ZeroEnergy Design master the art of giving shape to the modern homes touched with green factors. Browsing through their site, I am hooked by the Modern Beach House – Truro. This environmentally sensible beach home on Cape Cod boasts of a solar crown that powers up the whole structure. A battery back-up and energy management system store electricity from the solar array to ensure the basic functions of the home through blackouts without the use of a gas-powered generator. The combination the energy efficient building envelope and systems with the solar array will allow the home to produce as much energy as it uses over the course of a year! Ingenuously designed into two segments, ‘Living Bar’ and ‘Sleeping Bar, it is the Sleeping bar section that is kept shut by programmatic zoning during the majority of the year to decrease energy use.
Posted in
Recycle on January 14, 2009
And since we have embarked on eco-friendly surfing (on waters and not internet) with the solar panels wetsuits, let me bring your notice to the world’s first recycled surfboard. Joey Santley has partnered with Steve Cox to give shape to the first board that comprises of 65% recycled foam. All they did was sweep up the foam dust from the shaping machine and bays of Mayhem’s factory and mixed it along with some virgin polyurethane to give birth to the recycled surfboard. Teaming up with Just Foam, the duo intend to raise the recycled content to 80%. The only visual difference that a user can note is this recycled board blank has flecks of ground up stringer material in it. But doesn’t that speckled look make it more unique?
Surfing is a water sport activity that can be indulged in all round the year. However when the temperature dips, the cold waves deter many surfers from slipping into their wetsuits. Billabong has a way out for such times with a wet suit that can keep the wearer warm by soaking up the sun. In time for the winters of Australia, the maker is realizing the SG5 Solar Mesh wetsuit that promise to keep the surfer warmer by 30% more than any nylon suit. Fitted with thermal solar panels in a patent solar mesh on the front and back, the rest of the suit is shaped out of Zero Gravity Superflex neoprene. It also comes with all the other routine features like 100% externally welded seams, flexible side panels, silicon grippers, superflex kneepads etc. No official word on the pricing but it is known that the SG5 Solar Mesh wetsuit will be able from March onwards in three sizes and in front, back or zip-free options.
Powered by the sun and the wind, the RORMaxx Formula AE car can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds and drive for up to 200 miles once the batteries are fully charged. Not one but two brains are working on this eco-friendly sports car prototype that will emit zero emissions. Two 18-year-old students from Harvard-Westlake High School in California, USA, are utilizing solar panels, airflow recovery, and other modern technologies to construct an alternative energy vehicle called the Formula AE. Constructed from lightweight aluminum and super strong steel in a Formula 1-style shell, the two-seater’s bodywork boasts paper-thin solar panels that could fully charge its battery in just an hour and a half.
Posted in
Recycle on January 14, 2009
Though the term “green” may be passé for some, the concept certainly still rakes in more business. Eco sells and so will the Recycled Computer Circuit Board Mini Magnetic Clipboard. Here is an out-of-the-box green gift for your teen or spouse who fails to remember the list of things-to-do. Designed by DebbyAremDesigns, it is a perfect gift for the geek who has everything except a mini clipboard made from a circuit board! These compact magnetic clipboards can stick on to the school/college lockers, refrigerators or any other metal surface for convenient reminders. Crafted out of recycled circuit boards of computers, they come in a range of colors. For $5.50, it is the most affordable and utility eco-gift for any age.
At the North American International Auto Show, the Japanese automaker took the cover of its green debutant, the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid. Though a prototype model had shown up earlier, this is the production model that will hit the shores of United States in second quarter of 2009. Powered by an advanced 1.3-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy i-VTEC engine and CVT and fitted with a new generation of Honda’s IMA hybrid system, this new green baby promises exceptional fuel economy and fun-to-drive performance. To be precise, it is estimated to render 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. Though official price is unknown, the company asserts that this hybrid will cost lesser than the Civic Hybrid.
Press Release after the jump
Hollywood, synonymous to fashion, movies, celebrities and glamour has a green reason to find a mention on Greenlaunches. Ecco Ultra Lounge is Hollywood’s first eco-friendly lounge. In collaboration with FIJI Water, the lounge offers an outstanding platform to chill out in the most eco-friendly manner. Giving shape to the eco-friendly cement, the structure for Ecco was erected. Resorting to such a construction material helps to reduce about 180,000 tones of CO2 per year. The whole set up is powered by LA Department of Water & Power’s Green Power resources. The place dazzles with multi-colored, energy-efficient, state-of-the-art LED lighting system that is exclusively designed and installed by Disco Designer and Cosmos Lighting. The menu too boasts of lip smacking organic cuisine and liquors.
Every time I stop by at the local supermarket to pick up my groceries and veggies, I speculate about the amount of energy the colossal store would be consuming to keep it well lit and at the correct temperature. But Tesco, UK’s supermarket giant is on its way to serve consumers as well as our planet by throwing open the doors of an eco-friendly supermarket in Manchester. Spread over 52,000 sq ft store, the supermarket boasts of many eco-friendly features that may lure eco-shoppers to stop by for shopping. Situated at Cheetham Hill, it has managed to cut down about 70% of carbon foot print than the other comparable stores. Refrigeration will come from an environmentally friendly carbon dioxide system, and will use 15% less than a normal cooler.
Instead of spending millions to erect a structure that can function as an arty hub, old outdated subway cars have been put to use for the same. Along with saving money (only 200 pounds for four subway cars), the project has also saved our environment by recycling cast off subway cars which were headed for the junkyard. Located on top of an old brick warehouse in Shoreditch, London, the Village Underground is the address for art lovers who sport a green thumb too. Without many changes, this collection of ex London Underground tube train carriages is fitted on the top of the warehouse. Only the seats in the carriages are removed for providing some space to the artists. While this section acts as a working space for the artists, the lower level ware house is utilized to host art events and exhibitions.
Posted in
Recycle on January 13, 2009
Mosaic tiles have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years, in fact they have been around since the roman times. However in today’s day and age, you can do up your den in a green style with the 100% recycled mosaic glass tiles. The Mosaic Glass Tiles by Viderpur are shaped out of useless glass that would other find its way to the land fills. Plaster them on to the walls, floor, countertops or pools for a green touch to your home décor. Available in a range of colors, 1″ x 1″ tile is fitted on a 12″ x 12″ Mesh backed sheet. These recycled glass mosaic tiles can certainly add to the value of your home and at the same time reduce the burden on the landfills.
