Eco Factor: Eco-friendly furniture made from discarded milk cartons.
Chairs are meant to seat you in comfort, but when art is more than comfort alone, that’s when discarded carton boxes are recycled into furniture to blend modern needs with environmental issues. Eco-conscious artist Fabian Jochen Kanzler is well aware of the problems and has enough skill to figure out some artistic solutions as well.
The designer has come up with an eco-friendly chair – the 294 Liters Seat — which has been carefully created using 294 milk, coffee and juice cartons. The furniture item was created within one month by gathering waste created during regular consumption. The chair might not be as comfortable as the one you sit on, but it does symbolize grace in green consciousness.
Eco Factor: Eco-friendly structure designed to harvest rainwater and reduce energy consumption.
The Horizontal Scraper is the brainchild of designers Rae Won Noh, In Ki Kim, Jeong Tae Kim, Hyo Bin Jung and Jang Ook Lee and has been conceptualized to reduce the environmental impact of high rise buildings. Unlike conventional skyscrapers, the Horizontal Scraper rests above the ground level on roofs of existing buildings.The 15-story tall structure “floats” on the skyline without blocking natural light necessary for the buildings underneath. The mixed-use structure provides space for residences, offices and recreation areas. The rooftop is adorned with green garden with sports facilities. Moreover, the roof also includes rainwater harvesting systems, which help in reducing solar heat gain as well.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by an electric engine.
The urban world of tomorrow not only needs vehicle that are powered by clean energy, but need them to be compact so that they don’t use up much space on the overly crowded highways. Auto designer Raphael Morais recognizes the challenges and has come up with a concept vehicle perfectly suited for such environment.Christened Seat Flexus, the zero-emission vehicle is powered by electricity and adopts a compact form to ease parking. Instead of conventional air-filled tires, the vehicle uses next-gen Tweels reducing need for car maintenance.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by a hydrogen/electric hybrid engine.
Auto designer Ryan Jacobson believes that the auto industry has spent too much improving conventional technologies to suit the future. With new technologies constantly being developed, the designer aims to use them in next-gen vehicles that are powered by clean energy. Ryan has conceptualized a shape-shifting trike that explains his vision.Christened Dissent Magneto Sport, the zero-emission trike has an extensive list of components and features. The vehicle is powered by a magnetic levitation propulsion system that sources power from the onboard batteries and hydrogen. The adjustable all-wheel drive vehicle can alter its shape according to the speed.The Dissent moves its two front wheels closer to each other when the rider is accelerating and traveling at high speeds. However, when the rider brakes or is traveling at slow speeds, the two wheels move outwards to better stability.
Eco Factor: Sustainable twin towers look into minimizing energy consumption.
Designed by Plasma Studio, the Datong Twin Towers is a mix-use complex that flaunts its extraordinary design and sustainability. Planned to be erected on a 70,000sqm area, the green structure was recently awarded first prize in an invited competition in Datong, Shanxi province. It will house a hotel in one tower and offices in the other.Depicting the architectural firms’ geometric obsession, the towers will include low-energy ventilation design in its interior along with parametric differentiated facade concept, which will help in minimizing energy consumption and maximizing ambient quality and expression.
The central light well between the towers is surrounded by shared public spaces. There is also room for pedestrians and greenery. The lowest level has a common public lobby, while the towers end on an accessible roofscape. The twin towers hold the potential to become a landmark for China.
Eco Factor: Stylish bike concept powered by thermal and electric engine.
Stylish, powerful, aesthetically appealing and huge are the words that come to my mind when I think of this muscle hunk. Dubbed the “Custombike concept,” this dazzling bike is what I would like to call a complete green package. It is powered by a hybrid engine, which is a combination of a thermal engine and the electric one hidden in the frame.The French designer Jean Baptiste Robilliard has also included a F1 like HERS system that harvests braking power to convert it into electric energy. The Lithium-ion batteries perform the electric power saving task for this eco-friendly concept. Honestly, it is designed as a two-wheel muscle car for the road.
Eco Factor: Mountain-like business district incorporates wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation system.
Those deprived of the pleasure of living in the serene and beautiful hills could get the same feeling in the “Magic Mountains.” This sustainable urban development proposed for Chongqing, China is one crazy plan by the CEBO/Chongqing University team. Resembling prismatic mountain peaks, the new green business district creates an exciting new skyline with inhabited peaks.
Magic Mountains are made from glass and steel. It is loaded with sustainable feature such as passive cooling and heating, wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation system. These water and energy efficient systems will rest on the open green valleys. In order to cut down carbon emissions substantially, bicycles and pedestrian paths could be used to get around the city.
Efficient public transportation system will lead to reduction in car usage. All these green features will bring down the overall consumption of resources and energy by 22%. The renewable energy produced in the Magic Mountains will replace 11% of conventional power.
Eco Factor: Sustainable residential development designed to reduce energy consumption.
Broadway Malyan Architects have come up with a sustainable proposal for a residential development in Dubai. Christened “The Diamond”, the 17-story tall structure takes full advantage of the spectacular views and proximity to the beachfront and adjacent neighborhood center.
Every apartment in the building enjoys unobstructed views, without sacrificing on good levels of privacy. Designed to provide high levels of sustainability, the architecture responds directly to the movement of the sun to reduce solar heat gain and improve energy efficiency.
Designed to create a dramatic sea front pair of residential towers, the twin-tower architecture is set on top of a mixed use podium overlooking the surroundings. The terraced sun deck helps in enhancing the eco-credentials of the building while reducing solar heat gain.
Eco Factor:Aircraft with an electric engine aims to set world record.
The SkySparkproject was officially underway at a press conference in Turin. The attempt is to develop a 100% electric aircraft that could reach speeds in excess of 300km/h, thereby setting a new record. The project is supported by several private sponsors and by the local government as well.
The aircraft is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell capable of providing 65Kw of green electric power. The aircraft will be piloted by Italian astronaut Maurizio Cheli. Navigation technology for the green flier will be provided by NavSAS, which will provide accurate positioning of the plane during the record-setting attempt.
The Dark Side:
A speed of 300km/h might look like too much if you are a car owner, but it’s too little if the aircraft is ever commercialized. Moreover, the range of such an aircraft, owing to its electric engine, could be an issue that needs some technical intervention.
Eco Factor:Boat made from recycled materials runs on solar energy.
The design team of one of the most discussed green cars, the Aptera, is not just relaxing and enjoying the success their creation got but is working their way from the road to the open waters. The design team that includes Jason Hill of Design11 and Nathan Armstrong ofMotive Industries has designed a solar-powered boat known as the Loon.
The boat comes with a solar roof capable of generating 1000W of green power, enabling the pontoon-shaped boat to cruise at a speed of 7 knots for an estimated range of over 35 miles. The solar roof is foldable for you to enjoy the sun after shutting down its electric power house. Made from recycled materials, bamboo and natural fibers, the 22-foot-long boat can also transfer electricity to the grid if the boat is anchored to the dock for the day.
The Dark Side:
The boat is still in the concept stage and more details on the boat would only surface after a prototype has been developed. If it comes at an affordable price, it could definitely green some inland waterway boating trips.
