September 2004   
Smile Plastics


Innovative products from recycled materials
"In 1994 a range of sheets made from old plastics bottles was launched. Originally containing shampoo, detergent or milk, they bottles have been collected, sorted, flaked and thoroughly washed to remove any remaining contaminants. Looking like multi-coloured corn-flakes the pieces are then compressed into sheets by a process of heat and pressure, which retains the colours of the original bottles.

The sheet materials in our second product range are made from high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and are harder and more rigid than the sheets from bottles.

Smile Plastics has range called Jazz, made from tough, industrial plastic. As this material is available in individual colours, we can offer a customised sheet by blending any combination of red, brown, blues, yellow, green, black and white in any ratio. Standard items are just two colour mixes.

Since then we have launched products made crushed CDs, plastic water bottles, toothbrushes, banknotes, and Dapple, scrap from our own factory. In 2003 we introduced recycled Mobile Phones and Wellies."

Link: Smile Plastics

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The Oculas


Multi-purpose isolation pod
We're not quite sure what to make of this, but if you're looking for isolation while in the surroundings of comfort and technology, the Oculas might be for you.

The Oculas can be outfitted with a flat-screen monitor, 5.1 surround sound, PC, Playstation, XBox, and much, much more.

Now if only this thing could fly (think Jetsons....)

"Relax inside an Oculas and experience pure luxurious comfort whilst enjoying the intensity of its brilliant sound and cinematic vision.

WORK inside a secure Oculas environment on the fastest pc computer seamlessly installed for enhanced network conferences and all your business needs wherever you are in the world.

REST in the pure luxury of the comfy interior whilst listening to your favourite sound tracks and bathing in waves of rejuvenating light. Heated leather seating that massages your entire back invigorates your body back to life.

PLAY against other competitors inside the sound booming, vibrating experience of your Oculas. You can see, feel and hear the excitement of fully immersed gaming with live racing, flight simulations and the full range of game console variations."

Designer: Lee McCormack
Link: The Oculas

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A Practical Guide to Prefabricated Houses


Old School Prefab
"Comprehensive guide to prefabricated houses circa 1947. Describes in detail the five different methods of prefabrication and sets forth the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Photographs and floor plans plus facts and figures about each manufacturer's homes. Includes a directory of prefabricators with addresses. Midcentury modern as well as more conventional designs."

Link: Dig Modern

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Orange Street Studio


Los Angeles landscape architecture and urban design firm
Here is some nice regional landscape design by Michael Schneider of Orange Street Studio.
Their expertise lies in transforming stylish conceptual designs into elegant outdoor spaces. And their designs are distinctively Southern Californian. From modern and minimal, Mediterranean, to tropical and desert; steel pergolas are complimented by mass plantings of ornamental and native grasses or sculptural vines and trees; cooling water elements are interwoven with succulents and aromatic plantings; spectacular pools are highlighted by playful or sophisticated lines. Orange Street Studio is valued by their clients for an eye for the unusual, attention to detail and creating the extraordinary.
Link: Orange Street Studio

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Relax System by Parri


Bentwood furniture with chromed steel
The Relax System by Parri, introduced in 2002, features lounge chairs, arm chairs, and tables built from veneered plywood with chrome or painted tubular steel.

Designer: Marco Maran
Link: Parri

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Kobenhavn Design


Custom modular kitchens and worktops
"KOBENHAVN DESIGN is a team of Danish and American professionals based in New York City that specializes in high-end wooden custom worktops and cabinetry.

All products are produced in Denmark with the highest level of craftsmanship, technology and expertise."

Link: Kobenhavn Design

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Villa Savoye


Photo tour of residence in Poissy, France designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Janneret
Saphenia features a very nice photo tour of this 1931 Corbu masterwork... the most comprehensive collection of photos I have seen of the Villa Savoye anywhere.

The Villa is a physical manifesto of Le Corbusier's "five points of the new architecture" with its grid of supporting pilotis, horizontal window bands, free facade, open interior plan and roof terraces. The articulated circulation system also exemplifies Corbu's idea of the "architectural promenade."

Link: Saphenia - Villa Savoye
Via: Things Magazine

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Flower Tower


10-storey Paris apartment building by Edouard François
"Flower Tower" is a bit of a misnomer since bamboo isn't a regularly flowering plant (bamboo generally dies after flowering, and most species are long lived, so you connect the dots), but it sounds better than "Bamboo Building" I guess. This Parisian apartment block features a green facade of bamboo planted in 380 large concrete pots embedded in the balconies.

Article: Guardian - Flower power
Firm: Edouard François

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Concord "plug table"


Concept conference table design by GRO
While we have visited GRO's website many times before, we have always overlooked this little gem. Though this design is not being produced, it just struck us as worth sharing.

The table features two circular sockets in the center of the table that can accept any number of modular plug-in pieces including electrical outlets, light fixtures, and various containers.

Link: GRO Design

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Sustainability in Architecture and Design


An Interview with Bert Gregory
"BetterBricks talked with Bert Gregory, President & CEO of Mithun, a Seattle-based architecture, design and planning firm and a national leader in resource sensitive and sustainable design."

"Mithun is probably best known for its design of the REI stores and IslandWood, the innovative environmental learning center on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Bert served as design team leader for both of those projects."

Link: BetterBricks
Firm: Mithun

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