architecture

this collaborative proposal for a high energy efficiency prototypical home explores the classical aesthetic of stone masonry, reintroducing the material for its low technology thermal benefits.

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[First look + plans + project data] Foster + Partners has completed this 35-storey tower in Vancouver – the practice’s first mixed-use project in Canada

On Wednesday architect Tom Kundig -- of Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects -- spoke at the New York Public Library, conversing with Town & Country editor Mark Rozzo about Tom Kundig: Houses 2, published by Princeton Architectural Press. In the lecture portion of the evening Kundig spoke about his inspirations, ranging from his architect-father to the landscape of eastern Washington state where he grew up and even hot rodding. In line with the DIY mechanics of the latter is Jean Tinguely's fountain in Basel, what Kundig described as straddling the "thin line between highbrow and lowbrow art." See for yourself: The aspect of Kundig's architecture that these kinetic sculptures influence is obviously the moving walls and other elements found especially in his residences. One case in point is the Chicken Point Cabin in northern Idaho, found in the first monograph on his houses: The project features a huge 7-ton window wall that is raised and lowered by a mechanism that even a child can operate: Kundig acknowledge the important contribution of Phil Turner, whom he met while designing Chicken Point Cabin and whom developed the below gizmo -- a flyball governor, which safely regulates and maintains the speed of the gears when in motion (Phil now works in the office). It's like a house meets a hot rod*: *Kundig designed a later house in Seattle that actually goes by the name Hot Rod House.

Tadashi Kawamata has a new installation 'Under the Water' at the Kamel Mennour gallery in Paris. (Want more? See NOTCOT.org and NOTCOT.com)

Bunpei Yorifuji's illustrated history of Japan. (Want more? See NOTCOT.org and NOTCOT.com)

Rebecca Ing captures the beautiful collision of two liquid jets of sugar syrup at a low rate of flow (left) and high rate of flow (right). (Want more? See NOTCOT.org and NOTCOT.com)

The Flutter collection from Loveramics, designed by Peter Ting, features the surreal introduction of flowers within the silhouette of hummingbirds, having them fly across plates and feeding from flowers. (Want more? See NOTCOT.org and NOTCOT.com)

Schematics : A Love Story, by Julian Hibbard, "a sparse, meditative, and enigmatic narrative embroidered with found schematic diagrams". (Want more? See NOTCOT.org and NOTCOT.com)

Shades brand Shwood teamed up with HUF owner and professional skateboarder Keith Hufnagel to have some fun skating across the LA’s streets and making some cool sunglasses. Made from recycled broken skateboards, these stripy shades are unique and handmade at Shwood’s Portland workshop. By gluing the wooden pieces together and using a vacuum sealer instead of clamps, Shwood and HUF’s unique shades are too cool for school!

+  Shwood

+ HUF

Via The Fox is Black

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The recent solar flare made for some amazing Auroras. Check out this collection of photos from the recent phenomenon. (Want more? See NOTCOT.org and NOTCOT.com)

This month, A1 Co., Ltd. and BIES Ltd. opened the first set of solar-powered electric car charging stations across Sofia, Bulgaria. Built as simple structures, each station simply uses solar panels to collect solar energy and a special module for electric cars to connect to the batteries. While the number of electric cars in Bulgaria are still very few, according to experts, a boom in the purchase of electric vehicles is expected this year — particularly due special incentives that will be given by the Bulgarian government.

Via Via Expo

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Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: A1 Co. Ltd., BIES Ltd., electric vehicle chargers, electric vehicles bulgaria, ev chargers, ev chargers europe, solar power ev chargers, solar powered car chargers, solar-powered electric car charging stations

by Heather Wagner A resourceful sound mixer sources some local design talent, rolls up his sleeves, and builds small, green, and affordable in Bozeman, Montana.

by Aaron Britt The budget was nearly as tight as the space in this cheerful renovation of a 516-square-foot flat in Bratislava.

Technology’s fast pace has left in its path mountains of electronic waste, but it has also given way to a new medium for eco-designers to work with. Made from unloved CDs, qwerty keyboards, multi-colored cables and motherboards suspended in an admittedly not-so-eco epoxy resin environment, these trashy looking seats by Chilean Rodrigo Alonso. turn all that e-waste into technology’s time capsule. Dubbed N+ew — which stands for No More Electronic Waste — these limited edition seats stand out in a big way.

Read the rest of Rodrigo Alonso’s N+ew Seats Are Cool Electronic Time Capsules Full of E-Waste

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Read the rest of Villa Escudero’s Waterfall Restaurant Serves Philippine Cuisine at the Foot of the Falls

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as part of their recognition, the brazilian design duo created an installation featuring a small grove of trees and intricate ceiling decor made from cardboard.

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A look inside the B&H conveyor system, the efficient NYC system that takes items you pick up in one part of the store directly to the checkout for you. Awesome to see where all our camera goodies come from. (Want more? See NOTCOT.org and NOTCOT.com)

Read the rest of 6 Green Roof Resorts from Around the World!

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The Tipsy glasses by Loris&Livia make you feel as if you've had one too many before you've even had one. (Want more? See NOTCOT.org and NOTCOT.com)

Today a leaked internal email from Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed outrage over the New York Times‘ scathing exposé revealing the harsh working conditions of Apple’s many Chinese suppliers. Cook insisted that Apple has done and will continue to do everything they can to improve worker conditions, and he even questioned the validity of the New York Times article, saying “Any suggestion that we don’t care is patently false and offensive to us. As you know better than anyone, accusations like these are contrary to our values. It’s not who we are.”

Read the rest of Tim Cook Outraged Over New York Times Accusations That Apple Abuses Worker’s Rights in Chinese Factories

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Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: apple, apple factories, apple factory issues, apple news, apple suppliers, Chengdu, china, chinese factories, chinese factory conditions, chinese factory danger, foxconn, human rights violations, iPad, ipad factories, ipad factory explosion, ipad news, new york times, news, Reuters, Steve Jobs, tim cook, violated workers rights, workers rights, workers rights china