Radhicka S Saxena: Kauai Treehouse Kauai Treehouse by Jay Nelson This tree house built in Hawaii is a strong, durable and cozy. It has an amazing view of the woods and nature lovers will adore it. The idea of building ecological abodes is praiseworthy. You can have a place to get away without splurging too much. Also, you do not cut down trees thus preserving the environment. The construction of the house is robust and though built into a tree, you will not feel confined at all. Facts about the structure The topmost floor of this tree house is at height of 30 feet and the floor space is about 140 sq. ft. The structure made out of solid wood is quite sturdy. The long stairs winding around the tree are not rickety. The solid base of the tree house is built around the thickest trunk of the tree. Many branches of the tree jut out just below the base of the house giving it adequate support and stability. Three wooden boards are fit around the trunk. The first two serve as the landing for the stairs. The stairway built is spiral and it coils around the thickest trunk of the tree. The last and topmost wooden board is the flooring for the house. There is a deck also on this level. To gaze outside Its windows are very interesting – hexagonal shaped and fitted with colored stain glass. What brings out their beauty is that different pieces of stain glasses have been slotted in and all of them do not have the same color. There are three windows and a stain glass skylight for those who cannot miss the gleam of moonlight after dark when they are inside the tree house. Also, these windows light up the interiors with sunny rays during the day time. Scenic dwelling The view outside of the lush green vegetation is breath taking. The packed jumble of trees, shrubs, plants and grass really isolates you from the noisy and crowded city transporting the residents to another world. The thickset brings in fresh breeze and soothing scents of the nature. Not to forget the skylight on the roof, it has the most amazing view of trees right up and above you. The vision of this cluster of trees and leaves bunched right on top of your abode is mesmerizing. Another bewitching view is from the deck of the tree house. Look at the forest stretched out in front of you whilst enjoying the peace and isolation. Lounge in the breezy open of the deck with a warm cup of cocoa or eat brunch with your family here. Picture Gallery Kauai Treehouse Kauai Treehouse by Jay Nelson About the artist Jay Nelson is a talented artist who has studied fine arts at the Bard college and California college of arts. His work is displayed in numerous galleries and he also partners with other artists. This tree house built by him is quite ingenious and a truly a fine piece of craftsmanship. It has been constructed along the North shore of Kauai during the winter of 2011. It was created for Daize Shayne and Aamion Goodwin. Some of this other works are; Ukiah tree house, Honda scooter camper, Mollusk submarine, graphite drawings and the camper boat. He is truly talented and his work is simplistic as well as functional. Via: CargoCollective

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Lush green view from the Kauai Treehouse

Babita Sajnani: Sail bus shelter design Sail bus shelter design by Kwek Rui Kiat The innovative and very creative Sail Bus Shelter is the work of Kwek Rui Kiat that is a proposed design for a modern-day bus stand that takes care of the present designs of the same. This particular design would be put up near the Singapore River area which would enhance the cultural heritage points alongside the Singapore River, which is a very popular tourist destination. Apart from adding more style and enhancement to the riverside, the Sail Bus Shelter will also provide a solution to the people waiting for buses, which the present bus stands do not take care of in their designs. Picture Gallery Sail bus shelter design Sail bus shelter design by Kwek Rui Kiat The amazing design and shape of the Sail Bus Shelter look like big-sized boats made by using the Japanese paper-folding technique- origami! This boat-shaped bus stand is very apt for the riverside placement as it complements the boats that float along the river. Apart from its unique look, this bus shelter will also provide a very spacious environment for bus waiting as it will be very visible. Apart from that, this bus shelter will have ample seating arrangement so that you can also manage to conduct a meeting without getting disturbed! This convenient bus shelter also takes care of Singapore’s unpredictable tropical weather – so whether it is shining or raining, you would not be affected once you are under this amazing Sail Bus Shelter! This bus shelter also has a very green and environmental-friendly aspect to it as the shelter is embedded with solar cells within its framework so that it performs a dual function – that of providing shelter to the folks waiting at the bus stand and also for providing energy for the adjoining area. Furthermore, the slightly sloping angles of the roof of the shelter permit the rainwater to flow in a downward direction, rather than falling off the sides and wetting the passengers’ who are waiting near the edges of the shelter. The designer has attempted to address all the major concerns that are faced by the present bus bays as he has modified on the design and made it more comfortable for the passengers by providing them a comfortable waiting time. Furthermore, being true to the present-day global warming problem and the fact that we need to produce energy by using renewable sources of energy, the bus shelter would also produce clean solar energy that would give it a dual purpose. Via: Coroflot

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Sail Bus Shelter: An origami inspired design

Swapnica Jain: Interesting bike hacks Most interesting bike hacks Remember the first time you set your feet on the bicycle pedals and felt the wind on your face as you just let yourself go? Bicycles have been our most basic and popular rides since decades. In fact, it is the first vehicle that all of us have had! From kiddy tricycles to sports bicycles, they have always played a big role in everyone’s life and form some invaluable memories for all. So why not transform your favorite two-wheeled friend into something more comfortable, practical and cool or simply just crazily hybrid? Here are five interesting and innovative bike hacks for turning your very basic bike into a luxurious ride. 1) Tall Bike Tall Bike This one is for all those who like to stand tall This one is for all those who like to stand tall. Well, not stand tall exactly, but at least you can ride tall. The tall bike is a super-tall bicycle built by a combination of two bikes. It consists of a 12-inch small kids’ bike mounted on top of a full-size 26-inch bike. All parts bolted into place, this bike runs like butter and provides an extra smooth ride. The Tall Bike is the brainchild of Peter Wagner of Davis, California, who has designed 35 more bikes. Cool look, but I wonder if it is tall enough to save you from breathing in some of that toxic pollution on the road. 2) Canoe Bike Canoe Bike The Canoe bike is a bike which can float on water easily Have you always been attracted to vehicles which could run both on land and wade through water? Well, here’s one cool amphibious ride for you. The Canoe bike is a bike which can float on water easily. This is partly due to its engineering genius, and partly because it is made up of aluminum, which makes it really light. The cool aluminum exterior also gives it a jazzy bright and shiny look. Made by Jay, this is sure one innovative bike hack. 3) Side Car Side Car Side Car bike The maker here accepts that all of us need to settle down one day and make a family. In fact he’s taken the fact seriously and built a bike around the whole concept! The bicycle is no longer only for two. The side car bike takes care of you and your whole family. There are two designs available: 1. The Three-Passenger Transport System: This Side Car bike is a three-seater. There is a side seat next to the cyclist. The other seat is a rear-facing one, right behind the cyclist. 2. The Side car: This one has a wooden side car attached next to the cyclist at a lower level. This is for seating the ‘little ones’. 4) Quad Bike Quad Bike Quad Bike by Peter Wagner Some people sure know how to make everything in life comfortable. Even a bike! Confused how can the world’s popular excruciating exercise-cum-torture machinery be comfortable? Welcome to Whymcycles’ Peter Wagner’s world. The designer of Quad Bike sure knows how to live in style and make it comforting too. The Quad bike is a double-seater with comfy back supports so that you can lie back in pleasure while cycling. And it’s not a two-wheeler, mind you! This bike is a four-wheeler, so you’ll have to work really hard to lose your balance and fall. And the weather? Equipped with a large protective umbrella as your shield, the Quad bike lets you cycle comfortably in the rain. Add to this a carrier bicycle basket in front and easily reachable bike controls and you truly have a king’s chariot in the form of a bicycle! 5) Cargo Bike Cargo Bike Multipurpose Cargo Bike Ever got frustrated by the fact that your bike may take you wherever you want, but you can’t carry all that you wish to with you? The bicycle basket is often pretty inadequately sized to let it be of any major use. What if you have some bulky shopping to carry? Well, the Cargo Bike is here at your service! Although many sorts of bikes have been built based on the same concept, Nick Johnson’s idea is special. After going through a lot of iterations of the same kind, he came up with this ultra-practical ride. The design is such that it allows easy, effortless and smooth pedaling. Also, the rear-attached carrier is large enough to hold your entire load and more! So, ready to go shopping?

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Five most interesting bike hacks

The all-electric version of its Focus sedan will be available in California and the New York City area next year and spread to other regions as production ramps up.

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Ford taking orders for Focus Electric priced near $40K

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is teaming up with the California Center for Sustainable Energy to determine lifespan and viable alternative uses for used lithium ion batteries.

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Studying a second life for electric-vehicle batteries

The thin-film solar cells to be produced, which will feature 12.8 percent efficiency, were developed by PrimeStar Solar, which is now being acquired by GE, its lead investor.

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GE to build massive thin-film U.S. solar plant

The solar photovoltaic power plant, sited east of Berlin, is expected to provide clean energy to more than 5,000 homes in the surrounding area.

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Google to invest $5 million in German solar plant

Futurist and Kleiner Perkins green-tech venture capitalist Bill Joy says VCs need to focus on breakthrough energy technologies, such as cheap distributed solar, to succeed.

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Bill Joy chases green-tech breakthroughs

The Japanese automaker agrees to use technology from the software giant for its smart-grid system that promises more energy-efficient living. Originally posted at News – Microsoft

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Microsoft and Toyota partner on smart-grid tech

LED maker says manufacturing breakthrough will result in low-cost warm white LED option for 25-watt bulbs. The announcement follows a comprehensive patent deal with Osram.

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Cree claims LED production cost, color solution