Design 21: Social Design Network

Original Feature: June 14 2008.

In the heart of South African city Johannesburg, a green focused community is transforming one urban park into a seedbed for sustainable living.

Directed by Dorah Lebelo, The GreenHouse Project takes a holistic approach to integrating green building and design, efficient and renewable energy, recycling and organic farming into the city’s mindset. The Global Oneness Project recently interviewed Dorah to find out her motivations and intentions for this fantastic sustainable initiative.

Located in the northwest corner of Joubert Park, Johannesburg, The GreenHouse Project is an environmental NGO demonstrating sustainable living and development. In the Global Oneness Project video interview, Dorah explains how the five-pronged project approaches sustainability, by utilizing the skills of rural South African people and describes how this urban environment has everything it needs to sustain its community, without demanding more from further afield.

• The Global Oneness Project
• The Berkana Institute
• Leader Network: Dorah Lebelo

Original post: Inhabitat 27 November 2007

The holidays are about giving, so this year give a little something back to the planet while you are giving gifts with a little help from Inhabitat’s Green Gift Guide!

Featuring over 100 green gift ideas this year, we’ve got you covered for all your loved ones - your tots, spouses, siblings, parents, gadget-lovers, and officemates alike. All your holiday shopping can be done in a few clicks with stylish, beautifully designed green gift ideas in the following categories: Stocking Stuffers, Green Gifts Under $50, Green Gadgets, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Kids, Knit Gifts, and Gifts That Give Back.

Original Post: Inhabitat 15 Nov 2007

For anyone with a taste for motorcycles and retro product design styling, here’s the perfect lighting solution. Recycled from old motorcycle parts (and the occasional household appliance), Lamponi Lamps are designed and constructed by Milan born artist Maurizio Lamponi Leopardi, bringing sleek speedy and recycled design to your tabletop.

Original Post: Inhabitat 13 Nov 2007

Andrew Gregg’s Bike Furniture proves that two wheels are better than four even when they’re not spinning. An amateur cyclist, professional bike mechanic and sports photographer, Gregg repurposes steel and aluminum bicycle rims, handlebars and frames into edgy, modern furniture.

Original Post: Inhabitat 13 Nov 2007

While public transportation is a great green urban option, the “last mile” problem is a real shortcoming- referring to the conundrum of the extra distance from your bus or train stop to your doorstep (while this may seem trivial to some, Midwestern commuters can attest to the annoyance of this problem). The folks at MIT think that they may have a solution to that problem: The City Car, a stackable electric two-passenger city vehicle, would combine the best features of mass transit, car-sharing, and personal vehicles in a high-density, high-convenience system.

Original Post: Inhabitat 05 Nov 2007

Solar Cynergy’s new line of solar LED lights is an eco-friendly, reliable and smart alternative to traditional street lights and home garden lights. Run entirely on solar energy, there’s no battery or complicated wiring involved, simply place the unit in a sunlit area and you can use the sun’s rays to light up anything from your front yard and drive way to dangerous intersections and crosswalks.

Original Post: Inhabitat 01 November 2007

With thanks to Ariana over at Inhabitat for posting up this Alphabet of the Endangered Species poster! Designed by North London design and illustrator duo, Present&Correct the chart “aims to raise awareness of the flora and fauna in the UK and to do it in a fun way that is appealing to both children and adults.”

Original Post: Inhabitat 13 Oct 2007

Say goodbye to plastic cutlery and hello to SpudWare—cutlery made from 80% potato starch and 20% soy oil that’s just as heat resistant and every bit as strong as plastic cutlery. The kicker? It biodegrades in just 180 days! SpudWare can even be washed and reused, so you can eat your potatoes with potatoes for months to come. Read More >>

Original Post: Inhabitat 11 Oct 2007

Upcycling is a 21st century term, coined by Cradle to Cradle authors William McDonough and Michael Braungart, but the idea of turning waste into useful products came to life brilliantly in 1963 with the Heineken WOBO (world bottle). Envisioned by beer brewer Alfred Heineken and designed by Dutch architect John Habraken, the “brick that holds beer” was ahead of its ecodesign time, letting beer lovers and builders alike drink and design all in one sitting. Read More >>

Original Post: Inhabitat 09 Oct 2007

The Aptera (Greek for “wingless”) is an environmentally-friendly car that’s as clean and green as it is fantastically futuristic. The three-wheeled hybrid, which offers an all-electric or plug-in hybrid option, isn’t just a concept- you can reserve your own with just a $500 deposit. Seating 2.5 with plenty of room for luggage, the Aptera can get up to 230 miles per gallon at 55 miles per hour, and has an (electronically limited) top speed of 95 mph. Plus, it’s just so darn cool looking, we can’t resist the arthropod automobile aesthetic.

The two engine options are eco friendly- you can choose from an all-electric or plug-in hybrid version. The all-electric is powered exclusively with batteries, to last approximately 120 miles. At night you simply plug the Aptera into any standard 110 volt outlet and in just a few hours you will have a fully charged vehicle. The plug-in series hybrid is powered by an electric drive train, assisted by a fuel efficient gasoline powered generator, stretching the travel range significantly further. In typical driving you may achieve over 300 miles per gallon and you will have range far beyond any passenger vehicle available today.

The design of the Aptera includes all the standard features, including airbags, a rear view camera, GPS navigation, and a CD/MP3/DVD player. It also includes a RFID key fob to start the car, and a solar assisted climate control system. The approximate cost of the Aphera...