The rise of eco-chic design

I am featured in the newspapers! In the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age! It's about the green designs at The Edge, the design pavilion at the Sydney furniture fair next week.
Check out the article here.

Paper as plastic

Don't be fooled by the plastic-like appearance of the Zeopod; it's recycled paper and hemp.

What's exciting is that this new material, called Zeoform and made in Mullumbimby, is made from cutting edge nano-technology and doesn't use the glues, resins or toxins common in many plastics. And it is 100 per cent biodegradable at the end of its life.

Perth-based designer Wilma van Boxtel was invited by Zeoform to design a seat with their new product and the shape was inspired by a seed pod she discovered in Queensland. To round out its blue-chip sustainable credentials, her upholstered seat is made from Joyce Eco foam with an eco-wool covering.
Van Boxtel, who lectures in design at Curtin University, says: "If we as designers make better choices, then the consumer doesn't have to think about it.

"I teach my students to think about sustainable design [and packaging] as using common sense."

Superb Idea: Bike Lane That Travels With You

This would be such a great idea for Perth!
Unfortunately it's still just a concept, check here for more info.

The Greenpeace Design Awards.

Greenpeace has unveiled their new poster design competition!
Open to anyone in the creative community around the world, the 2009 brief is to design a promotional poster that “delivers the message ‘Be a Part of the Action’”.

Recongising the strong role visual communications have played in the Greenpeace cause the designers are asked to create posters to encourage the public to take action on environmental issues.

“Visual communication has always been an important way for Greenpeace to get its message across to a large audience. The Greenpeace Design Awards are a great opportunity for people to use their creativity to raise awareness of environmental issues and inspire action.”

Entry is free and submissions are open online here from 1 March until 15 June 2009.

2009 Banksia Environmental Awards Now Open

More than one award to enter!
The ten Banksia Category Awards are as follows:
1. Education Award
2. Water Award (supported by Victorian Dept of Environment & Sustainability)
3. Land & Biodiversity Award (supported by Double A)
4. Indigenous Award – Caring for Country (supported by the Australian Government)
5. Large Business Sustainability Award (supported by the NSW Dept of Environment & Climate Change) New in 2009
6. Small and Medium Enterprises Sustainability Award New in 2009
7. Built Environment Award (supported by the Laminex Group)
8. Eco Innovation Award
9. Agriculture and Food “Paddock To Plate” Award New in 2009
10. Environmental Services Award New in 2009

More information and download entry kit here.

First Perth Green Drinks of 2009

The first Perth Green Drinks in The University Club where a success! About sixty people came to join a real green cocktail together with like minded. Both speakers had an interesting topic and the venue was perfect!
If you or anyone you can recommend want to share something, a sustainable topic, with the group please contact me as we are planning for the next Green Drinks to always start with one or two speakers as we have the Case study room available for us this year. The dates for the next green drinks are in the sideline of this blog.

Hello,

You are invited for the first Perth Green Drinks of the New Year on 13 January 2009.

Green Drinks is for anyone involved in the environment and related fields. Green groups / NGOs, Freelancers and consultants, Companies, Students, Academics, Government departments, Local Authorities, Younger as well as older people so please forward this invitation to anyone you think might be interested in meeting other people related to sustainability.

Green Drinks is a self-organising network of professionals, students and enthusiasts working in sustainability who meet up in cities around the world for drinks once a month, or every second month in Perth. Everyone is invited to come and have fun, make contacts, get ideas, share information, find inspiration, and of course, to drink!

Green Drinks is GLOBAL: active in more than 450 cities worldwide! UK - USA - Canada - Australia -Germany - Sweden - Netherlands - Argentina - Belgium - Brazil - Chile - China - Czech Republic - Denmark - Finland - France - Hong Kong - India - Ireland - Italy - Japan - Malta - Mexico - New Zealand - Poland - Puerto Rico - Singapore - South Africa – Switzerland – Turkey – Russia – Philippines – Norway – Romania – Portugal – Spain – Thailand – China - Botswana

When: Tuesday 13 January 6.00 – 8.00 pm

Where: The University Club
Case Study Room - 1st floor - 6pm to 7pm for guest speakers presentation
Club Café - ground floor / outside terrace - 7pm to 8pm for networking and drinks

How: The University Club is providing one voucher per person for a choice of “green cocktail” or “green beer” + peanuts and popcorn on the table. Following drinks = cash bar.

What: Network, interact, talk, laugh, debate, drink, have fun!

Speakers:
- Kuda Mukondiwa who just has finalised a honors degree in Industrial Design at Curtin University is going to give a short presentation about sustainability in electric household appliances.
- Sandii Rogers from Solar Dwellings is going to speak about the basics of passive solar design with the perfect block/perfect client scenario. And how passive heating and cooling, energy and water efficiency is achieved.

RSVP: Before Monday 12 January 5pm
email / phone 6488 8770

Hope to see you there!

Wilma van Boxtel
o2 liaison Western Australia

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