We've written about a number of alternative ways to clean up oil spills using natural non-toxic materials ranging from peat moss to mats made from recycled hair. However even in the wake of several failed
Some of of the greatest social and environmental challenges are focused around the issue of reproductive rights. Italian-based FAREstudios created a brilliant architectural solution to the issue by
Photo by Bridgette Meinhold Sticky rice, which has been a staple of the Chinese diet for centuries, also played a huge role in the construction of their ultra-durable cities and walls. The glutinous
We've always loved Rogan for their ethical fashion forwardness, but now we’ve become enamored with their uber-stylish collection of sustainable modern furniture and accessories! One of the latest
The Palmyra House is a vacation home in the south of Mumbai that resonates not just for its clean modern look but also for its rich selection of local sustainable materials. Situated on the coast of the
The Green School was established side-by-side with the non-profit Meranggi Foundation, which develops bamboo plantations by presenting seedlings to local rice farmers. The project also harnessed the
Photo by Cameron Scott In 1960, architect Daniel Liebermann — who apprenticed under Frank Lloyd Wright — built a house on a hilly site in a new way, designing a structure that curved along a Marin
Many villagers in rural India are in need of clean, safe toilet facilities and places to wash laundry. Seeking to provide a solution to this pressing need, the National Foundation for India asked New
Street benches are essential fixtures in any urban environment -- after a whole day of walking around from place to place, it sure feels great to rest your feet and take a break. Architecture instructor
What do you give the woman who brought you into this world and raised you? For architect Benjamin Garcia Saxe, the answer was a beautiful bamboo retreat in Costa Rica. Some years ago, his mom stole away
For all of you who get giddy over purchasing new office supplies, we’ve found the perfect eco-friendly line that’s about to top your desk - and your design loving hearts - off with joy! Powered by the
Hey NYC! If you’re looking for a leisurely activity to fill this fine Sunday afternoon, head on over to the Meatpacking District to check out TOUCH’s latest exhibition “Interconnected.” Featuring
Call it Survivor: Designer's Edition or Project Eco-Design, but we've got one reality TV inspired challenge for you: What could you build with just some cotton rope and a pile of wood blocks? An
This truly stunning home in Scottsdale, Arizona offers a great lesson in site-appropriate design. The large roof overhangs and massive rammed earth walls help keep it cool in a desert environment.
Photo by Wonderlane University of California engineer Luke Lee and architect Maria-Paz Gutierrez are developing an advanced “skin” for buildings that would regulate temperature and humidity
BPA is nasty stuff--the chemical is linked to obesity, cancer, and endocrine problems in fetuses and children. It's also ubiquitous in our daily lives, present in 2.7 million tons of plastic used to make
Penny tiles are a popular look for interior flooring. While ceramic and glass are often used to make tiles, these beautiful penny tiles, which we noticed on 3rings blog, are actually cut from recycled
Last weekend at BKLYN Designs 2010 we discovered a booth full of amazing wall-coverings by designer Katie Deedy from Grow House Grow. Each paper in Deedy’s newest collection, Naturalist, tells a superb
Here is a house that we bet you wish you grew up in. Built for a large family and developed to reduce its environmental footprint, this home feels a lot like summer camp. Located on a twenty acre site in
One of our favorite finds from this year’s BKLYN Designs is the U.M.O., a playful piece of multitasking furniture that transitions from a coffee table to a bench to a desk with a simple flick of the
Not only does the space-age material Aerogel have super-insulating powers -- it is also remarkably effective at soaking up oil. AeroClay, one of the makers of the insulation, is currently working on a new
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
Photos by Siddharth Siva Assistant architecture professor Ginger Krieg Dosier recently unveiled a new breed of biologically “grown” bricks that are durable, sustainably manufactured, and
Right now, most semiconductor chips (those tiny pieces that are crucial to computers and electrical circuits) are crafted from silicon, a relatively expensive material. But what if we told you that these
Our friends at Designboom recently tipped us off to these beautiful reclaimed cabinets made by Denmark-based Søren Rose Studio. Dubbed ‘Gymnasium’, the collection was inspired by the glory days of
André Joyau’s gorgeous furniture line was a definite show stopper last weekend at BKLYN Designs 2010. We were so impressed by his use of reclaimed wood in his narrative furniture pieces that we
Egg carton crafts have never looked so good. Designed by Dan Hochberg and Odelia Lavie, ‘Pulp Furniture’ adapts the same process used to create protective pulp packaging to fashion stylish and modern
Seen over at Arch Daily this morning, Germany and China's captivating German-Chinese House for the Shanghai World expo is a study in bamboo. The two story art building is the only pavilion in the Expo to
A box within a box, this simple house composed of mud bricks formed into a contemporary structure is an elegant synthesis of old and new. Built in Marfa, Texas, a town better known for the artist Donald
Dogs may be our best friends, but did you know they can also aid us in cleaning up the devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill? Matter of Trust, a San Franscisco non-profit devoted to “mimick[ing] how
