French country home made using old shipping containers
by: The Design blog, 2012-02-14 05:38:21 UTC
Radhicka S Saxena:
Although it looks like another merry country cottage around the block, there is something unique about this single family home built in France. The neat looking sturdy structure is made out of shipping containers. Reclaiming objects and reusing them is quite commendable. So, when one comes across such a fine looking structure made from old items, you just have to extol the resourceful imagination of the creator. This abode has been erected by Patrick Partouche in the countryside of France, Lille to be precise.
Maison Container Lille
Although it looks like another merry country cottage around the block, there is something unique about this single family home built in France. The neat looking sturdy structure is made out of shipping containers! Reclaiming objects and reusing them is quite commendable. So, when one comes across such a fine looking structure made from old items, you just have to extol the resourceful imagination of the creator. This abode has been erected by Patrick Partouche in the countryside of France, Lille to be precise.
Picture Gallery
Maison Container Lille by Patrick Partouche
Dubbed as the Maison Container Lille, the structure is actually a family home. The vibrant red cottage overlooks a stretch of lush green fields. The interiors are spacious and well planned. There is a comfy living room, fully equipped kitchen and dining area on the ground level. The bathroom, bedroom and play area are on the upper floor. The living area downstairs is a fun hang-out zone. Sunlight can easily pour in through the large windows and doors, which can also be closed shut to keep the wind out. The hammock is perfectly placed to give a panoramic view of the outside landscape.
To match up with the metallic exterior, quite a bit of steel has been used inside the house. The spiral staircase made out of galvanized steel looks quite bold. The corrugated sheets create a glitzy effect. The industrial setting has been softened by the relaxing layout and woody elements in the interiors. The striking red column breaks space and demarcates the dining area from the living space.
The house is made out of eight shipping containers and spreads over 208 square meters of land. Assembling the house was really easy. The containers were transported via truck on the site and then congregated together with a crane in just three days. The containers were placed on a base of reinforced concrete foundation. The house complies with all local regulations laid out. The polycarbonate and glass bay windows boast of low-e coating and argon gas infill, which help to insulate the house.
Via: Design boom
Prebeo Automated Kitchen Garden makes organic farming easier at home
by: The Design blog, 2012-02-14 12:34:20 UTC
Asmita Prasad:
Kitchen gardens have made a grand comeback with the number of people opting for organically grown groceries growing steadily over the last decade. Since more and more people are now accounting for the emissions and environmental costs involved in the transportation of food items when they buy groceries from stores, the trend towards growing one’s own vegetables and herbs is also booming especially in urban centers. The Prebeo Food for the Future concept by designers Christina Chin and Nicolette Tan explores the possibility of making kitchen gardens automated to persuade people with little time for gardening towards adopting such eco friendly initiatives.
Prebeo: Food of the future
Picture Gallery
Prebeo food for the Future by Christina Chin
The automated fridge garden uses the membrane based plant cultivation technology known as Imec that allows people to grow plants on a thin film rather than in soil. The space saving concept looks to boost self sufficiency and sustainability by offering people with limited space and resources with a way to grow their own produce. The Prebeo looks to provide each type of produce with a set of optimal conditions that are customized for each type of plant. The tall and thin container like planter comes with removable cartridges that incorporate the gel based film and the necessary nutrients on which the plants are to be grown.
Once inserted, the information stored on the cartridges is read by the Prebeo which automatically uploads the necessary information and provides the right set of conditions for the plants to grow. As the plants grow, a magnetic rail propels them upwards and a glowing light indicates growth and position of the produce. As the cartridges move upwards, it indicates that the produce is ready to be picked. Maintenance of the Prebeo only requires users to refill the system with sufficient water at intervals.
Sony envisions future with pay-as-you-go power
by: Crave Green tech, 2012-02-14 23:40:05 UTC
Power outlets need an upgrade. Is this it?
(Credit:
Sony)
Sony is looking to revolutionize the inefficient way in which we consume power.
A new concept video from the electronics giant shows how we could use power more efficiently in the year 2030 by switching to smart outlets with authentication and wireless charging on a broad scale, assuming we survive the zombie Mayan apocalypse.
The prototype power outlet, integrated with a short-range wireless FeliCa transmitter (and a new RFID over power line technology), allows the user to swipe a pay card across the faceplate and pay for energy on the spot. What makes it truly interesting is if humankind keeps progressing towards alternative energies (such as wind, solar, and biomass), then our outlets could give us options as to what source from which we obtain our power. The video description notes that with this outlet, "the user can actively control and manage power consumption on a user basis as well as on a device basis."
According to Sony's concept, a user interface similar to this could pop up when you use power.
(Credit:
Sony)
Im... [Read more]
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3D Printer Build Week: Day Two
by: Crave Green tech, 2012-02-15 04:59:26 UTC
3D Printer Build Week: Day 2
Today was surprisingly easy, at least I think. We started with four steps remaining in terms of hardware assembly. We still have to work out the software and then confirm the thing actually works, but in all we didn't encounter anything more difficult than what you might encounter while building your own PC.
I say I think because I have that familiar nagging doubt that comes with any DIY electronics project. Did we put that jumper in the right spot? Will the software work? How hard will it be to troubleshoot? All of those things will be revealed once we first power on, but for now, I can at least say that it looks right.
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3D Printer Build Week: Day One
by: Crave Green tech, 2012-02-14 04:56:34 UTC
3D Printer Build Week: Day 1
I hope to review the coming batch of pre-assembled 3D printers, but first I need to build one.
That's the idea, anyway. Thanks to MakerGear, an expansive online 3D printing resource, I have a DIY kit for a Mosaic 3D printer. I also have the help of Matt Fitzgerald, an editor on CNET's digital-imaging reviews team. Not only can Matt take a decent picture, I also intend to lean on his mechanical expertise that comes from his hobby restoring motorcycles.
It can't hurt, but you don't need that experience to build a 3D printer. Still, I've never done it. I hope once we get through the building process, I'll have a better idea of what to look for when it comes time to review a pre-made printer like those announced at CES this year. The goal with this series of posts is to share what we find out.
Before we are able to download knowledge straight to our brains - Matrix style - gaining medical expertise will remain a slow and painful process. That's fine by most people, who can just go and visit a trained doctor. But what if you are a member of a small team of specialists operating at a remote, isolated location with no immediate access to medical resources? Then you either need to be a doctor, or you need the Computer Assisted Medical Diagnosis and Surgery System. Devised by the European Space Agency (ESA), the augmented reality-based CAMDASS aims to provide astronauts with instant medical know-how...
Continue Reading CAMDASS could help untrained personnel perform complicated medical procedures
Section: Health and Wellbeing
Tags: Augmented Reality,
ESA,
International Space Station,
Remote Control,
Surgery,
Tele-operation
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128 Cardboard: A Clever Recycled Cardboard Fruit Bowl by SEMdesign
by: Inhabitat , 2012-02-13 22:43:06 UTC
Utrecht-based SEMdesign created this low-impact faceted bowl that is made entirely from cardboard so it can be easily recycled or composted at the end of its life. Named “Fruit Bowl 128 Cardboard”, this stripey bowl was made by laser-cutting and affixing 128 different pieces of recycled cardboard together.
Read the rest of 128 Cardboard: A Clever Recycled Cardboard Fruit Bowl by SEMdesign
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Puma's Eco-Impacts Report Kicks the Ball Forward on Transparency
by: Greener Design, 2012-02-10 18:41:36 UTC
The apparel company has continued its sustainability leadership with the publication of a detailed look at the environmental impacts of its supply chain, which totaled US$191 million in 2010.
3 Disruptive Lessons Automakers Should Learn for Greater Efficiency
by: Greener Design, 2012-02-13 12:45:49 UTC
Recent advances in materials design -- partly inspired by the evolution of the human body -- make possible passenger vehicles that get 240 miles per gallon. Here are three steps that the industry can take for a smoother transition to the low-carbon economy.
CaseStudy Make to order not for stock published.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-02-28 12:42:38 UTC
FEIT was founded in 2005 as a response to a mass produced, bottom line driven industry. An industry disconnected from the traditional art of shoe making. ...
Product Staple-less stapler published.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-02-28 12:34:24 UTC
The EcoStapler is great example of sustainability and functionality. The pocket-size object is light weighted and can staple 3 sheets at a time without ...
Product Invisible hearing aid; SoundLens published.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-02-26 15:18:00 UTC
SoundLens is the first custom, invisible, digital and fully programmable hearing aid. It features noise reduction and speech preservation system designed ...
Product Passive speaker for Ipad; Soundsnap published.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-02-24 10:31:03 UTC
It’s really not always easy to hear the sounds from the iPad 2 speaker. When you are sitting on your sofa, lying in bed or watching a movie on the ...
Material Fly Ash Brick emits 85% less CO2eq published.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-02-24 10:08:54 UTC
Producing brick from recycled fly ash consumes less energy and emits less CO2 because it does not require firing to harden the masonry units. Nor is ...
Product Tot sprout winner of best of best in Red Dot published.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-02-23 07:42:57 UTC
*At the centre of attention*
Small children want to feel part of the family at all times. However, at mealtimes this can be a challenge because ...
Material Lyocell fabric made from wood published.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-02-21 17:05:25 UTC
Lyocell is a fabric most know better by its brand name Tencel®. It has a soft finish, packs light and is made from cellulose (vegetable matter), or ...
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