Don’t waste paper!

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

Nice one! :)

via.


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The Greenhouse

Sunday, June 8th, 2008

“Let’s just stop right there. Sometimes something is so charming and clever that we need a minute to sit down and take a breath. Come on…how great is this Greenhouse?!” Apartment Therapy

Word! Nice work by Jantze BrogÄrd Asshof - a bitter-sweet combination of slick design with a flavour of sarcasm to-the-point. We like!

via: TheJunction


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Earthships and Garbage Warriors

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

As flashy as the title may sound, let’s give them another flashy name, let’s call them renegades of architecture. Working with what is there (which is mostly considered garbage) they are creating sustainable and affordable housing. As Michael Reynolds, the architect who builds ‘earthships’ since the seventies (with much opposition of local authorities, so that you wonder about their interests…) put it: ‘I don’t care about anything but the fucking planet!’

Earthships are earth-sheltered autonomous buildings made of tires rammed with earth, which are usually arranged in “U” or horseshoe shaped modules. Each tire is rammed full of earth manually using a sledge hammer. Windows on the sunny side admit light and heat. The open end of the “U” shaped structure faces South in the northern hemisphere, and North in the southern hemisphere, so that the house will catch maximum sunlight in the colder months. An Earthship is designed to interface with its environment wherever possible and create its own utilities. (via Wikipedia)

See the trailer of the documentary ‘Garbage Warrior’ by Oliver Hodges, featuring Reynolds and his struggles.

Also: These buildings are affordable and you can participate and learn how to make them more and more all over the world. Google ‘earthship’, search for it on youtube, check out our links - and spread the word! Again: This is do-it-yourself stuff! You don’t have to wait. You just find some people and you can take on the responsibility to create a more sustainable future now…

How to find Earthships and Garbage Warriors:
Brighton Earthship (England)
Earthship Austria
Earthship Biotecture (US)
Earthship Biotecture (Europe, site in french and english)
not too far from Earthships: Bubble Buildings (german, english, spanish)

 


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The 5 R Mantra

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

The “5Rs” are an exploration of the themes Respect, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. These Earth-loving actions allow us to reduce our impact on our Earth and add deeper meaning and joy to our lives.

monteverde-cloud-forest.jpg

Respect: Have respect for the planet, for your own health, and for other people. It gives birth to less destructive habits.

Rethink: When you’re shopping give thought to the items you purchase. Think about where they come from and where they’ll go. Rethink your old ways of consuming.

Reduce: After rethinking, it’s easier to cut out items that could be harmful to you or the environment. reducing diminishes the amount of energy and resources used, reduses waste and pollution, and sends a message to manufactures - if we don’t buy it, they won’t make it.

Reuse: Instead of throwing away. It’s more than just recycling.

Recycle: If an item cannot be reused, then recycle it.

from ‘One Makes the Difference’, by Julia Butterfly Hill


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