Tag Archives: sustainable material

This compass-protractor stationery redesign reduces eye and hand strain while measuring

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Right now everyone is looking for some sort of a guide – a tv guide, a medical guide, a moral guide, and probably even a literal guide like a compass. Since quarantine feels like running in circles might as well draw some perfect ones! Compass is also known as a rounder and this uniquely designed one called CARBU is definitely an all-rounder in the stationary design game.

CARBU is a compass and a protractor – so if you are a student or a designer, you know exactly how convenient it is to have tools that serve more than one purpose. The user can make multiple circles without measuring the distance of the opening of the legs with a ruler. The slim legs of the compass on the inside are clogged with discs that are integrated with low-power magnets for smooth movements. The compass has a 2 disc system for accuracy – the inner one disc shows the measurement in a 0.2cm interval and this is amplified with a second disc that magnifies it for ease of viewing. The inner transparent case has two options – you can measure with degrees (for angles and arcs) and also without degrees for simpler things. The second transparent case that has a magnifying glass shows the distance between the two legs of the compass precisely. The discs also tell you if you are in compass mode or protractor mode.

There is a window on the top of the circular disc that shows the distance/radius of the circle to the user directly as they move the compass legs. Ergonomically designed, this window lets you measure and draw without bending or using a scale to read the measurements. I mentioned moral guide earlier and this compass seems to have one of its own – it is built using materials that are recommended for sustainability. CABRU is made from a mixture of bio-plastic and activated carbon which increases the durability of the tool while keeping it light in weight. No strain on your eyes, no strain on your wrists, and no strain on the environment.

Designer: Michael Dimou

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These sustainable skateboards are handcrafted to be unique for every owner

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Even though the only place you can skateboard to right now is the grocery store, we can all still look forward to a nice summer day when we will be able to hit the streets again…of course, still staying 6 feet away. While admiring my board that is now resting under the couch, I came across the Rustek skateboards and longboards which got me all excited about the future summer day. If you skateboard, you are always on the lookout for a cooler, newer board, and Rustek’s latest ones are exactly what a responsible outdoor enthusiast should have!

The Rustek team prides itself on hand-selecting the highest quality natural materials which are then shaped into an aesthetic, durable, and superior board by experienced craftsmen. Since natural materials are used, each Rustek board is one-of-its-kind which adds to the appeal and the general persona of skateboarders which always stands out from the crowd – now you have a board to reflect it! The brand ethos and product design is clearly inspired by nature and is showcased in their commitment to the environment, they only use FSC certified sustainably sourced wood and responsibly sourced textiles.

From their versatile range, I love the Tesselate Longboard – it features a drop through truck that mounts for easy pushing, smooth commuting, and intuitive response. The footbeds coupled with medium flex provide extra stability, control, and a bump-free ride. My other favorite is the Burnside Hybrid Skateboard because it is the classic concept of an all-star shred-everything deck. Hop, drop and cut curbs around town, this board can do it all with you. I know exactly what I am doing post quarantine – sharpening my skills as a sustainable skateboarder!

Designer: Rustek

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This $172,000 sustainable luxury boat is on our summer wish list

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I am sure we are all dreaming about summer and places we would rather be at. It would be amazing if we could just get on a boat and go on an ocean adventure around the world, but since we all have to play our part in flattening the curve, the best we can do is stay indoors and look at beautiful boats like the Leisure 28. Digital getaways are fun too, so now let me show you around this sustainable luxury boat!

Leisure 28 is a sleek electric boat designed by Rand Boats, a Danish company committed to using sustainable design and innovative technology for giving you the best experience out on the water. This boat is built on the pillars of modern Scandinavian design and has powerful electric propulsion (so no motor noise or fuel smell!) with a maximum speed of 45 mph that can run for two hours without a recharge. Its hull design helps in making it ultralight and optimizes the performance effortlessly. Leisure 28 is made of a mix of recycled plastics and bio-based hybrids which makes it environmentally friendly.

The luxury boat has been crafted keeping in mind the social interactions during summers and making most of the space without turning into a cruise ship. It has a cabin with a queen-sized bed and an adjustable 12 seater table that turns into a king-size sundeck when lowered. There is an exclusive kitchen & bar space, and when the time is right for us to all be together again that is where we are going to hang out. If you are wondering about a bathroom, yes, there is one and I am also surprised how much Leisure 28 can hold for its size.

Rand Boats are proud of making something that is first and foremost a highly functional design, so whether you are high-speed cruising or riding big ocean waves, Leisure 28 will ensure a smooth sailing experience. Let’s continue dreaming about this minimal, graceful, luxurious boat we all need…and can have for USD 172,000.

Designer: Rand Boats

 

NASA plans to use mushrooms to build sustainable housing on Mars like this one!

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Let’s accept it – climate change is the biggest design problem of our lifetime. It doesn’t matter what industry you are in, every brand from fashion to mental health and even construction is incorporating sustainable solutions in their work. In fact, a recent exhibition in Somerset, London was dedicated entirely to “the remarkable mushroom” showcasing its versatility. I am curious how mushrooms are used for construction given that that particular industry contributes to 39% of the world’s carbon footprint and we know a fun-guy (get it?!) who might have a solution.

The construction industry emits 4 times more CO2 than the aviation industry and that is enough proof they must focus on ecodesign to reduce their colossal impact especially when sustainable materials, like mycelium composites, already exist! This material is created by growing mycelium–the thread-like main body of a fungus–of certain mushroom-producing fungi on agricultural wastes. The mycelia are composed of a network of filaments called “hyphae,” which are natural binders and they also are self-adhesive to the surface they grow on. The entire process is based on biological elements that also help in upcycling waste and reducing dependency on toxic fossil fuels. Mycelium composite manufacturing can also be a catalyst in developing new bioindustries in rural areas, generating sustainable economic growth while creating new jobs.

This mushroom material is biodegradable, sustainable and a low-cost alternative to construction materials while also possessing thermal and fire-resistant properties. The Living has designed an organic 42 feet tall mycelium tower to show the potential of using mushrooms for stable structures which is just one of many such projects. Mycelium materials are also being tested for being acoustic absorber, packaging materials, and building insulation. Even NASA is currently researching using mycelium to build sustainable habitable dwellings on Mars – if we have to move into a mushroom house, might as well test it on Earth first, right? The construction industry has to act now if they want to build in/a future.

Designer: The Living

Cement alone is responsible for a massive 8% of global CO₂ emissions and the construction industry has to start using alternative materials to transition smoothly into a more sustainable future.

Energy used to heat, cool, and light buildings account for 28% of these emissions while the remaining 11% of buildings’ carbon emissions consist of those associated with construction and building materials.

Mycelium composite is formed when “mycelia” digest the nutrients from agricultural waste and bonds to the surface of the waste material by also serving as a natural self-assembling glue.

The materials are low-density, and therefore very light when compared to other construction materials while still being able to provide structural stability as shown in various architectural projects.