Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Eco-Housing Plan Has Humans Moving Into Forest Trees

Posted: 27 Nov 2013 08:00 AM PST

tree homes solar powered earth friendly

Denmark-based architect Konrad Wójcik is on a mission to remind humans just how much we have changed the natural world. With urban sprawl and a global population explosion, we have deforested much of the planet and left it a mess. He believes that the only way to cure this is for humans to get back to nature and let the planet heal itself.

recyclable eco-friendly tree houses

His proposal is called Primeval Symbiosis. It consists of small homes which look and behave like trees. Solar panels cover the tops and sides of the pyramid-shaped structures, drawing energy from the sun just as trees do.

forest tree homes

The homes gather water from the environment and turn humans’ waste into fertilizer to nourish the forest around them. The architect’s vision includes placing groups of the homes in forests. Each would be far enough away from its neighbors to afford some privacy, but not so far apart that they can’t be considered a community.

tree shaped solar powered home

Each of the tree-like homes is supported by a single point, the end of which is anchored in the ground for stability. The small space beneath the “canopy” of the home is meant to house cars and bikes.

primeval symbiosis glowing forest homes

When one of the homes is no longer usable, it again behaves like a tree: its death allows other things to survive. The homes are 100% cradle-to-cradle recyclable, meaning that every part of the structure can be not only recycled, but made into other things. Just like in nature, the circle of life defines this fascinating tree home concept.


    

Caveman Cutlery: Knife, Fork & Spoon Set Looks Prehistoric

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 08:00 PM PST

stone age cutlery

Streamlined shapes may seem refined but they are also easy – this series shows off the difficult task of forming more complex implements that look organic, unique and ultimately both modern and ancient at the same time.

stone cutlery back side

stone inspired set

Nendo teamed up with metalworkers from Kobayashi Kogyo to create this tableware set inspired by cave-era tools and roughly-hewn weapons of humanity’s distant past.

stone closeup

stone fork knife

stone black white overlay

Each piece is smooth and shiny where it is made to be held, but rough and textured to make it look as if someone had manually carved or scraped away inside an otherwise-smooth starting object (like a river-worn rock).


    

Loopy: Roller Coaster Ramp Connects Pair of Picnic Tables

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 02:00 PM PST

looping bench

Both ends of the design work as any other picnic table with built-in benches would, providing seating for a family enjoying the fresh air on the roof of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin.

looping picnic

Michael Beitz (via Colossal) is the artist behind the idea to put something clever in between, using specialized construction techniques and plywood to make a roller coaster-like arc to wrap up into the sky and join the two table on the deck below.

looping table

looping furniture

Beitz is a master of turning (and twisting) ordinary furniture objects into through-provoking and interactive installations, but this one is both particularly bold and playful and seems like especially-suitable seating for a museum setting.


    

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