Design Green

February 9, 2010 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

You might have seen the BOGO Light before—it's a durable solar flashlight with a twist. You buy one for yourself, and one gets sent to someone who needs one: a child in the developing world, a school in the US, or families living in disaster areas. BOGO is produced by SunNight Solar, and their latest initiative is a partnership with the Light Haiti Project, in which they're donating the BOGOs directly to those who are without basic needs after the recent earthquake. You can buy your BOGO here for $59.95, and donate one to Haiti.

February 8, 2010 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

Philippe Starck, the iconic designer known for high-design, has gone green to launch a sleek deisgn for a residential-use turbine. The two high-tech turbines will be produced by Italian company, Pramac, and will be available for Milan homes soon. One model is a clear quadrangular model (400W WT), capable of generating 400 watts of power. The second, a helicoidal model (1KW WT) will generate 1 KW of power. The two will run from $3500 to $5000 USD. Starck was quoted explaining the new turbine technology, saying, "Energy should not be a punishment, we should create a desire (among people to produce it)." I'm hoping th...Read More

February 4, 2010 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

February 2, 2010 | Link This | Email this | Comments (3)

While this gorgeous little treehouse isn't available just yet, it's a great example of flat-pack design that exemplifies clever construction for environmental sustainability. Dubbed "Zelfbouwboomhut," which translates from Dutch as "DIY Treehouse," the structure was designed by Rogier Martens and Sam van Veluw. In the usual Dutch fashion, it's simple yet genius, fastening together with ratchet straps that get cranked tight to hold the flat pieces together and to the tree. The treehouse is the first product in a new line called AANDEBOOM- we can't wait to see what else they produce!!

...Read More

February 1, 2010 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Ryan McElhinney turns trash to treasure with a playful spin on reusing found materials. His "upcycling" approach turns old toys into lamps and mirrors using a high-glass metallic lacquer. Each piece is handcrafted in his London studio. Check out his whole collection here, and keep in mind that orders have a 6 week lead time.