'If You Build It'

Premièring in NY next week, Project H Design's documentary, 'If You Build It', promises to be a very uplifting and inspiring story to start the year. Project H Design is a non-profit organisation passionate about teaching youth to embrace the future through design. Read more about them on their site and you can view the trailer here.

I first heard of the founder, Emily Pilloton, through her book "100 Products that Empower people". A brilliant read that goes beyond the products showcased. Pilloton discusses design thinking, a notion that has stuck with me and tends to influence my opinion regarding the future of design and indeed, my own career options.

pretty passivity

Uni has already managed to keep me very busy with the start of my final BA year.

However, it was during the last few weeks that I had an email waiting patiently in my inbox, subject line reading: 'something for redcacao?' So I can't really take the credit for this one, but rather an interesting article and some awesome and very different passive design examples.

My partner expressed a fondness for the archways and overall feel of the Hudson house (option 1), while I am inspired by the Fablab take on things in Madrid (option 3).

Crossways is a house we followed the building of on the Grand Designs series a couple of years back. It really is unique and seems to be a rather good performer - according to passive house energy conservation.

The final candidate surprised me, as the setting really didn't seem like Canada - but having never actually been there - who am I to say...
I really love the simple feel and clean lines of this design, to me it exudes a sense of calm and I could certainly imagine myself on that pier in those sprawling surroundings.

Two tiny twins

Here are two excellent examples of small living spaces. In both designs, I think that 'treading lightly, with a low impact on the earth' is apparent as a central theme.

1) Meka is a converted shipping container. Modern and sophisticated in design, it covers just 30 square metres. The interior features bamboo, the bathroom in slate, the outside is clad in attractive cedar and 70% of its materials are recycled.

Living in a modest apartment just over this size in Norway, means that my fiancé and I certainly understand small spaces - but this clever and chic design would be a welcome treat. Currently sitting on a New York corner, you can order the cosy abode to your own specifications, with the option to integrate solar power for those wanting to go off-grid.

2) Abé, is an off-grid 'build it yourself' 14 square metre portable unit. Designed using 3D software, the houses are completely customizable, come flat packed and can apparently be assembled in just 2 days! 

While this option doesn't include the necessary functions for long-term living, it's certainly a fun short-term option for a festival, camping or little garden retreat. I think the materials and size contribute to it's romantic and earthy feel. A very clever idea - I think we can expect to see more from this design group.

back to the books

I recently came across this article on inhabitat.com; offering a course in passive solar design. It could have something to do with the summer holiday nearing an end, my interest in sustainable design, or merely the rainy and cold weather in Bergen right now - but I clicked through enthusiastically, interested in the opportunity. That enthusiasm waned once I realised the fees involved and I moved on.

Then, just today, I read about different (and more low-tech) sustainable building workshops being run across the US... and I thought, since I can't get involved over there - there must be some good online options to keep abreast of avant garde techniques and methods that can also contribute to my studies in Scandinavia. I didn't have to search very hard before coming across this site, listing various institutes that offer downloadable course material (called OpenCourseWare or OCW).

While my semesters are pretty jam-packed and we do have our own recommended reading, it's always interesting to see what other leading institutes (such as MIT) have to say and to have access to material from subjects that might not be offered at your own school.

I've done an advanced search to find courses that link to my own specific interests. You can do the same here.

a new housing palette

End of study year means that it's been some time since I've posted. Another two weeks and I'm nearly free for summer holidays!

I've got a bit of a breather this weekend since we've just been celebrating Norway's national day (17th May) and everything's basically shut down for the weekend.

A theme that's come up recently (since I had to write a text for my studies on my reasons for choosing this field and where I see myself professionally) has to do with forward-thinking design, news ways of using current materials and designing 'with' the other 90%.

This article / interview in 'inhabitat.com' includes some exciting and innovative thoughts with regards to housing designs with the future in mind. Choosing more relevant and environment based sustainable builds that are 'alive' and able to perform in varying conditions.

I particularly enjoy the lift house idea and the clever architecture and humour in the porchdog house. Then there's the simplicity and accessibility of the straw bale housing and pallet designs.

You can read more about porchdog here