New Eco /

Butterfly Homes

TYIN Tegnestue, a humanitarian design organization from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, are the planners of Soe Ker Tie, the aptly named Butterfly Homes that sit in the village of Noh Bo, on the Thai-Burmese border. The bamboo built homes, completely assembled on site with sustainability in mind, was the brainchild of architecture students who were made aware of the lack of space for Karen refugee children living in Noh Bo.

Each home provides room for six children, and was designed with a growing child’s needs in mind. Everything from the bamboo that was woven to make the homes to the roofs of the homes themselves are efficient — the roofs collect water and there are areas around the homes to collect and keep water. The houses themselves were raised on reclaimed tire foundations to avoid flood disasters. And while the organization keeps humble on their endeavor, there is hope that more Butterfly Homes will find themselves around the world.

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From the decaying European streets of Buenos Aires to the smoky punk clubs of Beijing, rad stuff is happening everywhere. Sign up for our free email newsletter to keep up.
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New York’s offshore windfarm?

While the green industry and most of the world were looking to Copenhagen for inspiration, New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg was in a helicopter, overlooking Denmark’s offshore windfarm, Horns Rev 2, the largest of its kind in the world to date. Bloomberg has his own offshore windfarm energy project already in motion, and with the Long Island wind project estimated to be operating at 700 megawatts, Horns Rev 2 (operating at 209 megawatts) will be easily replaced as the largest offshore windfarm. Read more

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Beautiful Earth Group solar powered vehicle stations

Beautiful Earth Group, a New York-based sustainable energy company, has finally made solar powered electric vehicle stations bi-costal. Red Hook, Brooklyn, is home to the first of these powering stations, just a stone’s throw from Beautiful Earth’s offices in downtown Manhattan. The stations is completely modular and off-grid, and is comprised of shipping containers that have been recycled specifically for this purpose. Read more

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World’s largest solar energy building

In Dezhou, located deep in the Shangdong Province in Northwest China, lies a 75,000 square meter structure in the shape of a fan. The building, which houses a hotel, science research facilities, meeting and training facilities, and exhibition centers, is solely powered by solar energy. The structure, which uses advanced wall and roof practices to achieve a 30% energy savings than the national standard. The building boasts the title of the ‘largest solar-powered building in the world’ and will be the main venue for the Fourth World Solar City Congress.

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I secretly want to inhabit the kind of hazy dream world, thrumming with softly vibrant colors and fantastical yet familiar flora, that artist Betsy Walton renders. The people there seem so calmly happy. I guess I’ll have to keep meditating and shedding my earthly concerns to get there. Read more

Whoa. That was intense. I’ve just awoken from a dream whereby my big self somehow stumbles upon my five-year old self playing enthusiastically with a group of kids. Read more

The Deal sisters have dropped off the indie-rock radar of late, but this clip of them covering Hank Williams’ I Can’t Help It reminds us why we all loved them so much back in the day. Incidentally, the Breeders are set to release their new album, Mountain Battles, in April.

I’m a wheat-free guy, and though I’ve never been into sweets, I love Sweet Sin, the only gluten-free bakery in Baltimore. Aside from their wheatless treats, they also serve a wide range of savory meals such as snapper, goat, and greens.

I bought BibliOdyssey [by PK, published by Fuel] yesterday at New York’s PS1 Bookstore and was surprised to find out that this old-fashioned book (archival images from old books) was actually based on the blog, BibliOdyssey. Read more

Cloud Control have just unravelled a newly recorded track, Gold Canary, from their forthcoming 2010 album. It’s straight up pastoral Blue Mountains goodness. I actually heard it live earlier this year and it sounded quite rad.

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Born in the 80s? Grew up with a TV in the house? Then you will probably appreciate this bizarre mashup of The Goonies unlikely duo and Sesame Street’s lovable pair. Available on Monday August 8 for 24 hours only. Read more

WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST

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Have A Lollipop! Bouquet

Get lost in a daydream or a craving for something sweet while gazing at these cool sculptures by Brooklyn-based WiNK WiNK PONY. Made using clay, tree bark, wood, and mossy moss.

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Joe Kievitt

It’s refreshing to see artists like Joe Kievitt who are contented to explore the beauty in simple forms and asymmetrical patterns. Read more

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Michelle Blade’s psychedelic artwork

Michelle Blade’s washed out paintings are deceptively simple, her washy acrylics creating psychedelic textures and conjuring ghostly figures from the past. Read more

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Disorder Disorder in Sydney

Pitched as ‘Ulterior Motives in Contemporary Art’, Disorder Disorder is running until November 14 at Penrith Regional Gallery. It’ll be well worth the trip out west of Sydney: the Australian, Japanese, American and European cast reads like a warriors of street art roundup and includes Mike Giant, Ed Templeton, Anthony Lister [artwork above], Ozzie Wright, and Jonathan Zawada. Read more

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Never ever, ever, ever, ever park here

Some friendly advice for the neighbours, who simply don’t get it, or street art? You decide which one it is.

The Illuminated Sea Cookie Pin by Stephanie Simek mixes underwater wonders and light to add a little sparkle to your wardrobe. The sea cookie, a member of the sand dollar family, is back lit by a white LED. When turned on, the light illuminates all of the creature’s natural patterns and intricacies. Read more

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