A Thread for Fine Design

[dale]

Designer: Yuriy Dmitriev http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/06/21/bio-robot-refrigerator/

[Roger]

@solo said:

May not be fine design, but this is simple, cheap and clever.
Solo, how do you turn it off?

[dale]

Roca London Gallery, a space designed by Zaha Hadid Architects,
http://www.rocalondongallery.com/

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[mitcorb]

Hi, dale:
Did you see the lengthy debate about that refrigerator on the website link you provided?

[dale]

@mitcorb said:

Hi, dale:
Did you see the lengthy debate about that refrigerator on the website link you provided?

Yes, the energy debate.
I followed a few other links on this, and I think the idea of bioluminescence providing the energy, is an interesting concept, this being of course a living organism.
Now how it achieves its "food" for providing the energy, and whether they can produce enough energy is the question.
I do however really like the "out of the box" thinking at Electrolux. Their competitions are always interesting.

[Mike Lucey]

Unatandem

Just a moment...

(www.kickstarter.com)

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[Rich O Brien]

this really should be in the funny pics thread but...

[pbacot]

@dale said:

@mitcorb said:

Hi, dale:
Did you see the lengthy debate about that refrigerator on the website link you provided?

Yes, the energy debate.
I followed a few other links on this, and I think the idea of bioluminescence providing the energy, is an interesting concept, this being of course a living organism.
Now how it achieves its "food" for providing the energy, and whether they can produce enough energy is the question.
I do however really like the "out of the box" thinking at Electrolux. Their competitions are always interesting.

Ideally it just feeds on whatever starts developing mold.

[solo]

I do not think this is "fine" design per say,however having a family and a lover of road trips this definitely is appealing and not a monster RV.

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[Mike Lucey]

..... saw this a few days ago. Yes, its a clever design indeed. Here is a link http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/article/video-doubleback-vw-campervan-33163/5 to some good images and the attached shows a cutaway of how it works.

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[dale]

That would make for one sweet road trip, and probably quite economical knowing VW.
I do see a porta-potti needed in the mix though.

[Mike Lucey]

.... problem solved for $20!

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[Mike Lucey]

.... all kinds of portable stuff here, http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/Camp-Essentials/Showers-Toilets-Accessories|/pc/104795280/c/104709780/sc/104569380/Cabelas-Privy-Shelter/1322157.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fcamping-camp-essentials-showers-toilets-accessories%2F_%2FN-1100689&WTz_l=SEO%3Bcat104569380 ... even a portable urinal! One of those would be handy in any car!

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[dale]

New Zealand's Pattersons and Associateshttp://www.pattersons.com

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[Mike Lucey]

QBEAK!

I'm really impressed with this new car concept. The guys at ECOMOVE have torn up the pieces of paper showing what a car should look like and started afresh, yet at the same time using common sense.

A couple of stats for the QBEAK,

Size: 3m x 1.75 x 1.63 (perfect size for urban environments and just big enough to highway driving)
Range: 300km (enough for longish runs)
Top Speed: 120Km (fast enough for motorways)
Entry: sliding doors and tailgate (sliding doors are ideal for urban parking)
Driver / passengers: 1-6 (can cater for a family)
Driving position: Central (no need for left / right hand versions ...... if its good enough the the Mc L F1!)

I could not pick up what the 1-100kph time is but imagine it is respectable considering that its electric and light!

As regards the shape, I like it ..... funky practical design!

All that remains is to get it on the pavement at a reasonable price. Check out the full details here, http://en.ecomove.dk/stories/126-advantages/canvases/717-design

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[dale]

Designer Smith Newman http://www.smithnewnamdesign.com/work/product/ripple-faucet/
Water Ball Ripples

The Ripple faucet creates a new, fun way to interact with water. Drawing inspiration from surface ripples, the faucet creates a strong visual relationship between the two. On top of the frosted ripple surface sits a metal ball. An array of electromagnetic sensors detects that ball’s position. Moving the ball in or out from the center controls water pressure. Moving it around controls temperature.

The surface glows red or blue to denote how hot or cold it is. The two separate channels combine the hot and cold water to get the perfect mix. Don’t worry about scalding yourself tho. The water in the hot water channel isn’t actually hot until it’s ready to be mixed via flash heating.
Read more at http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/02/27/water-ball-ripples/#uWFeyxCJr2OqhRKc.99

[Mike Lucey]

..... might encourage folks to wash their hands more No bad thing

[Mike Lucey]

Guys,

I came across the GiraDora human-powered washer this morning. On first viewing the design / look did not grab my eye BUT after further investigation I now believe this to be a 'fine design' in deed. It will change the lives of many people in 3rd World countries.

Deatils may be had here,

http://www.dellchallenge.org/projects/giradora-safe-agua#

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670355/how-a-foot-powered-washing-machine-could-change-millions-of-lives#5

http://www.gizmag.com/giradora-pedail-power-washer/23548/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=8d5088113d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

The though has alos crossed my mind that the $40 investment could be a good one for a lot of Westerners in these unsure times ....... power shortages etc

[dale]

Mike
What a great find!
Judy and I spent long stints as Rangers in a remote wilderness area here in BC called Kakwa Lake.
We would have really appreciated something like this, as we didn't have an extensive wardrobe, and there was lots of hard dirty work involved.
As you say for many, in third world situations, this would be quite welcomed.
I also think it would be great for washing freshly harvested carrots and potatoes etc

[dale]

I once had the pleasure of designing and assisting the fabricator in building a steel and wood stairway. This was hands on the grinder, assembled in situ stuff.
I was searching for a photo of them this morning, and as they were done many years ago, I came up empty. In fact the picture may have even been taken with film.(yeah that's right, I'm old enough to remember when you had to walk to the TV to change channels )
But Running through my files, I came upon some links I had around for inspiration. So I re-screenshot them for this.
I'm always impressed with how diverse metal can be.
The Last one is Victor Horta house. http://www.hortamuseum.be/
I had an interesting thought. I wondered if there was some subconscious link or inspiration that Art Nouveau has had on the curvy ("Nurbsy") works of the likes of Zaha Hadid
Hadid

Horta