Design
Scientists find that natural fibers make materials stronger, more sustainable
Materials-science researchers are discovering that they can make many man-made materials stronger and more sustainable with the addition of plant fibers. Carrots can be used to improve concrete and wood can be turned into plastic. These innovations can impact the construction of buildings as well Read More...
Seasonal window glass directs light and heat
Swiss researchers have developed seasonal window glass that could make certain soft furnishings redundant. Office workers and homeowners no longer have to block their own view in order to keep indoor space cool. Now, during the summer months, treated windows covered in a film containing micro Read More...
This French village could inspire a whole new form of Alzheimer’s treatment
A Danish design studio is constructing a little village in France specially made to host people with Alzheimer’s. The goal of the village, which will be reminiscent of the medieval fortresses located nearby, is to create a sense of community and familiarity for the patients by orienting them with Read More...
A district of eco-friendly 3D printed homes are being built in the Netherlands
3D printers have been used to produce various things from vacuum cleaners to artificial ears, but never have they been used to construct a livable home. That’s set to change as Eindhoven in the Netherlands gets ready to become the first city in the world to have habitable homes made with a 3D Read More...
This plant-covered skyscraper just won the award for world’s best tall building
Architects have created a skyscraper in Singapore that resembles a tree more than it does a tall building. The building incorporates 60 stories of green walls along the exterior, and features a grand total of 54 different plant species within. Because of its unique green design and ample communal Read More...
Developers made a bold deal when designing Unilever’s ultra-sustainable HQ
To help reach its goal of being carbon-positive in all operations by 2030, consumer product giant Unilever has transformed its old US headquarters into an ultra-sustainable office park fitted with the latest technology. Throughout the building, 15,000 sensors measure temperature, light, carbon Read More...
Environmentally-friendly fabric created from microbial cellulose
You may have noticed an increasing number of hangers in high street fashion outlets sporting clothing made with the environmentally conscious shopper in mind. Organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and even recycled plastics are being transformed into clothing for eco-aware fashionistas. Australia's Read More...
Behold! The most beautiful and admired ear of corn in all the world
You might think you understand what beauty is. But you don’t, not really—not until you have gazed upon this ear of Read More...
Zero Waste Bistro installation provides circular-economy model at WantedDesign
A pop-up restaurant that is built from recycled food packaging and that composts all of its leftovers has been set up at the WantedDesign Manhattan fair. Commissioned by the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York, Zero Waste Bistro is open for four days to coincide with Read More...
Scientists just created a new “super wood” that’s stronger than steel
Spider silk has long held the record for being the strongest biomaterial on Earth — but that just changed. Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology used wood nanofibers to create a new biomaterial that is even stronger than spider silk. Researchers “densified” wood to turn an Read More...