Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Beauty of Simplicity: Four Walls, One Roof, Stunning Home

Posted: 22 May 2013 10:00 AM PDT

This Portuguese house in the town of Leiria, designed by Manuel Aries Mateus, stands tall and solid, looking rather a lot like the pictures of houses that children draw.

It is simple and unadorned, relying instead on its minimalism to impress. It is almost as if someone described a house – four walls and a pointed roof – and it was brought to life in this little town.

There are no conventional windows as you might find in almost any other home. Instead, the home has a gigantic, barn door-sized opening in the front.

A cutout in the ceiling of the main structure allows in natural light that is more than adequate to illuminate the home. Part of the home resides underground, featuring cutout windows in the ground to let light flood the subterranean chambers.

The home, at first glance, may look harshly minimal. But the warm glow that fills it in the daytime from the sun is reflected in the warm light that shines outward after dark, making it seem like a cozy, comfortable place to be.

Keep Going - Check Out These Great Related Dornob Articles:

Mountain Abode: Rural Chinese Home Radiates Simplicity

Super Modern Passive Solar House With Bright Glass Walls

Puzzle Property: How to Build a Home Without Inside Walls

Winter Home Roof Sloped for Snow Like an Avalanche Shed

Tasty Utensils: Edible Spoon for Sustainable Consumption

Posted: 21 May 2013 04:00 PM PDT

Finish eating your soup and save the best bite for last: the one where you chomp right into the utensil you are using to scoop it up.

We have silverware for eating at home (though even that requires washing) and plastic tableware for events and travel, but this solution is environmentally friendly in either context. TriangleTree proposes three flavors of this edible design – plain, spicy or sweet – to match various meals as needed.

“The Eco-spoon removes the need for non-biodegradable disposable plastic spoons.It is 100% natural, made entirely of corn. It is 100% biodegradable. And 100% edible. And 100% good for you and the environment …. It's tasty, it's healthy, it's convenient, and it promotes a cleaner tomorrow. The spoons could be purchased in supermarkets for home use. They could also be served alongside appetizers and meals at restaurants.”

The only real question (aside from the taste itself) is one of consistency and absorbency – strike the right balance and your soup would hopefully not soften the spoon too soon, but would soak in the flavors for that final bite.