Sunday, March 25, 2007

Bloomframe


Bloomframe is a window frame that can be transformed into a balcony. Designed by Amsterdam-based Hofman Dujardin Architects, the Bloomframe balcony offers a flexible living environment by making it possible to extend the domain of one's facade. In this way, the dynamic balcony enables adding outdoor space to compact apartments in urban high-rise areas.

The Bloomframe balcony can be operated automatically in one movement and with one control. The system includes provisions to guarantee collapse safety during opening and closing, and the drive consists of an rpm-controlled electric motor that operates the balcony at two points via an auto-braking reduction (drop safety). The movement is transferred by tie rods from these linear guides. The fully open position is limited mechanically, which guarantees optimum safety of the converted balcony. The application of a combined powered / mechanical movement makes the system user-friendly and easy to open and close for everyone. [via Hofman Dujardin Architecten; suggested by Corrie Messinger, Columbus, OH.]

Labels: , , , , ,

posted by Blaine @ 4:48 AM 4 comments links to this post

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Superabsorber


In the United States there are 46,837 miles of highways with miles of sound barrier walls being erected daily to mitigate the negative impacts of highway systems on urban neighborhoods. At the same time, these transportation systems alone produce 1.4 billion tons of airborne pollution annually. With the increasing prominence of this additional component to our highway infrastructure, the public is beginning to demand a more appealing design solution to highway-generated air, sound, and light pollution.

In addition to mitigating sound and light pollution as present highway barrier systems do, the Superabsorber system also absorbs airborne pollutants. Designed by Douglas Hecker and Martha Skinner of Clemson-based FieldOffice, this innovative system has the potential to significantly reduce airborne pollution in urban areas with the application of photocatalytic cement products that have been demonstrated to reduce air pollution in urban areas by 50% when covering just 15% of urban surfaces. The inclusion of this surface application on future concrete barrier systems represents a significant amount of surface area for absorption of air pollution in urban areas. [via Field Office.]

Labels: , , ,

posted by Blaine @ 6:33 AM 3 comments links to this post