Wednesday 17 October 2012

Vertical forest by Stefano Boeri


"Vertical forest" - a project of an Italian architect Stefano Boeri, whose main goal is to increase the efficiency of using land in the center of Milan.
It was the idea of  designer Michel Brunello, his team was engaged in the planting of trees in Milan several years ago. 

Sunday 14 October 2012

Festa Major de Gràcia (Barcelona 2012)


Gràcia is a district of the city of Barcelona, ​​Catalonia, Spain. The most well-known attraction in Gràcia is the Gaudí-designed Parc Güell which is located on El Carmel mountain. Every August, Gràcia holds an eight-day festival "Festa Major", known as Festes de Gràcia, one of the largest festivals in Barcelona.
In any event, the festival that strengthens the middle and late nineteenth century, it was defined in a more civic religion, through the efforts of the many organizations working and leisure, cultural associations or societies of dance.

The concept of Gràcia festival is that each street in the neighbourhood competes to win the prize of being the best decorated street. Each street tends to take the competition very seriously and the standards are very high. A theme is chosen by each street and this can cover anything from Roman wrestling to underwater sea life. Walk through the streets of Gràcia and you will be amazed by the canopies of colourful decoration that are above you and the creativity and originality that each street demonstrates.

Carrer Berga

As we can see mostly all the decorations are made out of waste materials, but how creatively they used! The bees out of painted bottles and lighters out of plastic spoons which create such a nice texture. Probably the one bottle bee would not look so impressive but when there are hundreds of them? Huh? Impressive? 

Carrer Berga
I just made a close look on how all the objects were made and I was absolutely stunned by the creativity of these people. 
Carrer Berga
Carrer Berga

Major celebrations on the festival occur at night, that's why it is omportant to interact with light in installations.

Friday 5 October 2012

Pack-Unpack

The biggest part of waste problem is a pack. The majority of pack is produced from plastic and oil sub-products.
Everyday each of us uses some plastic objects like plastic bottles, glasses, pockets and others once.
The most of them is thrown right away almost at the moment of buying. For example when you buy a cup of coffee you throw the plastic glass away after some minutes. Moreover to use plastic utensil for hot drinks is very dangerous for health. 
Luis Enrique (Venezuela) created eatable cups for Lavazza company coffee.


This eatable cup is made from cookie and covered inside by sugary powder. 




One more idea about unpacked products was created and realized by Catherine Conway in 2006. She founded the company “Unpackaged” (http://beunpackaged.com/why-packaging/) in the belief that there is a better way to sell products, so their customers can do the right thing – for themselves and for the environment. 


Catherine set up Unpackaged because she wanted to refill her groceries using her own containers. The dream was to set up a beautiful shop that made it really easy for customers to come & refill all their daily essentials.


"Unpackages" vision is a world with less wasteful packaging and we’re achieving it one customer at a time!

This means:
  • C0²e reduction from less packaging
  • The reduction of material waste from landfill & incineration
  • Positive behaviour change – we help our customers consume more sustainably
  • Less food waste – buy only what you need


"Unpackages" Policies:
  • We always source organic products, where available
  • We source products as seasonally as possible
  • We always source fair trade products, where available
  • We support artisan local producers to help keep money in our local economy, giving preference to social enterprises & cooperatives
  • We work with our suppliers to develop reusable packaging “up” the supply chain as well as “down” to our customers
  • We apply the principles of the waste hierarchy to all our operations: reduce, reuse and recycle
  • We only sell non-air freighted products
  • We plan efficiently to minimise our own transportation
  • We are actively involved in the local community – from local street parties to supporting environmental campaigns & hosting local school trips to teach kids about waste & the environment
  • We promote healthy eating; raw, whole, unprocessed ingredients that our customers can cook for themselves


However Catherine didn’t stop and develop and distribute the idea with unpackaged product among other business to help them go ‘Unpackaged’.



Features in many different types of publications from national newspapers to industry, design & consumer magazines. Time Out recently voted this shop the #48th best shop in London.

Catherine was voted #32 in the Observer Food Monthly Top 40 Eco Heroes.
Unpackaged was included in Time Out’s ‘Little Black Book’ of the 500 most essential services in London.
Unpackaged was set up with support from the following organisations: Multistorey, Portobello Business Centre, The Hub, Unltd, Global Tolerance, Striding Out, Sustain, Aquila Green and carpenter Andrew Roddis – do click on their sites and have a look at what they do.



The same idea was realized by three brothers Lane with their friend (Austin, USA). They opened shop «in.gridients» (http://in.gredients.com/)  what will be the first store in America what will sell products without pack.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvyTCx2Uo6k&feature=player_embedded



It's obvious that this idea is more and more recognised around the world. In my opinion there might be only one minus or reazon for non-following of this behaviour is a laziness. 
I can to affirm that on a base of my personal experience because for some years I try don't use unnecessary pack and plastic bags if it's possible to do. When I ask somebody "Why you don't do it?" I hear just one answer "I'm lazy to do it".