Eco-Friendly Upholstery

Olá!

Recently, I finished my first Interior Design course - MATERIALS.  I learned so much and you should see the back of my SUV - FULL OF SAMPLES!!!!

I have decided to share some of the things that I learned in my MATERIAL class.

Eco-Friendly Upholstery

One of the topics in my course was UPHOLSTERY.  One of my main goals of becoming an Interior Designer is to incorporate as many materials that are ECO-FRIENDLY/SUSTAINABLE in my designs.

The Upholstered Sofa I Designed for my course

I fell in love with upholstery from BRENTANO FABRICS. 

"At Brentano, we have developed green criteria for our fabrics that reflect the diverse and interconnected nature of sustainability. Our eco-fabrics include our high performance and high quality eco-friendly faux leathers, as well as beautiful upholstery patterns and contract textiles -- overall displaying an uncommon variety of design and versatility available in environmentally-conscious textiles. The Brentano Green fabric label demonstrates our commitment to pursuing green mindfulness while designing textiles with beauty + performance in mind.

In order to qualify for the Brentano Green label, our fabrics must comply with green standards in at least two of the following three categories: raw material, process, and facility and social responsibility."

Brentano Fabrics

Here is the Brentano Fabrics Sample Board I created for my class.

I fell in love with this pattern as soon as I saw it! 

I will be sharing more from my Materials Course soon!

- Eddy

Idea For A Mid-Century Pre-Fabricated Home

Jean Prouvé

Olá,

This morning while reading the December 2013 issue of Elle Decor, I came across the an article that caught my attention about the mid-century architect and designer, Jean Prouvé .  

Dismantable House, Jean Prouvé

In 1944, he won a commission to design temporary housing for those displaced by World War II.  The wood and metal parts that made up the structures could be sent to locations in need and assembled by three people in one day.

Tropical House by Jean Prouvé

The project did not get past the planning stage and Prouvé used the same designs  to fashion prototypes for more permanent homes.

Since I have become interested in modular building, I thought it was a current concept.  But as I become more and more immersed  in modular building, I am learning that this concept has been around for a very long time!!!


- Eddy

Overhauled Tiny Fisherman´s Cottage

Ola,

I came across an article on how a tiny fisherman's cottage was REVAMPED!!! 

It is a great example of using an existing structure and remodeling, which is excellent for the environment!

Memories from a trip to Ireland that I had years ago came flooding back....  Ireland is such a beautiful country with so many beautiful people...

Fisherman's Cottage - Bray, Ireland

The 280-square foot cottage, built in the 1880s as a simple fisherman's cottage, is a piece of Irish history in Ireland's coastal town of Bray.  The client, who grew up in Bray, envisioned converting the small cottage into as a small vacation home.

The client wanted to keep the cottage's exterior.  Due to its history, the cottage is listed as a protected structure, which meant that it could not be knocked down and work had to be done within its tiny footprint.

The cottage had no front or back garden and had only one tiny toilet that was only accessible from the outdoors.

The living area before the renovation

Water pouring in through a leaky roof caused damage throughout the home.

Cube with Stairs leading to the Sleeping Loft

Colm Doyle and DMVG Architects helped transform this tiny space into something habitable and sunny. Doyle decided to create a modern interior which revolves around a plywood cube that divides the room by activity, creating an open feel

Kitchen before the remodel

Being that the fisherman's cottage had been unoccupied for 10 years, the house had no functioning gas or electric system.  The kitchen was very outdated with a mix of different tastes and styles.

Kitchen after the remodel

The rear side of the cube now holds the kitchen and additional storage. 

Sleeping Loft

The spacious sleeping loft takes advantage of the cottage's sloped ceilings.  The large skylights let in afternoon and evening light, but keep the room from becoming too bright in the morning.  The closet and storage space built into the wall eliminates the need for a dresser or wardrobe.

I found a great quote to sum up my feeling of this renovation:

"I've found you've got to look back at the old things and see them in a new light." - John Coltrane

- Eddy

Designing for OFF

Ola!!!

I came across an AWESOME concept in GREEN DESIGN.  DESIGNING FOR OFF is a design concept where - 

"... designing efficiency and simple intelligence into the building so that systems can be turned off for the majority of the year." - High Performance Magazine

As I go forward with my interior design studies, I want to incorporate this kind of green design in my future projects.

The best method in achieving this design concept:

Diagram of a Wall

First, focusing on the building envelope. A lot of insulation is required for the walls up to value R-32 (Rvalue means resistance to heat flow. The higher the Rvalue, the greater the insulating power. tiny air pockets trapped in the insulation resist the passage of heat—heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. The thicker or more dense the insulation, the more air pockets and the higher the Rvalue). 

Facade - Rice Fergus Miller Office and Studio

There should not be a lot of glass in the building design (no more than 16%).

Interior - Rice Fergus Miller Office and Studio

The building should have a "passive-active" system; when the outdoor temperature is 55 - 77 degrees, the building transitions into "passive mode" where the occupants use the windows to manually adjust the temperature in the building. Ceiling fans can be used to increase air circulation through out the building. The HVAC System is now TURNED OFF. When the building opens up during passive mode, fresh air enters the space and provides several air changes per hour of outdoor air flushing throughout. 

Example of a Passive-Active System

Heat pumps which also have  energy recovery ventilators with enthalpy wheels help keep the heat pumps off 70% of the time. 

It is all controlled by sophisticated monitoring with a Direct Digital Control System that " provides occupants instant feedback on building energy performance and status" and turns those red and green lights on and off.

DESIGNING FOR OFF integrates passive systems like good envelope design and natural ventilation.  It may cost a lot more than a typical "design for on" system, but the operating costs will be far lower and the equipment should last far longer. 

- Eddy

World's Tallest Prefab Structure

OLA!!!

For about a month now, I have been doing some work at FOREST CITY. I have been learning so much about this company and learned that they are building the WORLD'S TALLEST PREFAB STRUCTURE!

B2 BROOKLYN

RENDERING OF B2 BROOKLYN

The Atlantic Yards B2 Modular Building will bring the most advanced design/build technology to the heart of Brooklyn. The 346,000-square-foot, 32-story tower will be the world’s tallest modular building. With 363 rental apartments, 50 percent of all units will be affordable to low- and middle-income households. 

MODULAR UNIT BEING FABRICATED

The project team created new techniques and systems that will allow the 930 modular units to be fabricated in a controlled, efficient environment while protected year round from the weather.  The units will then be trucked to the construction site, where they will be raised by cranes, stacked on each other and attached to the building’s steel frame. 

Given much of the work will take place off-site, there will be significant reduction in truck traffic, noise and dust in the community surrounding the project site. It is also estimated that modular construction will result in 70 to 90 percent less waste than traditional construction. B2 is expected to achieve LEED® Silver certification. (I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!)

Modular buildings built in New York City must meet the NYC Building Code as well as all fire and life safety codes. Modular construction is also safer to build than conventional construction: this work method reduces work at heights and removes environmental factors (including snow, ice, water and mud). On-site workers are also safer as they are primarily working within finished, enclosed portions of the building, away from the typical risks of an open construction site.

TYPICAL UNIT IN B2 BROOKLYN

B2 will have 363 residential units, 50 percent (181) of which will be low, moderate and middle-income homes. The remaining 50 percent (182) will be market rate. The units will be evenly divided throughout the building and all will have the same quality appliances and access to the same public spaces, including a fitness center, bike storage, a resident lounge, game room, yoga/dance studio and roof terrace.  Each unit will have a washer and dryer.

Now to find my DREAM MODULAR HOUSE to build on my island of O'AHU!!!

Office Furniture - Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Ola!!!!

As I prepare to start my Interior Design Diploma Program, I am starting to source
ECO-FRIENDLY/SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE.

My goal is to have a specialization in Commercial Spaces, which includes office environments.  I started looking at office furniture and learned that it should possess the following qualities:

• Healthy
• Eco-functional
• Affordable
• Refurbished
• Recycled
• No-VOC [Volatile Organic Compound]
• FSC Certified - [Forest Stewardship Council - FSC is a global forestry certification system established for forests and forest products.]

These caught my eye:

HERMAN MILLER MIRRA CHAIR

Herman Miller's Mirra chair is designed to give great back support without fussy adjustments. The innovative design also gives good ventilation, making sitters more comfortable.  Mirra comes in an assortment of appealing colors, and is certified to MBDC Cradle to Cradle Gold and Silver, depending on configuration, as well as Greenguard. Mirra can help your organization earn points for LEED certification. The chair is made to be easily disassembled for recycling at the end of use.

HAG by izzydesign

HAG's Sideways conference chair (pictured) just won a Gold Award from NeoCon World's Trade Fair 2008. The innovative chair, which allows 180-degree movement, is made from 72% recycled content (in the four-star base model) or 51% recycled content (stackable model). The components of both models are 98% recyclable.

KNOLL OFFICE DESIGN

Knoll Office Design moves beyond the boring, ordinary cube with Knoll's flexible office systems. There are many styles, colors, finishes and configurations available, all made with Knoll's cleaner manufacturing.  The company uses water-based adhesives and UV-cured wood coating, and its products are virtually volatile organic compound (VOC)-free. Many are available in FSC-certified composite wood, as well as Greenguard certified.

I strongly feel that the more we do to protect the environment, it will be better for future generations.

Adaptable Homes - The Next Generation

Ola,

I am spending the summer studying to become become a LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE in August 2013. LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN [LEED] consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods. LEED is associated with the United States Green Building Council [USGBC] and the Green Building Certification Institute [GBCI].  Becoming a LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE is the first level of certification credentials and I plan to incorporate what I have learned into my Interior Design Studies, which will begin in September 2013. Being a LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE, will also open doors to new career prospects.

While studying for my LEED Certification, I fell in love with one of the concepts in GREEN BUILDING - ADAPTIVE REUSE. ADAPTIVE REUSE means designing and building a structure in a way that makes it suitable for a future use different than its original use. A good example would be a FLEXIBLE FLOORPLAN to accommodate offices today and apartments tomorrow. 

During this time, I also came across an article on HOUZZ.COM entitled, Meet the Next Generation of Incredibily Adaptable Homes.

MIMA HOUSE

I fell in love with the MIMA HOUSE.  Its design was based on traditional Japanese houses, which are built using a column-spacing grid, known as the ken, and customized inside using movable shoji screens, fusuma panels and tatami mats.  MIMA HOUSE is a prefab home [you all know how I am CRAZY ABOUT PREFAB HOMES] and the architects, Marta Brandao and Mario Sousa, say that the house is about the same price as a midsize car.

GroHome

My second favorite is GroHome, which was developed by Architecture students at Texas A&M University.  GroHome is a modular building system that can be easily expanded, upgraded and modified. The basic structural frame is made from a kit of lightweight, industrial elements (steel, wood or aluminum could be used, based on the particular location’s material availability and climate needs) and finished with prefabricated walls, floors and roofs. Components can be replaced or altered to meet changing homeowner needs. Homeowners can add rooms or sell a few rooms as detached accessory units when the kids go off to college. 

I have a great feeling about my studies and my LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE Certification.
I am looking forward to my future projects and ways in which I can help protect the environment for future generations!








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Solar Powered Flat Pack Shelters

Ola,

As you all are well aware, one of my goals as an interior designer is to infuse
GREEN BUILDING in all of my future projects.  On a personal level, I love dwellings that have a small footprint and are self sufficient.

I came across an article on INHABITAT.COM entitled, IKEA Unveils Solar-Powered Flat Pack Shelters for Easily Deployable Emergency Housing.

IKEA's Flat Pack Solar Powered Shelter

IKEA has taken their flat pack technology and is now using it to create comfortable, solar powered shelters for emergency housing for natural disaster victims and refugees.

The solar powered flat pack shelters where developed in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees(UNCHR) and can be quickly setup for those in need.

Before IKEA's collaboration with the UNCHR, the UNCHR could only provide tents are covered mass-shelters for the overwhelming influx of refugees into other countries.

IKEA's Flat Pack Shelter can be assembled in 4 hours

Here are some great things about these new shelters being provided by the UNCHR:

• They arrive flat packed, facilitating transport of the lightweight shelters all at one time

• They are 188 sq.ft. (17.47 sq. metres) and can be built in four hours

• They have enough room for five people to sleep comfortably

• They are twice the size of the official refugee tent

• They have solar paneled roofing, allowing inhabitants to generate their own electricity, removing the need for candles or kerosene lamps 

• They provide privacy, comfort, and the dignity of having their own place

• The roof also helps to deflect solar reflection by 70%, keeping the interior cool during the day and warmer at night.

These new shelters will be used in Ethiopia next month.

It warms my heart to know that natural disaster victims and refugees of conflict will have not only a warm, dry place to sleep, but also a place they can call their own while they start to rebuild their lives.

AWESOME!!!

BATHTUB + HAMMOCK = RELAXATION

Ola!

I am always looking for things that are interesting and new.  Recently, I received an email newsletter from FRESHOME.COM - THE ART OF RELAXATION: BATHTUB AND HAMMOCK COMBINED BY SPLINTER WORKS.

Being that I grew up with MACAS [HAMMOCKS], I was immediately drawn to this BATHTUB/HAMMOCK combination.  Just imagine - the relaxation of a hammock fused with a bathtub.  The only word the comes to mind is CALMA [CALM].  

Designed by Splinter Works for use in a wet room, the limited edition Vessel tub is suspended from the walls and does not touch the floor. It is fixed with stainless steel brackets that can be covered over, or left revealed. The bath is filled using a floor standing tap and the waste water released through the base into a floor drain. A down-pipe drain can also be installed if a wet room setting is not possible.

More about Splinter Works

Splinter Works was formed in 2009 and is a collaboration between Miles Hartwell and Matt Withington. Their mission is to create sculptural furniture that is engaging and inspiring. 

They strive to enrich the lives of the people who use their furniture, by creating pieces that enhance their environment and elevate the experience of everyday life. Their aim is to create work that is individual, thought provoking, aesthetically beguiling, intelligently designed and a delight to use. 

Their designs are experimental and theatrical, but the function of the piece is always paramount. We love to play visual tricks especially where balance comes into question. Opposing dichotomies of solidity versus weightlessness, motion versus stillness, and strength versus fragility are played out in our ambitious designs through innovative materials. 

They work on both a limited-edition collection of furniture and on special commissions. Examples of commissions currently include mini bars, conference tables, extending dining tables, reception desks, kitchen installations, integral storage and cabinet solutions and dressing room furniture. Their limited-edition furniture collection currently includes, a desk, dressing table, console, stool, a bathtub and a pool slide, with new designs released throughout the year. 

Their ambitious projects are fuelled by their passion for absolute quality, technical ingenuity, artistic integrity and a solid belief in creating the most considered and exquisite work befitting of its purpose.

I am happy to add the VESSEL TUB into my design repertoire!!!! 

Tile Collection Combines Metals and Concrete - Beautiful

Ola,

Recently, I was reading my daily email from FRESH HOME and I came across an item that I thought was so BEAUTIFUL - THE FIRST TILE COLLECTION TO COMBINE METAL AND CONCREATE BY DECOTAL.

Decotal is the brainchild of its founder and creative director Adi Fainer, an award-winning industrial designer who envisioned the first collection of tiles to combine concrete and metals. The metals are laser cut into beautifully designed patterns that are cast in the engineered concrete making a seamless tile. Metal platings include chrome-nickel, silver, gold up to 24K gold and anodized in aluminum and titanium. The contrast between the metal cold shiny look and feel and the warm roughed concrete surface creates a special effect.

The tiles are hand made from engineered polymer concrete (EPC), require no maintenance and can be ordered in a large variety of colors. Metal graphics are unlimited and can be custom ordered to fit any required shape opening the way for unique designs and art works. 

I thought this would look as the bottom of a pool

EPC characteristics:

• Up to 3 times stronger than equivalent concrete surface.

• Outstanding durability and superb scratch resistance.

• Highly resistant to chemicals with anti-bacterial properties.

• Thermal and shock resistant. Excellent resistance to abrasion, impact and cracking.

• Seamless and impermeable. No need for sealers or any other protection systems.

• Highly resistant to UV light, weathering and temperatures up to 80°C .Color stable, can be installed outside, ideal for almost any environment.

• Anti-slip properties.

• Resistant to alkalies, acids, greases, oils, salts and other aggressive media.

• Easy maintenance, Easy to clean, hygienic.

• Bespoke installations and colors.

• Environmentally friendly.

How and where would you use these tiles? 





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Bamboo Products

Ola,

I have been in love with bamboo for a very long time.  I came across the plant while I was in a drug store in Los Angeles. They were selling 3 bamboo stalks in lovely little pots, which I later learned bring good luck to the owner.  From that moment, bamboo has intrigued me.

When I saw an article on HOUZZ entitled, 'BAMBOO PRODUCTS - EARTH FRIEND OR FOE?, it made me think about how I could use this material in my future projects.

"Bamboo was first found and used in China about 5,000 years ago. Technically classified as a grass, it grows faster than any other woody plant in the world. Since bamboo also needs few pesticides and fertilizers and little irrigation, it has become a popular environmentally friendly building solution."  

- Houzz.com

Here are some great things about Bamboo that I learned from the HOUZZ article:

• Bamboo can grow up to 3 or 4 feet per day and can reach maturity in five to eight ears — compared with 30 to 50 years for most trees.

• Bamboo reduces carbon dioxide gases; a grove can release 35 percent more oxygen into the air than a similar-sized plot of trees.

• Bamboo is an incredibly strong and durable wood. In some parts of Asia, it's used for sturdy scaffolding.

• Bamboo is durable and resistant to insects and moisture. 

• Timber bamboo can be grown successfully in the southern United States.

• The water-use efficiency of bamboo is estimated to be twice that of other trees, increasing its capability to handle harsh weather conditions such as droughts, floods and high temperatures.

• Bamboo grows quickly, can be harshly cut back with quick regrowth.

Here are some examples of uses of Bamboo 
in Interior Design:

LIVING ROOM WITH GOLDEN AROWANA BAMBOO FLOORING

I fell in love with this flooring:

ENGINEERED STRAND WOVEN BAMBOO TIGER

I also love BAMBOO in the kitchen:

WALNUT AND ZEBRAWOOD BAMBOO

Here is the article from HOUZZ.com that was inspiration for this blog post:

Bamboo Products — Earth Friend or Foe?

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After writing this article, I am so excited to find ways to incorporate BAMBOO in my future projects.  I am so in love with the ENERGY this material possesses!

Furniture Designers | Cisco Brothers

Ola,

I have decided to write about sustainable | eco-friendly furniture designers in my blog.

In today's blog, I would like to spot light John Derian's furniture line manufactured by the Cisco Brothers.

Cisco Brothers is an eco-friendly, family-run, California-based company. They use soy and petroleum-based foam, non-toxic glues and FSC certified domestic maple wood. 

Here are some of the pieces from the line that I liked:

TETE-A-TETE CHAIRS

The first item that caught my eye was the TETE-A-TETE CHAIRS.  They are a reproduction of a 19th century piece.  It would be a great to have a very good conversation in these. 

Thorntail Wingback Chair

This chair was inspired by an American piece dating back to 1870. The enormous proportions, indulging depth and large "wings" seem to envelop the sitter. I would love to sit in this chair with a good book and read for hours!!

Dromedary Loveseat

The Dromedary loveseat seems to be a timeless piece as far as style and period. I loved it because it just looks so comfortable.  Guests would love to sit on it for hours. For me, it would be another great place to curl up and read a good book (You can tell that I LOVE TO READ BOOKS!!!)

This line of furniture is very conservative and very different from my personal taste. Being that I am studying to become an Interior Designer, I feel it is very important to be knowledgable about different styles to help create pleasing designs for my clients.

To learn more about the Cisco Brothers, please go to the Cisco Brothers site.

SUSTAINABLE IN NEW ORLEANS AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA

Ola,

I received my weekly update from HOUZZ and I came across the article My Houzz: Newly Sustainable in New Orleans.  .  As you all already know by now, I AM CRAZY ABOUT HOUSES WITH SMALL FOOTPRINTS AND ARE ECOFRIENDLY | SUSTAINABLE!!!  This house marks a new beginning after HURRICANE KATRINA.

Here is some information on HURRICANE KATRINA:

"Hurricane Katrina was the deadliest and most destructive Atlantic hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It was thecostliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recordedAtlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall. At least 1,833 people died in the hurricane and subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane; total property damage was estimated at $81 billion (2005 USD),^[1] nearly triple the damage brought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992." - Wikipedia.org

Jared Zeller and Jennifer Pearl had to begin again after Hurricane Katrinia.  They got their  inspiration for the new house from the MAKE IT RIGHT houses in the Ninth Ward of
New Orleans.

MAKE IT RIGHT was founded by Brad Pitt in 2007, Make It Right builds healthy homes, buildings and communities for people in need. All Make It Right projects are LEED Platinum certified and Cradle to Cradle inspired – meeting the highest standards of green building.

Make It Right Homes - New Orleans

With the inspiration from the MAKE IT RIGHT homes, Jared and Jennifer started by building their new home 8 feet (2.4384 meters) from the ground to make the house safer from flood water.  They have included so many eco-friendly and sustainable items in their new home, but my favorite piece in their home is the hanging Fireorb fireplace.  It burns denatured alcohol instead of gas or wood and it's modern design fits in perfectly with their new home.  

Other by New Orleans Architect Adam Breaux

To learn more about Jared and Jennifer's new home, here is the link to the article on HOUZZ:

My Houzz: Newly Sustainable in New Orleans

Jared and Jennifer's decision to build a new home after so much destruction is a true definition of RESILIANCE - 

"Resilience is the ability to work with adversity in such a way that one comes through it unharmed or even better for the experience. Resilience means facing life’s difficulties with courage and patience – refusing to give up. It is the quality of character that allows a person or group of people rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas.

Resilience is rooted in a tenacity of spirit—a determination to embrace all that makes life worth living even in the face of overwhelming odds. When we have a clear sense of identity and purpose, we are more resilient, because we can hold fast to our vision of a better future.

Much of our resilience comes from community—from the relationships that allow us to lean on each other for support when we need it." 

- Wisdom Commons.org 

 May Jarod and Jennifer always have the LIGHT protect their new home!!!