The innovative Philly-based architectural firm, Kieran Timberlake, has created a vision in prefabricated home design, the Loblolly House.

Integrated into its environment, readily assembled and disassembled by a wrench – is this the future of prefabricated designer housing?  The Loblolly residence (Loblolly Pines proliferate in the forest surrounding the home) is composed entirely of off-site fabricated elements and ready-made components.  The Taylors Island, Maryland residence, situated between the forest and the saltmeadow marsh of the bay, sits atop tree timbers that reduce (more…)

• I guess it’s just easier to ignore climate change – or watch Fox News…Why Americans Don’t Act on Climate Change – livescience
• Undoubtedly better than just handing a big check to some suit in Detroit – oh we already did that...Senate OK’s $2 Billion for ‘Clunkers’ – msnbc
• This is not the guy I want taking bribes…China Nuclear Chief in Graft Probe – yahoo! news
• More hard science…The 5 Most Horrifying Bugs in the World – cracked.com
• Politicians usually vote for tariffs and avoid unpopular taxes. Some foreign guy pays a fee and unions always savor a good, stiff tariff…Cap and Trade: 10 Democratic Senators Call for Carbon Tariffs – wsj

A perfect bed for urban apartment living.  Brooklyn furniture maker, Wonk, manufactures this modern platform bed from sustainable, eco friendly, carbonized bamboo ply.

comes in full, queen or king sizes  – find the low rider bed @ wonknyc.com (they now ship nationwide)

An Alternative Consumer, Tried and True Green Products Review…

As previously mentioned here on altCon, eco-minded clothing line Indigenous Designs has been around since 1994, offering Fair Trade, handmade clothing created by artisans from around the globe.  Designed for the entire family, all of their green goods are made from natural and organic fibers –  free-range Alpaca and Merino wool, organic cotton, Tencel and silk — utilizing low impact dyes.

Recently, I had the good fortune to try one of their tops.

Made of 55% organic cotton and 45% Tencel, the Pogo Stick Polo is now one of my go-to, summer staples.  In practical black, I’ve paired this little fav with skirts, shorts and capris whether traipsing in the city, mountains or by the beach.  It’s comfy, lightweight, easy to pack and perhaps best of all, washing machine-friendly.  (Try to avoid using the dryer, simply place on a soft hanger and let the fresh air do its thing.)

Committed to sustainability and social responsibility, (fair trade wages, atisan coops, organic and natural fibers, ecofriendly dyes), being a conscious consumer here is a no-brainer @ indigenous.com

Toyota Motors announced today the results of a recent collaborative fuel cell hybrid vehicle range and fuel economy field evaluation.

The Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle – Advanced (FCHV-adv) – achieved an estimated range of 431 miles on a single full tank of compressed hydrogen gas, and an average fuel economy of 68.3 miles/kg (approximate mpg equivalent) during a day-long trip down the scenic southern California coast.

By comparison, the 2009 Toyota Highland Hybrid (more…)

As they say, sometimes it’s the little things that can make all the difference.

In terms of our homes, thoughtfully placed decorative accents can add touches of warmth to our environments and oftentimes bring us well-needed peace and comfort.

Appealing to my sensibilities and aesthetics, are, (above L to R): eco friendly table stools; vintage copper bowls; a trash receptacle made from cool, clean, reclaimed driftwood and (at right), an Orlando Wool Throw.

find @ pfeifers studio

• Stop suing and start doing…Florida Bay’s Ecology on the Brink of Collapse – msnbc
• Yes we could be spending this moulah on a ‘bridge to nowhere’ or a jet that doesn’t fly…“Cash for Clunkers” Effect on Pollution?  A Blip – ap/myway
• I guess the Japanese don’t feel the size of their pick-up truck directly equates to the size of their manhood…Toyota Prius Top-Selling Car in Japan for 3 Months – yahoo! news
• This guy’s ‘guzzling’ all over the place…Man on Lawnmower During Beer Run Charged With DUI – aol news
• Uncertainties are created by lobbyists, special interests and those in denial…Psychological Barriers Hobble Climate Action – reuters
• Why are these things always found in China? Are Two Heads Better Than One? – ananova
• No backsies…Brazil Returns Hazardous UK Waste – bbc

This colorful frame is created from recycled magazines.  Anyone out there in publishing?

Fits a 5″x7″ photo or picture – $26 @ twofold’s etsy shop

Mio’s Trask Lamp is designed to be a sustainable, customizable, low energy lighting fixture.  The lamp can be adjusted by the user into into table, task, or track lighting.

The Trask Lamp, which is made of recycled content, is recyclable and has an ‘environmentally preferable finish’.  The lamp’s body consists of laser-cut, powder-coated steel, LED strips and a few electrical components. The lamp blends energy efficient LED lighting with a flexible, adjustable form. Manufactured to ship flat, maximize material yield and eliminate cutting waste, the Trask Lamp invites the user to participate as co-designer by allowing the user to change the lamp’s shape and purpose.

The Trask body is made in the United States at a manufacturing location selected for its proximity to Mio’s studio as well as for its manufacturing practices and labor conditions.

The lamp stats: 42.35″ X 4″ – has a desktop cord length of 70″ – produces approximately 350 lumens, depending on configuration and comes in silver, white and chartreuse. $225 @ mioculture.com