Our Favorite Things, Volume 4

by Maggie Flickinger

The Isometric Chair by Kalon Studios is a work of art, domestically crafted from solid bamboo and finished with natural wax.  An effortless blend of classic curve & modern minimalism, this is one more seating design for notorious chair-loving architects to add to their “must-have” collections.  While we have some questions about the structural integrity of such a daringly slight design, we can’t help but admire!  Available direct from manufacturer or from a variety of modern furniture purveyors.

Bioplastics have long been plagued by accusations of non-biodegradability.  Now, nanotechnology is being used to conquer the problem.  Introducing nanoparticles of natural clay to PHB (a common bioplastic) results in a plastic-like substance that is highly heat resistant, pliable & resilient, and predictably biodegradable.  Ready-made applications range from packaging to medical, but one has to wonder, could this have some architectural application in temporary housing for disaster relief or refugee shelters?   (brought to my attention by Amy – thanks!)

Most people keyed into sustainability issues have heard the terms deep green and greenwashing.  Here’s a new green term to add to the roster: Bright Green.  Coined in 2003 by Alex Steffen, and enjoying increasing popularity, bright green refers to a convergence of technology & social innovation with the goal of sustainable development or a sustainable world.  Worldchanging is Steffen’s blog & book, and is bursting with tech savvy ideas for a different future.

Callan brought this product to the attention of the editors of Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, and they featured it in the August 2010 article, Designer Indulgences.  It’s a delightful new take on a tried & true sustainable material: cork penny tiles. Here, the tiles create an easy-to-install waterproof mosaic that would be at home in a historic renovation or could bring a soft touch to a modern interior.  Think bathroom floor, or even shower pan!  And this is an indulgence that won’t break the bank – the tiles are available locally at Go Green Flooring or direct from manufacturer for around $10/square foot.

Anything you’d like us to cover in the recurring Our Favorite Things series?  Let us know by commenting!

Gentrification = Demolition?

by Maggie Flickinger

Here in Denver, as in any built environment, we have a slow churning of development (despite the recent downturn) exemplified by historic neighborhoods passing through the throes of gentrification.  Lincoln Park loses historic worker’s housing to make way for ticky tacky, Colfax waves goodbye to a taqueria and hello to a gastropub.  The merits and detractions of gentrification (euphemism: revitalization) a varied and often the viewpoint depends on the socioeconomic “status” of those sharing their perspective.

By and large, however, gentrification is a process controlled by the willingness of a neighborhood’s current owners to sell, move, leave, and generally make way for new development.  If a block digs in its heels and no “for-sale” signs go up, the neighborhood remains the same.  Our municipalities rarely enact eminent domain statutes and when they do, they’re regularly controlled by public process requirements.

Not so in China.  A few years ago, stories of large-scale razing of traditional and historic neighborhoods in China surfaced, and pictures such as this depicting a holdout in a neighborhood following eminent domain “reform” laws (circa late 2007, later demolished) popularly illustrated the plight:

More currently, I stumbled on a blog today with a series of incredible rollover images using Google Earth to capture the large scale of this demolition. 

Our Favorite Things: Volume 3

by Maggie Flickinger

Gathering around a table enjoying the fruits of your harvest is one of the joys of spring and summer.  Gathering around a table enjoying the fruits of someone else’s harvest prepared by trained chefs?  Even better!  Meadowlark partners with local Colorado farms to offer a series of outdoor farm dinners, harvested that day (or close to it!) and prepared on-site.  With menu items such as Wood-Fired Stinging Nettle Risotto and Yoghurt Panna Cotta with Preserved Wild Plums, it’s clear that they’re successfully straddling the line of earthy authenticity and gourmet goodness.  

Ever frustrated when trip planning and lodging options are a primitive campsite or an overwrought resort that removes you from the environment?  Alternative lodging for ecotourism is gaining popularity, but the restricted options aren’t often artful.  The Rolling Huts in northern Washington are an example of environmentally contextual lodging that is a major step up from camping, while remaining economical and beautiful.  Several huts “herd” in a meadow close to a historic barn / bathhouse.  Minimal interiors are well-detailed and elevate the typical “hut” aesthetic.

Plastic or styrofoam plates?  No way!  When you’re planning your summer BBQ, compostable plates are the best eco option.  Available from Branch Home or Joanne Hudson, Kaku plates, platters, cups, and bowls by Wasara bring a decidedly Japanese aesthetic to these typically mundane objects.  Created from sugar-cane waste (bagasse), they’re a great tree-free alternative to standard paper plates as well.   

An unparalleled “practical philosopher,” Buckminster Fuller’s innovations, designs, and prolific writings have long been an inspiration for our studio.    The Buckminster Fuller Institute is actively extending Bucky’s brand of empowerment with their $100k annual Challenge (this year awarded to Operation Hope, an anti-desertification project currently benefiting Africa), Design Science Education series, and many more initiatives.  Here’s to unabashedly being verbs!

Let us know what types of things you’d like to hear about in our recurring “Our Favorite Things” posts!

Our Favorite Things: Week One!

by Maggie Flickinger

If you receive our enewsletter, you may have seen “Our Favorite Things.” This is a weekly-ish grouping of some of the exciting places, products/systems/materials, people, or projects that are on our radar. It’s a fun way of keeping you in our loop!

Disclaimer: We’ll be doing our best to keep these in the realm of sustainable living, but once in a while if something really knocks our socks off, but lacks an environmental bent, it could make the list!

SEED stands for Social Economic Environmental Design, and represents a new design metric for buildings and communities.  We read about it via Residential Architect magazine after it was unveiled at their Structures for Inclusion conference.  We’ve always been interested in this, being a triple bottom line business, and have recently been exploring it in our Twin Buttes Ecovillage development.  We can’t wait to check this out, and think you should, too!

Planet Reuse is a nascent “matchmaking” service for designers and architects searching for used / reclaimed / recycled building materials.  Post your excess materials, or browse postings for materials you need, and Planet Reuse will help you broker an exchange!  We’ve seen everything from light fixtures to old barn beams, and requests ranging from milk crates to corrugated metal roofing.  As with an P2P exchange site, users equal success, so sign up to be part of the change!

Rosa Loves is a tshirt design company with a cause.  They identify community issues, design a shirt to express the issue, and proceeds from the sale of the shirt go directly to the cause.  Their first story was Glenda, and she got a new walker from Rosa Loves.  Since then, they’ve helped families and organizations worldwide with growing goals / gifts.  Lovely little detail: The shirts have their stories printed inside.  We love this company – it truly embodies the hope we share, that design can tangibly and positively affect our surrounding communities.

We’ve admired Maya Romanoff’s earthy hemp wallpapers, and his new Meditation Series is simply stunning.  A handcrafted Nepalese paper created from sustainably farmed loftka is extruded with chopsticks to form an organic honeybomb texture.  Reminiscent (in a good way!) of a papery wasps nest, the covering has a subtle shimmer from mica flecks.  The bonus?  A partnership with Aid to Artisans will divert sale proceeds to artisans worldwide.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the first installation of “Our Favorite Things.”  We’d love feedback on what you’d like to see more of!