Wildfires in California now larger than NYC and Boston combined

The wildfires raging throughout Southern California have now become so fierce and widespread that they in total cover a land area larger than Boston and New York City combined. The Thomas Fire, the largest of the six blazes, now covers 230,000 acres, making it the fifth largest wildfire in modern Californian history. Firefighters are struggling to make progress against the inferno, with containment of the Thomas Fire shrinking from 15% to 10% on Sunday. The spread of the fire has been...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/wildfires-in-california-now-larger-than-nyc-and-boston-combined
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Best Made Co. unveils hat made with synthetic spider silk

If you were planning on warming your noggin this Christmas with a beanie made from one of the most groundbreaking materials of our time, I'm afraid you're clear out of luck. Mere hours after Best Made Co. launched its limited-edition Microsilk Cap of Courage, all 100 of the toppers were completely snapped up. + Microsilk Cap of Courage $198 + Best Made Co. + Bolt Threads

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/best-made-co-unveils-hat-made-with-synthetic-spider-silk
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Remarkable bacteria survives extremely harsh conditions by eating nothing but air

Scientists have discovered a strange new bacteria in the Antarctic that can survive in the most extreme conditions on the planet just by breathing air. The discovery could help us find alien life in the harsh conditions in space.

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/remarkable-bacteria-survives-extremely-harsh-conditions-by-eating-nothing-but-air
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Pape Bird Observation Tower is a glorious marriage of a birds nest and a jewel box

This charming bird observation tower looks like a mix between a bird’s nest and a jewel box. The structure, designed by Berta Risueño Muzás and Manuel Pareja Abascal, provides visitors of Latvia’s Pape Nature Park with protection from the elements while blending perfectly into its natural surroundings. The project, selected as the winner of the recently concluded Pape Bird Observation Tower Competition, combines timber and rope to achieve a sense of protection and privacy. The use of rope...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/pape-bird-observation-tower-is-a-glorious-marriage-of-a-birds-nest-and-a-jewel-box
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Google Street View captures the migration of millions of crabs on Christmas Island

Google Street View Trekker is traveling to Christmas Island this week to capture the migration of millions of red crabs, one of the natural world's most vibrant migrations. Every year around December, the iconic, endemic red crabs travel from their inland forest homes to the ocean, where the crabs breed and lay their eggs. The red crabs have already begun their march to the sea and the peak number of crabs on the beaches is expected on December 13th. Dr. Alasdair Grigg of Parks Australia is working...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/google-street-view-captures-the-migration-of-millions-of-crabs-on-christmas-island
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Weathered steel and reclaimed materials blend a modern home into the woods

Raleigh-based Tonic Design completed a creative new home that plays with the contrasts between the old and new in their use of reclaimed and contemporary materials. Tucked into the forests of Durham, the Piedmont Retreat is a 3,800-square-foot single-family home that embraces the outdoors in its use of weathered materials and large cantilevered windows. Reclaimed materials, like the oak flooring and factory lights, help soften the modern steel and glass construction. Located on a...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/weathered-steel-and-reclaimed-materials-blend-a-modern-home-into-the-woods
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Worlds tallest hybrid timber building to boast Vancouvers most expensive new apartments

New details and renderings have been released of Shigeru Ban’s Terrace House, a collection of luxury homes in what will become the world’s tallest hybrid timber building. Developed by PortLiving, Terrace House will be set at the center of Coal Harbor overlooking the waterfront with condos starting at $3 million—which makes them the most expensive new apartments in the city. The 20 homes will be constructed as “individual works of art” with energy-efficient systems and wood harvested from...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/worlds-tallest-hybrid-timber-building-to-boast-vancouvers-most-expensive-new-apartments
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