Archive for July, 2009
The Architectural Association School of Architecture has unveiled their 2009 summer pavilion in London’s Bedford Square. The pavilion’s concept author, Danecia Sibingo, and her three team members, Lyn Hayek, Yoojin Kim, and Taeyoung Lee have named their work “Driftwood” Inspired by images of the Jordanian city of Petra, Sibingo sought a sensuous and overwhelming spatial effect which she achieved with her original ‘Driftwood Space’ concept. Sibingo’s ideas were manifested through a computer-generated script which manipulated the movement of lines in a continuous parallel fashion, creating line drawings which formed the basis of a plan. Her interests revolved around carving, eroding...
Featured on Kanye West’s blog this morning under the title “OH IT’S LIKE THAT NOW???!!!! LET’S GO!!! PRETTY SOON WE ALL WILL DRESS SUPER FRESH” was a preview of ADIDAS SLVR’S (their eco-line that we inform you about daily here on GreenJAR.net) men’s line for FALL. And we must say, we agree with West. But you be the judge. What are your thoughts on the new duds from the SLVR line. “Marking their Fall 2009 season, adidas present a preview into their fashion-geared SLVR sub label, which represents the middle ground between their Originals range and the more high end Y-3...
Considering the ESPYs is a straightforward sports awards show I was pretty impressed with their commitment to creating a sustainable event. Dubbed as “Environmentality” on their homepage, there’s a link which takes you to some behind-the-scenes videos specifically about the lengths they went to this year to ensure a lower impact show. Here are a few highlights: Red carpet made out of 51,000 recycled plastic bottles and can be recycled All food and flatware was compostable including biodegradable water bottles Low power LED screens, low VOC paints, 100% responsibly harvested wood to be reused or donated to Habitat for Humanity...
RedFerret fairly bashes this bag, saying it’s simply ugly and useless. They have a point – it’s pretty simple, and that bitty little solar cell isn’t likely to gather much energy, though they claim 5 hours in the sun will charge up a cell phone. But, after recently calling upon designers to quit dreaming up ugly solar clothing, we’re thinking that this bag, with it’s understated integration of solar cells, might just be going in the right direction, even if it hasn’t yet arrived. Let’s look at a few of the other solar bag ideas out there, and then see...
Would seeing exactly where our trash goes change our consumer habits? That’s what a team of MIT researchers set to find out with Project Trash Track. The innovative system uses special electronic tags to track different types of waste in New York and Seattle as it journeys to its final resting place. The ultimate goal of the project will be to monitor the cost and patterns of urban disposal while creating awareness about the impact of trash on the environment. “Trash is one of today’s most pressing issues – both directly and as a reflection of our attitudes and behaviors,” says Professor Carlo Ratti,...
You’re a free bird, a girl that likes her options. But constantly changing your look means finding enough shoes to match, and that can be tiring, not to mention expensive. This summer, try Tia’s Freestyle Sandals for all your footwear needs – just one sandal base gives limitless possibility! Each vegetable-tanned leather base comes bare, ready for you to select the interchangeable top straps of your choice – stick to choosing from the vintage silk straps made from recycled saris until the cotton straps are produced organically (the sari straps have brighter, more interesting colors anyway). Or, make your own out of old clothing...
The latest is a very un-green cell phone idea, that helps you pollute the air with cigarette smoke along with all the other emissions associated with mobile devices. Yes, light up with a built-in cigarette lighter! Engadget makes it clear that there is absolutely no evidence that this is a real item. But they also note – and we completely agree – that a cell phone with a built-in cigarette lighter is too good not to point out…especially on a Friday. The Lighter Phone SB6309 is shown off at SeaBright. (Click with caution: I got a malware warning when I...
Hollywood trade paper Variety has taken a rather compelling look at the effect that celebrities have on political issues in the Beltway, especially since the ascension of the Obama Administration. The piece notes that Brad Pitt, Richard Gere, Paul Simon, Bono, Julianne Moore,Pierce Brosnan, Tony Bennett, Michael J. Fox, George Clooney and a reunited West Wing cast, among others (whew!), have all recently met with elected officials and policy makers on myriad issues ranging from children’s health insurance and whale protection to stem cell research and, unsurprisingly, ensuring performer royalties. This article is an in depth look at the various “causes and effects” that these types...
The folks at Nickelodeon’s new The Big Green Help program, want to give away a little green to help kids go green. In particular, they’re interested in things like asking kids to figure out the best way to reuse slime and double daring them to recycle as much as possible. Just kidding, but here is what they are actually giving grants out for: Big Green Help Grants The Big Green Help is encouraging kids to go green and get healthy, and they’re coming at it from several different angles. They have green tv programs, a green website, green games, and now green grants anywhere...
While enjoying the premiere of Season Six of HBO’s hit series Entourage, I couldn’t help but notice the nasty backdrop during one scene. Is that really you Los Angeles peaking through the smog? Scenes such as this one are images that the city is attempting to change. In April 2009, the Los Angeles air basin was ranked as one of the dirtiest regions in the nation. In response, officials have signaled “intentions” to make the region “coal-free” by 2020 — relying instead on energy from renewable sources, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric power. Till then, we hope Vinny Chase and...
