Space-Saving Staircase Shelves for Floor-to-Ceiling Storage | Designs &... It is technically a bit untrue (most of the time) that one can ‘run out’ of space. Consider the overhead area between yourself and the ceiling, for example. Sure, you want to keep it so you feel comfortable and to allow natural and artificial light to percolate through spaces … but a lot of it is not even necessary for those secondary needs. This simple modern design by Danny Kuo blends aspects of classic studies and libraries with present-day sensibilities about craft, materiality and saving space. ? Lower wooden boxes slide out to become steps from which one can reach upper shelves and cabinets. Since the staircase functionality is built-in, there is no need for the traditional rolling ladder or staircase-on-wheels one associates with floor-to-ceiling bookcases. This, in turn, helps save even more space. Beyond the big idea, the details are treated with exquisite precision, too, with woodwork that is appealing to the eye and solid to the touch for each of the many pieces involved.?
Conrad Maldives Rangali Islands unique underwater suite (NOT photoshop) TetraBox Light by Ed Chew & Yanko Design. Liquid to Light Designer Ed Chew takes a green step in the right direction with the TetraBox lamp, a light object made from discarded drink packets that would have otherwise ended up in landfills already packed to the brim. The design is achieved by unfolding the packets and refolding them into hexagonal and pentagonal sections that are then pieced together to form a geodesic sphere or any other desired shape. Here, the Epcot-like ball makes an attractive overhead light and casts an impressive web of shadows and shapes on the surrounding space. Designer: Ed Chew. THE ARK HOTEL? OR DISASTER RELIEF HOUSING? &. The First Zombie-Proof House.
Somehow, ritual drunk-conversation concerning team captains for the apocalypse has become a major part of the lives of 20-somethings. Having been matured in the Grandaddy-crowned masterpiece film (put “A.M. 180” on and forget that you have a job) 28 Days Later and the best-selling Zombie Survival Guide, we’re all a little too ready to deal with the 2012 zombie apocalypse of our dreams. “The Safe House,” designed by KWK Promes, starts to get eerily close to something I could work with, if say 200 bludgeoned members of the undead army came over to eat their way into borrowing some sugar. “The most essential item for our clients was acquiring the feeling of maximum security,” begins the designers’ website in the summary of the structure.
Who wouldn’t feel safe in a concrete rectangle that folds in upon itself to become completely sealed? Even the windows are covered with a slab of concrete when the structure is on nap time. Modular Motorhome: Hybrid Camper Car + Caravan Combo | Designs &Ideas o... Campervans are great for the wide-open road, but what happens when you reach your destination and want to travel in something a bit less clunky?
This variant concept RV comes with a detachable car to let you cruise city streets once you exit the high-speed freeway. This design challenge was tackled by Christian Susana with great attention to detail, from how each portable portion (car and camper form) looks separately to how they appear as whole when plugged back together. The tiny two-seat car part is definitely built for short trips, looking like a cross between a golf cart and a Mini Cooper. The larger back-end trailer takes its cues from classic VW-type campers, maximizing space with a lofted sleeping area, flip-down table-and-chairs set as well as compact storage solutions set into any remaining available areas.
Expansive side windows depart from the classic privacy-oriented caravan style, abstractly referencing tourers in their openness to the outside world. Sky Garden House - Architecture Linked - Architect & Architectural... I think one of the reasons that many are skeptical about environmental design is because they think its terribly complex and costly. It does take a bit more effort on the front end, but it's definitely not rocket science. This architecture by Guz Architects is a wonderfully developed minimalistic design with a curvilinear flare that really brings out the organic coverings.
I'm most impressed with how design facilitates the needs of the plants and shrubs located throughout the house. See more at Guz Architects. Build a Gutterless Rain Barrel. Maybe for an apartment balcony. Otherwise, yeah, put up at least a stretch of gutter with a downspout. Other than being up on a ladder, it'll be easier (just hammer into soffit with gutter nails and spacers) and probably will be cheaper than cedar boards. If you put a rain barrel at the bottom of the downspout, you'll also have the option of going through one small barrel, then the overflow of that barrel going to your big rain barrel(s) so the first few gallons, that's normally pretty dirty (first rinse of the roof) are kept separate. Not sure how you'd do that with this setup. Gutters also have the advantage (primary purpose, actually) of being able to route water that falls on your roof *away* from your foundation. Wet basements are no fun. 4/11/10 8:49am.
Solar Wind Bridge - Efficient reuse of highways - eVolo | Architecture Maga... Italian designers Francesco Colarossi, Luisa Saracino and Giovanna Saracino created a Solar Wind bridge project for a Solar Park Works – a competition in Italy. The aim of the competition was to get designers to imagine new ways to reuse an elevated highway between Bagnera and Scilla in Italy, incorporating new energy efficient solutions. The designers won second place for this project. The proposed design has 26 wind turbines incorporated in structure of the bridge. They are integrated into the spaces between the bridge’s pillars. The traditional asphalt would be replaced with 20 km (12.4 miles) of solar roadways, consisting of a dense grid of solar cells embedded in the road surface, providing 11.2 million kWh per year.
In addition to the “solar roadways,” the top surface of the bridge would also include a “green promenade” along its length comprising solar greenhouses for growing local produce. -> EVOLO SKYSCRAPERS 2 - Limited Edition Book.