Both park bench and bikestand, ‘Piano‘ is a concept of street furniture designed by Swedish designers of ADDI. A hybrid proposal, angular design, binary and different.

The 90 degree angels creates an interesting and effectfull contrast in the landscape.

The bench will come in three different variations.

Mike Neubauer presented a new addition to his ‘Burniture’ collection at the Designer’s Fair 2010 in Cologne. On display was a freestanding unit, which included a kitchen, dining area and seating.

Janne Kyttanen designed these space dividers for the new head office of Bijenkorf in Amsterdam. The project was designed together with Qua Associates, who were also the interior designers of the new Bijenkorf headquarters in Amsterdam.

This versatile new system is constructed out of 50 cm wide hexagon panels, which seamlessly connect together with a unique clicking system.

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“These colourful stools that go by the name of ‘Schweinchen’ are designed by Berlin-based studio Formfjord. The stools prefer to appear in herds. The friendly ‘Piggies’ are inspired by greek butcher blocks – with crooked legs and vivid colours, they awake to new life. The unique pieces are stackable and feature a convenient storage compartment.

Herd #2 – coloursheme by Sandra Bruns.”

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Brazilian designer Mauricio Arruda has designed a collection of storage units that house ubiquitous plastic crates.

Called José Collection, the crates are made of recycled plastic and slot neatly into specially-made wooden frames with steel legs.

The crates could still be used as a means of transporting goods, minimizing the use of cardboard boxes and plastic bags.

Some more information from the designer:

“The JOSE COLLECTION is a family of storage furniture produced with materials and processes that are less harmful to the environment and society. The development of the collection analyzed the product life cycle: from the materials used to the manufacturing process and the furniture’s use to its recyclability, in order to minimize the environmental and social impact, and the waste of raw materials and energy.

The project accounted for the amount of residues produced in the manufacturing of the furniture. The size and measures of each product were defined to achieve an optimal use of wood and generate the minimum amount of waste.

The plastic containers are made from recycled plastic through a process that is already incorporated in the manufacturer’s production line. The furniture base is made from cut carbon steel bars that are bent and receive an anti-corrosion coat and an automobile paint.

The solid wooden sheets carry the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) environmental certificate seal. Forest certification ensures that the wood used in furniture comes from an environmentally correct, socially fair and economically viable production.

The wooden sheets are treated with natural carnauba wax, without the use of solvent-based finishes. The JOSE COLLECTION is inspired in the traditional street markets and open-air fairs in Brazil.

The informal and transitory look of these spaces gave rise to the wooden structures that have a light and simple design and store colorful and removable plastic containers. The design of the steel base is reminiscent of the carts used by the collectors of paper and recyclable trash and the merchants themselves.

The furniture’s design suggests a multi-purpose functionality. The plastic containers can be removed from the units, allowing people to store and transport objects, toys, food, clothing, books, bottles etc., both indoors and outdoors. Groceries can be taken from the supermarket to the home without the use of plastic bags.

The containers are also stackable and can be reorganized away from the shelving unit, according to the user’s needs. The result is a line of environmentally conscientious furniture with real Brazilian identity, marked by simplicity in its form and function.”

PROFILE

Mauricio Arruda graduated at the Architecture and Urban Planning State University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil (Universidade Estadual de Londrina/UEL) in 1997 and was granted a master degree at Sao Carlos State University in 2000.

Mauricio has participated as a Latin America fellow-author at the creation of the Agenda 21 for Sustainable Construction in Developing Countries and has conducted several researches in the residential and environmental fields.

Interior Design professor since 2001, has lectured in many Brazilian educational institutions, i.e. SENAC, Escola Panamericana de Arte. Currently teaching at the IED Brazilian branch – Instituto Europeo di Design.

As a professional architect Mauricio develops and manages projects for residential and commercial spaces as well as product design.

Along with former university colleagues Guto Requena and Tatiana Sakurai, Mauricio created the creative collective WHYDESIGN.

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‘Jumper’ by Bertjan Pot is a chair upholstered with a knitted woolen cover. The cover was knitted on a special machine that knitted the whole piece in one go. Normally a knitted woolen cover would not make it through an abrasion test very well, but because we felted the cover by washing it at a high temperature the textile became very dense and durable.

‘Jumper’ was designed for the British brand Established & Sons and was on show in their 2010 presentation in Milan. It should go into production later this year.

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Equipped with a counter, the bench ‘Pebro’ appears like a blade of grass when not in use. Functioning as furniture and sculpture at the same time, ‘Pebro’ is creating interaction with the potential user.

‘Pebro’ was designed by the architectural studio and Cellule Design for the interior and exterior of the mall Sihlcity Zurich. Guided by its use, the object becomes furniture, game or piece of scenery.

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For many families, the kitchen is the room in the house where the most energy is consumed. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting, refrigeration and cooking are responsible for almost 50% of a home’s energy consumption. Add dishwashers, fridges and washing machines, and you’ve got an environmental hot spot…

Using environmentally friendly cleaning products, recycling and using biodegradable bin liners are just a few ways families are going green in the kitchen. However one of the most important, and significant changes many households are making is buying and using energy efficient kitchen appliances.

There are many companies who are now making eco friendly appliances for the kitchen. Some appliances are even made to work together collectively to achieve energy conservation - Some of them use the water and heat to fuel other appliances or features. New ideas include making use of the heat from a refrigerator’s compressor to provide hot water for the kitchen and potentially save you 25% on your heating bills as well as help with energy conservation.

Did you know that many of the newer, more energy efficient dishwashers use less water than old models? Additionally, many of them are engineered so that you don’t have to waste additional water rinsing your dishes before you place them into the dishwasher. When buying an energy efficient dishwasher, choose a compact model, and remember to run it only when it’s full to help save both energy and water.

Do you still use an oven that requires preheating? Most newer models have made preheating a thing of the past, thus just one of the ways energy efficient ovens can help you reduce energy consumption. And remember, when it’s time to use the oven, always try to cook more than one dish.

Energy efficient appliances can save you between 10 – 50% in monthly energy costs. So by purchasing energy efficient appliances you’re not only doing your part to help protect the environment, you’re also saving a substantial sum on energy costs too.

The following are some high-impact green kitchen design ideas:

1. Energy-Efficient Kitchen Appliances

Advanced technology now means that appliances can use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard models so look for the Energy Rating when considering your refrigerator, dishwasher or washing machine purchases for the kitchen remodeling project.

* Refrigerators
Refrigerators are the second-biggest energy hogs in the house (heating and cooling systems are first). If you’re replacing an older model, find one with the Energy Star label (which designates appliances that use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models), and don’t buy a bigger fridge than you really need.

* Induction Stoves
Induction cooking uses electricity to produce a magnetic field that reacts with the ferric content in stainless steel, cast iron, and enameled steel cookware. This excites the molecules and produces heat. The cookware (and therefore the food) gets hot, but the stove-top doesn’t. Less heat is wasted and the food heats faster, saving time and energy. Induction cooking is about 90 percent energy efficient as compared to gas and electric radiant, which are 50 to 60 percent efficient.

* Dishwashers and Washing Machines
Use a full load in your dishwasher and washing machine. If you are thinking of buying a new washing machine, make sure you buy a water efficient model. They will cut your emissions in half!

2. Other Important Features

* Stained Concrete or Indigenous Stone Kitchen Counter-tops
Your kitchen design should include materials that are durable and water-resistant for both counter tops and back-splashes. Stained concrete uses non-toxic, natural pigments rather than surface-applied stains. Many types of indigenous stone are available and can come from salvage sources. Make sure they are adequately sealed to prevent staining.

* Waste Disposal machines
These are ideal for reducing the physical amount of food waste down to small pieces. Then start a compost bin or wormery where worms can compost down the food waste more efficiently. Use the compost on your houseplants or garden.

* Kitchen Recycling Center
Look for sets of kitchen recycling bins that allow you to easily separate trash – paper, food, bottles, plastics, etc.

* Energy-Efficient Task Lighting and Lighting Controls
Kitchen designs often include two or three light settings such as general, task lighting, and mood lighting. Maximize natural light wherever possible and low voltage systems for task and mood lighting.

* Eco-Friendly Kitchen Flooring
Products manufactured from renewable forests can provide you with a beautiful, affordable and durable floor – and an environmentally responsible choice. Bamboo, cork, and eucalyptus mature in roughly half the time (or less) that it takes hardwoods, grown in colder climates, to reach market size.

* Wall Insulation
Nothing improves the comfort and energy efficiency of a kitchen more than plenty of insulation in the exterior walls. To add insulation to existing kitchen walls, blow fibrous insulation material – fiberglass or natural materials like cellulose and mineral wool – into enclosed wall, floor and roof cavities. “Dense packing” the insulation inhibits air circulation within the cavities, thereby eliminating a major cause of condensation, moisture problems and air leakage.

* Kitchen Windows, Doors and Skylights
Well-designed windows and skylights can lighten the feel of a kitchen and save on fuel bills as well. Ensure the products used have low heat emission glass with solar shading, which increases the room’s comfort, protects items from sun damage and reduces condensation on windows.

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Special structure allows the table to put all your things in it. The form comes from the material itself, like a loose rubber band.

‘Inflow’ table by Animi Causa is made of about 1000 meters from an elastic string wrapped around the metal structure.

“This table conveys our personality. Our personality is responsible for creating and designing this table, like handwriting, each and every one of us has their own mark. The special structure of the table enables to put all your objects inside.”

Price: $2,285.00

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‘Fiore’ patio furniture designed by Swiss furniture maker named B-alance. Inspired by the shape of flowers, the handmade ‘Fiore’ outdoor furniture set enables different combination. The collection belongs of sofa, coffee table and foot stool. Soft curves determine the form of a collection, which seems inspired by cherry blossoms. ‘Fiore’ is made of stable aluminum frame free of defects and synthetic wicker.

Sofa and foot stool can be prepared at different angles to attain the visible range.

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