Hydro Lance Recycles Jets into High-Speed Planeboats

Here at Inhabitat we’ve seen our fair share of airplanes repurposed into incredible new forms, but this heavy-duty recycling plan takes the cake. A company called Hydro Lance proposes to transform old, obsolete aircraft into high-speed ocean vessels by replacing their wings with narrow pontoons. An old 727-200 could be converted into a high-speed, ultra-stable passenger ferry capable of traveling at a speed of more than 120 knots (nearly 140 mph).

Read more...

A Sofa that Helps You Get into Shape!

There’s no reason to let your couch kick your butt into an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle. Designed for Italian furniture manufacturer Campeggi, Tobias Fraenzel’s “Champ” lets you show your sofa who’s boss. This multi-faceted chair which made its debut at this year’s Milan Furniture Fair not only affords a comfy cushion to park your tired glutes, but also features a neat modern design that provides a discreet outlet for you to get your daily workout!

A couch potato, no more! Champ starts off as a compact sofa, which can easily be transformed into an upright punching bag. Kick it, punch it, charge it head-on, Champ will take it all on in stride. A design full of function and wit, Champ is a shining example of smart design.

Read more...

Amazing Artwork Made by Insects!

Believe it or not, this artwork is actually made from the movement of tiny insects! Straight from Eindhoven comes Debugged, Big Apple Bugs and Vernissage – a new exhibit from the enterprising experimental design team Edhv. ‘Art by Insects’ is a fascinating series based on a vision of organic and reactive identities. By using an experimental technology tracking software to map the movement patterns of various species of insects, Edhv has created a whole new medium of artwork that comes from life.

Read more...

Wind-Powered Knitting Machine Lets Nature Knit Scarves!

Perusing Designboom this morning we saw this super rad wind-powered knitting machine by Merel Karhof. We had to share this amazing device that beautifully knits tubes using only wind power! The idea initially came to Karhof as she walked by cul de sacs and noticed a consistent breeze flowing outwards. She decided then that she would come up with way to harvest that free energy source and put it to good use. The result – the “Wind Knitting Factory“.

Showcased first at the Hotel RCA exhibition, hosted by royal college of art during Milan Design Week, the Wind Knitting Factory is a 1.2 meter diameter handmade wind mill attached to a loom mechanism. As the wind blows, it spins the loom and knits a scarf tube!

Obviously the stronger the wind is blowing, the faster a scarf can be knit. Each scarf is 2 meters long and is labeled with the day it was made and how long it took to the wind to knit it. Totally powered by free renewable energy without any human power, these amazing little scarves are perfect for wearing on a windy day too!

Read more...

Bionic Humidifier: A Flower that Helps You Breathe Easier

Nature, nurture and design come together in Gonglue Jiang’s Bionic Humidifier — a clever appliance masquerading as a potted plant that also functions as an indoor humidifier. Jiang’s artificial “bloom” wilts and goes limp without continual watering (refilling) and comes in an assortment of colors and shapes — just like the garden variety. “I designed a humidifier simulating a live flower that needs to be ‘nurtured,’” Jiang explains, “which fulfills emotional needs for the users.”

The Bionic Humidifier does it all— it moisturizes your apartment, it looks beautiful while it does it, AND it offers the bragging rights that go with keeping something alive! And don’t think this is just decorative folly — this apparatus has been created to live, die and be maintained like a flower, making it more than just another household tool.

No green thumb? No worries — the Bionic Humidifier is much more forgiving than Mother Nature. Once you provide water, your plant will perk back up and resume humidifying. With the looks and mannerisms of a plant, Jiang aims to bring both fresh air and a natural feel into otherwise enclosed spaces, and, unlike typical whirling and fizzing varieties of humidifiers, the Bionic Humidifier provides a “natural breeze effect in home humidifying.”

Read more...

A Zero-Energy Recyclable Espresso Maker

Despite all the reasons why we should cut down on caffeine, it’s hard to say no to that daily little cup of java goodness. So rather than flipping on the switch to your energy hungry espresso maker – or even worse, stuffing your machine with those wasteful single serving plastic containers – we suggest you try the Presso Espresso, an eco-friendly and recyclable espresso maker from designer Patrick Hunt.

Through a controlled blend of pressure and temperature, Presso offers a simple and eco-friendly way to get your daily fix (or fixes!). All you need to do is fill the tamp handle with your choice ground, pack it in, add hot water, raise the handles of the machine to let the water infuse the grinds, and then press the handles downwards to release your piping hot beverage below. Made from polished aluminum, the Presso can also be recycled at the end of its life.

We admit the basic principles behind the Presso Espresso aren’t that different from a traditional moka, or even a French press, but the design is pretty sweet!

Read more...