Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

House of Connected White Boxes Fits Between the Trees

Posted: 14 Dec 2013 08:00 AM PST

Box House Between the Trees 1

A beautiful forested building site prompted a creative solution for the design of a new modern residence: a series of interconnected boxes that weave around the existing mature trees. Architecture firm FRPO built the wooden house, located near Madrid, with angled walls and open outdoor spaces so the trees become an architectural element in and of themselves.

Box House Between the Trees 2

This could potentially lead to interiors that feel disjointed, but a taller central volume with a spiral staircase ascending to the upper floors serves as the heart of the home with corridors leading off to the master bedroom and kids’ rooms at one end, and the kitchen, dining area and living room at the other.

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The high variety of angles in the joints of the home could have had a negative impact on its energy performance, so the architects chose light, thermally favorable materials like cross-laminated wood panels to boost insulation without adding too much weight.

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The result is ‘wood in the woods,’ a residence that feels grounded in its natural setting and sheltered within the branches of the trees, yet maintaining a light footprint.

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Buy One, Give One: Biodegradable Altruistic Toothbrush

Posted: 13 Dec 2013 02:00 PM PST

bamboo biodegradable toothbrush

Bogobrush is an entirely biodegradable toothbrush made of bamboo and nylon, none of which will end up in the landfill. The company’s philosophy is similar to that of shoe company Tom’s: for every Bogobrush purchased, a second is sent to someone in need.

bogobrush

The design team of brother and sister John and Heather McDougall grew up as the children of a dentist. They decided to reinvent the toothbrush and bring the plight of the environment into the public’s view.

biodegradable toothbrush

The toothbrushes are available for purchase, either individually or on a yearly subscription plan. Knowing that every purchase benefits both the environment and a person in need makes it easier to shell out a few bucks every six months for a new toothbrush.