It’s Not Easy Being Green: Sustainable Solutions in Materials and Design

Green is more than just a color. In today’s world “green” is a term that refers to the practice of sustainability that goes far beyond hugging trees. Sustainability is a single word but comes with many definitions and opinions. To inform themselves and inspire others, two designers take six months time to focus on sustainability in materials and design around the world.

“It’s Not Easy Being Green” is a project by two designers traveling around the world in 184 days. The project is initiated by Aart van Bezooyen and Paula Rache, a Dutch-German design couple living and working in Hamburg, Germany. During six months they are offering inspiring lectures and materials workshops to explore the practice of sustainability by meeting, discussing and working with local creatives.

“In previous workshops we experienced that many designers find it hard to put sustainability into practice,” says Paula Rache. “Therefore we planned this six month ‘out of office’ to document existing examples and hear people’s experiences from firsthand account.”

Unlike offering answers, this project is more about raising questions and creating awareness with the help of great people, places and things along their way. The weblog is made to inspire their readers with weekly discoveries from around the world.

The journey is an official event within the Hamburg European Green Capital 2011 program and begins March 1, 2011. Their first stop is Rio de Janeiro, the journey then continues through South America, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia and Japan. Their first lectures and workshops are scheduled with the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR) in Curitiba and the Metropolitan Design Center (CMD) in Buenos Aires. Local findings are featured with a live-connection at the Materials Cafe during this year’s Hanover Fair (April 4-8, 2011). Their schedule of activities develops as they go and welcomes invitations from interested designers, schools and companies.

Open Depot: The Collections of the Museum of Architecture and Design

The Museum of Architecture and Design houses nearly 150,000 different objects, from plans, sketches, and models for buildings to various kinds of furniture, small objects, instruments and appliances, posters, various kinds of printed materials, and photographs.

Almost all the prominent Slovene architects and designers from the twentieth century, as well as many photographers, are represented in the museum’s holdings, totalling more 1,000 authors altogether.

MAO is inaugurating its new programme as a national museum by introducing all its collections, opening wide its doors, and inviting visitors to see what is preserved within.

In a simply redesigned exhibition space visitors will enter the working environment of the museum curators, moving amongst depot shelves, bookcases, crates, and archival boxes with names recorded and catalogued by the museum.

Lovers of architecture and design will be able to learn directly about the diverse materials, authors, and historic trends.

MAO introduces them to the past work of architects, designers, and photographers as useful experiences, knowledge, and ideas for a better future.

Liveable Cities: Architecture Agendas in Singapore and Germany

Over the past 15 years Singapore has developed into one of the most prosperous metropolises in southern Asia, and has in the process experienced radical transformation.

Today, Singapore is setting standards in the areas of urban planning and design, infrastructure and architecture, as well as in the context of debates on creating liveable and sustainable cities.

The objective of these efforts is “to make Singapore a great city to live, work and play in.”

In Europe, Berlin – with its motto “poor but sexy” – has evolved into a dynamic center for a wide range of creative industries, and is now attracting professionals from the artistic, cultural and economic sectors, from around the world.

This diversity is also reflected in the context of urban development, in a broad range of often experimental approaches to contemporary urbanity.

Three architects from Singapore will discuss with three German architects: What has architecture to offer for the concept of a liveable city? Which are the most important conditions for practice that young architects are confronted with in Singapore and in Germany?

How do they tackle current challenges? What are the specifics of urban development in an age of globalisation? What can they learn from each other?

The discussion will reflect relevant influences, including, traditions in architecture education and cultures of practice, and global and local factors of society, economy or politics.

Hotel Hospitality + Design Show 2011

Hotel Hospitality + Design (HHD) returns, after a successful debut in the culture capital of Melbourne, to Australia’s international hub of industry – Sydney.

In 2010, Diversified Exhibitions launched the national trade expo with its key focus on design, fit out and refurbishment for the hotel, pub, resort, spa and hospitality venues.

This year’s event will address all aspects of the refurbishment process in the hospitality arena and offer the knowledge, skills and know-how for our industry representatives to remain at the top of their game.

The expo will present over 160 exhibitors covering all aspects of the design and refurbishment process. HHD will be divided into eight areas of focus including; Design; Stepping Out (Outdoor); Hotel Essentials (soft and hard furnishings); Resort & Spa (luxury goods); Hotel Mechanics (operational equipment to sustainable solutions); Behind the Scenes (finance and recruitment); Play (entertainment systems); and Technology.

Effects of earthquake in Japan felt around the world as nuclear power units explode

The 8.9Rs earthquake that hit Japan on Friday 11th March has created ripples that have been felt across the world. A 30ft high tsunami generated by the shifting offshore tectonic plates swept miles inland, destroying entire communities and dragging incredible numbers of people to their deaths. 1,800 people are known to have died however this number is thought to soar to over ten thousand.

As the tides pull back and the extent of the damage to coastal towns and villages becomes apparent, all eyes are fixated on the nuclear reactors at the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima. Since the tsunami on Friday two explosions have been recorded in units one and three at the plant, with pressure building up inside unit two, fuelling fears of a potential meltdown. Engineers have been working around the clock to stem the problem, spraying water directly onto the overheating nuclear rods.

Small amounts of caesium and iodine found in the steam of this third structure suggest that the metal casing of the fuel rods have melted or broken due to overheating. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) – the operator of the plant – confirmed that on Monday morning a large portion of the fuel rods in unit two had become exposed before seawater could be pumped back in to cover and cool them.

The BBC has since reported that an American warship has detected low levels of radiation 100miles from the nuclear plant, fuelling arguments that the current evacuation zone of 20km is too shallow. 11 of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors have been closed since Friday’s quake.

In light of the situation in Japan, many regions around the world have been reconsidering their use of nuclear power. Anthony Froggatt, senior research fellow at Chatham House told the BBC: “If a country is considering building a nuclear reactor, it would take a step back and say hold on a minute. What implication will [incidents in Japan] have on designs in the future and therefore economics?”

The Legislative Yuan’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee has approved a motion to call for the suspension of work to Taiwan’s Number 4 Nuclear Power Plant with regard to the current situation in Japan. Should this motion be approved, there may be further issues in terms of violation of contracts, financial liabilities and so forth.

Swiss Energy Minister Doris Leuthard has suspended the approval of three nuclear power plants in Switzerland following the events of the last few days in order to revisit safety standards in the sector.

Social network turns its hand to urban design

Popular social networking site Facebook hosted a design charrette on 5th March in Belle Haven, Virginia inviting 174 architects, designers, students and stakeholders to envision a brighter future for the Belle Haven and Willow business area.

In similar style to the recent WAN Urban Challenge event regarding the city of Detroit, the professional thinkers were split into four teams to brainstorm ideas which could regenerate the region, presenting back to the group and local residents at the end of the day.

Architect David Schnee commented: “Think about how you can share this space with the most people. It’s the same idea behind Facebook; how can you share your stuff with the most friends?” Design concepts ranged from rooftop gardens, to community libraries and even a Facebook Visitor’s Center to educate children on advancing technology.

A formal presentation of the day’s outcome will be presented to the City Council at the beginning of May.