Art Stable

Art Stable, by Olson Kundig Architects, was built on the site of a former horse stable in Seattle. It's a seven story, mixed-use building filled with adaptable live/work units.

The way I understand it, there is a crane attached to the alley facing side of the building to move oversized objects in and out of the building; while on the street side there are large hinged windows that open up to provide natural ventilation. 

Let's take a moment and fantasize about being a painter or maybe a sculptor living in one of these spaces. Beethoven blaring, paint stuck to your face, fumes getting you a little high before you remember to open your giant window, really attractive friends stopping by with a bottle of wine... Oh the life...

What makes this place cooler (or hotter) is the geothermal heating system. This is one of the first times this type of geothermal system has been used in the USA. The pump system runs through the structural pilings in the buildings foundation, deep down into the ground where it's nice and toasty. 

top photo: point32

 lower: Benjamin Benschneider

The Prince's Kitchen

Okay, this isn't technically the Prince's kitchen. I doubt he goes in his kitchen that often anyway. However, while I was looking at kitchen cabinets painted in more than one color, I discovered something I thought was fun and interesting. Turns out Prince Charles is a huge advocate for sustainable housing. He founded the Princes Foundation for Building Community, and recently paired with Plain English (a kitchen maker) to build an eco-friendly house model.

What I think is the coolest is that he is passionate about getting these designs to the people. He asked them to come up with lower priced solutions for "discerning folk of modest means."

I think this kitchen is bad ass. It's simple, clean, and a little bit country. Well done Britian. 

via: remodelista

Life Factory Water Bottle

 

Have I posted about life factory water bottles before? Excuse my forgetful mind if I have.

I own the bottle pictured above and I am crazy about it. It's refreshing to know that you are drinking out of a sensibly designed, eco-friendly bottle that is free of BPA, phthalates, and PVC. Plus, it never smells! You know how water bottles start to get that funky smell if the water sits in there for a little bit or you don't wash it every single day? Well not this one! I am not saying I don't wash my water bottle, I give it a rinse every time I use it, but I can also drink water that has been in there for a day or two without gagging.

You also might be thinking "well, it's glass, it seems like it would break easily.." I have dropped my bottle so many times, even from a height of five feet, and it still looks beautiful. 

Anyways, I just love mine. Their baby bottles and teethers are great too.

Rolling Huts

 

Rolling Huts in Mazama Washington, were designed by Olson Kundig Architects in response to the owners need for guest housing.
"The huts sit lightly on the site, a flood plain meadow in an alpine river valley. The owner purchased the site, formerly a RV campground, with the aim of allowing the landscape return to its natural state. The wheels lift the structures above the meadow, providing an unobstructed view into nature and the prospect of the surrounding mountains."

Rental information for Rolling Huts.

 

DIRTT

 

DIRTT Walls eliminate the aesthetic, performance and integration compromises design professionals face when considering modular, prefab, demountable partitions for commercial office, healthcare or school interiors. via

As the name implies, they think it is time for doing it right. Their products use less material, create less waste and provide more function and aesthetics, giving customers a long-lasting tool to adapt to their needs as they grow and change.

You can use these walls residentially too. They are acoustically rated (just like a traditional wall) and you have the flexibility to change your living environment as your life changes. Maybe you have more kids, or want to create an office or breakfast nook. Maybe you have a wall of windows and want to change it out for a solid wall. Wasteful tear down of gypsum wall board is no longer needed!

LEED Home

Designed by architect Frits de Vries, this single-family residence in Vancouver is the first LEED Platinum home certified in Western Canada.

What makes it LEED Platinum you ask??

Roof Top Gardens, Efficient Building Envelope, Triple Glazed High Performance Windows, Energy Efficient Appliances, Sustainable Materials, Rainwater Collection for Landscape, Permeable Driveway System (water can seep through to the ground below), Drought Tolerant Planting, Solar Tubes, In Floor Radiant Heat, High Efficiency Condensing Boiler, Cross Ventilation, High Performance Air and Water Pump, Roof Overhangs (create shade in summer and let light in in the winter).

Phew!