The interior of Maison Escalier is creatively designed with stark white-painted walls that contrast with rich, warm black locust wood floors and ceilings. The black locust wood also covers the central
In every old piece of furniture lies a personality waiting to emerge. Artist Marc Sparfel has the unique talent of seeing the souls trapped in table legs and chair backs and gives new life and value to
We love objects that are interactive, move and change shape as if they were alive. An expert on the matter, designer Tim van Cromvoirt created a mesmerizing series of lamps called Lungplants. These
LAST DAY to win this FREE Intro to Biomimicry course to shake up your design career! It's no secret that design and architecture are highly competitive fields, and those in the industry often pay
This robotic spy plane that mimics the shape and function of a bat in flight is one example of biomimicry. One way to unlock the elucidation biomimicry can offer is by simply getting into nature and
Studio DRIFT’s interactive Shylights gracefully move up and down, opening and closing, similar to the way flowers attract and repel pollinating bees. Made from stainless steel, recyclable aluminum,
Human beings produce and toss so much plastic out into the ocean that we have created the Pacific Trash Vortex, also known as the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” Gyres swirl this floating rubbish heap
Transforming robots are not be the exclusive property of cartoons and sci-fi blockbusters anymore. Engineers from MIT have created a tiny device that is capable of folding itself into almost any desirable
Porcupine quills might seem more hurtful than helpful - but researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are examining the structure of the spines for use in the medical field. For the first
BIOS Design Collective was inspired by the stealthy communication network of coral reefs when dreaming up their pavilion. Biomimicry uses the lessons learned in nature to create new and sophisticated
The makers of Trotify ask, “Why the long face? Do you have the need for steed?” Now, you can turn your humble pony into a galloping stallion with Trotify, a simple wooden device that fits on
These aren't your grandmother's shag carpets - Alexandra Kehayoglou creates incredible rugs that look like miniature pastures and meadows. Each hand-tufted piece is a tribute to the landscape of the
Researchers from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. have developed a technique for 3D printing cartilage implants that could be used in the future to repair damaged cartilage in humans. The new
Biomimicry's Cool Alternative: Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe The Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, typifies the best of green architecture and ecologically sensitive adaptation. The country's largest
Botanical artist Azuma Makoto’s latest masterpiece wasn’t crafted from branches and blooms, but instead from LEGOs! The artist has built a life-like bonsai from the popular children’s blocks. The
From nanoflower solar cells to plant-based computer interfaces, modern technology often looks to nature for design inspiration. The Electree+ designed by Vivien Muller is a bonsai tree-shaped solar
Do you ever lie in bed for just a minute after opening your eyes, trying to guess what kind of weather you'll see when you look out the window? The Nebula 12 is a concept light fixture that can bring the
Like the opening scene from a science fiction movie, a figure walks into a dimly lit 17th-century church only to discover a giant, 7-foot-tall shining silver dome. As they reach to touch the futuristic
Welcome to the 21st century where the phones are smart, the computers are tiny, and the limbs are bionic. RSL Steeper's new bebionic3 hand is the newest incarnation of the company's prosthetic. Capable
In another fantastic example of biomimicry, a team of South Korean scientists is studying fireflies in an effort to develop a better, less expensive LED lens. The team's research sees them essentially
The installation was commissioned for the ZERO1 “Seeking Silicon Valley’ Biennial in San Jose, California, and will be on view until December 8, 2012. Located in the courtyard of San Jose’s
Taking a cue from nature, glass artist Mika Aoki transforms tiny grains of sand into flowing, organic forms reminiscent of spores, sperm, and viruses. For her pieces, Aoki frequently travels to labs for
If you want to raise awareness for breast cancer, there may be no better way to shine a little light on the subject than to build a 12-foot-tall glowing nipple at the top of a 228 meter hill. Staying true
Butterflies are beautiful, delicate marvels of nature. While their lovely appearance may be inspiring, there's nothing a butterfly can teach us about renewable energy - or is there? An ambitious
Boston Engineering has designed a robotic tuna fish called the BIOSwimmer that is capable of detecting weapons and contraband stowed away in ports and harbors. The unique swimming vehicle utilizes Boston
Spider Web photo from Shutterstock Spiders are capable of some amazing things - not the least of which is weaving strong-as-steel webs from silk. Now, scientists at the Institut de Physique de Rennes
When it comes to capturing the energy of the sun, what better model is there than photosynthetic plants? Researchers at North Carolina State University have cultivated a beautiful crop of germanium
The wood parts were handcrafted by boat builders in Rhode Island and New York, and then shipped in 12 vertical sections to Inchon in South Korea. The Chapel is 30 feet high, 14 feet wide at the floor and
