+ Carolina Fontoura Algaza

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Post tags: bicycle, bicycle chain light, bike, bike chain chandelier, bike chain light, bike parts, Carolina Fontoura Algaza, chandeliers, eco-art, green art, green lighting, lamps, recycled bicycle chain, recycled bike chain, Recycled Bike Chain Chandelier, Recycled Materials, upcycled

Adaptive reuse projects generally call to mind industrial warehouses and factories turned into trendy studios, or shabby-chic restaurants and bars, but the transformation of the St. Nicholas Church in Kyloe, Northumberland, England has taken this concept of renewal and grounded it much closer to home. The church was purchased not too long ago by Sally Onions and Ian Bottomley, who went the unconventional route when scouting for their newest digs. Far from a Norman Foster style box, or even a classic and quaint Victorian house, the duo instead opted to transform an 18th century basilica into the sanctuary they now call “home.”

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Post tags: adaptive reuse, church houses, church renovations, green architecture, green homes, green renovation, kyloe northumberland england, st nicholas church, sustainable design

These colorful offcut bar stools by Edwards Moore Architects are a beautiful example of eclectic upcycling. Each stool is composed of a bundle of reclaimed timber pieces that have been parceled together to form a sturdy surface for sitting. Co-owners Juliette Moore and Ben Edwards view “architecture as a global resource” and see design as a “connection to nature and an individual”, and their reclaimed designs perfectly encapsulate this ethos.

+ Edwards Moore Architects

Via Blue Ant Studios

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Post tags: "green furniture", "sustainable architecture", Recycled Materials, sustainable design

Bikers, fear the flat no more — those days of cumbersome packs with oversized pumps may be behind you. In the spirit of some other resourceful bike tricks like the Aquaduct Bike and the Airbag “Collar,” Instructables shows how you can build a pump to siphon air from car tires to fix a flat — all you need is a 50-100 cm long air hose and two chucks.

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Post tags: air hose, bicycle, bike pump, chucks, flat, green design, green transportation, sustainable design

Swiss company Freitag uses road-related materials (recycled truck tarpaulins, seat belts, bicycle inner tubes torn beyond repair, and old car airbags) to construct sturdy, durable bags and accessories for men and women. Recently the company launched a laptop-toting dual-strapped pack that fits in perfectly with this year’s trend towards classic backpacks. Due to the unique nature of the repurposed materials, all Freitag products are 100% unique, and since truck tarpaulins are typically made from bright, cheerful colors, your Freitag bag will be too.

+ Freitag

Via Swissmiss and Stilsucht

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Post tags: airbags, bicycle inner tubes, Freitag, green, Recycled Materials, seat belts, truck tarpaulins, Zurich

When it came to constructing her first home, Rachel Bending, the founder of Bird Textiles, spent more than five years observing the land on which she planned to build, compiling albums of ideas she hoped to implement. A design inspired by Bending’s inclination to honor the land, her inherent good taste, and years of planning, her well-thought out endeavor has given way to one of the most gorgeous homes imaginable. More than just an incredible abode, the structure implements some of the most advanced sustainable building practices available – both inside and out.

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Cool coffee shops are a dime a dozen, but finding a place that’s designed with function, sustainability and ambiance in mind? Not so easy. Vancouver-based Thatcher’s Coffee takes sustainably-designed interior spaces up a notch. Spotted over at Design Sponge, the beautifully furnished shop boasts chairs upholstered in coffee sacks, planters made from recycled coffee cans, and lights constructed from coffee pots — details that ensure patrons would be hard-pressed to lose sight of the life cycle of the cup of brew sitting before them.

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Post tags: coffee shop, fix studio, green design, green interiors, Recycled Materials, sustainable design, sustainable interior design, thatcher's coffee

Le Deun Luminaries make a point of embracing the quintessential minimalist suggestion “Less is more” in all of their designs. Their latest lighting series, π, consists of a handful of LED illuminated hoops of varying sizes, which serve as functional art objects in any space. The π’s unique rings offer both indirect and direct white lighting that perfectly sets the mood for any situation. And if you’re not a circle person, Le Deun’s cube sires are a great option — they read as both 2D and 3D forms and lend a soft energy-efficient glow to any interior space.

+ Le Deun Luminaries

Via Gizmodo

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Post tags: green lighting, green lighting circles, green lighting cubes, Le Deun Luminaries, LED lamps, LED lighting

One of New York City’s greatest features is undoubtedly the subway system. 718 Made in Brooklyn, which we had the pleasure of peeping last weekend at BKLYN Designs, pays homage to the underground with its latest limited edition line of furniture. Dubbed the “Subway Series” this collection of lighting sculptures, furniture and home décor that is either recycled from or inspired by out-of-commission subway parts proves the metro isn’t just fast and environmentally efficient—it can also look great in your home!

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Post tags: 718 Made in Brooklyn, BKLYN Designs, Brooklyn, eco design, green design, Reclaimed Materials, recycled design, subway series, sustainable design, the bench, upcycled design

Nature, nurture and design come together in Gonglue Jiang‘s Bionic Humidifier — a clever appliance masquerading as a potted plant that also functions as an indoor humidifier. Jiang’s artificial “bloom” wilts and goes limp without continual watering (refilling) and comes in an assortment of colors and shapes — just like the garden variety. “I designed a humidifier simulating a live flower that needs to be ‘nurtured,’” Jiang explains, “which fulfills emotional needs for the users.”

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Post tags: bio mimicry, bionic humidifier, flower himidifier, Gonglue Jiang, green gadgets, green humidifier, humidifier

Enamored by Apple’s iPad but not ready to drop $500 on another piece of tech? Check out the Pixel Pad! Made with environmentally friendly paper and vegetable-based inks, this clever notepad mirrors the physical attributes of the iPad, providing a humorously low-tech solution for high-tech gadget lovers.

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Post tags: iPad, ipad alternatives, ipad applications, ipad apps, pixel pad, recycled paper, sketch paper, vegetable based inks

Constructed of salvaged piano keys, Designer Andrew Rumpler’s latest project repurposes the ivories to compose – a chair! Named in honor of 1940s stride pianist Arthur Tatum, the lounge marries concept and function to get its name—a play on words derived not only from the “lounge” style chair, but also the Harlem venues Tatum frequented as a pianist.

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Post tags: "green furniture", andrew rumpler, eco design, green design, piano parts, recycled furniture, repurposed, sustainable design, tatum's lounge, upcycled