Dieter Rams standing next to a table full of his goods.

Rams’ inspiration was drawn from the functionalist school of industrial design which he translated to ‘Less, but better.’  His work was incredibly clean… minimal and timeless.  He stood for sustainable development decades ago, understanding that designers were accountable for creating virtually everything that ended up in landfills.  He stood for true functionalism, for anti-styling, anti-waste… back in the early 80’s he asked himself ‘is my design good design?’  The answer formed his now celebrated 10 commandments of design, which are as relevant today as ever before…. Here they are:

Good Design is Innovative // The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.

Good Design Makes a Product Useful // A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.

Good Design is Aesthetic // The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products we use every day affect our person and our well-being. But only well-executed objects can be beautiful.

Good Design Makes a Product Understandable // It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product talk. At best, it is self-explanatory.

Good Design is Unobtrusive // Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.

Good Design is Honest // It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.

Good Design is Long-Lasting // It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.

Good Design is Thorough, Down to the Last Detail // Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.

Good Design is Environmentally Friendly // Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimizes physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.

Good Design is as Little Design as Possible // Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials.

Back to purity, back to simplicity.

Dieter Rams’ work is undeniably timeless… many of his objects that were manufactured in the 60’s – 80’s look like they could have been made today.  And they certainly did have their influence… take a look at this spread of Braun vs. Apple products.

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I actually met with the internationally renowned Hybrid crew a couple weeks back at their studio in Seattle to discuss a potential different project (hopefully more details of this will be reportable in the future)… they were some cool cats and had a whole arsenal of innovative developments up their sleeves.  The majority of their concepts involved Cargotecture, a term they coined a couple years back to define the combination of architecture + cargo shipping containers.  To get in on some of this Cargotecture action for yourself, check out Hybrid’s site… they have some incredible examples of these containers used as homes, office complexes and even ski resorts… pretty savvy!

Back to the subject at hand… Their Remington Court project was site built, opposed to much of their work which is prefabricated in a warehouse.  The specific property that was developed had its constraints and a unique plan was conceived to have three identical townhomes face the street and gain passive-solar and ventilation techniques.  With a bit of extra property in the back, a detached single-family home was constructed, fully utilizing the space that was allotted…

Each of the three townhome units feature a plethora of eco-features.  Plenty of glass is incorporated, emitting natural light throughout interiors and warming the radiant concrete floors.  When the sun’s not out (pretty much October through March in Seattle), gas fired hydronic in floor heating systems take over.  The interior spaces are open, making each floor feel welcoming and comfortable.

As if these urban dwellings weren’t hip enough, vegetated rooftop patios were built on top of all four units, single-family included.  360 degree views are awarded to the lucky homeowners, who get to soak in the downtown skyline, Mt. Rainier and the Olympic mountain range on a clear day.

Another neat feature of the development is the long-term planning that went into its livability.  Most projects around the country are built solely with the short term needs of the client in mind, and that’s no good!  Hybrid recognized that zoning laws evolve over time and designed Remington Court to engage a higher density ratio.  In each of the three townhomes, a separate ground level entrance was built with the intention of having them be potential stand alone units.  The ground floors are pre-plumbed for kitchen installations and an MDF floorboard can be placed to plug the stairwell, fully isolating the lower unit from the upper… diggin’ the long term vision… now that’s sustainable!

Photos by Lara Swimmer

It seems like a gorgeous infill project like this is going up somewhere in the country on a weekly basis… exciting times to see so much quality design being produced.  Certainly makes my searching for projects to write about that much easier ; )

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mmmmm… I think I’m in love!

The Juvet was brought about by a collaboration between Norway’s National Tourist Routes Association, the architects at Jensen and Skodvin, and landowner Knut Slinning… The project was constructed with a budget of $1.28 million dollars and looks to make a lot of that money back during the high season of tourism, offering 5 day packages that include guided hikes, rock climbing, and river rafting adventures.

Each of the 10 unique buildings features a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, fully engaging occupants to the wilderness of the western Norwegian fjords….

Photo credits courtesy of JSA.

So yeah, I’m 75% Norwegian… pretty sure that the homeland is calling me!  Anyone up for a Scandinavian adventure?

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The mission of the project is to accomplish these goals:

• Art Accessibility
• Urban Beautification
• Environmental Awareness
• Color Therapy in Public Spaces
• An Exercise in Perception

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In addition to their flamboyant hues, the bags are 100% biodegradable and naturally scented to repel insects and vermin.  They have been used throughout New York City and in several countries around the world.  Custom colors can be ordered through the project’s website <HERE>

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Bringing vegetation into our built environment is great for several reasons… 1. Plants are beautiful and create dynamic design elements.  2. They are great air filters.  3. I can’t think of a 3 right now, but 1 and 2 are reason enough to get green in the literal sense!  To help us beatify and purify our homes is the Woolly Pocket Garden Company… they have an incredible line of planters that can be applied traditionally on a floor or defy gravity with wall clinging capabilities.

Pictured above is the Woolly Wally Five, over nine feet of lateral planting opportunity.  It features five 22″ wide pouches that can be lined for indoor use.  The Woolly Five sells for $143, which is a pretty incredible ratio of value vs. visual awesomeness.

If you’re not cool enough to put plants on your wall, you can pick up one of many traditional floor planters, like this Woolly Patch pictured above.  It costs $45 and like all other Whoollys is handmade here in the US of A from 100% recycled plastic bottles that have been industrially felted.  For interior uses, an optional liner made of 60% recycled plastics can be purchased with each product to protect furniture, record players, your Beanie Baby collection, etc.

Here’s a before and after application that might inspire you to get creative in your own home:

Pretty fresh, eh?  I certainly am enthused to snag a couple Pockets for my own abode.  Vertical gardens, or living walls, have been on my mind for a couple years and can now fit within my budget.

If the B & A shown above aren’t quite dramatic enough for you, check out this courtyard full of Woolly Pocket products!

What’s stopping you from creating your own little Garden of Eden, complete with a gaggle of naked 20 somethings?  Nothing now, my friends!  If you do create a courtyard as rockin’ as this… A. Please invite me over for an afternoon mimosa and B. Watch out for talking snakes!

photos via Woolly Pocket Garden Company.

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Dwell Magazine will implement green changes to its paper, ink, size and content starting next year.

Beginning with its February 2008 issue, Dwell will be printed on recycled-content paper and increase its use of soy-based inks. It will also reformat its size, changing its trim width from 9″ to 8.375″.

“These changes are completely in step with our driving philosophy that great design is sustainable design,” said Michela O’Connor Abrams, Dwell’s publisher and president. “Moving to recycled paper is the key to our redesign but taking advantage of the fact that sustainability has always been something Dwell has focused on, we are moving that dialogue forward which is essential to our growth as a publication.”

The changes to the magazine are expected to save about 930 trees per issue.

Dwell is also planning changes to its content, which already includes regular features on green homes. The content changes include an update to the Off the Grid section, which will have a deeper focus on systems that drive sustainable homes.

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The table is custom made for each client and features sustainably harvested Ash, Maple, Fir, Black Walnut or Cherry… and of course the stone comes custom as well.

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The BoGo Light features a solar panel that takes 8 hours to charge (and lasts 20 years) and will illuminate the BoGo Light 4-5 hours. Ummm…BoGo Light!

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pic from www.greenhomeguide.org/

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