Eucalyptus is a very inexpensive hardwood and is comparable to teak or cherry in its strength and durability. Eucalyptus, however, grows quickly and can be sustainably harvested on plantations. Its density, straight grain, smooth finish, and honey color make it an excellent choice for flooring and outdoor furniture. Creative Woodwork International makes folding, transforming, outdoor… [Continue Reading]
Translucent Eco-Resins
September 7, 2004 by 11 Comments
EcoResin™ by 3form is a specially formulated polyester resin which incoporates a 40% post-industrial recycled content (it meets the threshold for LEED credit). The resins allow natural elements, textures and colors to be embedded in the translucent material, creating a striking effect. The interlayers can be arranged into thousands of combinations. Customization is encouraged by… [Continue Reading]
Not Very Meta-Efficient: Plastics
July 30, 2004 by 5 Comments
Plastics are not very meta-efficient. They are toxic to all forms of life, they don’t biodegrade. Practically all the plastic that’s even been made still exists – either in landfills or in places like the ocean. There are other materials that can often substitute for plastic such as ceramics or rubber. Bioplastic is also become… [Continue Reading]
Baltix Furniture: “Eco-Buzz” Partitions
July 28, 2004 by Leave a Comment
Baltix makes office furniture out of materials such as sunflower hulls, wheat strands and recycled newspaper. Based in Minnesota, Baltix is positioned close to the source of the agricultural fiber they use, reducing energy used in transportation. The partition pictured above is built with sunflower board paneling. The hulls were previously burned as waste. Baltix… [Continue Reading]
Levy Design: Side Chair
July 28, 2004 by 1 Comment
This chair, designed by Josh Levy, and inspired by the earlier works of Frank Gehry, is constructed with recycled corrugated fiberboard. The surface is soft and brushed to feel like suede. Corrugated fiberboard consists of linerboard (the flat exterior) and flute (arched and sandwiched in between). When the two are adhered together, they resist bending… [Continue Reading]
Bamboo Flooring
July 28, 2004 by 4 Comments
Bamboo is inexpensive, looks great and is a renewable resource. Bamboo flooring is similar in appearance to hardwood but is even more durable in terms of scuffing, wear and expansion. The bamboo is harvested in plantations that take only 3-4 years to reach maturity. Although still not widely used, it is perhaps the most efficient… [Continue Reading]
Aerogel Production Methods Improved
July 28, 2004 by Leave a Comment
Aerogel is the world’s lightest solid, as listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It is 99.8% air and is made from substances such as silica, alumina, or zirconia. It has a porous and sponge-like structure; more than 99% of its volume is in open space. It has been nicknamed "blue smoke." It has many… [Continue Reading]
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