From the monthly archives: December 2011
If 2011 is any indication of our lives in 2012, our time is just going to get busier and busier. So how can we use tech to assist us in the best way possible? By finding efficient tech and implementing efficient tech-usage policies that will help us get through our day quicker, smarter, and easier. After the jump we have a variety of tech options which will help save you money, time, and stress in the new year.
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New Year’s Eve is coming up quick – and as the hours tick down to the ball drop, the Inhabitat editors have reflected upon the past year and picked out our favorite green design stories from 2011! It’s been an epic year filled with amazing developments – from spectacular examples of eco architecture like New York’s High Line Section 2 to quirky new eco vehicles like TOTO’s poop-powered toilet – and we’d like to take the time to shine a little light on the posts that moved us the most. Read on for our editors’ top 7 posts, and make sure to vote for your favorite sustainable design story from 2011!
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.
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Post tags: aragon convention center, boggsville boatel, DIY Treehouse bed, green architecture, green design, inhabitat editors choice, inhabitat editors' favorite stories of 2011, new york high line section 2, nutria fur, Sustainable Building, sustainable design, top environment stories 2011, top green design stories 2011, top green design stories of 2011, toto poop powered motorcycle
A Decorated Vietnam hero Frank Vega returns home only to get shunned by society leaving him without a job or his high school sweetheart. It’s not until forty years later when an incident on a commuter bus (where he protects an elderly black man from a pair of skin heads) makes him a local hero where he’s suddenly celebrated once again. But his good fortune suddenly turns for the worse when his best friend Klondike is murdered and the police aren’t doing anything about it.
Read the rest of Tour Bois-le-Prêtre: 60′s Parisian Social Housing Tower Renovated into Gleaming Efficient Apartment Complex
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Post tags: apartment building renovation, apartment daylighting, apartment social housing retrofit, eco tower, Frédéric Druot Architecture, french apartment green, green building redevelopment, highrise renovation, Paris green apartment, Paris green renovation, Paris social housing
Mixed Asian model (Singaporean-Chinese and Portuguese) Jessica Gomes on the set of her Maxim 2011 photoshoot. Yes fellas, those puppies are real.
Read the rest of Blocket Mini: 36 Reclaimed Windows Transformed Into a Rustic Guest House in Sweden
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Post tags: Blocket Mini, boat house, eco design, green design, guest house, Karin Matz, recycled building materials, recycled windows, sustainable design, Sweden
Thanks for joining us for the past two weeks as we counted down, or rather up, in The 12 Tech Days of Christmas! We started small with a mere $10 and moved on through the tax brackets until we hit $1,000,000 worth of tech toys and gifts. Check out all 12 days in the series and remember to sing along. Oh and by the way, did you know the original 364 items from the 12 days of Christmas would cost you a whopping $101,000? And a partridge in a pear tree!
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A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
Read the rest of Matteo Cainer Architects’ Busan Camellian Opera House is Enveloped by a Living Green Roof
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Post tags: architecture South Korea, Busan Camellian Opera House, Busan Opera House International Design Competition, camellia opera house, eco art buildings, eco music buildings, eco opera houses, green architecture, green opera houses, green roof, green roof opera house, Matteo Cainer Architects, opera houses, Sustainable Building, sustainable opera houses, urban development, Urban Redevelopment
A new show curated by Sarah Schmerler sheds light on the luster of four artists' work
In the forthcoming group show "Gʉilty / (NOT) Guilty," art critic and curator Sarah Schmerler brings together four talented artists for a cohesive display of works surrounding the play on words that the title implies. Turning guilt instead into a word synonymous with a gold surface, the exhibition explores the luster of an artist's work in economic downtime and questions what makes a piece of art attractive in the eyes of society. Or, as Schmerler explains in her curatorial statement for the show, "I think of this show as my own kind of illustrated 'Fuck U'."
Originally debuting in May 2011 on Schmerler's virtual exhibition space 45projects (which she curates with the industrious design director Paulius Nosokas), the physical manifestation of "Gʉilty" on view at Brooklyn's Norte Maar will keep the same foursome on roster, a group of established yet emerging artists Schmerler says have been "hiding in plain sight." The lineup includes Ellen Letcher, Francesco Masci, Alfred Steiner and Pablo Tauler, who will each show the works included in the online version as well as new pieces.
In his spare time, copyright lawyer Alfred Steiner creates works that Schmerler considers "visually arresting" in their own right, but at the same time reflect a fascinating narrative. Steiner beautifully entwines various body parts like eyeballs, noses and even muscle tissue to create impeccably rendered silhouettes that transform the sum of its parts into an incredible whole.
NYC-based Chilean artist Pablo Tauler uses just a ballpoint pen for his meticulously drawn illustrations on display at Norte Maar, which turn ethereal scenes and abstract forms into bold, large-scale works of art. The airy depictions he presents for Gʉilty / (NOT) Guilty are only a small facet of his work, which spans painting, digital photography and video.
Schmerler describes Francesco Masci as a classic Renaissance artist who can really paint, but one with no misgivings about crossing boundaries. In addition to his Twitter-inspired portraiture, Masci will show his 2009 "Totem" series, comprised of images created from hundreds of digital files procured through Google searches and stacked to make a wildly emblematic statement on modern obsessions. Masci's formal training allows him to move seamlessly between subjects and styles, executing his work with a fresh perspective for his medium.
Ellen Letcher cuts and pastes in the physical realm, arranging images pulled from periodicals and magazines into perceptive collages adhered together with paint. The slightly ominous subject matter only backs up already engrossing compositions that toe the line between fact and fiction.
Gʉilty / (NOT) Guilty opens 1st January 2012 at Norte Maar with a Champagne brunch to celebrate, and will run through the end of the month. Check out the online catalog—created by Nosokas, who will also have a few works on display concurrently at Norte Maar—for more on the show and the four New York-based artists it champions.
Norte Maar
83 Wyckoff Avenue, #1B
Brooklyn, NY
11237
+1.646.361.8512
Knitwear designs graph the success of Etsy's online marketplace
In an homage to the online retailer Etsy, Natalie Rachel has produced a pair of handmade scarves that use the company's data as inspiration for the patterns. As the basis for her Data Scarves, Rachel collected figures related new members, items sold and the apportionment of vintage, handmade and supply goods. She later graphed the resulting data and—with a bit of ingenuity and an eye for fashion—put together a selection of wearables that plot the company's profile.
In the world of online retailers, Etsy is synonymous with handmade goods. Constantly inspired by the creativity of sellers, Rachel used her talents for design and craft to create a final project for her Data Representation class at NYU's ITP. Each design is one-of-a-kind, though we're hoping to see more knit visualizations from her before the seasons change.
In addition to selling the two scarves, Rachel has included prints of her elegant graphs. One is a pie graph detailing the types of items listed and corresponding to the infinite scarf, the other a comparative study of the growth of new members and the number of items sold over time. Both the graphs and the scarves are available through Rachel's Etsy shop.
Read the rest of Top 8 Amazing Eco Winter Wonderland Resorts Around the World
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Post tags: amazing winter resorts, eco design, eco retreats, eco-resorts, eco-tourism, eco-travel, experience nature, experience the outdoors, Green Building, green design, Sustainable Building, sustainable design, winter, winter activities, winter resorts, winter wonderland resorts
Read the rest of Top 10 Deliciously Modern Gingerbread Houses
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Post tags: christmas house, DIY gingerbread, DIY gingerbread house, diy projects, eco design, eco house, ginger bread, ginger bread house, gingerbread, gingerbread house, green design, green gingerbread house, green home, green house, make a gingerbread house for christmas, modern candy house, modern gingerbread house, sustainable design, sweet houses
Twelve calendars for the twelve months of 2012
The time has come to track another year's course. Some predict this may be the last, so make it a good one with a standout calendar that speaks to your personal vibes. Below are 12 calendars we think would make a great addition to your 2012.
The 12 Months of Apocalypse
If the world ends on 21st December 2012, hopefully this calendar will be on your wall as it all goes down. The 12 Months of Apocalypse is inspired by the Mayan calendar, and is filled with "an encrypted blossom of threats and perils" that is as striking as its message intends. Moon In June for $25.
Tea Towel Calendar D.I.Y. Embroidery Kit
Make 2012 the year you get in touch with your domestic side with this rustic, make-it-yourself calendar that doubles as a tea towel. The ready-to-go pattern turns the year's numerals into a floral pattern, and you can check your dates while washing up. Designed by graphic designer who is as passionate about screen printing as she is embroidery, this quirky edition sells from Curious Doodles for $32.
366 Days // 366 Drawings
Connecticut-based artist and designer Matt Hunsberger diligently drew every date of 2012, for a delightfully informative collage of the months to come. An advanced digital dry ink method makes it as vibrant as it is fun. Pick it up from Society6 for $40.
Screen Printed Infographic Calendar
Philadelphia-based graphic designer Rachel Cannon turned the year into a sleek infographic that packs a serious design punch. The striking design sells from Little Madame Jam for $15.
Leica M-Calendar
A celebration of Leica's M-system, the M-calendar displays contains six monochrome and six color images by Magnum photography greats, including Paul Fusco, Elliott Erwitt, Alex Majoli and more. Limited to just 500, the calendar sells from Leica and select dealers for €45.
Astrology Wall Calendar
This oversized calendar offers a subtle slice of the night sky on an understated midnight-black backdrop. Each month's page is sprinkled with the corresponding constellations for that time for an effect that's both minimalist and nicely romantic. Get it from Prismatic Print Shop for $14.
Gregor Scarf Calendar
With a Zen-like take on the impermanence of life, Patrick Frey's brilliant hand-knit calendar comes with a loose thread at the end that unravels day by day. Wrapped as a continuous scroll, hang this beautifully-designed piece on the wall and watch time slip away. Pick it up from Charles & Marie for €58.
Cycle EXIF Custom Bicycle Calendar
As well-designed as the bikes featured on the popular site Cycle EXIF, the Custom Bicycle Calendar features a host of glossy two-wheelers that are sure to please any The calendar sells from Mag Cloud for $15.
Boo The Dog
Dubbed "the world's cutest dog," Boo is 2011's canine breakout star. With looks so adorable it borders unreal, this calendar will definitely brighten up any wall and is sure to provoke slightly ridiculous dog-inspired conversations. Boo the calendar sells online for $15.
Time Cube
Designed by Dutch artist Renè Knip, the clever Time Cube calendar turns a series of 366 colorful press cuts into a work of art. The limited edition desktop calendar sells from Verlag Hermann Schmidt Mainz for €50.
Indigo Bunting
Art director Erin Jang's annual calendar is always a winsome display of playful simplicity. For 2012, Jang printed a set of 12 illustrations on high-quality, heavy recycled stock, perfect for framing together or hanging individually. The limited edition calendar sells from her Indigo Bunting shop for $30.
Bread and Puppet
Founder of Vermont's subversive Bread and Puppet theater organization, Peter Schumann's woodcut designs will remind viewers year round that "change can happen on your domestic front" if you pay attention to the times. The expressive calendar sells from Kiosk for $24.
Former Disney star Miley Cyrus showed off some major cleavage at this past weekend’s CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute event. The pictures from the event are leading many to feel that the 19-year-old has gotten breast implants. Miley denies all the rumors though, responding on Twitter:
Thank you for the compliment but these babies are all mine. I wish they’d realize you don’t have to be fake to be beautiful!”
(via Yahoo)
Ten ideas from the members-only product-sharing site
A newcomer to the crowd-sourced shopping scene, Nuji has set itself apart from sites like Pinterest and Svpply with a tightly-edited array of goods selected by its invite-only members since its launch a year ago. Created by European trio of creatives Dean Fankhauser, Anton Meryl Nithianandan and Vincent Thome, the site features a global assortment of finely crafted leather goods, stylish design-focused items and an array of quirky objects in between. To celebrate the site's talent for proffering distinctly covetable wares, below are 10 items found in our Cool Hunting Gift Guide that we sourced from Nuji.
Berlin-based architect Sigurd Larsen designed The Shrine (€4,000) as "a product of the labyrinthine courtyards of Kreuzberg." He moves beyond the traditional record player cabinet to include a maze of drawers where you can keep records, headphones, an LP player, whiskey and more.
The ultimate spy scope, the Clap Mini USB Camera ($55) allows you to capture snapshots on the go and easily upload them to any laptop. The tiny device runs on a rechargeable Lithium ion battery and shoots 1280x1024 resolution images.
Kurt Geiger's Isla Mittens (£35) are a delicate balance of form and function. The soft leather mittens unzip to reveal knitted fingerless gloves, sure to keep you warm even when fashion is the focus.
Known for their supremely crafted leather goods, Portland-based Tanner ($82) turns the classic camera strap into a handsome accessory that will only look better with time. The strap comes in natural leather (pictured) alongside a slew of other hues like oxblood, black and olive.
Originally from the 1980s, this salvaged six-digit inventory stamp ($22) has been reconstructed for modern use with any medium that needs a little extra ink or old-school numerical detailing.
A "representative of the era of the music cassette," the RE-BO ($1,200) is Bootleg Objects' interpretation of Jacob Jensen's Beocenter 1400, which he designed for Bang&Olufsen in 1973. This cleverly updated version now houses a smart card reader in place of the cassette slot, a DVD drive and a 16:9 TFT display.
Handcrafted in Italy from Florentine Vacchetta leather, Travelteq's sophisticated roll-up case (€65) holds 19 choice pencils and keeps them from rolling off the desk when not on the go.
Ikou Tschüss' signature crochet-trimmed scarf designs (£309) were borne from the Swiss label's desire to weigh down the accessory while riding a bike. Each is lovingly knitted by hand by "a network of grandmothers and passionate home-based workers."
Waterproof Aqua Notes ($13) are the perfect gift for those whose best ideas happen in the shower, or your favorite sailor.
A beautiful combination jewelry box and ring holder designed by Swedish architect firm Claesson Koivisto Rune, the brass "Belle" ($120) spins around like a toy top for added effect.
Last week MVRDV unveiled plans for “The Cloud” – two luxury condo towers in Seoul, South Korea joined by a pixelated “cloud” of protruding sections that bloom from the middle. Much to the surprise of MVRDV, the design has set off a media frenzy with hundreds of people claiming that the buildings were intentionally designed to evoke September 11 and the fall of the Twin Towers that once stood in New York City’s World Trade Center. MVRDV has released an official apology, but it will likely take much more than that for the crowds to quiet. What do you think – does the form of “The Cloud” resemble the explosion of the Twin Towers during the 9/11 attacks on New York City?
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.READ MORE >
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Post tags: "sustainable architecture", eco design, eco skyscraper, eco tower, green architecture, Green Building, green design, green roof, korea, luxury high rise, MVRDV, mvrdv twin towers controversy, mvrdv world trade center controversy, pixelated cluster, seoul, september 11, Sustainable Building, the cloud, twin towers, world trade center, WTC, yongsan dreambug
Evil has returned! Witness the opening moments of Blizzard’s third chapter to the epic Diablo series, first shown at the Spike Video Game Awards 2011!
What started as the 15,000 Bottle Caps for Africa concept just a few months ago is now an actual built computer learning center and library thanks to architect Charles Newman and the organization Under The Acacia. The Kenya-based project revolved around Newman’s inclusive approach to design, which made it imperative that he work closely with the local Maasai people and give them ownership over the build. More than an architectural feat decorated with colorful bottle caps laid out by Maasai women according to traditional jewelry patterns, the project also creates social cohesion and introduces technology in a non-intrusive way. Newman explains, “In a community that has historically resisted western influence, allowing them to create something unique to their tribe helps them understand that while computers might be foreign, it is an opportunity to further enrich their own culture.” Read on for Inhabitat’s exclusive interview with this revolutionary architect.
Read the rest of INTERVIEW: We Talk to Architect Charles Newman About 15,000 Bottle Caps for Africa
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Post tags: 15000 bottle caps for africa, Adele’s Literacy Library, Africa, Charles Newman, Charles Newman Design, Engineers Without Borders, Greystone Aviation, Greystone Learning Center, habitat for humanity, inhabitat, Internet Society, Jess Teutonico, kenya, Loita Hills, low impact, maasai, Maasai culture, recycled bottlecaps, Recycled Materials, repurposed materials, reused materials, social design, traditional techniques, Under the Acacia, Village Earth
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