Inhabitat New York City

New “e-cycleNYC” Program Brings Electronics Recycling Right to Your Doorstep

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/09/13

filed under: Brooklyn,Manhattan,Queens,Recycling and Composting,Staten Island,Sustainability Initiatives,The Bronx

Recycling your old electronics is about to become a lot easier in NYC. This week, New York City Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty announced the launch of a new residential electronics recycling program called “e-cycleNYC” in partnership with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI). The free recycling service will be provided to buildings with 10 or more apartment units in each borough, so instead of lugging your broken 42’’ plasma through the subway to an e-waste drop off, you can save your strength for more important things like planting trees and composting.

MANHATTAN

RECIPE: How To Make the “Best Kale Salad” with Chef Joya Carlton of The Butcher’s Daughter

by Ayasha Guerin, 05/09/13

filed under: Food,Manhattan

Don’t be fooled by its quirky name - The Butcher's Daughter is actually an all vegan/vegetarian juicery and restaurant-café in Manhattan’s trendy Nolita ‘hood. Since its opening last November, the restaurant has been working its way into the hearts of New York’s health-conscious clientele, who come for the bright atmosphere, fresh juices and simple, elegant, vegetable dishes. The Butcher’s Daughter is the newest addition to Heather Tierney’s group of trendy downtown spots, which also include the trendy cocktail bar Apotheke and Pulqueria. We sat down with Chef Joya Carlton to learn the secret recipe for “The Best Kale Salad”, as it is named on the menu. Click through our slideshow to see how to make it!

BROOKLYN

Adam Yauch Park Opens in Brooklyn Heights, Honoring Late Beastie Boys Member

by Lori Zimmer, 05/09/13

filed under: Brooklyn,Green Space

You might have known him as MCA of the Beastie Boys, but before he was a rapper Adam Yauch was just a happy Brooklyn kid playing at his favorite park. The late musician was honored last week when Palmetto Playground in Brooklyn Heights was renamed Adam Yauch Park in celebration of his popularity and influence as a rapper, filmmaker and activist. Yauch grew up hanging out at the Columbia Street playground, in the neighborhood that inspired one of the group’s most famous songs, “No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn.”

INTERIORS

Bower to Debut Magnetic Polaris Lighting at BKLYN Designs 2013

by Tafline Laylin, 05/09/13

filed under: BKLYN Designs,Brooklyn,Design,Interiors

Bower is new to the Brooklyn design family but they are off to a resplendent start with a series of playful interiors. Founded by Danny Giannella and Tammer Hijazi last year, the studio takes its name and inspiration from the Bower bird that is innately programmed to make its surroundings beautiful, which is exactly what this creative pair strives to do with their own work. Keep a lookout for their Polaris lighting range, which is making its debut at BKLYN Designs at the end of this week.

PRODUCTS

Danielle Trofe’s LED Hourglass Lamps Are Powered by Falling Sand

by Lidija Grozdanic, 05/08/13

filed under: Interior Design,Product Design

After the debut of her Live Screen hydroponic garden during NY Design Week 2012, Brooklyn-based designer Danielle Trofe is returning this year with a new series of off-the-grid LED lighting fixtures that are illuminated using the power of falling sand. Based on the shape of the hourglass, the new lamps need to be flipped to continue working and require the user’s involvement to stimulate awareness of the finite nature of lighting energy sources.

INTERIORS

Hooker & Co Celebrate Brooklyn’s Industrial Heritage with Awesome Reclaimed Furniture at BKLYN Designs

by Tafline Laylin, 05/08/13

filed under: BKLYN Designs,Brooklyn,Design,Interiors

Jesse Hooker is a Brooklyn fixture and his gorgeous reclaimed furniture honors the city's industrial heritage. Another celebrated artisan who is going to be showcasing his work at BKLYN Designs this weekend, Jesse combines all sorts of curious materials to produce one-of-a-kind pieces that are bound to be passed on for generations. From tables made with bug-eaten wood and a loveseat padded with an original '69 Mustang seat, every single creation is designed and handcrafted at his Bushwick Studio.

INTERIORS

Pickett Furniture Brings a Worldly Aesthetic to BKLYN Designs 2013

by Tafline Laylin, 05/08/13

filed under: BKLYN Designs,Brooklyn,Design,Interiors

Jeremy Pickett brings a worldly aesthetic to BKLYN Designs largely due to his extensive travels abroad. We've enjoyed watching how his journeys to Japan, Norway and elsewhere have influenced his material choices. In addition to using bamboo to construct awesome lamps, bicycle parts and other pieces, his upholstery is often made with vintage textiles from Mongolia, Russia and Scandinavia. But he is also a committed environmentalist who sources only the most responsible timber for his widening range.

MANHATTAN

New Shipping Container Shops Coming to South Street Seaport This Summer

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/08/13

filed under: Food,Green Building,Manhattan,Things To Do

Hurricane sandy, pier 17, howard hughes corp, seaport museum, Brooklyn flea, Brooklyn brewery, south street seaport, jonathan butler, sea change south street seaport, shipping container mall, shipping container restaurant, shipping container retail boutique, nyc summer concerts

Rendering via Howard Hughes Corp.

Popular tourist destination South Street Seaport will be recovering from the damage it suffered during Hurricane Sandy with exciting new summer programming and shipping container shops. Developer Howard Hughes Corp. and NYC partnered together to bring visitors back to the area beginning Memorial Day weekend with a new season of fun attractions called See/Change. The plan includes a summer full of concerts, artisanal foods and happy hour evenings inside two-story shipping containers.

BROOKLYN

Massive Bee Swarm Spotted in Brooklyn

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/08/13

filed under: Brooklyn,Urban Farming

They’re baaaack! A giant swarm of bees was spotted recently in the Boerum Hill area of Brooklyn, causing some alarm among residents. Luckily, New York City beekeeper Ross Bennett Brown explains that the docile bees aren’t looking to harm humans – they’re simply scouting out a new home. Though that may be true, we’re not completely assuaged considering that last summer, 15,000 bees attacked tourists at South Street Seaport after their contained hive was dropped. Whether you find it scary or not, read on to see a video of the Boerum Hill bees performing their “waggle dance” in a tree on Baltic Street.

MANHATTAN

National Weather Service Issues Flash Flood Warning in NYC This Morning

by Yuka Yoneda, 05/08/13

filed under: Brooklyn,Manhattan,Staten Island,Water,Weather

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning this morning for Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island due to heavy rains. The alert warns that some urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses will be flooded, and commuters are advised to steer clear of low-lying areas as “water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely.” According to the latest update, the warning will be in effect until 9:15 AM this morning. Visit Weather.gov to stay on top of the most up-to-date information.

ARCHITECTURE

New Museum Censors Controversial Crytome Posters Questioning Gentrification of the Bowery

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/07/13

filed under: Architecture,Art NYC,Manhattan,Public Art

When architects John Young and Deborah Natsios of Cryptome were asked to create a work of art in collaboration with the New Museum and the Bowery Mission to debut at this past weekend's StreetFest, they didn't expect to be censored. The series of eight crafted panels-- titled “Partywall”-- questioned the relationship between the Bowery Mission, its neighbor the New Museum, and the rapidly changing character of the Bowery. Unfortunately, the artwork never made it in front of the street festival audience. The eight Partywall panels were installed April 30 and were still in place at 3pm May 2, over 48hrs later. They were removed sometime in the following 24hrs, by 1pm May 3, after Young and Natsios we were told by Bowery Mission that the New Museum had sent them an email questioning the project.

ARCHITECTURE

Show Off Your Upcycled Art and Designs at reMADE NYC’s Pop-Up Gallery!

by Yuka Yoneda, 05/07/13

filed under: Architecture,Art NYC,Brooklyn,Interior Design,Product Design,Recycling and Composting

Calling all green designers, artists and creators! reMade NYC, a New York–based art, design and innovation studio, is looking for local designers to showcase at their upcoming pop-up gallery show taking place the week of May 19–26. They’re looking for fine art, sculpture, industrial design pieces, local furniture & products, illustrations, photography, mixed media, eco art & design and architectural drawings & models. If you’d like to show off your work at this exciting event and meet other like-minded New Yorkers, submit your entries to: STUDIO@reMADEdesign.com.

+ reMade NYC

INTERIORS

BKLYN Designs 2013: Dog Tag Designs Turns Darth Vader and Old Telephones Into Fun Furnishings

by Tafline Laylin, 05/07/13

filed under: BKLYN Designs,Brooklyn,Interiors

Apparently no object is too strange to be upcycled - at least not for one of our favorite artisans Dog Tag Designs. Founded by Brooklyn-based Tyagi Schwartz, this wildly creative studio finds discarded toys, telephones and other pieces of nostalgia and turns them into eccentric but fully functional lamps, tables and more. Dog Tag will be showing their wares at BKLYN Designs 2013 this week, but read on for a little sneak peek.

ENERGY

NYC Spectra Pipeline Expansion Sparks Resident Concerns About Explosions and Radon

by Sherrell Dorsey, 05/06/13

filed under: Energy,Manhattan,Politics,Water

$Pipeline, fracking nyc, hydrofracking, mayor Bloomberg planyc, nj ny expansion project, natural gas nyc, natural gas west village, occupy the pipeline, spectra pipeline, spectra pipeline nyc, natural gas explosion, duke energy, natural gas risks, natural gas radon$

Most New Yorkers have heard of the Spectra natural gas pipeline and the dangers it poses – but until recently, it’s felt like a vague, far-off worry that may or may not happen. Unfortunately that couldn’t be further from the truth, as the pipeline (also referred to as NJ-NY Expansion Project) is already in progress and is set to be complete this fall, bringing with it the very clear and present danger of exposure to radon (a known cancer-causing radioactive gas) and high-pressure gas explosions. The pipeline is being built directly underneath Manhattan’s West Village, and residents in the area are very concerned about the possibility of flammable water coming out of their taps as seen in the video after the jump. Their arguments are not unfounded – in 2012 alone, there were 244 pipeline incidents resulting in 10 deaths and over $180 million in damages.

INTERIORS

BKLYN Designs: Palo Samko Showcases the Beauty of Salvaged Furniture’s “Flaws”

by Tafline Laylin, 05/06/13

filed under: BKLYN Designs,Interiors

Where some people see flaws in salvaged timber, such as holes carved over time or stress splits, New York's Palo Samko sees beauty. So instead of hiding these so-called imperfections, the carpenter, designer and devoted father showcases them in his reclaimed furniture - though he also ensures his pieces are structurally sound by incorporating unique joinery into the designs. We are big fans of his work and highly recommend that you seek out the man and his art next week at BKLYN Designs 2013.

MANHATTAN

Could Oddball Combo Shops Mean Salvation for NYC’s Beloved Mom and Pops?

The mall-ification of NYC has been pretty difficult to ignore, and it seems like every week another one of the small shops that makes our city so unique gets replaced with a shiny new outpost of some national corporation. A similar fate has been looming over

ART

6 Marvelous Green Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day in NYC

Mother’s Day is just around corner and if you’ve yet to plan anything for your mum, we’ve got you covered (you can thank us later). Treat her to a relaxing day at the spa or a rewarding stroll that supports the health of women and girls in New York. Or just spend time bonding over a brunch of fresh, local bites. Check out our list of six super cool, eco-friendly activities around NYC to help you build an unforgettable Mother’s Day itinerary that sure beats the bouquet of flowers you've been thinking about ordering.

ART

Ideas City Festival and StreetFest Returns to the Bowery This Weekend!

The New Museum’s Ideas City Festival has hit the Bowery again, with a slew of art and culture events lined up for this weekend. This year’s festivities include artistic projections onto the museum’s façade, panel discussions on subjects like innovative

ARCHITECTURE

PHOTOS: Peek Inside the Sweet Walls of the Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg

With Two Trees Management set to transform Brooklyn's famed Domino Sugar Refinery into an affordable housing complex, there isn't much time left to enjoy it in its original state. Luckily, arts organization Creative Time gave the old factory a chance to shine by opening its sticky-sweet doors to hundreds of guests for its annual gala. The cavernous warehouse has yet to be gutted, and still bears a thick coating of burnt sugar on its ceilings and walls, filling the space with a delightful saccharine scent. We joined in on this unique opportunity to experience the factory one last time - check out our photo gallery to follow along!

ARCHITECTURE

Rockwell Group Unveils Plans to Build Treehouse-Inspired Playground in Brownsville

This week, the Rockwell Group announced exciting plans to build a treehouse-inspired Imagination Playground in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Brownsville. The firm is working with NYC Parks to transform a 1.5-acre section of Betsy Head Park into an active

ENERGY

EPA Announces Over $500 Million to Repair Sandy-Damaged Waterways in NY and NJ

The Environmental Protection Agency announced recently that they will provide over $500 million in grants and low-interest loans to the state of New York and state of New Jersey to improve wastewater and drinking water facilities ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.

ARCHITECTURE

“Under the Elevated” Seeks to Transform Space Beneath NYC Bridges and Subways into Usable, Non-Scary Areas

The High Line made a name for itself by turning land atop an elevated rail line into a flourishing park, but can the same be done for spaces underneath these kinds of structures? The Design Trust for Public Space is embarking on a plan to transform areas under

MANHATTAN

Bicyclists Angered as Citi Bike Stations Uproot Public Racks

NYC cyclists are standing their ground against the new Citi Bike share program’s attempt to rip up public bike racks and replace them with new branded stations. Last week, one group of Battery Park City riders found out that a bike rack on South End Avenue

MANHATTAN

GrowNYC Helps Create an Urban Farm at Wagner Middle School in Manhattan

GrowNYC recently lent a green thumb to Wagner Middle School on the Upper East Side. The non-profit banded together with Wagner students, teachers, parents and local volunteers to roll up their sleeves and build an on-site urban farm and garden that will serve as an educational tool as well as a place to harvest fresh produce. Students spent the day gardening, playing recycling games, eating and learning about healthy snacks, and welcoming urban gardening into their curriculum.

ARCHITECTURE

$10 Two-Bedroom Apartment Deal Comes Through for Old Mars Bar Tenants

In an expensive city like New York, $10 doesn’t get you much. But for nine tenants who occupied two small buildings along Second Avenue for decades, their ten bucks will buy them a two bedroom, tax-free apartment in a fancy pants luxury high-rise. The tenants