A look into Piñatex, the alt-leather made from pineapple leaves
While working in the Philippines during the 1990s, Spanish leathergoods expert Dr. Carmen Hijosa grew horrified at the environmental impact of leather production. The problem for her was that she didn’t approve of petroleum-based alternatives either. In search of a better alternative, Hijosa Read More...
This eco-friendly Grow it Yourself Helmet is made from mycelium and hay
As designers are looking for ways to sever their ties with plastic, mycelium has been receiving increasing attention lately as a viable eco-friendly alternative. In fact, experts have been experimenting with the fungus-derived material for everything from construction materials and fashion to Read More...
These tiny parking lots infill homes are eco-friendly and affordable
We recently wrote about the potential to transform commercial spaces into affordable residential housing in California. Today, we share another innovative housing solution, this time from Sydney, Australia. Architect Brad Swartz is helping his neighbors turn underused parking spaces into cozy Read More...
Design studio turns crop field into dynamic light show to boost growth
The Netherlands is a relatively tiny country, which is why it may come as a surprise to you that the Netherlands is the second-largest producer of vegetables in the whole world. The central reason for this is that the Dutch have long been pioneers in using highly efficient farming techniques that Read More...
This is how lobsters are helping make 3D-printed concrete stronger
In recent years, 3D concrete printing has emerged as an attractive candidate to reimagine the construction industry — one of the biggest sources of environmental pollution in the world. But making concrete durable enough for building complex structures is still an obstacle. Seeking to overcome Read More...
Pink seesaws at US-Mexico border wins Design of the Year 2020
We all know how deeply politicized the US-Mexico border wall has been during the past four years, but for a brief moment of time, designers from architecture studio Rael San Fratello were able to foster a sense of unity at a section of the wall. This happened through a project called the Read More...
Japanese studio designs airless soccer ball for kids in impoverished areas
One of the beautiful aspects of the sport of soccer is that you only need a ball to play, but even that can be difficult to attain in impoverished countries. And even if a ball is acquired, the ball needs to be kept inflated and will eventually deteriorate, especially when used on a rough surface. Read More...
These sleek sneakers are made from mushroom-derived leather
With giant brands like Adidas and Stella McCartney embracing the incredible potential of mycelium to replace animal-derived leather, it seems fungi will play a huge role in transitioning the fashion industry towards greener production practices. With that being said, it’s good to see that it’s Read More...
New York’s popular park High Line will expand to improve pedestrian access
For more than a decade the High Line project — which transformed a run-down railway track into an elevated park in the lower Manhattan — has been a symbol of creative urban renewal, showing how the city can find refreshing ways to reimagine decaying spaces. Now, the popular park is slated to Read More...
New solar windows allow more light to pass through than ever before
Over the years, we’ve written a number of stories about the potential of solar windows that could convert light into energy. The technology, however, has yet to take off. The main problem is that the solar windows created thus far have been too opaque, failing to allow much light to come Read More...