Archive for May, 2009
The Nautilus: An Organic Habitat by Javier Senosiain
This fascinating structure was designed and developed by organic architect Javier Senosiain. The Nautilus home was built in Naucalpan, Mexico almost three years ago in 2006. As one can imagine, there were quite a few issues with this type of design. The structure had to undergo numerous changes before the right measurements to safely begin construction were found.
The interior of the structure was designed to create a sense of harmony and flow as one travels through the rooms in the home. The ground floor room is a sitting area surrounded by different types of flora. The rooms become more private as one ascends the spiral staircase. The designer intended to give one the impression of floating over the vegetation on the lower ground floor.
I do believe Mr. Senosiain accomplished his goal. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw images of this home. I think I’ve found my dream home. I’ve always wanted an indoor garden like this. There are simply so many things Mr. Senosiain has gotten right for me with this design. I truly adore The Nautilus home. The only thing I would change is the size. The structure seems to be mansions size, and I would love something like this in a “tiny home” version. I don’t know if it is even possible, but I have a starting point.
Images via Javier Senosiain
10 Very Clever Logo Designs
It’s logo time again. I absolutely adore clever logo design. These ten logos really caught my eye the other day as I was browsing one of my favorite sites, LogoPond. I am especially fond of the Giraffe logo. I am in the process of designing one for a friend, and these guys really helped clear up a design problem I was having.
Images via LogoPond
Fashion Find: Beautiful Ethical Jewelry By Nugaard Designs
These ladies really impressed me. Their designs are not only lovely, but they are created using eco-friendly materials and vendors from their home country of Brazil. Erica Pacey and Allessandra Feio are inspired by the natural beauty of Brazil. Their jewelry is created using natural materials extracted from the Earth in ways that do not harm the environment. Additionally, of their suppliers are certified eco-friendly merchants in Brazil. The ladies actually use real leaves, grass and seeds dipped in gold or silver to create some of their designs. I am very fascinated by their techniques and their lovely results. I never though something so delicate would withstand such high temperatures. I am very impressed. You can find many of their designs on sale at Nimli.
Images via Nimli
Fashion Crush: Cute Summer Flip Flops
I usually don’t like wearing flip flops unless I’m going to the beach, but I’ve seen a few girls wearing them in a very chic way. It certainly made me rethink this classic summer shoe. I have some black and white jeweled flip flops that I just adore. I’ve always admired the different styles and colors available in flip flops, and I’ve decided to showcase some of my favorite funky finds.
Creative SeƱorita: Painting The Roses Red and Gold
I’ve had great success with my 20 paintings this week. I’m thinking about renting studio space from Julie, but I am not sure about it quite yet. I’ll have to think about it a bit more. I did manage to finish one of my cupcake swirl design paintings with Julie Anne’s help. I am making 3 of the swirls, and I’ve finished 6 paintings in total. I don’t know if I am going to make it, but I am certainly going to try.
The good news is that the chemical reaction I spoke about last week happened. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t cause the gorgeous cracking effect caused by using emulsion and gloss, but it happened. The result was beautiful. I spray painted the roses two different shades of red, and the middle one I spray painted gold. Then I sprayed gold and red paint over the canvas and roses. I stuck the roses on with a large glop of brown acrylic paint.
This next one is very interesting. I saw John and Jan use this technique a bit ago, but I was afraid to do it. I finally had the courage to, and the result was lovely. I used gloss varnish mixed with a drop of black acrylic paint. I mixed it for about 30 seconds until I get the consistency I liked. Then I used a paint brush to drizzle it on. I am not quite fond of the finished painting, but I am glad I learned how to create and manipulate the gloss varnish and acrylic paint mixture.
This next swirl painting will be similar to the rose canvas. It takes about 2 weeks for it to dry completely and crack. This one will be a bit different. I am going to crack new spray painted flowers on top of the paint. Then I will spray gold and red paint to create a chunky gradient effect.
These are the finished paintings from week 1. The tree painting was made using cat litter, sand and a hand cut stencil of a tree I painted years ago. The lips were made using a hand cut stencil from a vector design I made for a t-shirt. The paint is a mixture of texture paste and dark blue acrylic paint. The background is a blue acrylic paint with glitter spray.
This is Richard Newman taking some pictures of his work. We managed to catch each other doing the same thing outside the studio. It was a fun day. Sun was shining, and there were lots of people out and about. Had some one on one time with Mr. Marmalade cat as well. He enjoyed his hair brushing.
The Sustainable Village Of Pembrokeshire
I’m certain you’ve heard or at least seen a picture of these fabulous, sustainable homes in the middle of the forest. I saw one of these some time ago, and I still dream of living in one. They resemble those cottage looking Hobbit homes from Lord of the Rings, and they’re just as posh on the inside. The first Hobbit home design I discovered was Simon Dale’s woodland home, but since then Dennis and I have discovered a group of people that are actually making a community of them. These folks belong to a group called the Lammas Low Impact Living Project, and they are based in Wales.
The Lammas group aim to create a thriving example of low impact development and living. They plan on becoming an example of a successful sustainable rural development. Unfortunately, the village isn’t built quite yet, but the Lammas group are currently applying for permission to build their eco-village on 76 acres of mixed pasture and woodland next to the village of Glandwr, Pembrokeshire in Wales. It is a bit difficult to get permission from the local councils for such a development, but the Lammas group will not give up. They plan on starting construction this summer.
One of the issues the Lammas group is having has to do with their low-impact living initiative. This concept involves the intense management of ones natural surroundings in order to maximize return and minimize waste. The group’s plans were a bit out of the ordinary, and the council found it a bit difficult to approve without further investigating their proposal. However, according to their website, the Penbrokeshire council has been very understanding, and are willing to work with the Lammas group on this project.
The actual homes will be built from materials found in and around the development area. They are specifically designed to blend into the landscape. Each building will use a combination of natural and recycled materials and building styles. All homes will be built with the latest environmental technologies and design techniques.
I really do hope Lammas and the Penbrokeshire council come to an understanding. Dennis and I have signed up as volunteers to help build low-impact homes in Penbrokeshire, but I hear they are delaying their plans at the moment. Dennis and I are very willing to take on a task like this. We figured there wasn’t a better way to learn about this lifestyle than to be working with low-impact community pioneers. I hope we can make this happen. Our dream is to build our own off-grid, sustainable home in a few years time, and the Lammas group are truly inspirational people for pioneering such a project.
These are similar low-impact living homes.
To find more information about the Lammas project visit lammas.org.uk
Images via Lammas and Simon Dale
The Dopie: Naked Shoes from Terra Plana
Terra Plana has developed a new very fascinating shoe design. The Dopie was developed by designer Matthew Harrison while studying at the Royal College of Art in London. It was co-developed by the Terra Plana team into this very fascinating end product. The team began by researching different materials and shapes to create a the most minimalistic footwear possible. The shoe is designed to be super comfortable by molding to your feet. Additionally, the shoe designers suggest the design helps straighten your toes, thereby eliminating the occurrence of bunions.
The Dopie is certainly a very fantastic design. Dennis and I have been looking for something exactly like this, but I do have my reservations. I have purchased two pairs of shoes from Terra Plana and both pairs have been unwearable. I understand that Terra Plana shoe’s require training to wear; however, the barefoot design is not the problem I had. Both shoes had a very rough and bulky seam in the Achilles part, and they both rubbed the back of my ankle raw. I simply could not wear the shoe without getting an open wound. I ended up recycling the shoes.
With that being said, I do hope the Dopie design turns out differently for me. I am willing to give Terra Plana another chance because of the outstanding design. However, as I have described in a previous post, eco-design is always best in my opinion only if it works. I do have a concern with the Dopie. I am afraid the “nipple” part of the shoe will hurt the area between my toes, and cause all of my toes to curl while I walk. This usually causes severe pain all over my feet. I suppose we will have to see. I’ll post an update when Dennis and I have tested them for a bit.
Images via Terra Plana
Stunning Paper Sculptures by Richard Sweeney
Multi-talented artist Richard Sweeney creates these stunning sculptures using paper modeling as a means to create form. According to the artist, all of these sculptures are merely pieces in an ongoing exploration into the medium. I believe this is the one of the very interesting aspect of his art. These experimental forms are stunning themselves, and simply knowing they are merely experimental pieces is fascinating.
Images via Richard Sweeney