Around The Home
The Icosa shelter system utilises innovative design, commodity materials and fast, simple construction from pre-cut materials to create a cost-effective shelter solution for humanitarian and relief situations. Applying the geodesic principles pioneered by Buckminster Fuller, the Icosa system is capable of withstanding high-winds and a range of temperatures and a consumer version - "The Pod" - has now emerged in the US.Two commercial models are available: the 7m wide Deca Pod and the 3.5m Ico Pod, both of which follow the icosahedron design. Read More
This fully wired "polyfunctional" couch from Philips Design is a signpost for the future of human interaction with the everyday objects around them. Read More
A large wall mounted plasma screen can look somewhat redundant when you're not watching moving pictures so why not let it double as a static piece of artwork. Read More
An environment of suspended "spaces", CloudNine is a new structural system based on tension (cables) instead of Compression (columns)... Read More
Sudden cardiac arrest causes around 250,000 deaths each year in America. Statistics show that 70 percent of these happen in the home with someone else present. Given that a patient's chance of survival decreases by about 10 percent for each minute that passes after an arrest, the home defibrillator makes sense - especially for those in a high-risk category. Read More
The biggest area of improvement in home automation at the 2002 CEDIA Show in Minneapolis was that of user interfaces... Read More
A new apartment complex in the heart of Melbourne is promising a blend of heritage architecture, contemporary design and ultra-modern technology based living... Read More
Most of us harbour dreams of retiring in palatial comfort by the sea, but few take the concept as literally as Naval Architect Giancarlo Zema whose vision of coastal living involves taking up residence on a sheer cliff face. The Neptus 60 Cliff Habitat is designed to create a cliff side living environment in harmony with nature both above and below the surface. The futuristic vertical structure consists of four main areas - central living space, observation deck, a dock for boats at water level and an underwater observation globe - connected by a glass elevator and spiral staircase. And there's room to move. The 18m diameter living section offers 250 square meters of floor-space on two levels including a living room with terrace and three bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, looking onto the sea. Read More
Real Australian Works's Moving Pictures range of designer wall aquariums provide the relaxing ambience of a fish tank in the home without taking up any valuable floorspace in your dining area or entranceway. The easy-to-clean kits include everything you need to get started (except for the water and the fish) including mounting brackets, pump, filter, gravel and plants. Finished in teak, aluminium or gold brushed finishes, the aquariums vary in size from 15 litres to the 50 litre Panoramic models and suit a variety of cold water fish up to 5cm in length. The aquariums are manufactured in China and can be purchased via Real Australian Works starting at US$18. Read More
One for the impatient coffee-holic, Shower Shock caffeinated soap delivers a morning caffeine fix as you shower. Read More
