Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Low-Impact Sustainable Homes for Families in Remote Places

Posted: 23 Oct 2013 10:00 AM PDT

borealis modular homes alberta canada

No matter how you feel about the energy, forestry and mining industries that have taken up residence in Canada, the fact is that those industries are firmly entrenched in Alberta. The housing market has shifted considerably since this rush, with housing prices going up and housing becoming far more scarce. A team of students at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University have joined forces to find a simple but effective solution to this situation.

modular sustainable home alberta

kitchen borealis modular home

They came up with Borealis, a sustainable pre-fab home that can be transported anywhere, even to remote locations, and assembled on the spot. The homes aren’t luxurious by any standard, but they are strong enough to withstand harsh Canadian winters comfortably. The main part of the home – the middle module – contains a kitchen, bathroom, and dining area. The additional modules on either side contain an office, a living area and bedrooms.

living wall sustainable borealis modular home

alberta canada modular borealis homes

The sustainable part of the design comes from the 10 kw rooftop photovoltaic array and an interior air purifying green wall. Outside, the units are meant to mimic and complement the surrounding natural beauty of the area.

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Pencil Box Light: Little Desk Lamp Contains Creative Surprise

Posted: 22 Oct 2013 04:00 PM PDT

pencil lamp

Got a bright idea? Then it might be time to flip open your lamp and grab a pencil or pen, both of which actions dovetail nicely in this wooden desktop light design.

pencil wood metal light

The Pencil Light by Caroline Olsson (images by Kaja Bruskeland) is quintessentially Norwegian: simple, clever, multi-functional and, well, made of wood never hurts either.

pencil box lamp

A clean metal mechanism allow for easy opening and swiveling. It seems only slightly awkward that the wire protrudes from the top when the box is closed, but perhaps it is a bit like a string on top of a present, encouraging you to tug it open (proverbially, not practically).