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Shaping the Future of Urban Living
In the coming 30 years, Australia’s population is projected to increase by 11.8 million people – the equivalent of adding a city the size of Canberra each year for the next 30 years. As Australia’s largest cities face a watershed moment in their growth and development, many are looking far and wide to the next...
LED Streetlights – A Sustainable and Cheaper Alternative
Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are becoming more prevalent in our homes, so it was only a matter of time until the LED discussion extended to street lights. Determined to see this discussion head in a positive direction, a Queensland research team led by QUT scientists conducted a 12-month LED street lighting trial in Brisbane,...
Sustainability Lighting The Way
More cities are making the switch to smarter lighting solutions for their streets. Solar powered lighting, internet connected LED lighting and remote monitoring/controlling are just some of the latest features that can go into street lighting. But cities are not upgrading because of the novelty factor, these technologies have an important number of benefits that...
Cycle Solar Power
It’s been one year since an innovative solar-paneled bike path was laid in Krommenie, Netherlands, and the results have even surprised the designers. Over the past year the path has generated 70 kilowatt-hours per square meter – enough to power about three houses. The people behind SolaRoad – a pioneering innovation in the field of...
The First Living Building in Texas?
The Betty and Clint Josey Pavilion, one of Texas’ most eco-friendly structures, is nestled in an unassuming native prairie landscape near Decatur. The self-sufficient 502m2 open-air pavilion is 100 percent powered by solar, uses zero air conditioning, harvests rainwater and treats all wastewater on-site. San Antonio-based firm Lake|Flato Architects designed the award-winning pavilion to meet the standards of...
Innovative Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
Innovative park design and public space reclamation have combined to become one of the latest green trends to emerge in contrast against the urban concrete jungle. These green trends have enjoyed such massive success in the public eye that developers around the world are scrambling to innovate and replicate, with projects ranging from public rooftop...
Picnic Table with Power
There’s a big green roof on top of the Williamsburg offices of Vice in NYC. There is what looks like a picnic table with a solar panel sunshade nestled in the planting which designer Matt Kovaleski describes as “a space for urbanites to relax in the shade while charging whatever they need off clean energy.” This humble...
Solar Sphere Man Cave
When it comes to personal DIY projects most people might be happy with building a deck or a shed – not Jono Williams, a Plastics Engineer and Graphic Designer from New Zealand. After shooting the breeze with a mate one night, this Kiwi inventor committed to building the ultimate app-controlled treehouse. After working on the...
Melbourne Lights Up
Tired and weary travellers no need to be hesitant! A dynamic and absorbing new light installation has just been completed at Melbourne Airport. A decidedly contemporary update to the terminal façade, the forecourt and smaller individual surrounding sites are set to be a permanent addition to the infrastructure. A 14m illuminated ‘Melbourne’ sign characterises the...
Living in your own bubble
It’s a sad state of affairs when you can’t even visit the park for some fresh air. In response to the bad air quality which is affecting many cities in the developing world, orproject has proposed “Bubbles” – a park enclosed in a giant bubble. “Bubbles” contains all the beauty of the natural world inside...
Sydney lighting the way
Sydney’s innovative festival of light, music and ideas is just a week away from being switched on. New to this year, you can give the Sydney Harbour Bridge the paint job you’ve always wanted (without the back breaking labour and expense involved). Using the latest interactive lighting technology, you’ll be able to select a section...
All is calm, All is bright at Pitt Street Mall
Sydney is festively dressed this Christmas in a new lighting scheme illuminating late night shoppers in Pitt Street Mall. The decorative new lighting system is suspended 14 metres above the ground and consists of 23 custom-made light fittings spaced seven metres apart along the entire length of the mall. Each fitting contains different coloured and styled downlights that...
