SubscribeSign In
Inspirational spaces
Inspirational spaces
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
Earth tone tiles back a Kohler sink at this energy efficient home in Davis, California. The backsplash is from Heath Ceramics, the sink is Kohler, and the custom millwork is by Schmidt's Cabinetry.
Earth tone tiles back a Kohler sink at this energy efficient home in Davis, California. The backsplash is from Heath Ceramics, the sink is Kohler, and the custom millwork is by Schmidt's Cabinetry.
RC Nails & Spa - The Woodlands _ 3600 FM 1488, Suite 170, Conroe, TX 77384 _ (936) 273-9882 _ https://www.rcnailsandspa.com
RC Nails & Spa - The Woodlands _ 3600 FM 1488, Suite 170, Conroe, TX 77384 _ (936) 273-9882 _ www.rcnailsandspa.com
University of California, Merced Long Range Development Plan in Merced, California Ambitiously setting a goal for daylight access in 75 percent of the interior rooms (quite a feat for a large university building) is just the beginning for UC Merced’s long-range plan. By 2020, UC Merced plans to be the first zero-net-energy, zero-net-waste and zero-net-emissions campus in the USA. It will also help to preserve the surrounding 30,000 acres of vernal pool grasslands, the largest concentration of vernal pool grasslands in the world.
University of California, Merced Long Range Development Plan in Merced, California Ambitiously setting a goal for daylight access in 75 percent of the interior rooms (quite a feat for a large university building) is just the beginning for UC Merced’s long-range plan. By 2020, UC Merced plans to be the first zero-net-energy, zero-net-waste and zero-net-emissions campus in the USA. It will also help to preserve the surrounding 30,000 acres of vernal pool grasslands, the largest concentration of vernal pool grasslands in the world.
A geodesic home, part of the Baggins End community, on the University of Davis campus. Photo via Flickr/basykes
A geodesic home, part of the Baggins End community, on the University of Davis campus. Photo via Flickr/basykes
Illustration via drawastickman.com.
Illustration via drawastickman.com.
One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.
One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.
Adele Chang and Mark Rohling of Pasadena firm Lim Chang Rohling & Associates designed the house, which is three times more water efficient than a typical house hold. The garden is xeriscaped and irrigated with graywater. The garden is also a source of energy for the residence. "We worked with the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center to design an experimental ground-source radiant heating and cooling system that captures thermal energy from eight boreholes in the garden," Koenig says. "This type of borehole has the promise of dramatically reducing the cost of geothermal HVAC systems in the future." This video explains the mechanics and "thermal heart" of the home.
Adele Chang and Mark Rohling of Pasadena firm Lim Chang Rohling & Associates designed the house, which is three times more water efficient than a typical house hold. The garden is xeriscaped and irrigated with graywater. The garden is also a source of energy for the residence. "We worked with the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center to design an experimental ground-source radiant heating and cooling system that captures thermal energy from eight boreholes in the garden," Koenig says. "This type of borehole has the promise of dramatically reducing the cost of geothermal HVAC systems in the future." This video explains the mechanics and "thermal heart" of the home.
In the powder room, the vanity surface is Silestone, the sink is Kohler, and the faucet is Brizo. The drawer pulls are from Siro designs. An instant hot water system from Eemax was installed.
In the powder room, the vanity surface is Silestone, the sink is Kohler, and the faucet is Brizo. The drawer pulls are from Siro designs. An instant hot water system from Eemax was installed.
Lighting throughout the house is exclusively solid-state LED and was developed to complement the body’s natural circadian rhythm. "This technology is also used on the international space station," Koenig says. "Blue-ish hues are emitted in the morning, and amber tones are emitted at night. Honda worked with researchers from the California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis to explore the circadian color control logic."
Lighting throughout the house is exclusively solid-state LED and was developed to complement the body’s natural circadian rhythm. "This technology is also used on the international space station," Koenig says. "Blue-ish hues are emitted in the morning, and amber tones are emitted at night. Honda worked with researchers from the California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis to explore the circadian color control logic."
Lightroom 1.0, a photography studio, is a freestanding structure on the property. “Together, they represent an autobiography of my career,” Carpenter says.
Lightroom 1.0, a photography studio, is a freestanding structure on the property. “Together, they represent an autobiography of my career,” Carpenter says.
Both the sitting and standing versions of DESK 01, a collaboration between Artifox and IdeaPaint, are outfitted with dry erase surfaces for recording sudden bursts of creativity.
Both the sitting and standing versions of DESK 01, a collaboration between Artifox and IdeaPaint, are outfitted with dry erase surfaces for recording sudden bursts of creativity.
Style: "#1"
Style: "#1"
One of the two bathrooms. Ceramic tiles, which have the appearance of micro cement, cover the walls.
One of the two bathrooms. Ceramic tiles, which have the appearance of micro cement, cover the walls.
In the West Village neighborhood of Davis, a college town located 15 miles west of Sacramento, teams at Honda and UC Davis kitted out a 1,945-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house with experimental and on-the-market technology to accomplish net-zero energy consumption. With smart home concepts continuing to build momentum, the definition is steadily becoming refined but is still open to interpretation. "Although smart-home demos often focus on gadgets, the 'smart' in Honda Smart Home refers to an intense focus on energy efficiency, energy management, and sustainability," says project leader Michael Koenig.
In the West Village neighborhood of Davis, a college town located 15 miles west of Sacramento, teams at Honda and UC Davis kitted out a 1,945-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house with experimental and on-the-market technology to accomplish net-zero energy consumption. With smart home concepts continuing to build momentum, the definition is steadily becoming refined but is still open to interpretation. "Although smart-home demos often focus on gadgets, the 'smart' in Honda Smart Home refers to an intense focus on energy efficiency, energy management, and sustainability," says project leader Michael Koenig.
UC Davis has been leading the way in net-zero construction and energy research for years. Recognizing that homes and cars are responsible for just shy of half of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, the project is a foray into how automobiles can factor into the efficiency equation. "UC Davis and the Davis community have launched some of the most innovative housing models in the country, from cooperative housing to solar villages to zero-net-energy at the neighborhood scale," says Bob Segar, UC Davis Assistant Vice Chancellor, Campus Planning and Community Resources. "The next entry is the Honda Smart Home—it's showing how the electric car can be managed as your house's biggest appliance." The house features a 9.5kW solar array, which produces direct current. The charger was adapted to accept power directly from the panels without any conversion loss.
UC Davis has been leading the way in net-zero construction and energy research for years. Recognizing that homes and cars are responsible for just shy of half of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, the project is a foray into how automobiles can factor into the efficiency equation. "UC Davis and the Davis community have launched some of the most innovative housing models in the country, from cooperative housing to solar villages to zero-net-energy at the neighborhood scale," says Bob Segar, UC Davis Assistant Vice Chancellor, Campus Planning and Community Resources. "The next entry is the Honda Smart Home—it's showing how the electric car can be managed as your house's biggest appliance." The house features a 9.5kW solar array, which produces direct current. The charger was adapted to accept power directly from the panels without any conversion loss.
Ulysses word cloud poster from beautifulwordsbeautifulart.com.
Ulysses word cloud poster from beautifulwordsbeautifulart.com.
The kitchen features polished-concrete floors, a Cambria countertop, and an Energy-Star rated refrigerator from Kitchen Aid. The cooktop, oven, and dishwasher are from Bosch. "With the exception of the experimental technologies, everything we’ve used is available off the shelf," Koenig says. "What really sets this project apart is that we’ve put all the pieces together. Everyone out there building a home should start with passive design and a well-insulated envelope."
The kitchen features polished-concrete floors, a Cambria countertop, and an Energy-Star rated refrigerator from Kitchen Aid. The cooktop, oven, and dishwasher are from Bosch. "With the exception of the experimental technologies, everything we’ve used is available off the shelf," Koenig says. "What really sets this project apart is that we’ve put all the pieces together. Everyone out there building a home should start with passive design and a well-insulated envelope."
Beginning this fall, the house will be occupied by someone from the UC Davis community. For more on the project, visit hondasmarthome.com.
Beginning this fall, the house will be occupied by someone from the UC Davis community. For more on the project, visit hondasmarthome.com.
Sustainable materials feature prominently in the design. "We focused on using sustainable materials wherever possible," Koenig says. "The entire house is constructed with FSC-certified lumber. Concrete is very CO2 intensive, so we used volcanic ash to replace half the cement needed for the foundation slab. And rather than cover the slab with wood, we polished it to create a beautiful, durable finish."
Sustainable materials feature prominently in the design. "We focused on using sustainable materials wherever possible," Koenig says. "The entire house is constructed with FSC-certified lumber. Concrete is very CO2 intensive, so we used volcanic ash to replace half the cement needed for the foundation slab. And rather than cover the slab with wood, we polished it to create a beautiful, durable finish."
Elfa by the Container Store / containerstore.com
Elfa by the Container Store / containerstore.com
UC Berkeley student David Dana's design includes community gardens, housing and a nine-story hotel. Image courtesy SFgate.com
UC Berkeley student David Dana's design includes community gardens, housing and a nine-story hotel. Image courtesy SFgate.com
Illustration Play 2 goes on sale September 6. For more information, visit victionary.com or gingkopress.com.
Illustration Play 2 goes on sale September 6. For more information, visit victionary.com or gingkopress.com.
TheMonkeysYouOrdered.com runs their own caption contests for the New Yorker's cartoons
TheMonkeysYouOrdered.com runs their own caption contests for the New Yorker's cartoons
The house uses about half as much energy as a conventional residence in the area. Over the course of a year, it is projected to produce 2.6 megawatt-hours of energy while a comparable home will consume 13.3 megawatt-hours. "This offsets nearly 13,100 pounds of CO2 annually," Koenig says. "Plus, it uses renewable electricity to power driving." To accomplish this level of energy savings, the architects designed a structure that would consume less. "We set out to build an extremely efficient envelope using passive design techniques, optimizing the house layout, windows, and insulation. Then we added extremely efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems, as well as appliances," Koenig says. "The passive design techniques resulted in an open space with tons of natural light. It’s a beautiful environment to spend time in." A Silva Giant LED floor lamp by Laguna Beach-based designers Cerno, Kristina sofa by Ekla Home, Loop coffee table by Arktura, area rug from Shaw, and end table from Iannone Design furnish the living room.
The house uses about half as much energy as a conventional residence in the area. Over the course of a year, it is projected to produce 2.6 megawatt-hours of energy while a comparable home will consume 13.3 megawatt-hours. "This offsets nearly 13,100 pounds of CO2 annually," Koenig says. "Plus, it uses renewable electricity to power driving." To accomplish this level of energy savings, the architects designed a structure that would consume less. "We set out to build an extremely efficient envelope using passive design techniques, optimizing the house layout, windows, and insulation. Then we added extremely efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems, as well as appliances," Koenig says. "The passive design techniques resulted in an open space with tons of natural light. It’s a beautiful environment to spend time in." A Silva Giant LED floor lamp by Laguna Beach-based designers Cerno, Kristina sofa by Ekla Home, Loop coffee table by Arktura, area rug from Shaw, and end table from Iannone Design furnish the living room.
UC Innovation Center, Anacleto Angelini, in Santiago, Chile (2014) Balancing openness with a sense of privacy and protection, this structure juxtaposes large, deep voids with an opaque, Brutalist facade.
UC Innovation Center, Anacleto Angelini, in Santiago, Chile (2014) Balancing openness with a sense of privacy and protection, this structure juxtaposes large, deep voids with an opaque, Brutalist facade.
The First Unitarian Church of Berkeley designed by Albert Schweinfurth is now on the UC Berkeley campus and houses the UC Dance Studio.
The First Unitarian Church of Berkeley designed by Albert Schweinfurth is now on the UC Berkeley campus and houses the UC Dance Studio.
Top 9 Kitchens of 2020: The nominees for this year’s Dwell Design Awards are the epitome of style and function.
Top 9 Kitchens of 2020: The nominees for this year’s Dwell Design Awards are the epitome of style and function.
Lauren and Brittan Ellingson, the owners of Notice Snowboards, a custom snowboard and wakesurf company in Whitefish, Montana, approached Workaday Design and builder Mindful Designs to concoct a new lake home for their family. The brief was, perhaps unsurprisingly, focused on getting the family outdoors as much as possible.
Lauren and Brittan Ellingson, the owners of Notice Snowboards, a custom snowboard and wakesurf company in Whitefish, Montana, approached Workaday Design and builder Mindful Designs to concoct a new lake home for their family. The brief was, perhaps unsurprisingly, focused on getting the family outdoors as much as possible.
The Lofthouse is built one of the many hills separating it from the couple’s main residence. "Excavation was a challenge, as we wanted to maintain as much of the existing landscape as possible, but needed to clear out trees for the foundation," says Tarah.
The Lofthouse is built one of the many hills separating it from the couple’s main residence. "Excavation was a challenge, as we wanted to maintain as much of the existing landscape as possible, but needed to clear out trees for the foundation," says Tarah.
The book cover. Courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press (papress.com).
The book cover. Courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press (papress.com).
Parota wood continues in the spacious kitchen. Marisa and Christopher found the blue tile that runs throughout the home on a trip to León, Mexico. "It called out to us," says Christopher. Festooned with small stars, its tone matches the color of the ocean perfectly.
Parota wood continues in the spacious kitchen. Marisa and Christopher found the blue tile that runs throughout the home on a trip to León, Mexico. "It called out to us," says Christopher. Festooned with small stars, its tone matches the color of the ocean perfectly.
The architects designed the home’s expansion with the knowledge that the owners plan to continue the renovation when their budget allows it. "We wanted to put everything in the right place so it doesn’t have to be undone later," says Corti.
The architects designed the home’s expansion with the knowledge that the owners plan to continue the renovation when their budget allows it. "We wanted to put everything in the right place so it doesn’t have to be undone later," says Corti.

12.6k more photos