Here’s a great solution to the NIMBYism that building new transmission dredges up, commissioned by Landsnet, a public company that owns and runs the electrical transmission system in Iceland. Elegant transmission pylons that look like Art. “Like the statues of Easter Island, it is envisioned that these one hundred and fifty foot tall, modern caryatids will take on a quiet authority, belonging to their landscape yet serving the people, silently transporting electricity across all terrain, day and night, sunshine or snow.” The competition required that entries give specific consideration to the visual impact of the pylons, especially near urban areas and also in the wilderness. The pylons had to be able to use identical construction technologies, enabling mass production using a library of pre-assembled parts. These would be as mass-produceable as any pylons now made. Yet small variations among these tall imposing and iconic figures will give them uniquely human attributes. Some would seem to be glancing at each other as they pass. Ones near cities will bow down considerately, (while still being within the specs for safe pylons, of course.) Click here to learn more.
The honorable mention entry, halfway between Art and Science, Land of Giants, designed by Choi+Shine Architects, is typical of the future oriented, optimistic style of the firm.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Land of Giants Wins Award, But No Build Date
Friday, January 7, 2011
Green Remodeling with Eco Friendly Paint
Here's a great tip for remodeling your home and staying green at the same time:
Looking for a way to make your house beautiful? There are many ways to update an old home, but whether you’re tearing down walls or just adding a little color, one thing you’ll definitely need is paint. Virtually hundreds of paint choices fill the shelves of your local hardware store, so selecting a healthy, dependable, and eco friendly paint can take a bit of time, unless . . . you are equipped with the knowledge of a few key qualities that set eco paints apart from the rest. Before we dip our brushes into that bucket, let’s look at some reasons why run-of-the-mill paint can be hazardous to our health and to the environment. According to the EPA, the concentration of pollutants inside your home is several times higher than what you’ll find outside, due to the lack of ventilation in rooms compared to the open spaciousness of the great outdoors. Without proper ventilation, airborne chemicals collect indoors and eventually cause damage to our bodies. Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, asthma, cancer, and heart disease are all potential side effects of indoor air pollution. Although the contamination cannot be attributed to any single source, paint and paint-related chemicals play a significant role inside a typical home. Potential Hazards of Paint
Click here to learn more.