Going With The Grain: Hardwood Flooring Inspired By Nature

Why does hardwood flooring have to look like a machined product?

Why does does a machined natural product have to lose its connection to its organic roots?

Trees aren't straight, so why do wood floors have to be?

Recycled-Content Rubber Bands!

Architect's all seem to have some kind of interesting relationship with rubber bands.  There must be something in our DNA that attracts us to them.  Here at TRPinc, we're no different.  From Alex's 5" diameter rubber band ball to Steve's uncanny ability to shoot a rubber band at velocities approaching the speed of sound with the accuracy of a laser beam, our hearts are clearly bound by these little rubber hoops.

Last week we came across these little jewels out of Switzerland...rubber bands made from recycled bicycle innertubes!  The product, called Plattfuss, is beautiful, no matter what you're appreciation level is for rubber bands.  The packaging is well designed and the idea itself is simply brilliant.  Designed by Brigitta and Benedikt Martig-Imhof of SEED Peoples Market for tät-tat

 

{images courtesy of notcot.org}

UV Self-Sanitizing Door Levers

COME ALL YE GERMAPHOBES!!!

Recently we came across this blog post describing an award winning product design by Choi Bomi for red dot. In a nutshell, it's a door lever equipped with a UV light that sanitizes the door lever when its not in use. Genius, right?

ART+TECHture_001:Light Meter Display

To start off TRPinc's weekly series of the "ART & TECH" of architectural sketching, we've decided to combine it with one of our "product posts".

Recently, the Las Vegas Plumbers & Pipefitters Union (UA Local 525) asked TRPinc to conduct an energy & environmental study for their current Union Hall & Training Center (both of which were designed by TRPinc). This analysis involved looking closely at the current LEED® for Existing Buildings certification standards to determine if any improvements could be made. One of our goals was to not only inform, but to educate our client (in a casual & fun way) on how certain changes could have a big effect on their building. With that in mind, we created this Light Meter Display that allowed us to not only test different light bulbs for the best efficiency & wattage usage, but it also became an awesome presentation piece to show off! Here's how the process went:

Concept Sketch

It's a Tire...It's a Playground...No, it's a Sink!!!

Move over porcelain, tile and (our favorite) concrete, running tracks and playgrounds aren't the only thing tires are good for anymore! Introducing RUBBiSH, a "recycled rubber sink" that has been making the rounds, such as Architect Magazine's 2010 R+D Awards.

PV Pavement: Walking on Solar Panels

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are a great source of energy, but sometimes the cost, maintenance and integration within a project can be a little daunting. How about a PV panel paving stone that not only substitutes a required building material (walking pavement), but is tough enough to actual walk on! Check this out:

The "Designer" Energy Saving Light Bulb

“It’s strange that the bulb, an object so synonymous with ideas, is almost entirely absent of imagination.”


Plumen Bulb Loop from Plumen on Vimeo.