Inhabitat New York City

Clever 425 sq. ft. Manhattan Micro-Loft Stacks Upwards for More Space

by Bridgette Meinhold, 05/21/13

filed under: Architecture,Manhattan,Tiny Homes

When it first started off, this unusually tiny NYC apartment had high ceilings but only 425 sq. ft. of space. Specht Harpman Architects came in and saw the potential to turn the awkward Upper West Side pad into a spacious, light-filled micro loft by taking advantage of the 25-foot ceilings and rooftop deck access. By installing four "living platforms", Specht Harpman turned what was essentially dead space into a really cool multi-level home that hides plenty of great storage. Read on for a tour!

MANHATTAN

Climate Change-Related Deaths Are on the Rise in NYC, Says New Report

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/21/13

filed under: Climate Change,Helping People,Manhattan,Weather

Enduring a brutally hot summer in New York City may end up killing you. A new study released this week says thanks to global warming and the “urban island” effect, NYC mortality rates due to warming temperatures are likely to increase by 20 percent by 2020 and as much as 90 percent by the 2080s. The report, released this week in the Nature Climate Change journal, was conducted by a team of researchers at Columbia University’s Earth Institute in collaboration with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

BROOKLYN

Airbnb Rentals Deemed Illegal in NYC by Judge

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/21/13

filed under: Brooklyn,Manhattan

airbnb, nyc hotels, nyc apartments, nyc rentals, nyc airbnb, cheap nyc hotels, christine quinn, emily giske, illegal airbnb

Image via Airbnb Facebook

Airbnb has proven to be an invaluable resource for visitors to New York City, but a court ruling is now flipping the short-term apartment rental service on its head. An NYC judge recently found that a local resident who rented out his condominium through Airbnb violated the city’s hotel law and fined him $2,400. A 2011 law makes it illegal for any New Yorker to rent out their apartment for less than 29 days, and despite Airbnb coming to the host’s aid, officials won’t budge. The decision is leaving a bad taste in the mouths of the approximately 30,000 New Yorkers signed up as hosts on Airbnb and other folks looking to make a few extra bucks by renting out their city dwellings.

MANHATTAN

Mayor Bloomberg Aims to Boost Recycling and Save Taxpayers Money

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/21/13

filed under: Climate Change,Manhattan,Recycling and Composting,Sustainability Initiatives

During his final months in office, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has his sights set on getting the concrete jungle to boost its recycling. Despite the Mayor’s past efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and get New York residents to start thinking more “green”, the city’s residential recycling has declined from 20 percent to 15 percent over the past 12 years. The news may be dismal but a change is a coming. The administration is serious about moving the city’s solid waste programs into a new direction and helping New Yorkers clean up their act. Here’s a look at key initiatives the city is rolling out to set solid waste reduction back on track.

BROOKLYN

Souda’s Luminous Bubble Chandelier is Made From Bottles Collected by NYC’s Homeless

by Lori Zimmer, 05/20/13

filed under: Brooklyn,Recycling and Composting,Sustainability Initiatives

Inhabitat was really excited to see Brooklyn’s own Souda in person at this year’s ICFF. The young collective’s gorgeous Bubble Chandelier is not only made from recycled soda bottles, but also provides jobs to New York City’s homeless population. Souda works with non-profit SURE WE CAN’s homeless-friendly bottle redemption center to source the bottles, giving a portion back to the homeless population that collects them.

Staten Island’s Historic Snug Harbor Botanical Garden is an Idyllic Escape from NYC

by Lori Zimmer, 05/20/13

filed under: Destinations,Eco Kids,Staten Island,Urban Farming

For a beautiful escape from the thick of the concrete jungle, there’s no need to leave the five boroughs. The idyllic Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden is only a short bus ride away from the Staten Island Ferry, and it offers a day of galavanting through gardens, checking out museums and art galleries, sampling from an on-site organic farm, or taking in a performance at the century-old auditorium. The 28 building campus was once a home for retired sailors, but it has been transformed into a day-trip destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike.

ART

Imran Qureshi’s “Blood-Splattered” Exhibit Paints The Met’s Rooftop Garden Red

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/20/13

filed under: Art NYC,Manhattan,Public Art

While relaxing on a rooftop garden doesn’t usually conjure up images of a murder scene, the Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s terrace has combined the two very opposite ideas with its new “blood-splattered” exhibit by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi. The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi is a bold response to global violence and the artist’s yearning for peace in the advent of war and man-made disasters. In order to achieve the gruesome effect, Qureshi splattered red acrylic paint into patterns of foliage, feathers and wings across the 8,000-square-foot canvas. Visitors to the garden are invited to understand the parallels between the difficult topics of life, death and disaster as they walk across the installation, which will be on exhibit until November 3rd.

MANHATTAN

Help NYC Artist Jim Power Fix His Legendary Light Pole Mosaics That Tell the History of the East Village

by Lori Zimmer, 05/20/13

filed under: Art NYC,Manhattan

If you’ve spent any time in the East Village, you may have noticed the colorful, mosaic-covered light poles that line the streets. Unofficially dubbed the “Legendary Mosaic Trail,” the poles have been a pet project of artist Jim Power for 25 years now. Made from glass, mirror and other recycled materials found on the streets, the poles each immortalize an East Village place, event or person, creating an outdoor history museum in mosaic form. Power has now launched an Indiegogo campaign to help preserve his East Village legacy for future generations to enjoy. Read on to see how you can help!

GREEN SPACE

SL Green, Urban Air Foundation and NYRP Plant Trees on Randall’s Island for Earth Day

by Harry Etra, 05/20/13

filed under: Green Space,Manhattan,Parks

This past weekend, SL Green Realty Corp., New York Restoration Project and the Urban Air Foundation hosted “Re-Green NYC”, a day of tree-planting on Randall’s Island in coordination with Randall’s Island Park Alliance. SL Green tenants and employees joined in on the tree-planting action to commemorate Earth Day 2013 and VIP attendees included Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica White, Jay Black, SL Green Director of Sustainability, Geoffrey Glick, SVP of External Affairs at NYRP, and Stephen Rizzo of the Urban Air Foundation.

ARCHITECTURE

Hear Author Bridgette Meinhold Speak at the Academy of Natural Sciences This Week in Philly

by Inhabitat, 05/20/13

filed under: Architecture

This Thursday, May 23rd, Inhabitat’s Architecture Editor Bridgette Meinhold will be speaking at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University about sustainable housing and environmental challenges. Bridgette Meinhold is the author of Urgent Architecture: 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World and will discuss housing options in the context of natural disasters, climate change and how we can prepare our housing stock for upcoming challenges. Meinhold will also be joined by Jonah Reynolds, who is a world-renowned Earthship builder and educator and will also be speaking at the free event. The talks will take place on Thursday, May 23th, starting at 6:00pm at The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University.

+ RSVP for Bridgette Meinhold’s Academy of Natural Sciences Lecture

MANHATTAN

PHOTOS: MoMA’s “Rain Room” Lets You Walk Through the Rain Without Getting Wet

by Lori Zimmer, 05/19/13

filed under: Art NYC,Manhattan,Water,Weather

How cool would it be to dance in the rain without having to towel off after? That's exactly the experience that the Museum of Modern Art and Random International are offering with their "Rain Room", which invites guests to frolic through 1,076 square feet of pouring rain while staying completely dry. Using 3D-tracking cameras, injection-moulded tiles and a water recycling system, the installation follows guests as they pass toward a stark floodlight, turning off each sprinkler as they pass under it, and giving the feeling of being in the center of a rainstorm without getting the least bit wet.

ART

Olafur Eliasson Brings Pieces of Actual Iceland Glacier to His EXPO 1 Exhibit at MoMA PS1 (PHOTOS)

by Ayasha Guerin, 05/19/13

filed under: Art Galleries,Art NYC,Climate Change,Queens,Water

When we heard that MoMA PS1 would be featuring a climate change-focused installation by Olafur Eliasson in its EXPO 1 exhibit, we knew we had to check it out. But little did we know that the work, titled “Your waste of time”, would feature actual shards of Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajökul. While it was figuratively (and literally) cool to be in the presence of such an endangered substance, we have to wonder if removing and transporting the blocks of ice and keeping them in an energy-gobbling refrigerated room really sends the right message...or perhaps that was Eliasson's point?

ARCHITECTURE

Mysterious Brooklyn Heights Brownstone Actually Hides a Secret Underground Portal – PHOTOS

by Diane Pham, 05/18/13

filed under: Architecture,Brooklyn

Walking around Brooklyn Heights, it's hard not to find your gaze captivated by the beautiful, historic brownstones that line the street. But if you've ever found yourself along Joralemon Street, you've probably spotted this bizarre three-story row house with blacked out windows and a massive steel lock holding its door shut. While you may think these are tell-tale signs of a paranoid NYC shut-in, this red brick row home actually conceals a secret portal to the NYC underground!

INTERIORS

Philippe Starck and Hansgrohe Launch Axor Starck Organic Line of Sensual Water-Saving Faucets

by Yuka Yoneda, 05/17/13

filed under: Interior Design,Interiors,Water

Can a faucet be sensual? We had our doubts but were forced to eat them this morning (along with a tasty organic lunch) at the New York premiere of the Axor Starck Organic bathroom collection. World-renowned designer Philippe Starck joined Philippe Grohe, the head of Axor, to unveil the new line of curvaceous fixtures at the brand's Meatpacking District showroom. Both gentlemen had some fascinating things to say about the faucet's water-saving technology, advanced ergonomics and almost anatomical design, which Starck said was inspired by human, animal and vegetable life as well as "sexual energy". Read on to learn more.

BROOKLYN

6 Perfect Picnic Spots to Visit in NYC

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/17/13

filed under: Bronx,Brooklyn,Gallery,Manhattan,Queens,Staten Island,Things To Do

You don’t have to leave town in order to escape from the hustle and bustle of NYC life. There are plenty of fabulous picnic spots right in the 5 boroughs to bring a few sammiches and a bottle of wine to unwind for the day. Bring your checkered blanket to Prospect Park or hit the trails for an adventurous hike up Moses Mountain. Wherever you decide to park your picnic basket, click through our gallery to discover our favorite city park escapes.

BROOKLYN

Expanded Free Ferry Service to Red Hook Kicks Off Memorial Day Weekend!

Looking for something fun to do this summer in NYC? How about a free ferry ride that also supports a neighborhood that was knocked off its feet after Hurricane Sandy? Mayor Bloomberg joined other city officials this week to announce the launch of a free Red

MANHATTAN

Today is Bike to Work Day in New York!

Photo from Shutterstock

Throw your suit in a messenger bag and strap on your helmet because today is Bike to Work Day! Thousands of New Yorkers will be trading in their car, bus or subway commutes for a zero-energy alternative that is also a blast – and

BROOKLYN

Greenpoint, Brooklyn Residents Surprisingly Don’t Hate Mysterious Crowing Rooster

It’s not the sounds of the city or early morning trash removal that forces some Greenpoint, Brooklyn residents out of bed in the morning. Instead, a neighborhood rooster has become a local town favorite by bringing a bit of the countryside to the Kingsborough.

BROOKLYN

Salad Wheel Cooks Up Tasty Vegan Lunch Options Inside a Former Bushwick Nightclub

What should I have for lunch? It's a simple question, but one that had many Bushwickians on the hunt for healthy, meat-free options scratching their heads for quite some time now. Entrepreneur Kevin Reynolds saw the lack of nutritious, on-the-go food around the Myrtle Ave. station in Brooklyn, and decided to fill the gap with a new vegan-centric eatery and juice bar offering tasty wraps, salads, drinks and more. Called Salad Wheel, the warm and friendly restaurant features a "modern rustic farmhouse" feel, and provides a communal space for the neighborhood's commuters, artists and other professionals to congregate over fresh, homemade bites. We recently had a chance to visit the space and learn more about its reclaimed interior, storied past and promising future.

will.i.am and EKOCYCLE Announce $200,000 Grant to Spur Household Recycling in the South Bronx

Photo: Eric Cheng

The South Bronx is known for many things - its role in hip hop history, being the home of the Yankees and notable natives like Al Pacino, Colin Powell and Jennifer Lopez - but unfortunately, recycling is not one of them. According to city surveys, the South Bronx has the lowest recycling rate in all of NYC, but musician will.i.am and Coca Cola are hoping to change that through their joint venture, EKOCYCLE. This morning, EKOCYCLE announced their $200,000 grant to Sustainable South Bronx to create a new pilot program to help make it easier for area residents to get into the habit of recycling.

INTERIORS

PHOTOS: Bower Debuts Fun & Flexible Magnetic Polaris Light at BKLYN Designs

Bower's magnetic Polaris lamp is one of the BKLYN Designs product unveils we've really been looking forward to, and yesterday we finally got the chance to try out the light's sticking power at the show. The Polaris is made up of pieces of scrap wood that have been cut and fit to form its multi-faceted shape. Each lamp has been embedded with small but powerful magnets, allowing it to be adhered to any magnetic surface at many different angles depending on task and mood. We spoke to Danny Giannella and Tammer Hijazi, the two man team behind Bower, about the Polaris and some of the other cool wares showcased at their site - read on to see what we found out!

MANHATTAN

Learn How to 3D Print at ICFF with DesignX!

We’re looking forward to all that this weekend’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair will bring, and we just learned that the latest in home furnishings won’t be the only thing visitors can expect at the event. Showgoers who are interested in 3D printing

ARCHITECTURE

Ideas City Festival Livens Up the Bowery With Green Installations and Sustainable Fun

Last weekend, the New Museum's Ideas City Festival brought an action packed array of sustainable events and exhibitions to the Bowery. Visitors marveled as treetops and skyscrapers were brought within arm’s reach by Davidson Rafailidis’ Mirror Mirror installation, while others hung out inside Raumlabor’s inflatable bubble pavilion. Inhabitat joined the hundreds of New Yorkers who enjoyed the sustainable art installations, forums, and creative recycling initiatives - click through our gallery to see what we saw!

INTERIORS

Lamacek Shows Off Fun Phelt Wall Clusters at BKLYN Designs 2013

We’ve been wanting to see Lamacek’s new Phelt “clusters” in person ever since we found out about them, and we finally got our chance this weekend at BKLYN Designs. The fun series takes eco-felt made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and turns it into spirally

ARCHITECTURE

Roller Coaster Sunk by Hurricane Sandy Set to Be Removed Next Week

The famous Jersey Shore roller coaster that ended up in the Atlantic Ocean after Hurricane Sandy is slated to be removed from the waters by this time next week. The coaster, which has since become an iconic symbol of the October 29th storm, will be removed