Friday, August 29, 2008

DUTCH TREE WINDMILLS

On the subject of art imitating trees, check out this awesome design for tree-like windmills, from One Architecture, Ton Matton and NL Architects in the Netherlands. Leave it to the Dutch to come up with such a clever, beautiful, eco-friendly idea for power generation.

This design was commissioned by the Dutch government, to develop a next-generation windmill that would be less intrusive in the flat Dutch landscape than the industrial mill-parks that currently generate much of the Netherlands power. The proposed windmill uses an organic branching design that can hold up to 8 turbines and grow as tall as 120 meters. I’m not sure I would call these “unobtrusive” - but they are beautiful enough that it doesn’t really matter.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Serving Architects, Consultants in Everything Green Become Mainstays

Lauren Yarmuth of YRG Sustainable Consultants if one of a growing cadre of consultants who specialize in helping developers, architects and sometimes tenants gain an official stamp of approval from the United States Green Building Council through its LEED certification program — the undisputed calling card of environmental bragging rights.

“Going green used to be part of just a handful of organizations’ mission statements, but now it’s become part of everyone’s agenda,” said Ashley Katz, communications director for the Green Building Council. “That has, of course, increased the need for sustainability consultants.”

Many of the consultants are, like Ms. Yarmuth, trained as architects and work directly with the Green Building Council to develop and refine the guidelines they help clients follow. At the end of 2006, the Green Building Council’s membership included 679 consultants. By July 31 this year, there were 1,590.

This mirrors the rapid increase in the number of buildings certified by the council: In 2005, there were 404 buildings that met LEED standards. Midway through 2008, 1,705 buildings have been certified. LEED started certifying new construction as “green” or “sustainable” in 2000, and the fifth version of standards is being prepared for 2009.

Despite a seemingly straightforward point system and scorecard, getting LEED certification is not always easy. Even large firms with employees with titles like “environmental strategist” hire consultants to walk them through the process.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

DESIGN BOOKS FOR UNIQUE HOTEL ROOMS...





Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Fallen Heroes Project


Fallen Heroes Project, founded by internationally- recognized portrait artist Michael Reagan, provides a family with a hand drawn portrait of its fallen hero, free of charge. Reagan believes his efforts can contribute to the family's' healing process and has produced 1,200 portraits to date! Of course, donations are accepted and are used to support the Fallen Heroes Project. In addition, Crescent Cardboard Company provides Reagan with artist boards at no charge!

"Our mission is to honor the American Fallen Heroes for their ultimate sacrifice during the war against terrorism. The foundation will provide the resources to produce and distribute to each family a hand-drawn portrait of their Fallen Hero, created by artist Michael G. Reagan, free of charge. Each portrait is intended to show our Love and Respect for these Heroes and their families."

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Green products for your pets!


http://www.greenergrassdesign.com/

Bella Beds employ the latest in fiber technology and design to ensure they are comfortable and supportive for your pets and still offer a beautiful and modern look. The cozy cave shape conforms to your pet’s body while the 100% hypoallergenic and washable fiber regulates temperature to keep your pet comfortable. The bed is mobile – just roll up and tie closed. So go ahead and let out your inner dog, roll around on the floor with your pup, and treat your pet kids to the ultimate in bedding.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

NEW TECHNOLOGY IN ACRYLIC PAINTS! SLOW DRYING!





A WHOLE NEW LINE OF GOLDEN ACRYLICS!
GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics are a true departure from all other acrylics on the market.
Designed with a unique and relaxed set of working characteristics, OPEN Acrylics dramatically expand the range of techniques that are available to artists who prefer to use acrylics.

GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics remain wet far longer than other acrylics and resist skinning on the palette during long painting sessions. Working time varies according to how thickly the material is applied. Thin applications “tack up,” allowing additional layers to be applied and blended. Thicker applications may be worked for hours. Films over 1/16” will dry EXTREMELY slow. For impasto techniques, blend with faster-drying GOLDEN Acrylics and Gel Mediums.

GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics feature a unique and remarkably relaxed set of working properties that facilitate blending, softening, shading, glazing and fine detail. The unique properties of OPEN Acrylics allow them to be used with natural fiber brushes and for a range of techniques including portraiture, plein air painting, monoprinting, and screenprinting.

TWO NEW MEDIUMS & 1 ADDITIVE for ultimate control...

Use OPEN Mediums and Thinner to maintain the maximum working time of
OPEN Acrylics. OPEN Acrylic Gel (Gloss) is recommended to adjust color strength and translucency while maintaining consistency. OPEN Acrylic Medium (Gloss) is formulated to a lower viscosity for a more fluid mixture with increased flow. OPEN Thinner contains no binder and is used to maintain and adjust the workability of colors on the palette without the use of water mist and moisturizing palettes.

COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER GOLDEN PRODUCTS...
For an unparalleled range of working options, OPEN Acrylics may be blended with GOLDEN Acrylics and Gel Mediums to change opacity or alter consistency, while proportionately speeding up drying and shortening working time. However, it is not recommended to apply fast-drying products over wet layers of OPEN Acrylics.

Monday, August 4, 2008

3 Amazing 3D Graffiti Artists: Street Painting and Sidewalk Chalk Art



Most people tend to think of graffiti as subversive art spraypainted in the dead of night on urban walls. Some artists, however, including Edgar Mueller, Julian Beever and Kurt Wenner, defy that stereotype, painting and chalking openly on city streets and sidewalks. Beyond merely entertaining crowds, their work has at times even broken world records. These street art images and biographies merely scratch the surface and begin to convey their amazing artistic talents.



Edgar Mueller is a world-famous street painter, perhaps best known for the above work: The Riverstreet River. At nearly 1000 square feet, this graffiti mural took up an entire city block. His other works often exhibit similar life-like qualities and take on renaissance themes.



Julian Beever is a sidewalk chalk artist whose work has appeared all across Europe. He skillfully and humorously plays up his illusions in a variety of ways, from interacting with the finished piece to making his street art’s evolution part of the work itself. Clearly, his artworks are as much intended to entertain himself as it is to dazzle the crowds that gather around them. His other street graffiti includes renderings of master artworks and pastel portraits.



Kurt Wenner’s amazingly detailed street artworks conjure images of both Baroque religious murals and a Salvor Daliesque surrealism. They are somehow less tame than Mueller’s work, and far less playful than the art of Beever. Wenner is also an architectural designer in the US and Europe, fascinated with classical ornament tied to allegories and myths as well as literature and theater.