Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but considering the fast pace at which Chinese builders have been copying architecture from around the world, does the old adage apply to the replication of entire buildings as well? That's one of the questions that author Bianca Bosker asks in her new book Original Copies: Architectural Mimicry in Contemporary China, where she analyzes the Chinese trend of replicating structures and even entire communities that look just like their European and American counterparts. I recently had the chance to review a copy of this eye-opening exploration into duplitecture in China as well as the culture that continues to drive it forward. Read on for my thoughts.

 

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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.

 

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Over the past decade, architect and anthropologist Salima Naji has worked to save the heritage of several oasis towns in the anti-Atlas mountains of Morocco. The Southern Moroccan landscape is dotted with fortified citadels and granaries that were built by the indigenous Berber tribes. These impressive structures hold significant spiritual value and are defining landmarks of the region’s cultural inheritance and religious history. The fortresses served as both symbols of freedom and holy sites for the Berber people, which continued even after the tribe’s conversion to Islam. Naji’s work on four sacred sites, ranging in scale from communal granaries to partially abandoned fortified towns, has landed her on the shortlist of finalists for the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

 

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Renewable energy is gaining major momentum in Spain. In April, the country set a new record with renewable energy accounting for 54 percent of the electricity generated in Spain. April’s figure just outpaced March’s record of 51.8 percent of electricity generated by renewables. And those numbers should continue to grow, as wind and solar development continues in the Mediterranean country.

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JDS Architects just unveiled an exciting new green-roofed office for the modern and vibrant city of Istanbul. Kagithane Gardens has a close connection with the surrounding hilly landscape, which it mirrors with terraced green roofs. Daylight streams into the M-shaped building from all sides, and louvers protect the interior from overheating. Public plazas on the street level connect to retail spaces, and the upper floors provide premier office spaces for small to large firms. Construction on this project is expected to start this summer.

 

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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.

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The Atuarfik Hans Lynge School is a stunning new building in the town of Qinngorport in Nuuk, Greenland designed by Danish firm KHR Arkitektur A/S. The 19,685 square foot, $22.2 million structure is not only beautifully integrated into its mountainous backdrop, but it is also designed to withstand some of the harshest climate conditions in the world.

 

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Bee photo from Shutterstock

This past winter was a harsh one – particularly for bees and beekeepers across the United States. A recent survey by the Bee Informed Partnership and the Apiary Inspectors of America has shown that one in every three honey bee colonies collapsed this past winter. The staggering 31.1 percent loss is twice the percentage that beekeepers say is “acceptable” to maintain their business.

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Photo via Shutterstock

With tomatoes from Chile, salmon from Norway, chocolate from Africa, and coffee from Indonesia, a trip to the local grocery store can seem like a journey around the world. But food security is a serious issue in the 21st century, as countries around the world struggle to produce enough food to feed their growing populations. A new study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany that was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters suggests that over half of the world’s population could depend on imported foods by 2050.

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Chug-A-Lug is a handcrafted leather cozy that can be slipped onto just about any jar, turning it into a portable cup or even a hanging flower vase. The design also features a handy clip that can be affixed to just about any bag, ensuring that you’ll keep on chuggin’ everywhere you go. Chug-A-Lugs have been crafted to last a lifetime, and they sure do look cute!

+ Chug-A-Lug

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Color Collision is a collection of non-toxic ceramic tableware designed by Kirstie Van Noort and Rogier Arents. To achieve the unique colors seen above, the ceramic objects were first dyed with red cabbage and then soaked in various liquids with different PH levels. What came to be were beautiful, surprising, and one-of-a-kind pieces steeped in color.

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Japanese artist Maico Akiba crafts tiny ecosystems on the backs of tortoises, gorillas and polar bears. Simply called ‘Sekai’ (World), this intricately crafted collection figures is both kawaii and a bit odd.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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There is a debate raging between the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – and LEED certification is caught in the middle. Treehugger reports that the latest battleground is in North Carolina, which recently introduced legislation that would effectively ban LEED in the state. The legislation follows on the heels of similar bills that banned LEED in Maine and the Department of Defense in 2011. Is this an ominous sign of things to come as more state governments bow down to the almighty dollar – or will protecting the world’s forests prevail?

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