Design^Sprout | Your Guide to Green Design

Stackable, Tetris Refrigerators Save the Planet (and your friendships)

   Tired of your roommate's two-month old spaghetti growing new spaghetti? Stefan Buchberger, a design student at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, knew this feeling all to well so, to fill a dire dorm room need, designed the Flatshare Fridge.  These colorful, stackable units allow each person in your household to have their own personal refrigerator space. Because the individual blocks are much smaller than a traditional fridge they use less electricity to cool and allow less air to escape each time you open the door.
Gold star Stefan. (source: Inhabitat)

BMW's Mini Chameleon – World’s First Color Changing Car!

   Called the MINI Chameleon, this innovative design from BMW actually changes color according to weather conditions. On a rainy day, the car’s paint brightens to improve visibility while on a sunny day, it lightens to reflect heat and cool down the vehicle. No CO2 emitting, AC blast necessary!

   The color-morphing technology was made possible due to a special treatment called FeintPaint by Spanish company Payola Forlids. The paint comprises tiny magnetic iron oxide particles which can interact with a low grade magnetic field to change the spacing of the particles, and hence its ability to reflect light and change color.

   The color changes take effect in seconds, and should be quite a sight to behold! Unless of course, you live in San Francisco (aka MINI-land) where I imagine attempting to find you ever-changing car amidst a sea of look-a-likes would pose a real challenge.

Eco-Nazis - Coming Soon to a House Near You

   We all know we should be recycling but what about using the dryer, eating fast food or (heaven forbid!) leaving the television plugged in? The answers to these modern-day questions are just the things our kids are soaking up like sponges and wringing out all over us when we least expect it.

    "Children are part of what experts say is a growing army of “eco-kids” — steeped in environmentalism at school, in houses of worship, through scouting and even via popular culture — who try to hold their parents accountable at home" says the New York Times.  "Amid their pride in their children’s zeal for all things green, the grown-ups sometimes end up feeling like scofflaws under the watchful eye of the pint-size eco-police, whose demands grow ever greater, and more expensive."  Read more from this New York Times article.

     Ah, from the mouths of babes.

Dog Art That Won't Make Your Friends Gag (hopefully)

   Have you officially crossed the line into freakdom when you begin purchasing art primarily because it bears an image of your dog? Nevermind, don't answer that.

   These handmade collages by artist Stephen Fowler of Gemini Studio score points for great, vintagey design and points for melting my freaky, dog-loving little heart. Crafted from antique paper, newsprint and other found materials they're a perfect blend of kitschy and hip.

 

Trash is the New Black

   Someone once said to me, "One team's bench player is another team's starting quarterback." So when I saw this fabulous furniture, made entirely from the piles of packaging materials we discard every year, I kicked myself for ever wasting such a valuable player.  Elegant and architectural, these scrap lights (above) from Graypants are made from the selvedge edge of cardboard. I love how the texture of the selvedge diffuses the light so beautifully.

   They also do wondrous things with discarded shipping pallets.  The chair (above) and side table (below) are sleek, functional and 100% recycled. A true testament to the power of creativity. Game on.

PO.P Announces Clothing Winner!

Congratulations Kenna's Mommy! You are the winner of a super cute, indestructible Polarn O. Pyret outfit. Please e-mail me with your mailing address.

Thanks to everyone who entered! More contests to come and if you "just can't wait!" P.OP is having a 50% off sale! Check out eco-fab fashion for mom and baby here.