Month: December 2013

Inhabitat’s Top 6 Design Stories of 2013 – Vote for Your Favorite!

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In 2013, architects and designers went above and beyond to push the boundaries of design and build a more sustainable future. But it wasn’t all glossy skyscrapers and high-profile projects – in the past year we showcased the world’s first vertical forest and one of the world’s coolest tiny apartments, while IKEA opened up new possibilities by launching the first augmented reality catalog. Check out our top design stories of 2013 below, and make sure to vote for your favorite!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.


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Vote For The Most Innovative Green Kids Design of 2013!

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Many discussions of green design revolve around architecture and transportation concepts, but sometimes examples of great design can be found in much simpler places. Like a child’s toy box, or maybe your own backyard! Throughout the past year, Inhabitots has reported on countless awe-inspiring innovations in the realm of sustainable design for children. From fairy castle treehouses to cool light-up circuit stickers, there are plenty of designs that left us impressed and inspired. Help us decide which one of these green kids design stories deserve to be crowned best of 2013! Follow the link below to cast your vote.

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Stoney Cross Low Energy House

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The replacement dwelling is set within an 18.5 acre plot, located adjacent to ancient woodland and heath, within the New Forest National Park. The massing, form and orientation of the new building has been carefully conceived in order that the proposals minimise the impact on the site and its surroundings. The main dwelling and guest building both have low rise green roofs. The buildings are orientated to maximise solar gain and utilise ground source heat pump technology and a log boiler for heating and hot water requirements. Excavated material from the new basement and pool area has been re-used in the earth-berming to provide a visual screen to the north and help to reduce the sound impact of the nearby dual carriageway. The proposals also incorporate rain water harvesting, grey water recycling and a natural swimming pond to further increase biodiversity within the site. The materials used throughout are sustainable, durable and in harmony with the site and its surroundings. The project received planning approval in 2007 and started on site in July 2008. Completion was achieved in September 2009. This project was awarded ‘Best Residential Project in the UK’ in the 2010 Daily Telegraph, Home Building & Renovating Awards, …

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Five Architecture And Urban Planning Trends We Hope To See More Of In 2014

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As 2013 comes to a close, we are taking the opportunity to look back on the memorable trends that have influenced the larger dialogue of architecture and urban design. From the beach-side city of Miami slowly transforming into the USA’s next design center, to a mushrooming of super-tall skyscrapers competing for the distinction of “world’s tallest building,” to proposals for entire cities that function on renewable energy and sustainable building practices, 2013 may be remembered best for the proposals by big-named architects seeking to claim attention-grabbing titles over the next couple of years. The upcoming year presents numerous challenges to architects, especially in solving issues of sustainability and climate change, an ever increasing income gap in our largest cities, and planning for the smart growth of cities, especially as the world’s population becomes increasingly urbanized. Looking forward to the next year, here are the architecture and planning trends that we hope to see more of in 2014. 1. Adapting coastal cities to climate change through resilient design The profound devastation experienced throughout the New York Metropolitan area in the wake of Hurricane Sandy made us come face-to-face with a dismal reality: as worldwide carbon levels in the atmosphere continue to …

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Getting Started with RC Aircraft: How to Get the Most Out of a Truly Exciting Hobby!

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For those people just starting to learn how to fly RC aircraft, or for those thinking about entering this great hobby, there are often questions that come up that need answers. Questions about what type of aircraft to purchase, how to learn best how to fly your aircraft and how to get the most for your money on your RC equipment. Then there are questions regarding safety, maintenance and countless other things that might make the difference between getting frustrated and being thrilled with your new RC equipment. Hobby stores and online retailers are one source for information but too many of them today recommend by what costs more or makes them the most profit or commission. For the beginner or novice pilot, those are certainly not the best criteria on which to base your decision. Getting Started with RC Aircraft will give you the answers to those questions and a lot more to help you get started with the best choices while spending the least amount of money. Even more important, we will show you how to get the most fun and enjoyment from your RC equipment and how to keep it in top shape as well. If you are new to RC flying, or just considering getting into this awesome hobby, then this is the book for you. It is the perfect introduction to RC flying for people of all ages.

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6CH USB Flight Simulator FMS RC Airplane R/C Helicopter Training Kit

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6CH USB Flight Simulator FMS RC Airplane R/C Helicopter Training Kit

This is a revolutionary new Model Flight Simulator. Its updated software support Windows Vista and Win7. This simulator includes a model airplane simulator, model helicopter simulator, model glider simulator, and the ability to create your own models and landscapes. Flight Simulator comes with different types of planes and helicopters. You can sharpen your skills by practicing on computers. You can learn a lot no matter basic or advanced skills.

This new simulator gives you real world flying experiences from your PC.Its Interlink Controller plugs into a USB port on your computer.It looks and feels just like a real transmitter and has switches for dual rates,retracts, and a knob for flaps. Especially, without AA battery, it can directly work with computer.

You can operate an aircraft with the same feeling of a pilot in the computer, experiencing the exciting flight of a real plane, and your of dream flying freely in the blue sky deriving from your childhood come true! Come on! Challenge to be a pilot and enjoy the exciting!

Note: Please practice simulation flight first on the computer before operating the electronic helicopters or airplanes in order to reduce the damage!

– High-performance, High-realism 3D graphics and 3D sound effects

– Connect with USB port cable and no batteries is required

– Full 3D collision detection with all objects on the landscape, Many new landscapes

– Separate channel and keyboard mapping for helicopters and airplanes

– System Requirement: Windows2000/XP/ME/98/Vista/Win7 32-bit

– Hardware Requirements: CPU Intel Pentium 800 or above; 32MB GAP 3D; 512MB RAM; 10GB hard disc; 12xDVD

– Simulator supported: FMS Version2.0 Beta7 / FMS Version 2.0 Alpha8.4 and above

Product Features

  • High-performance, High-realism 3D graphics and 3D sound effects
  • Connect with USB port cable and no batteries is required
  • Simulator supported: FMS Version2.0 Beta7 / FMS Version 2.0 Alpha8.4 and above
  • System Requirement: Windows2000/XP/ME/98/Vista/Win7 32-bit
  • Hardware Requirements: CPU Intel Pentium 800 or above; 32MB GAP 3D; 512MB RAM; 10GB hard disc; 12xDVD

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Logan Platinum Edge Mat Cutter 850 – Platinum Edge Mat Cutter 850

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The all-new Logan 850 40 inch (101.6 cm) Platinum Edge mat cutter. Aluminum base with all metal construction. Super-smooth cutting head operation, cuts 4 and 8-ply matboard, quick change magnetic blade cartridge, micro-adjustable moving magnetic stop, extended 32 inch (81 cm) scaled squaring arm easily detaches. Logan’s best mat cutter! Uses Logan blade #267. 2 year manufacturer warranty. Made in USA.

Product Features

  • Super Heavy Duty All Metal Construction
  • Similar to Fletcher and C&H mat cutters
  • 40 inch Capacity
  • Includes Squaring Arm and Production Stops
  • Logan’s Best Model!

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Frank Lloyd Wright: Natural Design, Organic Architecture: Lessons for Building Green from an American Original

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An unsung prophet of today’s green movement in architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright was an innovator of eco-sensitive design generations ahead of his time. An architect and designer of far-reaching vision, it is not surprising that Frank Lloyd Wright anticipated many of the hallmarks of today’s green movement. Across his work—which stands upon a philosophy Wright termed “organic”—widespread evidence is seen of a refined sensitivity to environment, to social organization as impacted by buildings, and to sustainable and sensible use of space. The desire to work and live with nature to create livable homes and cities is an ongoing theme of American architecture and planning. This book explores Wright’s lessons on how climate, sustainability, sunlight, modern technology, local materials, and passive environmental controls can become the inspiration for excellent design, and highlights a selection of Wright’s buildings to show how he dealt with these issues. The book is organized by the green concepts Wright used—including passive solar design and the use of thermal massing, passive berm insulation, environmentally sensitive landscaping, passive ventilation systems, passive natural light, and intelligent and artful adaptation of technology—with examples from different houses. It shows how Wright evolved certain ideas that continue to spur discussions of green architecture design today.

Product Features

  • Used Book in Good Condition

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