Jun 29, 2011 Author: Carrie Moore
A desk made from bamboo plywood inlaid with bird silhouettes made from TorZo Seeta was commissioned for a wild bird store, Birdhouse On The Greenway, in Charlotte, NC. Carol Buie-Jackson, the shop owner, contracted with Brian Turkalo of Turk Designs, Inc. to design and craft the cash-wrap, bump outs, and other retail displays. They had planned to use bamboo as the primary material, as Carol wanted everything to be eco-friendly. They were interested in doing some inlay work and Carol selected TorZo Seeta for it's beauty and the fact that it's made of 70% recycled sunflower seed hulls. TorZo Seeta was a clever choice for this project, as seeds are the store's primary product. The design is of a flock of doves which are several different sizes to make it look more realistic. Fabrication was tricky since the top is a single piece and they had to get the inlays flush, while not sanding the Seeta or bamboo too much. In order to give the counter the most natural look possible, and in keeping with the store's 100% green theme, they did not use any epoxy or varnish over the top. Instead, they chose a product called PNZ (imported from Germany by Hunter Coatings) which is a penetrating floor oil made of 100% vegetable-based oils. This oil pulled out the rich colors in the bamboo and Seeta while maintaining a natural matte sheen.
Brian told CaraGreen, "the project has been a great success and are working on several new jobs
to do similar custom projects for residential, retail and office spaces."
For more information on TorZo Seeta, or to get samples, contact us!
Brian Turkalo can be reached at 704-281-6923.
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May 23, 2011 Author: Carrie Moore
CaraGreen just returned from the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York where we make the annual pilgrimage to scout for new and notable sustainable design trends. This year, we saw an impressive display of sustainable materials being used in contemporary furniture design – much more than in previous years. Other themes included urban farming solutions, LED lighting advancements, and attention to carbon footprint and end of life use of furnishings.
Here are our favorite examples of thoughtful furniture and lighting that incorporate materials that are recycled, rapidly renewable, reclaimed, and/or sustainably-harvested from the show:
- Furniture using 100% recycled paper panels from Token – very durable and beautiful
- Recycled cardboard lights from Graypants
- Recycled beer bottles recast into light fixtures by iQEnvironments
- Used skateboards recycled into colorful tiles with tons of character by Art of Board
An unexpected treat…As New Yorker’s embrace the local food movement, there is a market for urban chicken coops. RAAD design has set the standard, creating a modern, luxury, solar powered hen house. It ships flat-packed and is easily assembled. Not just for roof-top farmers!
LED lighting continues to gain momentum as bulb and color options expand and as prices come down. Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs reduces energy consumption by 85% - very sustainable. One light design takes sustainability even further. Designer Magnus Wästberg used Durapulp, a mix of wood pulp and a thermoplastic made from corn or sugarcane, and low-voltage LEDs, to create the DuraPulp lamp (in picture). The LEDs reduce the voltage and amps needed so minimal wires are required, allowing them to be safely embedded in paper. This product moves beyond sustainable materials to sustainable solutions at every phase of the supply chain. A lumber company finds another use for the pulp that is often a byproduct of softwood lumber production. A chemist creates a plastic made from biomaterial versus petroleum. A designer manipulates the material for strength and form. The result is a beautifully design, energy saving, affordable, product that is compostable at the end of its life.
Another example of the evolution of sustainable design was forefront in the University of Oregon’s exhibition, 'The Shape of Sustainability is...Flat?'. This project explores flat pack furniture and life cycle analysis of furniture designed by students. The University of Oregon Product Design Program challenges current understandings of sustainable design, researches new possibilities, and defines new methods. Each student’s design embodied traditional design principles while quantifying environmental impacts from harvest through end of life.It is exciting to see sustainable design and life cycle thinking incorporated from design education to commercial products. We are already looking forward to next years offerings!
To see additional photos and postings from ICFF, visit our Facebook Page.
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May 23, 2011 Author: Carrie Moore
Trinity Commons apartments in Durham, NC, used Bio-Glass countertops from CaraGreen to help achieve their luxury aesthetic and LEED Silver goal. The developer, Crosland, set out to build a healthy place to live, for both the residents and the earth. Crosland designers selected sustainable surface materials, like Bio-Glass, which is made of 100% recycled glass and fully recyclable. Bio-Glass tops are used for the main reception desk, as well as a communal kitchen area and computer workstations in the lobby.
To improve indoor air quality, Low-VOC paints, carpet adhesive, and eco-friendly insulation were used.
Energy and Water efficiency are a priority inside and outside the building. The development is in an urban infill location, close to Duke University Hospital, two major bus lines, and restaurants, to reduce automobile usage. There are plentiful bike storage racks and preferred parking spaces for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles. They will even have recharging stations for the Nissan Leaf when it’s available. High levels of lighting controls are in the residential and common spaces to allow occupants to control their lighting needs. When CaraGreen visited, we noticed the bathroom lights were turned off upon entry and there was signage politely asking visitors to keep them off when not in use. Dim hallways use the most energy-efficient light bulbs. Low flow water fixtures, including dual flush toilets and waterless urinals are installed. Native and adaptable drought-resistant plant species were planted to cut down on water usage by 50% and no sod was used. To reduce the heat island effect, there’s shade landscaping, most of the parking deck is under a light colored surface, and there’s a white membrane on the roof to minimize the build-up of heat from solar gain. A customized HVAC system helps reduce ozone depletion by requiring zero use of CFC based refrigerants in the HVAC and refrigerant systems. And, the site was designed to control the amount of light that leaves it and disturbs the neighbors. This improves nighttime visibility and reduces the impact on nocturnal animals.
For more information on Bio-Glass or to request samples, contact us.
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May 23, 2011 Author: Carrie Moore
CaraGreen founder and interior designer Cindy Spuria, recently opened LIGHT Art+Design in the LEED Gold Greenbridge Development in Chapel Hill, NC. LIGHT is a curated design shop offering a mix of artwork, custom furniture, rugs, and lighting. All items are chosen for their fine craftsmanship, modern point of view, and commitment to a more sustainable future. In addition to offering the creations of local artists and designers, LIGHT designs and manufactures their own line of furnishings, which utilize sustainable products from CaraGreen.
For their current show, “For the Birds”, which is up through June 11th, LIGHT debuted furnishings made of Bark House bark panels and Durat. A floating cabinet juxtaposed rough Bark House doors against a silky white Durat shell. And, cubes were made from Bark House sheets with removable upholstered tops which reveal storage inside. Bark House obtains bark from sustainable Appalachian foresters and is a by-product of the furniture and plywood industries. Durat is a durable solid surface material, which contains 30% recycled content and is 100% recycled. These custom pieces explore the possibilities for these sustainable materials. Bark House products can also be used for siding, wall paneling, signage, and casework. And, Durat sheets can be used to create seamless surfaces for counters, tables, and vanities.
LIGHT also represents national design brands such as LE rugs, DellaRobbia, Artecnica accessories, Eco Smart Fire fireplaces, Artemide LED task lighting, and Lightolier.
Connect with LIGHT on Facebook to keep up with new products and shows. Or, visit their website to learn more.
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Apr 25, 2011 Author: Carrie Moore
One of our favorite shows for eye candy, ICFF, is back in NYC May 14 – 16 to showcase contemporary design. What is contemporary design without an eye for sustainability. We’ll be there hunting for green materials, new lighting technology, eco-friendly fibers, non-toxic next generation compounds, proven environmentally friendly production processes, and cradle to cradle design all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. Some of our favorites from years past have been stunning designs from recycled materials.
Subscribe to our blog or facebook page for news from the show.
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