Bazsux: május 2016

2016. május 31., kedd

High-end upcycling shops with beautiful metal tab designs pop up in London

Gudjon Thor Erlendsson of AUDB and Andreas Krause of Krause Architects have just completed two new pop-up stores that celebrate upcycling in London. The project was commissioned by high-end fashion label Bottletop, a social enterprise that designs accessories from upcycled metal tabs and uses the proceeds to support young people in Africa, South America, and the UK who suffer from health issues. Inspired by the brand’s crocheted metal tab designs, the architects created a beautiful artwork woven from 3,000 soda tabs that’s suspended from the ceiling in an undulating mass. The furnishings are made from recycled and modular materials. One shop is located at the high-end retail Regents Street while the other is located on the other side of London at Redchurch Street in the East End.

+ AUDB

+ Krause Architects

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World's largest commercial rooftop solar array is on a shopping mall in the Philippines

A shopping mall in the Philippines now boasts the world’s largest commercial rooftop solar array, which generates 2.9 MW of clean energy to help run the mall’s operations. The project is also the biggest private solar power system designed for self-consumption in the country. The Philippines-based property developer behind the venture, Robinsons Land, has plans to add rooftop solar panels to its other retail centers, for a total of 12.5 MW by the end of this year.

The 2.9 MW solar array was switched on this month atop Robinsons Starmills shopping mall in San Fernando, in the province of Pampanga. It is the latest in a series of solar projects backed by the Robinsons Land company, which announced in March a lineup of six currently on deck - they are were targeted for completion by May. Two others are expected to be up and running by the end of this year. The company switched on at least two other solar plants on mall properties in 2015, and each project is bigger than the one before.

In total, the developer is aiming for 12.5 MW solar power capacity across 10 solar plants, all located on the rooftops of shopping malls. The company said in a release that those 10 plants combined will generate almost 16 million kW/h of clean energy, saving 8,760 tons of CO2 emissions each year. According to the developer, that is equivalent to planting 223,965 full grown trees.

By the end of this year, Robinsons Land promises the plants will, together, generate around 30 percent of the energy needed to run those shopping malls. The developer eventually plans to install solar power arrays on the rooftops of all of its 41 malls, although the timeline for that expansion hasn’t been released.

Via PV Magazine

Images via Robinsons Land and Wikipedia

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Gorgeous wooden horn speakers are made from reclaimed liquor barrels

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Fiddle + Hammer was founded by Jordan Waraksa, who brought his background in sculpture and music into the making of the Bellaphone. The design was developed over a decade. “The horn is a testament to harnessing the resonant and warm qualities of the wood which they are carved from,” said Waraksa. Each custom-built speaker can be built to a variety of sizes, from two feet in height to a towering six feet.

Waraksa has thus far created a few prototype Bellaphones from reclaimed tequila and whiskey barrels. He also writes and records music that he tests out on his creations. The Bellaphone was recently presented at Wanted Design for New York Design Week.

+ Fiddle + Hammer

Via ArchDaily

Images by MannFrau

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2016. május 29., vasárnap

Agustina Bottoni's Monolithic Brut Barbecue Set is Made From Recycled Coconut Coir

"Brut" is a monolithic stool and barbecue set designed by Agustina Bottoni that is produced by casting a compound of cement and coconut coir (an agricultural waste). Bottoni's low-tech, DIY casting process uses accessible products - most of which are available at IKEA stores. The recycled material has proven to be water and fireproof, which makes it ideal for springtime barbecues.

Agustina Bottoni's coconut coir and cement mixture is compressed into a reusable mold, which is actually a domestic plastic container. The fibrous compound is so strong that doesn’t need any inner reinforcement. The use of coconut coir - an organic element - gives the lightweight but strong compound a unique texture with more warmth than concrete. The durable pieces of furniture can be produced on a small scale at an extremely low cost.

+ Agustina Bottoni

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2016. május 27., péntek

This Canadian passive house factory was built from its own prefab wood panels

The firm estimates the factory will produce 971 fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, when compared to a facility built from concrete. A heat-recovery ventilation system and incredibly well-insulated walls help reduce carbon emissions, making the BC Passive House Factory as efficient as any of the houses its products build.

Screens made from two-by-fours make up the building’s facade, with each side featuring unique spacing between the wood to accommodate its relation to the sun. The firm stated, "The two-by-fours were prefabbed into screens and left unfinished to naturally weather over time.” Natural light from clerestory windows is abundant for the workers inside, creating a warm complement to the wooden walls. The ceiling is an especially unique tribute to responsible construction, as the beams are made from cedar wood felled from a nearby forest fire.

Recently, the 1,500 square meter site was awarded the coveted 2016 Governor General's Medal in Architecture. The factory hopes its accolades and commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient design will help to promote the presence of passive houses near and far.

+Hemsworth Architecture

Via Dezeen

Images via Ema Peter

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NOAA's LEED Gold marine research facility embodies San Diego's coast

Inspired by the topography of La Jolla Cove, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's sustainable marine research facility appears to emerge from the contours of the coast, reshaping the relationship between marine scientists and their environment. An outgrowth of the effort to relocate an existing facility that was facing the uncertain effects of coastal erosion, the new building extends beyond supporting conservation efforts, to embodying them.

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The LEED Gold certified project is a five-story building, broken down into smaller structures, which are clustered in “villages” no more than two stories in height. These smaller elements are organized around atrium courtyards, which prevent the overwhelming feeling common to many large buildings. The courts and patios take full advantage of the mild climate, promote natural ventilation and foster a sense of scientific community and connectedness to the environment. The building boasts photovoltaic cells, a water retention system, recycled materials, and several green roofs planted with native vegetation. The facility is home to 38 research laboratories, an aquarium, library, conference rooms, and office space, for its 275 scientists and support staff.

+ NOAA La Jolla Laboratory Replacement Project

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2016. május 25., szerda

Jinja homewares are handcrafted from 100% recycled textile waste

Creating beauty out of waste is something we can all admire, and Jinja is one company that does it very well. Handcrafted in Portugal, Jinja's line of beautifully handcrafted homewares are woven from 100% recycled textile waste. Their elegant Whisper from Nature collection by Portuguese designer Norma Silva aims improve your everyday life with baskets to stow items throughout your home. It's clear that Jinja's respect for nature underlies their entire creative process; with access to the most beautiful recycled textiles, they allow anyone to customize a product made with fabrics that would otherwise go to waste.

+ Jinja