Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Towers Collect Drinking Water From Thin Air in Ethiopia

Posted: 16 Apr 2014 08:00 AM PDT

warka water collecting trees

In the mountainous regions of Ethiopia, finding drinkable water is a time-consuming and sometimes dangerous task. Women and children often walk for hours each day just to bring potable water home for their families. Even after the dangerous journey, the water they bring back is often contaminated and unsafe to drink. Vittori Lab has devised an ingenious way to make safe, potable water available without the long treks.

condensation gathering drinking water trees

condensation drinking water gathering tree

The Warka Water Towers were inspired by Ethiopia’s indigenous Warka tree, a type of fig tree that symbolizes fertility and generosity. Warka trees are disappearing from Ethiopia, but Warka Water Towers seek to honor those traditional gathering places by becoming the next generation of Ethiopian gathering spots.

warka water tree

warka water tree building

Standing almost 30 feet tall, the Warka Water Towers collect water from thin air using condensation-collecting cloth. Each tower can be assembled in just a few days by villagers using local materials, with no special skills needed. The lightweight structure can collect up to 100 liters – or just over 26 gallons – of safe drinking water each and every day. Making drinking water readily available can keep villagers safe and could make it possible for girls to attend school rather than spending full days gathering water.

Stunningly Simple LED Lamp Casts its Own Silhouette Shade

Posted: 15 Apr 2014 06:00 PM PDT

shade projecting lamp

This lamp from design studio YOY takes the concept of a table lamp or floor lamp and whittles it down to its most basic of parts. The lamp itself is simple an unassuming baton or pillar when off. It looks a bit like a lamp that someone has forgotten to screw a light bulb into.

lamp projects its own shade in light

But in the darker hours when the lamp is turned on, it is magically transformed into a functional light that makes its own shade. A hidden projector in the top of the lamp sends a shade-shaped light onto the nearest wall, creating what looks like an intriguing transparent shade.

yoy studios lamp that projects a light shade

Seen from the side, the optical illusion is revealed as nothing more than a patch of light coming from the lamp’s thin base.

light shade projecting lamp

The aluminum and plastic lamp, aptly named ‘Light’ by its designers, is a fun modern play on traditional lamps and their requisite shades.

Clever Child Carrier Makes Piggyback Rides Pain-Free + Safe

Posted: 15 Apr 2014 02:00 PM PDT

platform piggyback carrier

Every parent knows the piggyback phase – that special time when your little one begs to ride on your back at every opportunity. It gets tiring, though, and once a child is too old for a wearable carrier it’s tough to indulge their requests every time. The brilliant Piggyback Rider is a back carrier that lets an older child ride on your back while standing up.

piggyback platform carrier

Straps fit over the parent’s shoulders and hold a small platform across the small of the back. The little one puts his feet on the platform and his arms on mom or dad’s shoulders, getting a piggyback ride that’s more comfortable and safer for both.

piggyback rider

A second set of straps keep the child secured to his parent, so even if he happens to let go of the fabric handles with his hands he won’t fall to the ground. The carrier frees up the parent’s hands as well since they no longer need to be looped under junior’s legs to keep him from falling.

Besides being a novel idea that will save countless parents from backaches, the Piggyback Rider alleviates the need to haul around frustrating strollers. And to the kids who get to ride on them, they’re sure to become a fast favorite.

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