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November 30, 2007
What A Spacey Plant
This reminds me of those tiny necklaces housing miniature plants, except x20 bigger. The Bel-Air filter system is a spacey pod that uses house plants to rid your air of toxic chemicals. Apparently the doses are small but over the years can have an effect on your body. The technology and design by Mathieu Lehanneur is based of NASA research. It's just a concept for now but will be in stores 2009.
And in case you're wondering, the Chinese Evergreen is a wonderful indoor houseplant that cleans air better than most.
via Deezen
Posted by tranism at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Not A Bird Or Plane Or Superman
Today's technologies afford engineers the opportunity to make things they only dreamed of 10 years ago. Of particular interest is the Air-ray.
Modeled on the effortless design of a manta ray, the Air_ray is a remote-controlled, helium-filled balloon floater that features a beating wing drive to fly. Check out the video after the jump.
Posted by tranism at 4:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 27, 2007
What's In My Suitcase?
It's a bear ahhhhhh! It's the brainchild of designer Jenny Pokryvailo and yes it may seem foolish to waste so much valuable space to stuffed lining but hey, it's cute!
via Notcot
Posted by tranism at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 26, 2007
Billboard Homes
One can imagine as population densities multiply in urban areas, valuable space will have to be reclaimed. Such is the case with Brendan O'Grady's idea of the Aeroform - a subsidized module built right on those huge billboards adjacent to freeways. The name is derived from its shape which emphasizes aerodynamics.
This is how reality TV should be, like "The Hills". Everybody should be able to drive by their "drama", point and laugh.
via Treehugger
Posted by tranism at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 20, 2007
OLED Watch
I lurv this OLED watch concept called TIWE. The screen randomly displays a series of moving dots to simulate the stars but give it a good tap and shake and they'll move to display the current time.
via ML
Posted by tranism at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Keep Warm Bearded Cap
Isn't it amazing? And so dang simple too. What a great way to keep warm and add a bit of whimsical sense of humor. The bearded cap was made by Vik Prjonsdottir in Iceland. She seems to make all kinds of odd but necessary things like blankets shaped like seal pelts.
If you want one you can get it from Scandinavian Grace in Brooklyn for $135. The store accepts both email and phone orders.
Seen it at Kitsun Noir
Posted by tranism at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Interactive Forest
I'm enthralled with this installation. Funky Forest is an interactive ecosystem where children create trees with their body and then divert the water flowing from the waterfall to the trees to keep them alive. The health of the trees contributes to the overall health of the forest and the types of creatures that inhabit it.
Posted by tranism at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Napkin Notebook
I find doodling ideas on napkins hard but apparently some people have done their best work that way. Soon you'll be able to purchase a Napkin Notebook from the MoMA store and don't worry about having a pen with you at all times. The notebook comes with one.
Until then you can play with an interactive version. Hit the jump for another picture.
via IBIA
Posted by tranism at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
This My House
Don't I wish. No this isn't my house. It's the herringbone house in London designed by Alison Brooks Architects. If you haven't figured it out, the name comes from the herringbone pattern which clads most of the exterior.
I'm not sure how I feel about the pattern. Herringbone is one of those patterns that looks better smaller, when the pattern visually merges in and out of sharpness. Here at 90x the scale, it looks too sharp. Maybe it's the contrast between the two colors, I don't know. I'm not feeling it. The house itself its gorgeous tho.
See more at Deezen
Posted by tranism at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 16, 2007
Sew Me
Ooo is it sad to get excited over a sewing machine? To most of you, you're probably thinking "WTF!" Well let me tell you something. This belOlga concept sewing machine has it all. There's an automatic threader (YES!) and a large circular LCD touschreen. The display shows me all the different types of stitches I can use and DEMOS it so I know how it'll look. Suddenly the Singer sitting in my dining room looks old and antiquated.
Bah, at least it's just a concept. Meaning if I can't have one, nobody else can either.
via Core77
Posted by tranism at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
November 14, 2007
Birds Be Thirsty
Everybody wants to be able to charge their devices wirelessly and yes there are products now that do it via induction but that's still kind of tethered. On top of that, they're all ugly and give no visual indication of charge status. That's why this bird-bath charger by Sun Kyung Kim is just brills.
via Yanko Design
He reasons humans like visual indicators of everything and the charge status of a mobile phone is no different. Current wireless induction pads don't give any visual indication of charge status so Sun Kyung envisages a bird bath-like charger, complete with radiating rings of light to indicate charge status and to top it all off, thirsty birds that glow once the rings of light hit 'em.
Posted by tranism at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
November 13, 2007
RBK Timetanium Ventilator
If you're a sneaker aficionado or you just love unique things then you'll wanna get your hands on the Reebok Timetanium Ventilator. Designed by renowned graphic artist, designer, and computer scientist John Maeda, this limited edition shoe goes on sale today for $150.
Inspired by Maeda's book "Laws of Simplicity", the shoe brings together science and art to create something more than just a visual treat. The inside sole and lining are Maeda's own hand-written code to which generated the graphics you see on the shoe.
Hit the jump for up close beauty shots.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 5:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Multimedia Bath Sink
My friends think I'm crazy when I say I want TV and internet in my bathroom. They just don't understand. I needs it man. That's why I'm smitten with the Meltdown Sink by WET STUDIO. The sink is made from polyethylene otherwise known as plastic but it's coated with teflon so water slides off and stains stay off. The molded plastic also covers the plumbing to create a really clean uniform look.
via Trendir
Now here's where the yummy tech stuff comes in. The Meltdown Sink comes in several colors, all have lights in 'em that make the entire surface glow hypnotically. Take it a step further by fitting the system with an embedded projection system to display images. Now wait, hold one. You can even take it one step further and add the integrated speakers to pump your tunes thru.
Posted by tranism at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
November 12, 2007
Self Sufficient Is The Zero House
The idea of home self sufficiency isn't new. I remember conceptual homes in the 60's proposing the same idea but it does bring to question, why don't we see more self sufficient homes being built now? Why are we still reliant on grid power, city pluming, trash services? It would seem technology is at a point now where all those variables can be solved in the ultimate equation of self sufficiency. The Zero House is a good idea just waiting to happen.
The Zero House demonstrates just how future homes can be built anywhere without the need for city utilities. There's a large solar array which doubles as the roof capable of collecting enough energy to power the house for a week without sunlight. Water comes from rain which filters thru a 2,700 gallon cistern. The 2 bedrooms, kitchen, and living area exist as modules, each with their own user controlled climate zones. Those modules are flanked by outdoor decks cleverly placed in areas to act almost like additional living areas. All trash and waste goes to the foundation where it's turned into compost that can be used for gardening and growing food.
Although the design is very modern if not futuristic, there's no reason why the proposed technologies couldn't be integrated into traditional architecture. I wonder if the freeing of homes from the "grid" is more of a logistic reason and if so, the leaders of this country need to step back at look at the bigger picture.
Posted by tranism at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
If Calatrava Designed A Car
Might it look like this? The Volkswagen Viseo is the final diploma project of designer Marc Kirsch in collaboration with Volkswagen. The design borrows heavily from Santiago Calatrava's motto of "dynamic balance". The architect is well known for his beautiful buildings but translating that aesthetic into a vehicle is a challenge. I think Kirsch did a great job and married new technologies to his design to keep pace with Calatrava since the man himself was quite a believer in technology.
via Yanko Design
The Viseo eschews the a, b, and c pillars we normally see in cars today, instead opting for a large molded glass pane organically wrapping the top half of the car giving it its silhouette. The body is covered in an OLED film able to display colors and possibly text enabling the driver to communicate externally. Another unique design feature is the cargo area which is completely detachable and can roll away.
Posted by tranism at 2:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 9, 2007
Moss Flocking
I like my pencils fuzzy. How about you?
via Notcot
Posted by tranism at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sticky Shower
Sounds gross but in this case it's a good thing. I often envy the 10 sprayers in one shower I always see on HGTV programs. This Sticker Shower sorta gives me a sudo experience by where I can pretend I'm washing in luxury. The rubbery material holds any size shower head attached to a hose. You just stick it wherever you want, close your eyes and enjoy.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 8, 2007
All Up In My Head
Inspired by fukidasi - the little speech bubbles you find in Japanese manga, Studio Foundations decided to bring comics to real life. There are a number of different shaped bubbles equipped with a simple single line LED screen. Programmable and fun. I'd like to try and have an evening of silent conversation using them.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 7, 2007
Yoshitomo Nara Clock
Oh crap. I've had my eye on the Yoshitomo Nara Clock for ages and just when I remembered to look for it again, all the online stores are sold out. I want one so bad.
Each hour and minute of the flip clock has a custom and unique drawing by artist Yoshitomo Nara. The words "FUCK" display every hour on the hour. Click the image to see what 60 minutes on the clock looks like.
Credit goes to my flickr find.
Posted by tranism at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
November 6, 2007
Harnessing Wind Power With Sails
Architects Chetwood Associates are applying for grant to build a large wind dam in Russia. The dam will be located over an extremely windy gorge at Lake Lagoda in north west Russia. The 75 meter sail, the first of its kind will funnel the high winds down to a turbine. Tho the company doesn't mention how much electricity the wind dam can produce, the prospects of new building projects staying green is a definite sign of improvement and advancement.
via Dezeen
Posted by tranism at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Such A Cute Piggy Bank
I really love this modern take of piggy bank called the Theo designed by the Morphorm Martin Schatz people. The ceramic banks come in special editions with patterns designed by guest artists. Functionally, they're just like an other bank but coins go thru the snout instead of the back. The feet are cork plugs or a locked disc depending on which model you get. They would make a great gift ranging from $70 - $150.
More pictures after the jump.
via Notcot
Posted by tranism at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Nighttime Bookworms
Are you a night reader? If so, be considerate and turn off that lamp. I know you need it to read but your friend next to you in bed needs to get some rest. What's a nighttime bookworm to do? Get the MARK. It's a plastic strip embedded with FOLEDs or flexible light emitting diodes. They use very little power and generate a glow across the bookmark illuminating the text underneath.
Tho just a concept, it won the Red Dot Award for best design 2007 so something similar will surly hit stores soon.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
November 1, 2007
Rainbows To Brighten Up Your Stairway
When designer Steven Holl was asked to renovate an old run down building for NYU, he took it upon himself to create a space with every inch thoughtfully re-imagined. Take for example the building's stairway. Most renovations like this would just call for new plaster and paint. Holl wanted to go further so he replaced the old stairs with perforated steel. I love how it adds texture to the white space. Not only that but the windows are actually prisms casting bright rainbows across the brick walls. Two very minor details but it's enough to make a dramatic statement. If you want to see it for yourself, pay a visit to NYU's department of philosophy.
Hit the jump for a look down.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 5:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)