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I think this project is just amazing!!

"'The idea of  a tree' is a production process which uses the natural input of the sun with a mechanical process. This creates unique objects that represent the sun's intensity of the day and place of production. The length/height of the resulting object depends on the sun hours of the day. winter = shorter objects summer = longer objects The thickness of the layer and the colour is depending on the amount of sun-energy. more sun = thicker layer and paler colour less  sun = thinner layer and darker colour The correlation between input and output makes the changes visual and readable. The product becomes a three-dimensional ‘photograph’ of the time and the place where it is produced. After one day of winding the cotton structure can be 'harvested' off the machine. A few days, later the dried piece is finished by hand and a label, telling day and place of production, is placed on the evening side of the object."

What more can I say.... just stunning!!

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Shearer’s Quarters (Tas) by John Wardle Architects

Jury comment from 2012 Houses Awards: Australian House of the Year

This is an ambitious house that compels us to reflect on the inherent beauty of living. Set within a historic farming property in Tasmania, it is both a working farm building and a place of retreat. While this might seem like a contradictory pattern of day-to-day inhabitation, here it has been effortlessly reconciled. This deft touch has created a house that is an exemplar for contemporary residential architecture, simultaneously functional and beautiful. It is also a model for modest, small-footprint, environmentally responsive houses.

The form of the rudimentary shed is the vehicle for an inquisitive exploration of detail, form and context. Sited in a complex of buildings, but self-contained, its relationship to the existing 1840s cottage is in the farm tradition of small clusters of buildings, outbuildings and sheds.

This apparently simple house has an effortless relationship to the built, cultivated and natural landscape. The material expression has a farm-sense quality, and draws heavily on recycled timber and convict-era handmade bricks. This is a finely tuned and beautifully synthesized building that is a reminder of the essential systems and patterns of domestic life.

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What a fantastic way of reusing old technology....

I've always wondered what to do with old floppy disks, CDs and videos apart from simply throwing them in the rubbish or recycle bin.

Super talented Nick Gentry has created masterpieces from donated disks. Works vary in size from a single disk painting to one that uses hundreds of disks.

“The paintings are made from recycled media. The life and personality of these objects are a big part of each art work.... I try to use objects that have come to the end of their useful life before looking for new materials."

His Xchange program (details available on his website) enables people to send their disused media to use in creating these amazing pieces. He has been commissioned by Selfridges to create a city landscape out of the floppy disks so you can be assured they will be put to good use.

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Well if anyone's been wondering if I started this blog and then decided to simply drop off the planet..... well they are kinda right.....

I've spent pretty much most of February relaxing in Thailand after a very hectic 2011. As much as Thailand isn't known for its enviro creds, there are still some places that tick a few boxes.

We were lucky enough to spend a large amount of our time staying on a small island a couple of hours north of Koh Pagnang, commonly known as Turtle Island. It is one of the few Thai islands that hasn't been taken over by international resorts and those that are there (bar a couple that don't seem to attract many visitors) have been built in a way that works with the environment rather than destroying it. The ex-pat community that lives on the island is very active in conserving its natural beauty and educating visitors on what they can do to help protect it.

I'm hoping this piece of paradise stays out of the hands of large resorts for a few years yet, allowing respectful visitors and residents to enjoy its pristine waters, traditional Thai style accommodation and laid back atmosphere for a little while longer.

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I've been busy over the last week or so and thought it might be time to share some of my own things....

Part of my business is restoring and upcycling furniture. Once a month or so, I try (with my ever trusty business partner) to restore enough pieces to set up a space that is like something we would see in our own home. Pieces that seem at home with each other. We then sell the whole lot - as individual items. The pics above are from our current "room".

The bench is an old printers layout bench that was a little worse for wear so, with my fabulous Dad, I proceeded to remake the top and 2 new drawers that were missing (all from recycled timber found at the local demolition yard), to give it a new life as a kitchen island (or anything else) bench.

The trestle table is a gem that is super sturdy and has great simple lines (just given a coat of oil to revilatise) and the white chairs are formally rusty old mis-matching timber & metal chairs that have been freshened up with a coat of paint (or 4) by my business partner's husband (who, by chance, is a qualified & extremely good painter).

We mix and match between a few different styles but mainly stick to a minimal Scandanavian/Japanese inspired look (my two favourite styles for about the last 20 years, so I'd say its pretty much stuck with me).

It is really satisfying to resurrect what is seen as junk and give it a new life.... I like to tackle the more difficult ones (much to my business partner's dismay) as it involves more challenging thought processes and gratification when complete.

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"Design w/Conscience is a program to manufacture and produce products in accordance with humanitarian and environmentally friendly principles, founded by Artecnica in 2002".

TranSglass is a series of glassware, crafted by Guatemalan artisans, from post consumer wine bottles. Designed by Emma Woffenden and Tord Boontje, the bottles are perfectly cut and polished into functional glass sculptures.

They are the perfect solution to an ongoing glass recycling problem, where a large amount of energy is used in the recycling process. These up-cycled designs use far less energy and support craftsman around the world in the process - you can't get much more sustainable than that.

TranSglass is part of the permanent collection at MoMA, New York and available for purchase via Artecnica's website, along with design shops worldwide.

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Nestled in an old ruin, this new building at the creative campus at Snape Maltings in Suffolk, blends perfectly without trying to be something it isn't.

In a push to repurpose ruins in Europe, Haworth Thomkins has done an exceptional job in ensuring the history of these ruins are retained.

The oxidised steel shell was prefabricated and craned into position to ensure the ruins weren't disturbed during construction. The shape of the new shell reflects the Victorian era industrial buildings that form the campus. The interior was then lined in eco-ply with minimal internal walls to create a multi-purpose space for workshops, performances and exhibitions.

The original ruin had minimal structural work undertaken, to ensure loose brickwork was repaired, but essentially remains "untouched".

This building forms part of the "Re-Cycle: Strategies for Architecture, City and Planet" exhibition at MAXXI in Rome until 29 April 2012.

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Refined Mid-Century Restoration

This mid-century home in the US has been restored to perfection by design firm Bassamfellows (headed by Australian born architect Craig Bassam and business partner Scott Fellows).

Having had many of the original features discarded in previous renovations, the restoration saw them reinstated and enhanced with well crafted joinery detailing. 

Timeless designer pieces adorn the home, along with Bassamfellows bespoke mid-century inspired furniture (I do really, really love those stools).

In a stunning natural setting, this home is one I wish I could just pick up and relocate here (it does kinda remind me of Heidi Gallery with its double height windows). We really don't have enough well designed mid-century houses here in Australia with quite the same appeal. (Note to self..... must make sure I don't disregard Australian design and post an Australian feature soon.... at least this post features an Australian designer though...)

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Well I know that industrial furniture is everywhere at the moment (it still manages to sell super quick when we stock it), but this little Italian 1 person studio takes the industrial upcycled furniture to a different level.

I've never been into the fake old industrial look but when things are repurposed and given a new life as a beautiful piece it can look simply amazing.....

I really almost exploded with excitement when I saw this desk with its little pockets for storing things that simply folds down to make a dining table (gotta love dual purpose design!!!).

Just amazing and very inspirational ~ really gets the creative cogs moving in overtime....

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So difficult to choose a first post.....

I thought, should I introduce myself and what this whole blog is about, or should I start from the very beginning and show what inspired me to love sustainable architecture, or should I simply just show one of my latest favourite finds????

I decided to go with option 3 as it means that each post is fresh and current (and it would really be a fairly long and boring story for the first two which you can read in the "about" page anyway). Also, my opinions and choices may not be the same as they were when this whole fascination started around 20 years ago..... (kinda giving away that I'm not the typical mid-20s blogger).

I've decided to start with a modern Scandinavian home that I came across recently. I love it simplicity and the fact that the building is designed as a functional shell that doesn't try to be more than it is....

Wedged between historical buildings this crisp and clean building, designed by architecture firm Elding Oscarson, showcases the contrast of style and technology between the old and the new with slab concrete and steel design.

Large windows supply light and heat (double glazed so the heat doesn't escape in cooler months) while the concrete provides thermal mass (although not the most sustainable material in manufacturing though). The use of ready made steel grating as vertical screens adds detail and a lightness to the building.

Classic mid-century furniture pieces add warmth..... Second-hand furniture being, of course, one of the most sustainable ways of injecting character and history to a modern home.