The JustK Eco House
Posted by Erin | Filed under Favorites, House Tours, Inspiration, Musings, Sustainability
I have the highest of regard for architects and the insane level of form and function they manage to marry in each of their designs. A true mix of science and art, great architecture is a rarity meant to be treasured for years to come.
Tags: architecture, eco-friendly, space planning
LOHAS
Posted by FLOR | Filed under Musings, Sustainability
You may have seen the word LOHAS in your reading or shopping in recent years. The name, which is an acronym for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, is a growing community of people and businesses committed to researching and developing a range of products and services all designed to give us more choices as concerned consumers.
LOHAS focuses on six key market sectors that, combined, influence nearly everything you might use in your daily life. For example,
- The PERSONAL HEALTH sector includes things like natural, organic products, integrative health practices;
- The GREEN BUILDING sector covers renewable energy systems, Energy Star appliances and sustainable flooring;
- NATURAL LIFESTYLES focuses on products such as organic cleaning supplies and compact fluorescent lights;
- ALTERNATIVE ENERGY programs like renewable energy credits.
- ECO TOURISM, which includes eco-tourism and eco-adventure travel; and,
- ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION, which includes research and development of hybrid vehicles, biodiesel fuel and car sharing programs.
Combined, these sectors comprise an estimated $290 billion marketplace. We believe in the LOHAS mission and think that their influence can already be felt with the growing popularity (and demand) for organic foods, eco-friendly cleaning products, hybrid cars and CFL light bulbs.
If you’d like to learn more about LOHAS or explore how you can get involved, the group holds a conference every June in Boulder, Colorado– the LOHAS Forum.
There are also a number of regional networking events across the country throughout the year.
Tags: green living, green message, lifestyles, living healthy, organic, sustainability, yoga
What Makes FLOR Different?
Posted by FLOR | Filed under Favorite Posts, Inspiration, Musings, Sustainability
Everyone here at FLOR firmly believes in the products we produce. We often talk about the differences that go into the design and manufacture of FLOR products, but we thought it would be great to hear it direct from our company president, Greg Colando.
In this video, Greg explains why FLOR is a better and smarter alternative to conventional area rugs or rolled carpeting; he discusses how designing with FLOR carpet squares gives you tremendous design flexibility and freedom to create custom designs to suit your taste and space; and, he talks about why modular FLOR tiles are simply a more practical way to cover your floors for today’s busy lifestyles.
We love what we do and want everyone to share in the joy of FLOR carpet squares. We believe that once you experience the FLOR difference, you will never want to go back to traditional rugs or carpeting again.
Tags: design, diy, eco carpet, FLOR, flor squares, FLOR tiles, rug designs, wall to wall
Wiki House
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Design Tips, Favorite Posts, Inspiration, Musings, Solutions, Sustainability
Have you heard of Wiki House? It’s absolutely fabulous.
From designing a house to an ancillary building this concept could revolutionize the D-I-Y craze. WikiHouse is an Open Community Construction Set. It’s a set of parts. Think of Lego’s or an erector set. You customize the solution, and create a design that meets your personal programmatic needs. Building plans are downloaded free. This group of collaborative designers who have developed the system, have made great design accessible and affordable to all. It empowers each one of us to build with our own hands, with or without knowledge of traditional construction methods. It certainly is applicable on my property. Imagine the possibilities in countries where homes and community buildings are not affordable. Flat pack homes arrive and community members can join together, as in the days of a barn raising, to personally impact and improve their environment without specialized skills or power tools. Very cool. Watch a video of the prototype being built here.
So, are you ready to get started?
Download houses and components which are created and shared by an open community of designers from around the world. Individual parts can be combined or adapted using the free program Google Sketchup.
Click ‘Make this House’ from within Google Sketchup and WikiHouse generates a complete set of milling drawings from your model, which can be used by a CNC cutter to fabricate the house parts.
Tags: architecture, design, FLOR, Open Community Architecture, prefab, Wiki House
Nature’s Texture
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Inspiration, Musings, Sustainability
I am always inspired by the qualities of color and texture found in the natural environment. I often look to nature for design inspiration, especially when exploring color. There is no better resource for complex tonal compositions, or bright complements and contrasts. On my trip to Yellowstone, there were endless opportunities to study and enjoy natures palette. From the texture of a molting bison, to the rainbow resulting from sunlight dancing on the spray of a waterfall. Beauty is all around us. What a gift.
Tags: color, design, FLOR, texture, Yellowstone
