Climate change and the perils of inaction.
climate change and the perils of inaction. never mind that carbon dioxide in atmosphere is up nearly a quarter since 1960 and higher than any time in past 800,000 years. via chicago tribune [RK]
packh2o wins 2013 people’s design award.
The PackH2O Water Backpack took home the [ 2013 People’s Design Award ] at the National Design Awards gala in New York, Thursday, 17 October. Todd Oldham announced the winning design and presented the award to president and CEO of Grief Inc. David Fischer. PackH2O attempts to solve the global clean water crisis by giving people the power to easily transport their own water.
Porta-bote.
This summer something caught my eye on top of a neighbor’s SUV. It looked like a lighter – than – air aircraft wing but found out it was a collapsable boat. It looks much better in vitro than in these photos.
Adding collapsability into the design criteria can be a bit of a challenge. Here is a product that is not new and because of it’s design is quite popular.
This is a Porta-Bote, a flexible V-hull craft. Its keel and concave “vee” section provide exceptional directional stability. The hull design means the Bote is more comfortable to ride in because the flexible polypropylene hull absorbs shocks and does not bounce like an inflatable or pound like a rigid boat. The flexible hull allows for easy, stable standing. The inside of the hull is rough-surfaced for traction, even when wet.
When you stand up, the hull flattens against the water’s surface with a suction effect adding to the stability. Because of the wide 5-foot beam, the boat is exceptionally stable even when fully loaded and planing at full speed. The same suction effect that allows you to stand up safely also keeps the boat solidly on the surface. It feels good to stand up and stretch, look out over the water and comfortably fly cast with no worries about the Bote tipping over.
The Porta-Bote Company says there over 50,000 Porta-Botes afloat around the world. Some are as old as 30 years and still floating. Porta-Botes attribute their durability to the unique design hinges and lightweight, flexible polypropylene hull. The hinges are waterproof and can take a stress of over 90,000 pounds per square inch. They are designed to take a beating.
The hull utilizes an ultra-violet filter and anti-oxidant for resistance to sun and saltwater damage. This hull material is used in Astro-Turf, car bumpers and highway signs. Porta-Bote’s “Flexi-Hull” flexes inward and absorbs wave energy and disperses its force.
The same flexibility allows the Bote to “give” safely when bumping against underwater obstacles. The Porta-Bote’s hull is almost �1/4 inch thick, thicker than an aluminum hull. It never needs painting and only requires an occasional wipe down the outside hull and hinges with a some vinyl-protectant.
The Porta-Bote can be used on ponds, lakes and rivers. It can be a fishing boat, a sailboat (with optional sail kit), a duck-hunting boat, a ship-to-shore dinghy or just a weekend family pleasure boat. It can easily be transported on top of most vehicles, RVs, seaplanes and yak. The British Royal Air Force Climbing & Rescue Team used it on their record setting climb up Mt. Everest. The team used the Porta-Bote at 20,000 feet to cross a glacier lake. Inflatables were too puncture-prone and unreliable while ordinary rigid boats were too heavy to carry up Everest.
It takes about 20 minutes to set up and 10 minutes to fold it back up at the end of the day. It is four inches thick when folded.
more info at porta-boat tackle tour
Iwana superyacht. Mcdiarmid design.
left: iwana (click to enlarge)
Just in. Three superyachts launched today: iwana, duel, and the one 50. The superyachts by British Designer Alex McDiarmid pushes further the boundaries in yacht styling. The inspiration behind the yacht is diverse and of a non-nautical philosophy.
Lizards, in particular iguanas were studied for their form and characteristics, including stance, and coloring. The word “iguana” comes from a Spanish form of the original Taino name for the species Iwana. The designer says he was firm about keeping a classic bow, but wanted to really push some boundaries with the styling. The aft section of the hull, superstructure and ‘Day Light Opening’ / DLO window graphics are there to be explored in terms of style.
Similar to panoramic roof windows on modern cars, the super structure integrates a full length panoramic roof window running over the yacht. While the main superstructure takes its form from the head of an iguana, the dorsal crests of these beautiful lizards inspire the decks and communication tower. In order to maximize deck space aft, the bulwarks open into two foldout platforms. There are not just two small balconies, but two large bathing platforms.
A helicopter (iwana & duel), custom tenders and toys are under development matching the exterior styling of the yacht. Water toys include wave runners, sea scooters, windsurfers, kayaks, water skis, wakeboards and a whole range of scuba and fishing gear.
iwana — technical/principal characteristics:
>Length : 85m / 280ft
>Beam: 14.2m / 47ft
>Power and type of engines in hp and manufacturer: 2 x 4,830hp / 3,600kW MTU 20V 4000 M73L
>Maximum Speed: Approximately 18 Knots
>Range: 6,900 nautical miles at 14 knots
>Fuel Capacity: Approximately 280,000 liters / 73,968 US gallons
>Berth capacity for guests 16
>Berth capacity for crew 20
>Master suite, with owner’s salon, exterior balcony and private exterior deck area,
>2 VIP cabins with private exterior balcony and folding bulwark platforms,
>3 double guest cabins,
>1 twin guest cabin
left: duel (click to enlarge)
duel — technical/principal characteristics:
>Length overall: 100m / 330′
>Beam: 18m / 58′
>Power and type of engines in hp and manufacturer: 4 x MTU 3600 kw or a hybrid power Diesel Electric propulsion system with pod drives, electric Voith Inline Propulsors/thrusters, Volvo Penta D16 MG gensets, Valance batteries
>Cruising Speed: 15 Knots estimated
>Maximum Speed: 20 Knots estimated
>Berth capacity for guests: 14
>Berth capacity for crew: 24
left: the one 50 (click to enlarge)
the one 50 — technical/principal characteristics:
>not available
[ designer: alex mcdiarmid ]
Where your water comes from. Infographic.
left: Drawing Water by David Wicks is a constructed landscape created by the relationship between rainfall and water consumption in the United States.
The infographic uses water consumption data and builds images to expose the reality that water is channeled, pumped, and siphoned to locations far from where it falls. Although the paths are imagined, the project is based on real data and it attempts to reveal truth about water resources and use.
Drawing Water plays a bit upon the 19th-century theory that “rain follows the plow.” At the time of its inception, that theory promoted Westward expansion, under the belief that plowing fields encouraged cloud formation and rainfall. As long as people plowed fields, they believed, water would come to them. Although we recognize climatological reality isn’t influenced by our farming (in the manner hoped), Americans still live with an illusion of resource availability following need.
David will be showing the prints and interactive at UCLA as part of the D|MA thesis show May 12. [ creative applications ]
27 Infinity pools. Envy.
reminded that photos never do justice to the being-there experience.
(top) unknown #2 (middle) dreams resort – puerto vallarta, mexico (bottom) alila villas uluwatu – uluwatu, indonesia
Resources:
wikipedia
yatzer-marina bay sands
environamental graffiti
designbeep-40
Neptune. Prosthetic fin for swimming.
physically disabled columbian nelson cardona fulfilled a dream to climb Everest with the help of prosthetic legs.
He also wants to swim the English Channel and he might be able to do it with Neptune, a prosthetic flipper.
above: slider adjusts flexibility to match swimmers strength. the fin could also rotate 90 degrees to simulate breaststroke movement.
above: c-legs are used by a double-amputee who also swims 2.500m a couple of times a week and is very interested in the neptune concept being developed.
above: inspiring everyone including designers, alexander mcqueen among others, aimee is an athlete, actor and activist talks about her prosthetic legs — she’s got a dozen amazing pairs — and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height.
above: aimee at mit h2o symposium
above: neptune concept lures me deeper and deeper. i think this is about a skateboarder prosthesus. but, maybe there is or will be…
designer: richard stark
Resources:
ted
aimee / alexander mcqueen
alexander mcqueen / aimee
wired: 3d printing and prosthetics
<a href="
about ron kovach
BP releases four new videos of spill.
at request from senators bill nelson of florida and barbara boxer of california BP agreed this week to release all video footage of the spill. these videos will help scientist estimate the daily leakage. we can also see the progress of oil containment efforts. the spill is bad but the ocean is doing some of the heavy lifting to contain the damage. jane lubchenco, head of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration says that the spill could be swept up into the loop current, which curls around the florida peninsula. but by the time it reaches the florida straits, possibly eight to 12 days, “it would likely be significantly weathered and degraded as well as diluted. see the videos and more coverage at fastcompany. [RK]
Thermos roho hydration bottles.
ROHO collection sets new standard for bpa-free hydration bottles. The new line of reusable stainless steel bottles fuses modern art with functional design.
ROHO™ is the latest addition to the historically trusted and reputable line of BPA-free Thermos® products. Influenced by global, political, cultural and environmental issues, the new reusable stainless steel hydration bottles feature a variety of vibrant designs to reflect personal style without compromising safety. Offering safety and convenience advantages over current bottles on the market, the ROHO collection raises the bar of what is expected from a hydration bottle.
“Hydration bottles may have a trendy design on the outside, but many are still made with unsafe materials on the inside where attention to detail matters most,” said Kim Flanagan, ROHO brand manager. “The ROHO collection finally combines everything you’ve been looking for in a hydration bottle.”
Uniting innovative design and safety, the ROHO collection hydration bottles are made from 18/8 stainless steel and polypropylene, which means there is no BPA, no aluminum and no interior coating to be concerned about. The long neck shape of the bottle provides an ergonomic hand grip, while beverage capacity is still a generous 24 oz.
The initial ROHO collection will be available in 18 different designs with a variety of colors and graphics offering new ways to express individual style and personality. Each ROHO stainless steel bottle can be identified from other hydration bottles by the distinct leak-proof red flip-top lid.
The striking lid design also features a one-hand push button and an integrated carrying loop.
“The ROHO brand name was inspired by our signature red lid and our global focus,” said Flanagan. “Rojo means red in Spanish, making the brand fun, approachable and memorable.”
The ROHO collection will be available at Target stores and at Thermos.com.
Price: $14.99-$17.99.
Producer: thermos
Earth day 2010. Join the movement.
happy earth day. 4/22. get involved.
visit the earth day network.