in his swim across the Pacific Ocean

Ben Lecomte, the first person to swim across the Atlantic Ocean back in 1998, is now attempting to be the first swimmer to traverse the Pacific Ocean. The record-setter is taking on the challenge not only for himself, but also to raise awareness about ocean pollution, health and conservation. The activist has now passed the 1,000 nautical mile marker from his starting point in the port city of Yokohama, Japan. Related: Man plans to swim the Pacific Ocean to raise awareness for plastic pollution “My...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/lecomte-reaches-mile-1000-in-his-swim-across-the-pacific-ocean
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LEGO reintroduces Vestas wind turbine set, now made with plant-based plastic

Lego Group just released a new LEGO Creator Expert set that focuses on sustainable energy. The company announced its Vestas Wind Turbine creation at New York Climate Week in hopes to encourage creativity while spreading the word about renewable and sustainable energy sources. Lego collaborated with Vestas to make the new wind turbine structure. Not only does the set represent renewable energy, but the plastic pieces are made from recycled plants. This is the first time Lego has issued a set made...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/lego-reintroduces-vestas-wind-turbine-set-now-made-with-plant-based-plastic
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Historic Luxembourg building is metamorphosed into an eco-friendly powerhouse

Paris-based Vincent Callebaut Architectures has placed first in POST Luxembourg’s international design competition with their chrysalis-inspired vision for transforming the telecommunications company’s historic headquarters building into a carbon-neutral city landmark. Dubbed the Metamorphosis of the Hotel del Postes, the winning design includes nearly 120,000 square feet of mixed-use space comprising housing, co-working, retail, a brewery, restaurant and a permaculture rooftop sky garden. Although...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/historic-luxembourg-building-is-metamorphosed-into-an-eco-friendly-powerhouse
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A modern, energy-efficient home is built around a beloved madrone tree

Related: Charming home uses local, natural materials to pay homage to a chestnut tree + PRDG Architects Via Dwell PRDG Architects, Farwell Home, Faunleroy Seattle, home design, sustainable homes, green design, homes built around trees,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-modern-energy-efficient-home-is-built-around-a-beloved-madrone-tree
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3XN unveils competition-winning designs for Denmarks Climatorium

Danish architectural practice 3XN Architects recently won a competition for the Climatorium, Denmark’s new international climate center that will be located in the northeastern city of Lemvig. Created in collaboration with urban development consultancy SLA and technical advisory company Orbicon, the winning entry will help establish Lemvik as a center for climate change adaption and support the country’s role as an exporter of climate solutions. Slated for completion in 2020, the sculptural waterfront...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/3xn-unveils-competition-winning-designs-for-denmarks-climatorium
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A tiny, rustic, off-grid cabin sits on vast 300 acres in Australia

Related: Off-grid rainforest cabin built from scratch has minimal site impact The exterior combines recycled brick, radial sawn timber, and galvanized roof sheeting. "Materials were selected to meet the clients’ brief that the house fit within the cognitive idea of an old shed," explain the architects. + MRTN Architects Via Dwell MRTN Architects, Nulla Vale House and Shed

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-tiny-rustic-off-grid-cabin-sits-on-vast-300-acres-in-australia
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Tuesday, October 2, 2018

LEED Silver museum's shimmering, iridescent facade evokes flames in Kansas

When Boston-based architecture practice Verner Johnson was tapped to design the $17.3 million Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park, Kansas, they saw an opportunity to push back against the area’s new suburban sprawl with a site-specific project. Drawing from the region’s landscape history and their experience with museum design, the architects crafted a building that brings the prairie fires of the American Great Plains to life with a striking flame-inspired facade made with dichroic glass....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/leed-silver-museums-shimmering-iridescent-facade-evokes-flames-in-kansas
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How to grow a lush garden in your tiny kitchen windowsill

Invision a garden and you probably picture rows of corn neatly spaced across a field or lettuce coming to life in large raised beds. What you may not realize is that produce can grow very well even in limited spaces. After all, people around the world use rooftops, patios, and barrels to grow food for their tables. You can even use the confined windowsill in your kitchen to grow herbs, greens, and other goodies. You’ll be surprised how much you can grow in your kitchen windowsill and there are...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-to-grow-a-lush-garden-in-your-tiny-kitchen-windowsill
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Zaha Hadid Architects wins bid for Russias new Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall

Zaha Hadid Architects has won an international design competition for the new Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Conceived with the firm’s signature curves, the futuristic design beat out 47 competing teams. The proposed building will supplement the existing Sverdlovsk Philharmonic building that dates back to 1936 and provide a new inspirational venue for housing the city’s acclaimed Ural Philharmonic Orchestra. Organized by the Ministry of Construction...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/zaha-hadid-architects-wins-bid-for-russias-new-sverdlovsk-philharmonic-concert-hall
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Ethical garment factory becomes the first Passive House building in South Asia

Passive House certification—one of the leading green standards for ultra-low energy architecture—has finally touched down in South Asia with the completion of the Star Innovation Center near Colombo, Sri Lanka. New York City-based Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture completed the solar-powered product development facility that saw the renovation of an obsolete building into only one of two certified Passive House factory buildings in the world. Thanks to an airtight envelope and rigorous engineering,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ethical-garment-factory-becomes-the-first-passive-house-building-in-south-asia
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This sustainable home in Chile is designed as an 'unplugged' retreat for a family of six

Related: Minimalist cabin in the Chilean mountains lets climbers escape the daily grind "The most important thing is that the house is totally ‘unplugged,’" LLaumett says. "The electricity is provided by solar panels, and the water comes from a nearby river. It is stored in two elevated containers, delivering the flow to the services by gravity." The scenery may be a dominant force, but from the perspective of the residents, it’s an enchanting backdrop. + Nüform Studio Via Dwell Nüform...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-sustainable-home-in-chile-is-designed-as-an-unplugged-retreat-for-a-family-of-six
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Monday, October 1, 2018

California becomes the first state to ban animal-tested cosmetics

A new California law banning the sale of animal tested cosmetics is the first of its kind in the United States. The California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act was signed by California Governor Jerry Brown on Friday soon after its inception by colleague and fellow Democrat Senator Cathleen Galgiani. The newly adopted regulations will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020 restricting manufacturers wishing to "import for profit, sell, or offer for sale" all cosmetics produced with animal testing. Violators will incur...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/california-becomes-the-first-state-to-ban-animal-tested-cosmetics
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Even fish can eat Nuatan, the bioplastic that could answer the plastic pollution crisis

A viable solution to the world's plastic pollution crisis may have just been unveiled at this week's London Design Festival. Crafting Plastics Studio, established by design duo Vlasta Kubušová and Miroslav Král, created the all-natural alternative, which is made from corn starch, sugar and cooking oil. According to the team who researches and constructs cutting-edge materials for their avant-garde designs Nuatan has the possibility to "replace all the packaging we know," - even fish can eat it! Related:...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/even-fish-can-eat-nuatan-the-bioplastic-that-could-answer-the-plastic-pollution-crisis
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This scarf protects against air pollution, allergens and viral infections

Air pollution is a major problem all across the globe, but one company is helping people stay safe no matter where they live. Bioscarf has created a stylish scarf that doubles as a safety mask for places with high concentrations of pollution. These handy scarfs help fight against pollution, allergies, and viral infections. Bioscarf offers their product in a handful of colors, including white, black, camo, and green. Each scarf is made from high quality polyester and carries the company’s logo....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-scarf-protects-against-air-pollution-allergens-and-viral-infections
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Nature-inspired housing mimics the curvature of the landscape in Chongqing

International design practice Safdie Architects recently completed the Eling Residences, a nature-inspired housing development built to look like an extension of the highest plateau of Eling Hill in Chongqing, China. Elevated high above the Yangtze River, the residences are nestled in a densely forested environment yet enjoy close proximity to the city. In addition to optimizing residents’ access to natural light, ventilation and greenery, each unit is also equipped with a private balcony for indoor/...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nature-inspired-housing-mimics-the-curvature-of-the-landscape-in-chongqing
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How to choose the healthiest, most sustainable milk alternative

Scientists agree that the dairy industry has an overall negative affect on the environment. For starters, it takes a lot of land, fertilizer and water to grow food for the cows. It also takes a lot of energy to process raw milk, package it, and deliver the goods to supermarkets around the world. Then there is the fact that cows generate loads of methane, which is more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide. With the dairy industry disrupting the environment, more people are turning to alternative...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-to-choose-the-healthiest-most-sustainable-milk-alternative
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A couple converts an old prison bus into a criminally beautiful tiny home

Related: Family of five moves from a 2,100-square-foot-house to a beautifully renovated school bus + The Wild Drive Via Apartment Therapy

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-couple-converts-an-old-prison-bus-into-a-criminally-beautiful-tiny-home
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