Design
This teenager built himself a fully functional robotic arm using Legos
To be resourceful is to be able to use the tools and resources at hand to overcome difficult problems. David Aguilar, a 19 year-old bioengineering of Barcelona, is the embodiment of a resourceful person. Born without a right forearm due to a rare genetic condition, Aguilar built himself a fully Read More...
Norwegian studio designs chair using old fish nets from local fisheries
At the Optimist Daily, we’re all about repurposing waste into something entirely new. However, while it’s awesome to make a product out of materials that would otherwise end up in the trash, that isn’t a guarantee that the product will be entirely useful or aesthetically pleasing. That’s Read More...
Bacteria is helping create unconventional, yet sustainable building materials
If we want to start building more sustainably, we have to think beyond traditional building materials such as brick, wood, glass, and concrete. At least, that's the way two European designers are thinking after creating a self-supporting column out of knitted fibers. While a knitted structure would Read More...
This nonprofit is tackling homelessness by turning school busses into homes
Oregon has one of the highest rates of homelessness amongst children, with more than 22,000 students lacking a proper home. That shocking statistic inspired a nonprofit to start converting retired school busses into fully functioning, attractive tiny houses on wheels for homeless children and their Read More...
The case for constructing more buildings using 'living' elements
Integrating the combination of biology and technology into our living spaces could help us develop a more sustainable relationship with our natural environment. With more biomaterials emerging at the horizon, integrating them with smart gadgetry could reshape our living spaces into healthier and Read More...
The urban planning of global cities is looking more futuristic than ever
Integrating state-of-the art technology into urban development, countries like Qatar, India, and Malaysia are building futuristic cities which look like they’re out of a science fiction movie. Technologies that once seemed impossible, like driverless cars and drone taxis, are now popping up in Read More...
The Dutch engineer who wants to build cities that heal us, not hurt us
Why do the cities we build damage our health? This is the question posed by Daan Roosegaarde, a Dutch designer who is on a mission to intertwine our cities with human values such as clean air, clean water, and clean energy. Have a look here to see Roosegaarde is pushing to make humanity “future Read More...
Why we should start constructing more buildings with high fiber materials
You may have heard that eating more fiber is a great way to improve your health, but did you know that constructing buildings with a lot of fiber can be good for our planet’s health? According to a new report, high fiber buildings are beneficial for the environment because they significantly Read More...
Danish home champions wood over concrete for lower carbon emissions
Danish architecture firm Tegnestuen LOKAL recently completed TK-33, a modern and energy-efficient home that promotes building materials considered more sustainable than those typically used in Danish residential construction. To reduce the carbon footprint of the project, the architects designed Read More...
The future of cities, according to groundbreaking designer Daan Roosegaarde
For the last five years, Daan Roosegaarde has been working on landscapes of the future. He’s making dance floors which produce electricity when you dance on them, and bicycle paths which are charged by the sun and glow at night. Now he’s on a mission to make the world smog-free through the Read More...