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? 





http://freshome.com/2013/06/12/first-tile-colelction-to-combine-metals-and-concrete-by-dental/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreshInspirationForYourHome+%28Freshome.com%29

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.