Friday, May 31, 2019

Minnesota lawmakers to pay homeowners for bee gardens

New legislation is awaiting the governor’s approval that will provide financial support for homeowners who want to transform their yards into bee-friendly gardens. The bill totals $900,000 and will up to 70 percent of the expenses associated with transitioning outdoor space into a flowering garden that attracts the indigenous and endangered rusty patch bumble bee. The endangered rusty patch bumble bee Like most bees, the rusty patch bumble bee population is declining rapidly. It is indigenous...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/minnesota-lawmakers-to-pay-homeowners-for-bee-gardens
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Your guide to eco-friendly toothpastes

If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. You probably eat organic when you can, you remember to bring tote bags to the grocery store more often than not and you might even look into sustainable fashion brands. Cosmetics and toiletries are a major source of chemicals, but they can be hard to switch over to. Here is a guide of some of the best and worst eco-friendly toothpaste options, as well as a step-by-step guide for your transition. Baby...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/your-guide-to-eco-friendly-toothpastes
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Philippine students must plant 10 trees to graduate, new law says

The Philippine Senate passed a new law passed this month requiring all students to plant one tree in order to graduate. The program would total about 525 billion trees planted across one generation of students. The “Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act,” championed by Congressman Gary Alejano encourages intergenerational collaboration and responsibility for the future of the environment. The Act encompasses 12 million elementary school graduates, 5 million high school graduates and half...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/philippine-students-must-plant-10-trees-to-graduate-new-law-says
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MAD unveils an energy-saving snowflake-shaped terminal for Harbin Airport

MAD Architects has unveiled a snowflake-shaped design for Terminal 3 of Harbin Taiping International Airport that draws inspiration from the region’s snowy landscape and boasts greater operational efficiency and energy savings as compared to typical terminal architecture.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/mad-unveils-an-energy-saving-snowflake-shaped-terminal-for-harbin-airport
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Treehouses made from shipping containers offer the ultimate glamping getaway in Portugal

Looking for respite from the noise and stress of the big city? Check out these gorgeous shipping containers treehouses located in Portugal.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/treehouses-made-from-shipping-containers-offer-the-ultimate-glamping-getaway-in-portugal
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Korvaa is the worlds first headphones grown from bio-based materials

Move over plastic and aluminum—the headphones of the future may be built from fungus and biosynthetic spider silk. Helsinki-based multidisciplinary design studio Aivan recently unveiled Korvaa, the world’s first headset made exclusively from microbially grown materials. Created using Synbio (short for “synthetic biology”, an interdisciplinary branch of biology and engineering), Korvaa is the first physical implementation of the technology and marks a potential shift away from a fossil-based...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/korvaa-is-the-worlds-first-headphones-grown-from-bio-based-materials
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Thursday, May 30, 2019

Colorado city to be the first to run on 100 percent renewable energy

Like many cities around the world, Glenwood Springs, Colorado has set a goal to run on renewable energy. But instead of picking a date a year or two ahead, they’re going renewable now. As of June 1, Glenwood Springs will become the seventh US city to run on 100 percent renewable electricity. "Many cities and towns across the country have set aggressive targets, and we are doing our part now — our future is now," Glenwood Springs Mayor Jonathan Godes told the Post Independent. In April,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/colorado-city-to-be-the-first-to-run-on-100-percent-renewable-energy
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Two thirds of world's rivers are contaminated with drugs

A large study of over 711 sites found the majority of rivers around the world are dangerously contaminated with antibiotics. The University of York study is the largest of its kind to date and involved a team of international scientists. Last month, British Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sally Davies study argued that the rising prevalence of resistant bacteria is just as much an existential crisis as climate change and called on widespread awareness, protest and action. According to the United Nations,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/two-thirds-of-worlds-rivers-are-contaminated-with-drugs
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A gorgeous eco hotel to open in the Dolomites

In June, the Adler Hotel Group will debut the Adler Lodge Ritten, a new eco-focused hotel in Italy’s Dolomites mountain range.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-gorgeous-eco-hotel-to-open-in-the-dolomites
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A pair of minimalist cabins is a serene retreat in a Portuguese forest

Related: + Studio 3a Via Wallpaper Comporta cabins, minimalist cabins

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-pair-of-minimalist-cabins-is-a-serene-retreat-in-a-portuguese-forest
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Sculptural Slab House creates ecological corridors in the Brazilian mountains

Belo Horizonte-based Tetro Arquitetura e Engenharia has completed the Inclined Slab House, a contemporary residence on a steep slope with full-height windows that blur the boundary between indoors and out. Set parallel to the terrain’s natural topography, the glass-walled home is defined by an angled concrete roofline that gives the abode its sculptural appeal. The home also forgoes the enclosure of walls and fencing typical to the area to allow for free movement of wildlife around the house, creating...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sculptural-slab-house-creates-ecological-corridors-in-the-brazilian-mountains
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A Melbourne workers cottage gets revamped into a solar-powered family home

When a young family with two children approached Melbourne-based practice Gardiner Architects for a renovation and extension of their existing worker’s cottage, sustainable design was at the forefront of their minds. Not only would a small footprint ease the building’s environmental impact, but it would also help the family stick to their modest budget. Consequently, the architects combined passive solar principles with energy-efficient technologies to create the Allan Street House, a solar-powered...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-melbourne-workers-cottage-gets-revamped-into-a-solar-powered-family-home
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Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Last male Sumatran rhino in Malaysia dies

On Monday, May 27th, Malaysian authorities reported reported that the last male Sumatran rhino died on a nature reserve on Borneo island. There are fewer than 100 of the species left in the wild, with only one female remaining in Malaysia. The male, Tam, is thought to have died from old age after he was discovered on a palm oil plantation. Efforts to breed Tam with females of the same species were unsuccessful. Sumatran rhinos once roamed Asia Sumatran rhinos are one of five rhino species,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/last-male-sumatran-rhino-in-malaysia-dies
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Young couple build their own tiny home to avoid sky-high housing prices in the Bay Area

When Bay Area housing prices got in the way of finding a reasonable place to live in the city, Nicolette and Michael decided to build their own tiny home.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/young-couple-build-their-own-tiny-home-to-avoid-sky-high-housing-prices-in-the-bay-area
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Self-shaping Urbach Tower twists itself into a unique, curvaceous shape

Wood warping typically creates unwanted and undesirable effects, yet the creators behind a unique new landmark in Urbach, Germany, have found a way to harness the naturally occurring deformity into an unexpected architectural possibility.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/self-shaping-urbach-tower-twists-itself-into-a-unique-curvaceous-shape
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RRA unveils mountain-inspired ski resort that emphasizes nature and community

Oslo-based architectural firm Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter (RRA) has won first place in Alpinco Gondoltoppen AS’ competition for the design of a new master plan for mixed-use in Hafjell, an alpine village famous for its skiing and impressive mountain vistas. The project, called Mosetertoppen, will cover an area that’s slightly over 538,000 square feet and is expected to house approximately 1,000 people. Early design renderings show the buildings built primarily from wood, topped with green roofs...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/rra-unveils-mountain-inspired-ski-resort-that-emphasizes-nature-and-community
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A Mumbai industrial complex becomes a modern, mixed-use campus

In the Mumbai suburb of Vikhroli, Indian architectural firm Studio Lotus and GPL Design Studio have given a disused industrial complex new life as a modern, mixed-use center. Dubbed the Imagine Studio, the project serves as an experience center for ‘The Trees,’ a flagship adaptive reuse project for Godrej Properties Ltd. Imagine Studio provides new public and private functions while celebrating the site’s industrial heritage. Located on a one-acre site, the Imagine Studio complex...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-mumbai-industrial-complex-becomes-a-modern-mixed-use-campus
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This luxury resort in Canada is recognized globally for its contributions to eco tourism

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Lodge in Alberta, Canada is setting the bar high when it comes to sustainable eco tourism. As a popular accommodation choice for outdoor enthusiasts with an unparalleled location inside Banff National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), preserving the national wildlife around the resort is of the utmost importance. The hotel was the very first in Canada to receive the highest possible rating from the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program in 2005,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-luxury-resort-in-canada-is-recognized-globally-for-its-contributions-to-eco-tourism
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Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Green-roofed infill rental fills a gap in Vancouvers housing crisis

In light of Vancouver’s housing crisis, local architectural firm Haeccity Studio Architecture has transformed a 1950s bungalow in the city’s West End neighborhood into Comox Infill, a contemporary multi-family development with six dedicated rental units. Described by the firm as the “missing” piece from Vancouver’s urban fabric, this small-scale multi-family project is a case study for much-needed densification that doesn’t compromise on livability. Sandwiched between two heritage properties,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-infill-rental-fills-a-gap-in-vancouvers-housing-crisis
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Vuntut Gwitchin is the first indigenous nation to declare a climate emergency

Last week, the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation became the first Indigenous tribe to declare an official climate emergency. Like other nations that have made similar declarations, the announcement is not backed with funding but rather is an official call to action.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/vuntut-gwitchin-is-the-first-indigenous-nation-to-declare-a-climate-emergency
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UK-based company is making home delivery as green as possible with e-cargo bikes

Electric Assisted Vehicles Limited unveiled its new e-cargo bike designed to reduce the carbon footprint of urban deliveries.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/uk-based-company-is-making-home-delivery-as-green-as-possible-with-e-cargo-bikes
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This sleek, reusable cutlery set can fit right inside your pocket

Single-use plastic is one of the biggest environmental issues facing us today. Between the production of petroleum on one end and the massive waste stream endangering animals and the planet on the other end, it’s time for a war on plastic. One company has decided to begin their battle on the issue with the development of Outlery - compact and portable eating utensils that eliminate the need for estimated 1,000 plastic utensils Americans use each year.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-sleek-reusable-cutlery-set-can-fit-right-inside-your-pocket
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McDonalds creates McHives to raise awareness of the world's decreasing bee populations

Although McDonald's restaurants are ubiquitous around the world, the popular fast food eateries in Sweden are currently expanding to meet the needs of tiny little clients that have an immeasurable impact on our world — honey bees.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/mcdonalds-creates-mchives-to-raise-awareness-of-the-worlds-decreasing-bee-populations
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UNStudio envisions a Garden City of the 21st Century for India

UNStudio has unveiled designs for Karle Town Center (KTC), a new innovative tech campus in Bangalore, dubbed the “Silicon Valley of India.”

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/unstudio-envisions-a-garden-city-of-the-21st-century-for-india
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Monday, May 27, 2019

REPII House offers expansive modular space with sleek design elements

Modular design is nothing new and continues to grow in popularity as well as functionality. With the theory that it’s rarely a bad idea to tack on extra space, the philosophy has been a growing trend in innovative markets such as train car designs and storage pod uses. But not all modular spaces feature modern design, fabulous natural lighting, and sleek decor. In fact, the REPII house is a stark contrast to many modular blueprints with the idea that the extra space can be close, but not attached...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/repii-house-offers-expansive-modular-space-with-sleek-design-elements
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Solar-powered prefab home in Texas features a whimsical pop art water catchment system

Related: + OM Studio Design OM Studio Design. TTexas prefab, pop art water catchment

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-prefab-home-in-texas-features-a-whimsical-pop-art-water-catchment-system
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A chic, nature-filled office building in Tokyo boldly brings the outdoors in

In Tokyo, a new office tower stands out from the concrete jungle with its embrace of nature. Designed by prolific Japanese design studio nendo in the centrally located Kojimachi neighborhood, the Kojimachi Terrace is an eleven-story high-rise wrapped in a grid-like timber-faced facade that’s complemented with a light-filled interior dressed in a warm palette of wood, raw stone, and bronze-colored stainless steel. A “Sky Forest”—a three-story, open-air garden—punctuates the building’s...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-chic-nature-filled-office-building-in-tokyo-boldly-brings-the-outdoors-in
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Friday, May 24, 2019

The Akshar Foundation is creating sustainable schools to teach children important life skills

Based in Assam, India, the Akshar Foundation is on a mission to create a new type of sustainable school with their unique education model. The education reform strives to create government schools that are eco-friendly, low-cost and centered in building the most successful environment for children to learn and grow. At the forefront of the school’s positive environmental impact is its recycling model. Instead of tuition, students pay “plastic school fees” by bringing in a minimum of 25...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-akshar-foundation-is-creating-sustainable-schools-to-teach-children-important-life-skills
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Your favorite playlist has a carbon footprint

Your favorite playlist has a carbon footprint You would think streaming music is more ecofriendly than CDs, tapes and records, right? Afterall, there’s no waste. A new study by the Universities of Glasglow and Oslo calculated the carbon footprint associated with downloading and streaming music and the footprint is surprising. According to data from 2015 and 2016, music streaming accounted for 200 to 350 million kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions. By the numbers The study used data records...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/your-favorite-playlist-has-a-carbon-footprint
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Prada announces a ban on fur

Prada has announced that it will finally ban the use of all fur in future fashion lines. The major fashion company joins a growing list of designers who have been successfully pressured by animal rights advocates.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/prada-announces-a-ban-on-fur
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Meet Solar Cat, a cute and creative take on renewable energy

Solar power just got an adorable new makeover. New York-based technology company, Grouphug, opened Solar Cat at the New York Hall of Science on Earth Day 2019, as an exhibit to demonstrate the creative side of renewable energy. While conducting preliminary research for the project, Grouphug Founder Krystal Persaud interviewed 100 New Yorkers and found that many of them had misconceptions about solar power. Wanting to erase the stigmas about solar panels being an eyesore and only available to...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/meet-solar-cat-a-cute-and-creative-take-on-renewable-energy
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An apartment complex in Amsterdam follows biophilic design principals

Related: + Via Wallpaper

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-apartment-complex-in-amsterdam-follows-biophilic-design-principals
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A modern reusable pavilion is sustainably designed to pop-up almost anywhere

Combining art, architecture, and technology, Los Angeles-based architectural firm Montalba Architects recently completed a temporary pop-up pavilion for the annual Bex & Arts sculpture triennial that’s designed to be easily disassembled and reused for future events. Set on a movable foundation that allows for minimal site impact, the Bex & Arts pavilion briefly served as a fabrication studio, exhibition space and information center on a clearing surrounded by the dramatic Swiss mountains....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-modern-reusable-pavilion-is-sustainably-designed-to-pop-up-almost-anywhere
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Thursday, May 23, 2019

A decaying shop in Cambodia gains a new life through adaptive reuse principles

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-decaying-shop-in-cambodia-gains-a-new-life-through-adaptive-reuse-principles
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Little Caesars debuts vegan sausage

Vegetarians have finally pushed Little Caesars past its tipping point. After years of clamoring for better vegetarian and vegan pizza options, Little Caesars is now offering a plant-based sausage, made by California-based Impossible Foods. This is the first time a national pizza chain has offered a vegan meat substitute. Before vegans get too excited, note that initially only three markets will feature the faux sausage: Fort Myers, Florida, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Yakima, Washington. And the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/little-caesars-debuts-vegan-sausage
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Stay home from work to save the planet, study says

Need an excuse to stay home from work? How about new research findings that a shorter work week is essential to combatting climate change?

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/stay-home-from-work-to-save-the-planet-study-says
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Cambridges first co-housing development fosters sustainable living

Marmalade Lane, the first developer-led cohousing development in Cambridge, has recently been completed in Orchard Park and serves as a promising solution to the critical undersupply of houses in the market. Cambridge-based architectural firm Mole Architects designed the development that comprises 42 contemporary homes with shared facilities and garden space for a mixed and integenerational resident group. Billed as a “sustainable neighborhood,” the cohousing community was designed in accordance...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cambridges-first-co-housing-development-fosters-sustainable-living
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Demand for sand: the largest mining industry no one talks about

The world’s largest and perhaps most destructive mining is rarely discussed. Approximately 85 percent of all material mined from the earth is a simple and widely available resource – sand. Because it is so cheap and readily available, it is mined by everyone from single man with a shovel, to enormous machine-operations. The majority of sand is going to the construction industry for concrete production, but the movement of sand is leading to catastrophic destruction of coastal, sea bed and river...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/demand-for-sand-the-largest-mining-industry-no-one-talks-about
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Escape to the Bavarian Alps in a charming A-frame that produces surplus energy

An A-frame house from the 1970s has been converted into the Solarferienhaus S3 (Solar Holiday Home S3), an energy-positive holiday home located in a former holiday village in the hilly Chiemgau landscape of Upper Bavaria. Redesigned last year by German architect Thomas Ziesel, the innovative modern home is primarily powered by large photovoltaic panels mounted on both sides of the steeply sloped roof. Natural light floods the interior, which follows a minimalist design to keep the focus on the outdoors. Designed...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/escape-to-the-bavarian-alps-in-a-charming-a-frame-that-produces-surplus-energy
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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

An Australian dairy farm is updated with solar-powered grass-to-gate facilities

100KW array of roof mounted solar panels, ‘grass-to-gate’ facility Related: + Via Archdaily Bannister Downs Dairy Creamery, sustainable dairy

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/an-australian-dairy-farm-is-updated-with-solar-powered-grass-to-gate-facilities
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Study estimates sea level rise two times worse than worst-case scenario

Sea level rise is a serious threat, but a new report argues that it may be far worse than even the current word-case estimates. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Monday, estimates that there is a five percent chance the sea level will rise between two and 7.8 feet within the next century. This is more than twice what was recently predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Although five percent may seem like a small probability, the researchers...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/study-estimates-sea-level-rise-two-times-worse-than-worst-case-scenario
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Words matter: The Guardian announces updated climate crisis language

Words matter, and last week The Guardian announced it will start using more appropriately strong words that reflect the magnitude of the climate crisis. Instead of “climate change,” which editor-in-chief Katharine Viner said sounds passive and gentle, staff writers will use “climate crisis” and “climate emergency”. “What scientists are talking about is a catastrophe for humanity,” Viner said in a statement sent to all Guardian staff. “Increasingly, climate scientists and organizations...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/words-matter-the-guardian-announces-updated-climate-crisis-language
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Repurposed shipping container now holds a trendy beer stand in Tokyo

In a creative project that will appease both advocates of recycling and lovers of food and drink, the designers at I IN used a corrugated metal shipping container to create the Schmatz Beer Stand in Tokyo, Japan. Rather than stepping into a dark shipping capsule, guests instead will enter an inviting, warm beer stand completely contrasting to the industrialized exterior. Light timber wood lines both the walls and the floor, matching the exposed wooden bar and bar stools. If there were any confusion...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/repurposed-shipping-container-now-holds-a-trendy-beer-stand-in-tokyo
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Inside The Mohicans: an Ohio treehouse empire

Waking up in a tree 30 feet off the ground with no noise but birdsong, you might not think you were halfway between Columbus and Cleveland. But The Mohicans is a collection of treehouses and cabins in the quiet woods of Ohio’s Amish country. The treehouses are situated off the road and far enough apart that you can spend a night or two and never run into your human neighbors. Kevin Mooney began building treehouses on his property in 2012. Now he’s a treehouse addict, with seven completed and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/inside-the-mohicans-an-ohio-treehouse-empire
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SAOLA offers sustainable sneakers sourced from algae and recycled plastic

Although admittedly late to the game, fashion is working towards cleaning up their act when it comes to corporate responsibility and sustainable sourcing of materials and manufacturing of products. But, consumers have to look for it. Fortunately, the shoe industry in particular is getting downright competitive in their efforts to bring sustainable footwear to the market. Unfortunately, for many manufacturers the eco-friendly label means little more than incorporating an organic thread here or a renewable...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/saola-offers-sustainable-sneakers-sourced-from-algae-and-recycled-plastic
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Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Artist installs nature-inspired tiny house made out of recycled glass and plastic in Times Square

Related: + Fernando Mastrangelo Via Designboom Fernando Mastrangelo, tiny house in times square

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/artist-installs-nature-inspired-tiny-house-made-out-of-recycled-glass-and-plastic-in-times-square
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Meet 'Blade', the world's first 3D-printed hypercar

Related: + Via

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/meet-blade-the-worlds-first-3d-printed-hypercar
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New report reveals 70 million metric tons of plastic burned worldwide each year

A new report reveals the scale of the world’s plastic problem and the alarming amount of plastic that is burned. Despite the grave and well-documented consequences for human health, about 12 percent of all plastic in the U.S. is burned. In middle- and low-income countries without the infrastructure to recycle, plastic is burned at a much higher rate. According to the report, published by Tearfund, Fauna & Flora International, WasteAid and The Institute of Development Studies, a double-decker...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-report-reveals-70-million-metric-tons-of-plastic-burned-worldwide-each-year
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English tree planting challenge will help plant 130,000 trees

This week, England announced an plan to plant at least 130,000 trees in cities and towns throughout the country as part of the Forestry Commission's Urban Tree Challenge Fund. The challenge, endorsed and announced by environment secretary Michael Gove, allows individuals, municipalities, nonprofits and non-governmental organizations to access trees and maintenance funding as long as they can prove they have funding to continue to maintain the trees after a three year funding period. “We need...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/english-tree-planting-challenge-will-help-plant-130000-trees
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Brasserie 2050 restaurant pops up as a prototype for sustainable food service

As the push towards sustainable lifestyles continues to spread from individual purchasing decisions to the overarching responsibility of big business, one restaurant is making a big statement by providing meals from a circular environment of zero food and material waste. <!--more→ Brasserie 2050 restaurant in the Netherlands temporarily opened its doors last fall, both those that seat guests and those to the substantial food-storage pavilion designed by temporary-structure specialists...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/brasserie-2050-restaurant-pops-up-as-a-prototype-for-sustainable-food-service
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Zaha Hadids 2022 World Cup stadium in Qatar adapts for future use

After six years in the making, Qatar has finally inaugurated Al Janoub Stadium, the country’s first purpose-built stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with AECOM, the stadium’s eye-catching pleated shape takes inspiration from the hulls of dhows, the traditional boat of the region. To ensure long-term use by the community, the stadium includes demountable seats and temporary concessions that can be removed for post-World Cup events. Located...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/zaha-hadids-2022-world-cup-stadium-in-qatar-adapts-for-future-use
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A modern farmstay suite minimizes site impact in Brazil

In the state of Paraná in the south of Brazil, architect Bruno Zaitter has created a contemporary and low-impact suite for the charming Hotel Fazenda Cainã in the countryside. Dubbed the Refúgio da Cainã, the building features walls of glass to take in sweeping views of the native forest, surrounding mountains, and the city of Curitiba in the far distance. Elevated to reduce site impact, the prefab structure includes a repurposed container measuring nearly 40 feet in length. Spanning...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-modern-farmstay-suite-minimizes-site-impact-in-brazil
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Monday, May 20, 2019

Solar-powered Ring House heals a scarred hilltop landscape in Greece

On the southern coast of Crete, Greek architectural firm decaARCHITECTURE has turned a commission for a modern residence into an opportunity for landscape preservation. Named the Ring House for its rounded shape, the house was created to follow the existing topography and looks like an extension of its hilltop location. The site had been scarred by environmentally insensitive infrastructural development but has now recovered its original morphology and has been replanted with native flora. Located...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-ring-house-heals-a-scarred-hilltop-landscape-in-greece
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India will surpass Paris Agreement pledges with renewable energy investment

India will surpass Paris Agreement commitment to cut carbon emissions The Indian government has embarked on largescale renewable energy projects that are predicted to enable the world’s second most populous country to surpass their commitment to cut carbon emissions. According to a recently released report from Moody’s Investor’s Service, 45 percent of all energy produced in India will be from non-fossil fuel sources by 2022. This is impressive, considering India only committed to 40 percent...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/india-will-surpass-paris-agreement-pledges-with-renewable-energy-investment
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Breezy home in Mexico uses strategic cross ventilation and natural light to reduce its energy use

Related: + Via Archdaily

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/breezy-home-in-mexico-uses-strategic-cross-ventilation-and-natural-light-to-reduce-its-energy-use
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Polls show climate change is a determining issue for 2020 elections

Recent polls indicate that climate change will be a central issue for voters in the upcoming 2020 presidential elections. According to the George Mason University poll, 38 percent of participants indicated that the topic is “very important” for their decision, while the lead researcher, Anthony Leiserowitz said: “this is truly a top-tier issue for the Democratic base." The poll, released in early May only sampled 1,000 people, but the results are consistent with similar polls by Manmouth...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/polls-show-climate-change-is-a-determining-issue-for-2020-elections
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Geometric pine cabins house nature-minded workspaces in Vietnam

Nestled in a misty pine forest, the Ta Nung Homestay Executive Office offers employees an environmentally sensitive space to work along with breathtaking views of Vietnam’s Central Highland landscape. Ho Chi Minh City-based architectural firm MyAn Architects designed the workspace to look like a cluster of geometric cabins that have been elevated on stilts to reduce site impact and to preserve mature pine trees. Floor-to-ceiling windows sweep an abundance of natural light and views of the mountainous...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/geometric-pine-cabins-house-nature-minded-workspaces-in-vietnam
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Green batteries? Renewable energy storage will cost nature

Our quest to save the world by achieving 100 percent renewable energy will unfortunately also be devastating for the environment. An increase in renewable energy means an increase in the need for batteries to power electric cars and store energy from solar panels and wind turbines. However, batteries are made from unsustainably and unethically sourced metals. A new report, released by the University of Technology in Sydney, estimates that the surge in battery production will increase the demand for...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/green-batteries-renewable-energy-storage-will-cost-nature
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Architects transform a residential building into a lush, green oasis in the heart of So Paulo

Related: + Via Archdaily Lorena Building, green building, local flora, local fauna

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/architects-transform-a-residential-building-into-a-lush-green-oasis-in-the-heart-of-sao-paulo
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Friday, May 17, 2019

Even the most remote islands are victims of plastic pollution

Plastic hasn’t taken much more than a century to conquer the entire world. Since plastic’s invention in 1907, it’s infiltrated even the remotest island chains, according to a new study by marine biologist Jennifer Lavers and her associates. When the researchers visited the Cocos Keeling Islands—six square miles of land 1,300 miles off Australia’s northwest coast—they found a staggering accumulation of plastic waste. Humans don’t live on the Cocos Keeling Islands. So the plastic bags,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/even-the-most-remote-islands-are-victims-of-plastic-pollution
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Sublime net-positive energy farmhouse pays homage to the local vernacular

Related: + Zero Energy Via Zero Energy Lincoln Net Positive Farmhouse, net-positive energy

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sublime-net-positive-energy-farmhouse-pays-homage-to-the-local-vernacular
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Labour Party launches solar panel program for 1.75M homes

Britains Labour Party is set to announce a major new green program today, pledging to install solar panels on up to 1.75 million government and low-income houses. In what has been called the start of a UK version of America’s Green New Deal, the goal of the project is to radically address climate change while creating green jobs. Solar panels and savings The Labour Party will provide free solar panels to one million government subsidized homes and offer grants and interest free loans for panels...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/labour-party-launches-solar-panel-program-for-1-75m-homes
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Playful gable-roofed home in Atlanta champions the power of CLT

Jennifer Bonner, architectural designer and director of MALL, has completed Haus Gables, a new ground-up residential project that was built almost entirely out of cross-laminated timber (CLT), an exceptionally strong wood material made from glued layers of solid-sawn lumber. Located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia, the 2,200-square-foot, two-story home is one of only a few residences constructed from cross-laminated timber in the United States. Named after its cluster...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/playful-gable-roofed-home-in-atlanta-champions-the-power-of-clt
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Looking to make your mornings greener? Try these 7 tips for a sustainable morning routine

We all have our favorite ways to start the day, but how eco-friendly is your morning routine? You might be surprised to learn that most people waste a lot of energy and resources in the first few hours they are awake. Luckily, you can make your mornings more eco-friendly with a few easy steps. From drinking a more sustainable cup of coffee to saving on water, here are seven ways you can go green in the mornings. Sustainable Coffee A hot cup of coffee has become the staple of many morning routines....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/looking-to-make-your-mornings-greener-try-these-7-tips-for-a-sustainable-morning-routine
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NASA Mars Habitat Challenge winner is a 3D-printed pod made of biodegradable materials

Related: + AirSpace Factory Via Archdaily SpaceFactory, Mars Habitat Challenge

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nasa-mars-habitat-challenge-winner-is-a-3d-printed-pod-made-of-biodegradable-materials
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Thursday, May 16, 2019

Futuristic treehouse in Arkansas is designed to inspire imagination

Heat-treated pine and steel were used to create this unique treehouse inside the Garvan Woodland Gardens in central Arkansas. The space, a 210-acre nature park with botanical gardens owned by the University of Arkansas, borders the Quachita River. The structure itself resides inside a children’s garden full of native trees such as oak and pine, and serves as an interactive experience for the kids. The treatment process to create the "thermalised" southern yellow pine uses heat and steam to...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/futuristic-treehouse-in-arkansas-is-designed-to-inspire-imagination
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Koalas declared "functionally extinct"

The Australian Koala Foundation declared koalas officially “functionally extinct,” a term which means that though there are still about 80,000 koalas, they are unlikely to reproduce another generation. The iconic Australian animal is on a fast track to extinction and has suffered from deforestation, disease, climate change-driven drought and a massive slaughter for fur in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Australian government listed the species as "vulnerable" in 2012 when there was thought...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/koalas-declared-functionally-extinct
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A Chinese highway becomes a vibrant, community-centered 'livable street'

Related: + Via Yannan Avenue Highway Adaptation

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-chinese-highway-becomes-a-vibrant-community-centered-livable-street
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Phoenix Earthship features a food garden and jungle in off-grid fashion

An earthship is an accommodation with low-environmental impact. The design of an earthship incorporates natural and recycled materials in the architecture and decor. It is built with conservation of natural resources in mind so that it produces its own water, electricity, and food. Most earthships reuse discarded tires and/or cans and bottles for wall construction. Mud is common for wall plaster and floors. The energy savings through self-heating and cooling properties are remarkable. Most earthships...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/phoenix-earthship-features-a-food-garden-and-jungle-in-off-grid-fashion
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Penalties for protesting pipelines increase in 15 states

At least 15 states have passed or proposed bills that further criminalize trespassing on fossil fuel infrastructure, a trend that environmental and free speech advocates argue unnecessarily targets pipeline protesters and indigenous leaders. In 2018, Louisiana passed a bill that makes trespassing on so-called “critical infrastructure” a more serious offense than existing trespassing laws. While trespassing has long been considered a misdemeanor, the law now specifies that the same act on particular...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/penalties-for-protesting-pipelines-increase-in-15-states
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How National Parks benefit the environment

The U.S. has over 400 national parks across the country, which host a combined total of 330 million visitors every year. National parks have clear economic benefits for national and local economies but they also have important benefits for the environment within and outside of their borders.  Here are some reasons why national parks are great for the environment: Biodiversity like nowhere else National Parks are often designated to protect threatened or unique ecosystems and geography. It is...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-national-parks-benefit-the-environment
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A Dutch village inspired the design of this solar-powered home

Within a cluster of traditional Dutch homes in The Hague, local firm Global Architects has designed a single-family home that stands out from its neighbors with its contemporary design yet relates to the surroundings with a layout that references the concept of a village. Aptly named the Hidden Village, the modern house also distinguishes itself with its use of energy-efficient technologies that span passive solar principles to the use of solar panels and an air-heat pump. As a potential forever...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-dutch-village-inspired-the-design-of-this-solar-powered-home
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Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Beautiful vacation home in Brazil is crafted from upcycled stone and salvaged bricks

Related: + Solo Arquitetos Via Archdaily

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/beautiful-vacation-home-in-brazil-is-crafted-from-upcycled-stone-and-salvaged-bricks
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Ocean explorer finds plastic waste during worlds deepest dive

This May, American Victor Vescovo broke the standing record of the world’s deepest ocean dive, venturing seven miles into the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench where he discovered four potential new species as well as plastic and candy wrappers. Vescovo is a wealth banker with an interest in ocean exploration. He traveled in a high-tech submersible that can withstand enormous amounts of pressure from the 35,849 ft descent. In fact, the submarine is capable of withstanding the weight of “50...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ocean-explorer-finds-plastic-waste-during-worlds-deepest-dive
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AUDIs new electric car will have autonomous vehicle capability and a roof that holds real plants

AUDI revealed the concept for a new electric car with autonomous driving capabilities at Auto Shanghai 2019, and this vehicle really pushes the limits when it comes to connecting technology with nature. Apart from the AI technology implemented to take most of the effort out of driving in general, the AI:ME autonomous vehicle is completely electric. On the interior roof of the car, a wooden pergola roof allows climbing plants to grow and thrive. According to the company, the AUDI AI systems are...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/audis-new-electric-car-will-have-autonomous-vehicle-capability-and-a-roof-that-holds-real-plants
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UN lists plastic as hazardous waste, votes to control international trade

On May 10th, 187 countries voted to list plastic as hazardous waste and tighten control over its international trade. The governing agreement, the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal dictates legally binding standards for importing and exporting toxic materials. For the first time ever, the agreement now includes plastic, with the exception of PE, PP and PET plastics. The new agreement gives lower income countries – particularly...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/un-lists-plastic-as-hazardous-waste-votes-to-control-international-trade
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Power and publicity trump protection in large marine protected areas

Nations have just one more year to reach the global marine conservation goal to protect 10 percent of the world’s oceans by 2020. Although seven percent is already legally protected, many new declarations are massive, offshore areas. Some conservationists argue these offshore achievements fail to protect more critical coastal waters and may even be aggressive ocean-grabs by colonial powers. The goal to legally protect ten percent of the ocean was ratified under the Convention of Biological Diversity...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/power-and-publicity-trump-protection-in-large-marine-protected-areas
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SCAD students fight food insecurity in Georgia with organic farming and beekeeping

For a break from schoolwork, students at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) have been swapping their laptops for shovels and seedlings at SCAD Back40, the school’s new one-acre “farm”. Created as a legacy project to celebrate SCAD’s 40th anniversary, the agricultural initiative features a wide range of seasonal, organically grown crops as well as a growing apiary with 16 beehives actively managed by students. Produce is regularly donated to America’s Second Harvest of Coastal...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/scad-students-fight-food-insecurity-in-georgia-with-organic-farming-and-beekeeping
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Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Architects to transform two old railway yards into eco parks in Milan

OMA and Milan-based Laboratorio Permanente have won a competition to transform two abandoned railway yards in Milan into public parks that will act as “ecological filters” for the car-centric city. Titled Agenti Climatici (Climatic Agents), the master plan would use the natural air-purifying power of plants and the filtering capabilities of water to clean and cool the environment while adding new recreational spaces for the public. The project is part of a larger effort to redevelop disused post-industrial...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/architects-to-transform-two-old-railway-yards-into-eco-parks-in-milan
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Study calls budding octopus farm industry unethical and unsustainable

A new study by an international group of scientists denounces the up-and-coming octopus farming industry as both detrimental to fragile marine ecosystems and unethical given the specie’s high intelligence. As countries like Japan announce that they will have farmed octopus ready for sale in 2020, the researchers are calling on companies and governments to discontinue funding and support for the new industry, claiming there is still an opportunity prevent the same unethical and destructive mistakes...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/study-calls-budding-octopus-farm-industry-unethical-and-unsustainable
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How to mend and repair your clothes

There are many benefits to repairing your clothes. Fixing a hole in your favorite jeans or re-attaching a broken button can extend the life of the piece, which is better for the environment and your wallet. From hemming jean bottoms to fixing zippers, here is a quick look at all of the ways you can repair your clothes. Jean Repairs Jeans often develop holes after extended use. Before you toss your favorite pair of pants, you can extend their life by repairing those rips and tears. All it takes...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-to-mend-and-repair-your-clothes
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California restaurants add carbon emission surcharge

Sustainable restaurants in California are going a step further by adding a farm-to-table and back-to-farm-again surcharge that allows patrons to support climate smart farming practices within the state. This Fall, participating restaurants will begin adding the optional one percent surcharge intended to offset emissions by paying farmers to store carbon in healthy soil and vegetation. The initiative is a joint partnership by the Perennial Farming Initiative, the California Department of Food and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/california-restaurants-add-carbon-emission-surcharge
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Round, minimalist cabins with sliding glass walls take glamping up a notch

Related: Solar-powered glass PurePod cabins provide the ultimate connection with nature + LumiPod LumiPod

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/round-minimalist-cabins-with-sliding-glass-walls-take-glamping-up-a-notch
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The Sparkle Paper Saver Notebook teaches kids about recycled paper and sustainable living

Australian-based company Paper Saver has been using its product to help recycle paper since 2015. Their original designed Paper Saver notebook has a plastic sleeve inside where leftover scratch paper can be inserted and used as pages. When the pages are full, the paper can be easily taken out and replaced with new pieces. It’s an innovative idea that has since allowed tens of thousands of customers reduce their paper waste, according to the site.   Now, the company is supplementing their sleek,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-sparkle-paper-saver-notebook-teaches-kids-about-recycled-paper-and-sustainable-living
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Monday, May 13, 2019

Henning Larsen wins bid to design a sustainable business district for Shenzhen

Danish architectural firm Henning Larsen Architects has won an international competition for the design of the Shenzhen Bay Headquarters City, a new district in the southern Chinese city spanning 5.5 million square meters. Working alongside two other local firms, Henning Larsen’s green and sustainable master plan will help cement Shenzhen—often likened to China’s Silicon Valley—as the innovation center of the country. A critical part of the Shenzhen Bay Headquarters City is reconnecting...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/henning-larsen-wins-bid-to-design-a-sustainable-business-district-for-shenzhen
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Ireland declares a climate emergency, promises action

On May 9th, the governing and opposition parties in the Irish congress voted to declare an official climate emergency, following Britain's declaration a week prior. The declaration of a climate emergency is a public notice that the government commits to developing stronger cross-party actions to deal with the urgent loss of biodiversity. "We're reaching a tipping point in respect of climate deterioration," Climate Action Minister Richard Bruton said in a statement. "Things will deteriorate very...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ireland-declares-a-climate-emergency-promises-action
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This development offers sustainable, affordable housing and tiny homes in Colorado

The tiny resort-town of Telluride in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is known for its world-class skiing, remote location and, until now, lack of low-cost housing. When the tourist numbers begin to pile up during the busy season, those working in the tourist industry at restaurants, shops and resorts are often forced to endure a long commute from the areas outside of town where prices are cheaper. The expensive hotel rooms and vacation homes are a dream for visitors, but when it comes to lower to...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-development-offers-sustainable-affordable-housing-and-tiny-homes-in-colorado
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A pair of monochromatic cottages are tucked into the idyllic Canadian forestscape

Related: + APPAREIL Architecture Via Archdaily Grand-Pic Chalet, APPAREIL Architecture, chalet, wood cottage

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-pair-of-monochromatic-cottages-are-tucked-into-the-idyllic-canadian-forestscape
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These are the best tips to help you establish an eco-friendly laundry routine

The earth is a fragile place; a bit more so with each day that humans contribute to chemicals in the waste stream and overconsumption of resources. While it may seem like a benign daily activity, doing laundry traditionally pours toxins into the water stream and drinks up valuable freshwater in the process. Since it is an activity we all do, there is a great opportunity to reduce the cumulative impact that laundry has on the environment. Here are some ways you can lower your laundry footprint by...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/these-are-the-best-tips-to-help-you-establish-an-eco-friendly-laundry-routine
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Architect designs and builds his dream Passive House in New York

After three years of research and development, architect Wayne Turett of New York City-based architectural firm The Turett Collaborative has designed and built his long-awaited Passive House in the village of Greenport, New York. Built to the rigorous standards of the Passive House Institute, the airtight dwelling combines cutting-edge technologies with passive solar principles to minimize its energy footprint and meet Turett’s aspirations for a carbon neutral design. Held up as an example...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/architect-designs-and-builds-his-dream-passive-house-in-new-york
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Friday, May 10, 2019

eVolo announces winners of the 2019 Skyscraper Competition

eVolo Magazine has announced the winners of its 2019 Skyscraper Competition from a pool of 478 projects. A jury of architects and designers selected three winners and 27 honorable mentions. The annual award recognizes “visionary ideas for building [high-rise] projects that through [the] novel use of technology, materials, programs, aesthetics, and spatial organizations, challenge the way we understand vertical architecture and its relationship with the natural and built environments.” Methanescraper,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/evolo-announces-winners-of-the-2019-skyscraper-competition
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Ultra-rugged, off-grid motorhome is built to go just about anywhere

Related: + BUMO

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/ultra-rugged-off-grid-motorhome-is-built-to-go-just-about-anywhere
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Nepalese volunteers clean 3 tons of trash from Mount Everest

Fourteen Nepalese volunteers collected three tons of garbage from Mount Everest in the first two weeks of their clean up. The government sponsored initiative is an effort to reduce growing amounts of garbage on the world’s tallest mountain. Nearly one third of the garbage collected was taken by helicopter to recycling facilities in Kathmandu, while the remaining trash was sent to a landfill in the Okhaldhunga district. Chief of the Nepalese Tourism Ministry, Dandu Raj Ghimire, told the Associate...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nepalese-volunteers-clean-3-tons-of-trash-from-mount-everest
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10 shipping containers make up this modern, mixed-use structure in Shanghai

Yiduan Shanghai Interior Design has transformed ten shipping containers into a striking mixed-use structure on Shanghai’s Chongming Island in China. Located on an open grass field, the building has been named “The Solid and Void” after the staggered arrangement of the shipping containers, which seamlessly connect to outdoor spaces framed by angular timber elements. To further tie the building to the outdoors, the architects used a predominately natural material palette and white-painted walls...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/10-shipping-containers-make-up-this-modern-mixed-use-structure-in-shanghai
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California bans pesticide linked to brain damage in children

In a move that is both a victory for environmental justice and a snub to the current president, the California Senate officially banned a pesticide that has been proven to cause brain damage in children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had previously attempted to ban the chemical, chlorpyrifos, nationwide but the Trump administration rejected the overwhelming scientific evidence of its health impact on pregnant women and children living near major farms. This week, California representatives...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/california-bans-pesticide-linked-to-brain-damage-in-children
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New York Botanical Garden's new artist residencies connect people with plants

Despite its irrefutable success – founded in 1891, one million visitors a year--the New York Botanical Garden staff tirelessly find new ways to stimulate visitors’ connection to nature. This year they introduced a new artist residency program. They started off with a bang by inviting internationally acclaimed visual artist Michele Oka Doner and sought after composer Angélica Negrón to be their first participants. “People come to nature in different ways,” Barbara Corcoran, NYBG’s vice...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-york-botanical-gardens-new-artist-residencies-connect-people-with-plants
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Minimalist home in northern Spain uses geothermal energy to reduce energy consumption

Related: + Pepe Gascón Arquitectura Via Design Milk Pepe Gascón Arquitectura, Elvira & Marcos House, geothermal energy

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/minimalist-home-in-northern-spain-uses-geothermal-energy-to-reduce-energy-consumption
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Thursday, May 9, 2019

Textile artist Bisa Butler illustrates history by repurposing fabrics into portrait quilts

While the fashion industry continues to take a hit as one that contributes heavily to the pollution of the planet, one Brooklyn-based artist is focused on lessening that impact by repurposing fabrics into quilts. <!--more→ It may not seem like fabric and art directly intertwine, but they do when the artist creates a canvas from vintage and repurposed materials. Bisa Butler, an American textile artist, upcycles the fibers not only to find a use for them, but to tell stories through...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/textile-artist-bisa-butler-illustrates-history-by-repurposing-fabrics-into-portrait-quilts
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Britain celebrates first week without coal power since 1882

England has officially gone seven days without using any coal-powered source of electricity for the first time in centuries. Britain was the cradle of the industrial revolution, opening the world's first coal powered plant in 1882. In an attempt to transition to renewable energy, the country removed its last coal generator from the power grid on May 1st and has effectively survived a week without needing to tap into coal resources. Related: Renewable energy surpasses coal for first time in US...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/britain-celebrates-first-week-without-coal-power-since-1882
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This Costa Rican treehouse is built entirely out of locally sourced teak wood

There’s a good reason why this beautiful, natural wood treehouse blends in perfectly to its surroundings on the pacific coast of Costa Rica--the entire structure was built using the trees from the property site. Nestled in the jungle, and complete with ocean views, the house was inspired by the owners’ love for surfing and environmentalism and built by Tom Kundig. There are three floors to the treehouse, with the top floor visible from above the tree canopy, and the bottom two levels hidden...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-costa-rican-treehouse-is-built-entirely-out-of-locally-sourced-teak-wood
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Almost All U.S. National Parks Have Polluted Air

Sure, we know that cities can be congested and polluted, but at least we have the national parks to escape to when we want to breathe some fresh air, right? Wrong. According to a new report released by the National Park Conservation Association, 96 percent of all parks experience significant air pollution problems. The bipartisan nonprofit organization published a report, “How America is Failing to Protect our National Parks,” that analyzed air quality in 417 parks. Their findings assess...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/almost-all-u-s-national-parks-have-polluted-air
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Cooling breezes blow straight through a low-energy brick house in Indonesia

In the city of Depok in West Java, Jakarta-based architectural firm DELUTION architect has completed the Flick House, a two-story home with a brick facade and a contemporary design that stands out from its more conventional neighbors. Created to follow sustainable and low-energy principles, the house features cooling microclimates and is optimized for natural ventilation. Daylight is also maximized in the house to reduce reliance on artificial lighting while a second “skin” facade helps buffer...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cooling-breezes-blow-straight-through-a-low-energy-brick-house-in-indonesia
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8 tips to make your exercise routine more eco-friendly

For most people, getting in a good workout on a daily basis is hard enough, let alone making sure it is beneficial to the environment. While combining the best of both worlds seems difficult, there are ways you can create an eco-friendly exercise program without too much trouble. From working out at home to enjoying the splendor of the outdoors, here are eight ways you can improve the environment and your health. 1. Go Outdoors Taking your workout to the great outdoors is one of the best ways...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/8-tips-to-make-your-exercise-routine-more-eco-friendly
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The reusable LastSwab might just be the last ear swab you ever buy

You may not think about it each day when you toss that cotton swab into the garbage after touching up your make-up, but billions of people with the same habit create a massive amount of waste! Fortunately, designers from Copenhagen, Denmark have come to the rescue with a reusable cotton swab. <!--more→ The LastSwab is potentially the last cotton swab you’ll ever need. Well, one of two anyway. The company offers the LastSwab for traditional applications and another one styled specifically...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-reusable-lastswab-might-just-be-the-last-ear-swab-you-ever-buy
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Wednesday, May 8, 2019

US stops Arctic Council joint statement over climate change language

On Tuesday, May 7th the Arctic Council released Anchor Texta statement of urgent priorities that never mentions the word climate changeclimate change – and many diplomats blame U.S. influence. The Arctic Council is comprised of indigenous representatives and eight nations, including the U.S., Canada, Finland, Russia, China, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. After meetings in Finland, the group released a statement but could not arrive on joint strategy declaration. “A majority of us regarded...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/us-stops-arctic-council-joint-statement-over-climate-change-language
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This spa in a Canadian nature reserve is committed to bettering its surroundings

Related: + Via Design Boom

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-spa-in-a-canadian-nature-reserve-is-committed-to-bettering-its-surroundings
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Amsterdam Announces Plan to Ban All Polluting Cars by 2030

On Thursday, the city of Amsterdam announced its plan to replace all gasoline and diesel-powered cars and motorcycles with electric vehicles by 2030. The plan is an attempt to address unhealthy and alarming rates of air pollution in the city due to high traffic. Currently, toxic air pollution in Amsterdam exceeds European Union standards. In 2018, the Dutch health council called on the government to develop a plan to address toxic amounts of nitrogen dioxide and particle matter, specifically in...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/amsterdam-announces-plan-to-ban-all-polluting-cars-by-2030
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A potato field is transformed into an award-winning communal home in the Netherlands

Amsterdam-based architectural firm bureau SLA and Utrecht-based ZakenMaker have transformed a one-hectare potato field in the rural area of Oosterwold Almere, the Netherlands into nine connected homes for a group of pioneers seeking a sustainable communal lifestyle. Initially, Frode Bolhuis had approached the architects to construct his dream home, but the very limited budget prompted him to ask eight of his like-minded friends to join to make the project possible. The nine homes—each 1,722 square...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-potato-field-is-transformed-into-an-award-winning-communal-home-in-the-netherlands
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'Overtourism': Surges in unsustainable tourism are destroying islands in the Pacific

The tourism industry is booming throughout the world, but nowhere more noticeably than on the small tropical islands of Southeast Asia. Millions of tourists flock to the remote islands every day to enjoy the beaches and snorkel among the coral reef, but the traffic and the waste it produces has forced some ecosystems to reach their breaking point. “Overtourism” is the new term for the overpopulation of tourists who wreak havoc on fragile ecosystems and many Asian governments have had to close...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/overtourism-surges-in-unsustainable-tourism-are-destroying-islands-in-the-pacific
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Couple converts an old school bus into a chic skoolie for travel

When you are ready to explore the country, why not take your home with you? Sure, there are motorhomes and travel trailers to choose from. You could even pick up a Sprinter van. But for a real adventure, you could tootle about in a Skoolie. If you didn’t catch the play on words, a Skoolie is a converted school bus made into a tiny home on wheels. <!--more→ One couple, Robbie and Priscilla, have converted a school bus into their own travel-ready abode through a process of trial and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/couple-converts-an-old-school-bus-into-a-chic-skoolie-for-travel
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Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Sunflower-inspired tower design envelopes urban residents in mini forests

Concerned by the rampant growth of cities across Latin America and the loss of endemic species, Ecuadorian design studio oficina de Diseño (odD+) has proposed the Sunflower Tower, a conceptual residential building inspired by the seeds and petals of a sunflower. Proposed for Quito, the Sunflower Tower has been envisioned as a “vertical ecosystem” with lush, self-sustaining planters located on every floor of the high-rise. As a result, the building would offer year-round interest, natural air...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/sunflower-inspired-tower-design-envelopes-urban-residents-in-mini-forests
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1 million species are at risk of extinction, says new UN report

A new study released today by the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services reports that nearly one million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction – largely due to unsustainable economic development. The Global Assessment is the largest and most comprehensive study about biodiversity loss and the role of capitalism. The report synthesizes over 15,000 scientific papers published over three years and was released on May 6thand endorsed by 131 countries....

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/1-million-species-are-at-risk-of-extinction-says-new-un-report
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Conservationists in Florida are making the ultimate effort to protect manatees from tourism

  Captain Ross Files sees ripples on the surface of the water down a side canal and instructs Captain Steve Browning to turn in that direction. Files, an energetic bald man in his sixties, sprints up a ladder to sit on top of the boat, his bare feet and legs dangling, as he looks for more telltale signs in the water. After a minute, he admits defeat. “No, I don't think that’s a ‘tee!” he calls back to Browning. It’s just past seven in the morning and I’m on a boat in Crystal...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/conservationists-in-florida-are-making-the-ultimate-effort-to-protect-manatees-from-tourism
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In a world first, the UK declares a climate emergency

In a victory for peaceful protest, the United Kingdom parliament is now the world’s first national legislative body to proclaim a climate change emergency. The decision comes on the heels of major protests by Extinction Rebellion that snarled London traffic for a week last month. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn proposed the emergency declaration. "Today, we have the opportunity to say, 'We hear you,'" Corbyn told parliament, according to Reuters. "By becoming the first parliament in the world...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/in-a-world-first-the-uk-declares-a-climate-emergency
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Jendretzki Design envisions an eco retreat for NYC's Rat Island

Related: + Jendretzki Design Via Dezeen> Jendretzki Design

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/jendretzki-design-envisions-an-eco-retreat-for-nycs-rat-island
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Floating treehouse inside Mexican forest is a dreamy escape from city noise

In the heart of Mexico City, local architectural firm Talleresque has completed Casa Flotante (Floating House), a treehouse-like oasis in the forest. Elevated on nine stilts, the three-story home and work studio stands tall and narrow, mimicking the surrounding trees. As a celebration of indoor/ outdoor living, the house is built of locally sourced materials and large glazed windows that pulls the outdoors in. Raised above sloped terrain, Casa Flotante is anchored into the forest floor and...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/floating-treehouse-inside-mexican-forest-is-a-dreamy-escape-from-city-noise
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Monday, May 6, 2019

Adidas continues drive toward sustainable manufacturing with FUTURECRAFT.LOOP performance shoe

A household name brand like Adidas combined with a 100% recyclable shoe is bound to be a winning combination both for conscientious consumers and the planet. FUTURECRAFT.LOOP performance running shoe is designed to tackle the daily pavement beatings like other shoes across the brand. However, the difference is that instead of heading to landfills with hundreds of thousands of other shoes, the FUTURECRAFT.LOOP can be returned to adidas where it is broken down and reused to create new performance running...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/adidas-continues-drive-toward-sustainable-manufacturing-with-futurecraft-loop-performance-shoe
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New credit card limits spending based on carbon emissions

This Spring, the Swedish financial tech company Doconomy launched the first ever banking service and credit card to manage your personal finances and your daily carbon emissions. The DO Black Card is a collaborative effort with Doconomy, Mastercard and the UN Climate Change secretariat. The card complements users’ existing banking services, but the accompanying app tracks the carbon emissions associated with each DO card purchase and caps the cardholder and the limits they set for themselves. The...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-credit-card-limits-spending-based-on-carbon-emissions
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Renewable energy surpasses coal for the first time in U.S. history

This April, for the first time in U.S. history, the renewable energy sector is expected to have generated more total electricity than coal. According to an initial report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, this achievement is partially because of increased investment and awareness, but may also be due to seasonal changes in electricity consumption. “Five years ago, this never would have been close to happening," Dennis Wamstead, research analyst at IEEFA, said...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/renewable-energy-surpasses-coal-for-the-first-time-in-u-s-history
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Cepezed completes the first self-sufficient bus station in the Netherlands

Delft-based architectural firm cepezed has completed the Netherlands’ first self-sufficient bus station in the southern city of Tilburg. Designed to generate all of its own energy, the new transit facility features a massive solar panel-topped awning that provides shade and gives the bus station its modern and sculptural appearance. The Tilburg bus station was completed as part of the large-scale revitalization of the city’s public transit hub and offers easy access to the neighboring train station...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cepezed-completes-the-first-self-sufficient-bus-station-in-the-netherlands
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Architects revamp a 100-year-old warehouse into a dreamy off-grid refuge in Ibiza

Related: + The Nieuw + Ibiza Interiors Via Dezeen Campo Loft, off grid, The Nieuw, Ibiza Interiors,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/architects-revamp-a-100-year-old-warehouse-into-a-dreamy-off-grid-refuge-in-ibiza
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Celebrate mom with these 10 gifts of time this Mother's Day

Mother's Day is the one time of the year where you can show how much you appreciate your mom. You can always go the traditional route and get your mother a nice card and some flowers, or you can really show how much you care by spending some quality time with her. From attending a cooking class to relaxing at the spa, here are 10 gift ideas that are sure to make Mother's Day enjoyable for the whole family. 1. Cooking Class Let's be honest, your mom is probably the best cook you know, but why...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/celebrate-mom-with-these-10-gifts-of-time-this-mothers-day
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Friday, May 3, 2019

This beautiful charred timber lake house extension in Munich is chemical-free

German architect studio, Buero Wagner, designed a modern, chemical-free home using a twist on the traditional Japanese practice of charred wood. The "Black House" is located near Munich’s Lake Ammersee and marries rural German architecture was a sleek industrial design. It is an addition to an existing family home and uses the sites natural topography to create a stacked look on the exterior with a fluid, open concept inside. The charred wood façade is a popular trend in western architecture,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-beautiful-charred-timber-lake-house-extension-in-munich-is-chemical-free
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EPA backs the use of toxic herbicide chemical glyphosate

Scientific findings are often inconvenient, such as when glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide turns out to be carcinogenic. The US Environmental Protection Agency is caught between a weed and a hard place as they defend the big-money herbicide even after their own science advisors deemed it a public health threat. Commonly known in the by its brand name Roundup, Bayer, which recently merged with ag giant Monsanto, sells about 300 million pounds of the weed killer annually in the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/epa-backs-the-use-of-toxic-herbicide-chemical-glyphosate
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NYCs new eco-park and urban beach is designed to help clean the waterfront

New York City has just welcomed yet another gem to its growing number of waterfront parks—Pier 35, the long-awaited East River Waterfront project designed by Manhattan-based firm SHoP Architects in partnership with Ken Smith Workshop. Built to anchor the north side of the East River esplanade, Pier 35 consists of a new eco-park and urban beach that not only offers a passive recreational space for the local community, but also an innovative habitat restoration section, called Mussel Beach, that...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/nycs-new-eco-park-and-urban-beach-is-designed-to-help-clean-the-waterfront
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The best online secondhand clothing shops

People are buying clothes and adding to their wardrobes like never before. This growth has been a boom for the fashion industry, but it has also lead to more and more clothes ending up in landfills around the world. One solution to help curb clothing waste is to buy secondhand clothing – and the rise of online thrift stores is making that easier than ever. Not only is buying secondhand clothing good for your wallet, but you can also find quality items without ever leaving the comfort of...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/the-best-online-secondhand-clothing-shops
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Impossible Burgers are such a success, they might run out

The company behind the Impossible Burger is having trouble meeting a growing demand for its product. On the heels of a new partnership with Burger King, Impossible Foods announced that it has had difficulties producing enough Impossible Burgers to meet its annual goals. By the end of 2019, Impossible Foods plans to make its meat alternative available in all Burger King locations across the United States. According to CNN, the company has already performed a trial run in St. Louis, where owners...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/impossible-burgers-are-such-a-success-they-might-run-out
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A tiny home on wheels with brilliant interiors and two lofts can be yours for $56K

Canada–based Mint Tiny House Company Related: The off-grid Eucalyptus tiny home radiates cool, Californian vibes + Mint Tiny House Company Via Dwell Mint Tiny House Company, Mint Tiny Home, tiny home on wheels,

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-tiny-home-on-wheels-with-brilliant-interiors-and-two-lofts-can-be-yours-for-56k
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Thursday, May 2, 2019

This backpack is made from locally sourced cork and recycled materials

The world’s landfills are piling up. While we hear a lot about how the fashion industry contributes to this problem, the topic is less focused on clothing accessories. Purses, bags and backpacks also contribute to the fast fashion environment with trending styles and manufacturing pollution. One company is bucking this trend with a backpack made from naturally sustainable cork and recycled materials. <!--more→ The Jajamän cork backpack is a completely vegan option for conscientious...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/this-backpack-is-made-from-locally-sourced-cork-and-recycled-materials
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South Korea to build a peace trail along the DMZ

South Korea is making some changes to the DMZ. The country just voted in a plan that will build a peace trail along the DMZ in honor of the Panmunjom Declaration, which was signed in April of last year by President Moon Jae-in and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. The first phase of the project will feature a hiking trail in the Gangwaon Province, located near the east side of Korea. Tourists will be able to explore the Unification Observatory and hike alongside barbed wire fences that divide the...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/south-korea-to-build-a-peace-trail-along-the-dmz
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Can't make the climate strikes? Here are a few tips on how students can live sustainably

More than ever, students are leading the charge in promoting sustainable living. Protesting is an effective method of getting the attention of lawmakers, but there are other things you can do to improve the environment outside of a picket line. From volunteering for a local clean-up effort to saying goodbye to single-use plastics, here is a quick guide on how students can incorporate sustainable living practices into their daily routine. Avoid Single-Use Plastics Going in and out of classes...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/cant-make-the-climate-strikes-here-are-a-few-tips-on-how-students-can-live-sustainably
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Studio NAB proposes rebuilding Notre Dame with a greenhouse and apiary

After a devastating blaze consumed the Cathedral of Notre Dame’s wooden roof and iconic central spire, architects around the world have been putting forth their visionary ideas for rebuilding the Parisian landmark. One such architectural firm is Paris-based Studio NAB, which has made headlines with their proposal to modernize the 13th-century cathedral with a massive educational greenhouse and apiary. Dubbed “In Green For All of Us,” the design builds on the French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/studio-nab-proposes-rebuilding-notre-dame-with-a-greenhouse-and-apiary
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Tibetan antelope are being decimated to produce opulent shahtoosh scarves

Poachers are taking advantage of the latest fashion trend to turn Tibetan antelope into expensive scarves. It takes four Tibetan antelopes to make a single opulent wrap, also referred to as a shahtoosh, and the hunt is decimating antelope populations throughout the country. Over the past century, conservationists have measured a 90 percent drop in antelope numbers, mostly due to increasing wool demands. Experts believe there was once a million antelope that roamed the Tibetan landscape, but...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/tibetan-antelope-are-being-decimated-to-produce-opulent-shahtoosh-scarves
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Second Nature transforms abandoned fishing nets into 3D-printed seashells and bowls

Did you know that ghost nets are considered among the deadliest ocean debris in the world? The term refers not to haunting specters in the water, but discarded synthetic fishing nets that pollute the seabed and trap fish, mammals, and other sea creatures. To raise awareness about these abandoned fishing nets and marine plastic pollution, Rotterdam-based research and design studio The New Raw has launched a new initiative called Second Nature that’s transforming the deadly ghost nets into 3D-printed...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/second-nature-transforms-abandoned-fishing-nets-into-3d-printed-seashells-and-bowls
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Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Study shows biodegradable plastic bags still hold groceries 3 years after being discarded

Biodegradable plastic bags are not as eco-friendly as their labeling may suggest. A new study discovered that these biodegradable plastics actually survive years in various environments without fully decomposing. Researchers examined different types of biodegradable plastic bags and found that they were still intact after spending three years in the ground, water, and air environments. In fact, the bags were still able to carry groceries without tearing. The scientists did the same test on...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/study-shows-biodegradable-plastic-bags-still-hold-groceries-3-years-after-being-discarded
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How to pull off a tech-free family vacation the whole family will enjoy

It’s a full-blown modern challenge to get through even an hour of the day without using technology. So considering a tech-free trip for the entire family may seem insurmountable. While we acknowledge that there will likely be some discomfort at times, we’re happy to report that it’s certainly attainable. Here are some tips to get you headed in the right direction towards a tech-free family vacation. <!--more→ Preparations We are so accustomed to having technology at our fingertips...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/how-to-pull-off-a-tech-free-family-vacation-the-whole-family-will-enjoy
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Worlds first upcycled high-rise is proposed for Copenhagen

Danish architecture firms Lendager Group and TREDJE NATUR want to prove that building tall doesn’t need to come at the cost of the environment or human scale. That’s why the two firms teamed up to design CPH Common House, a proposal for the world’s first upcycled high-rise in the Ørestad area of Copenhagen. Draped in greenery, the stepped building would be built from upcycled materials “to an unprecedented extent” for an estimated 1,174 tons of carbon emission savings in the building phase. Designed...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/worlds-first-upcycled-high-rise-is-proposed-for-copenhagen
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A welcoming healthcare center in New Delhi follows passive design principles

New Delhi-based architecture and interior design firm VYOM has completed the Dental Care Centre, a recently opened healthcare facility in New Delhi that offers much more than a teeth cleaning. Designed to follow passive solar principles, the light-filled facility immerses patients in a spa-inspired environment with views of nature from every room. A natural material palette also helps tie the bright and airy building to the landscape. Built to embrace nature, the Dental Care Centre was...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/a-welcoming-healthcare-center-in-new-delhi-follows-passive-design-principles
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Congress reports U.S. will lose $54 billion annually to storms

A recently released report from the Congressional Budget Office predicts an alarming $54 billion in hurricane damage over the next few years – some of which can be avoided by spending money upfront to build resilience. The frequency of what are called “billion-dollar storms” appear to be increasing. In 2018, there were 39 “billion-dollar” disasters around the world – 16 of which were in the U.S. Already in the first four months of 2019, the U.S. has endured Winter Storms Quiana...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/congress-reports-u-s-will-lose-54-billion-annually-to-storms
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Two abandoned 1960s buildings in the middle of a desert become a chic eco retreat

Related: + ANARCHITECT Via Archdaily

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/two-abandoned-1960s-buildings-in-the-middle-of-a-desert-become-a-chic-eco-retreat
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