Tokyo’s MisoSoupDesign (Daisuke Nagatomo & Minnie Jan) has created this conceptual prefab home for those desiring a completely modern habitat.  Roof mounted solar panels provide energy and a green roof keeps things cool and green, while irregularly shaped windows add variety and organic shapes to an otherwise sterile geometric form.

Live Pod’s exterior structural elements become part of its skin to provide a column free living space.  Although a prefabricated house, the design invites customization of the exterior wall, to any color and texture.  The structure’s walls not only act as the structural anchor of the house, but also host all mechanical, electrical, and HVAC ducts and cables, which are connected to the rooftop installations.  Duct work and cables are (more…)

For those who decorate for Easter or springtime celebrations – eggs, birds and bunnies are perennial favorites.

(above and below) These sweet home wares are fair trade made by artisans in need from around the world.  The boxes and hanging eggs are hand-painted, paper mâché; and the two-piece, Taj Stone Candle Holder is hand carved by the Asha (in Sanskrit, meaning “hope”) Handicrafts Association in India.  By either decorating your home or giving them as gifts, you’ll also be serving the greater good.

Extremely reasonably priced, beginning at $8 Spring Bunny box.  find @ serrv.org

SERRV is a nonprofit fair trade and development organization that’s been around since 1949, and their mission is “to eradicate poverty wherever it resides  by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide.”

Something to amuse us as we await the September 2010 release of the sequel to that seminal ode to greed and financial avarice, “Wall Street” – perhaps the financial wizards and money obsessed investment types in your sphere might need a little something to tide them over – how about a pair of sterling silver cuff links featuring a chunk of a vintage street map of NYC’s financial epicenter.  $52 from dlk designs

I’ve got water on the brain, figuratively, this rainy International Water Day…and I have mixed feelings of concern, and gratitude.

It concerns me that although glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, water privatization is an issue, and water contamination continues to plague the world – even 17 years after the formal declaration by The United Nations, International Water Day – March 22 – seems to be only a small drip in the daily news cycle. Yet this year’s theme, Clean Water for a Healthy World makes me feel grateful and fortunate to be able to simply turn a faucet and either bathe or drink water, freely.

According to the World Health Organization, (WHO), 4 billion cases of diarrhea each year in addition to millions of other cases of illness are associated with lack of access to water that is safe for human consumption. Per year 2.2 million people die as a result of diarrhea most of them are children under the age of five.  Human health is severely impacted by water-related diseases (waterborne, water-washed, water-based, and water-related vector-borne infections) as well as by chemical pollution discharged to water.

As a New Yorker, I’m truly impressed by our daily access to tap water, as well as its rather low level of contaminants.  But a few years ago tested our water, found some impurities, and conducted an extensive search to find the best way to filter our home’s tap water.  We wholeheartedly recommend ZeroWater’s water Tester Meter and Z-Pitcher for filtering your kitchen’s tap water.  And a Lifekind shower filter to ensure healthy bathing…we love the addition of the handy wand on a particular one of their Shower De-chlorinators.  

You can pickup the ZeroWater items on our OpenSky shop; and we’d love to know what you think of them.  At this time, we don’t offer the Lifekind shower filter, but you can learn more about it, here.

For filtered tap water on the go, we also recommend (and sell) the Water Geeks stainless steel, BPA-free, reusable water bottle with a built-in filter that’s easily replaceable, as needed.  The Water Geeks bottle may be a bit pricier than other reusable bottles, but bear in mind that you can refill that bottle with tap water ANYwhere, and be assured that it’s clean and fresh-tasting…note: it’s available in 2 sizes and many different colors.

Water Day or not — let’s all strive to appreciate and conserve as much or this precious commodity as we can.

Related:  previously on altCon – Useful links to inspire action – Is Your Glass Half-full?

Free and Easy Ways to Conserve Water

Bottled Water – the enemy

garbage island – a sea of floating toxicity

Check out the film, FLOW…you’ll never buy another bottle of water.

This Stewart+Brown Storm Print Fleur Tie Tunic – beams like a fresh bouquet of spring flowers – this fun, kicky, organic cotton frock has one more great attribute…it’s on sale!   Features an attached tie that doubles as a scarf or a bow; and subtle, bishop sleeves.

$42 marked down from $128 @ thegreenloop.com

“Welcome to the darker side of green,” reads the Lexus Web site in regard to the upcoming arrival of its newest hybrid offering. Marked by the traditional “h” moniker, the 2011 CT 200h is a five-door hatchback, sporty in stance but eco  in cred. Underneath the hood of the luxury car, drivers will find a 1.8-liter Continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence engine, mated with a high-output electric drive motor.

What’s really happening is this: Lexus is dropping its touted Hybrid Drive technology into a compact car for the first time, emphasizing fun-to-drive attitude in eco-friendly fashion. All the driver needs to do is shift into “Sport” mode for faster response time on the open road… when crawling city streets, “EV” mode will run purely on the electric motor, “Normal” mode will handle like a traditional hybrid, while “Eco” mode reduces throttle response depending on the angle of the gas pedal–and also adjusts air conditioning settings for optimum fuel economy.

Essentially, by toggling through each of the four modes, drivers can craft an on-the-road experience that suits their auto attitude. After all, there are some days when even the most environmental of us just want to get out and drive. Fast. And look good doing so, naturally, which is easy thanks to a sleek aerodynamic exterior design. With smooth front and rear corners, tapered shaping and a low roof line, the CT 200h lends modern appeal in a look that’s just stylish enough to exude premium caliber without demanding the attention of Prius’ pie-slide profile.

While the car was initially designed for European audiences, Lexus has assured us it will be available to the U.S. and Japan as well, most likely in the first quarter of 2011, with pricing rumored to start under $30,000.

Related: previously on altCon -  Cars and Transportation

• Live Earth Run for Water…Largest Global Water Movement in History Gains Speed – prnewswire
• Wave power potential – somebody is going to get this right…Scotland Gets Serious About Sea Power – enn
• Counter-intuitive…Fire Can be Good for Global Warming – npr
• A guy in his home office in Wales accesses a telescope in Hawaii…Amateur’s Desktop Comet Discovery – bbc
• Call me a cynic – but doesn’t self interest usually trump greater good? Cruise Lines Hope to Sink U.S.-Canada Pollution Plan – reuters
• Think about it – illegal wildlife trade aided by internet…Demise of Coral and Salamanders Show Impact of the Web – myway

Put on your most comfy walking shoes, head on over to NYC’s Pier 92 (W.55th St & West Side Hiway) today or tomorrow and check out some great new ways to go green.

I attended the event yesterday and ran into some good pals, Celeste and Andrew of RestoreClothing, who were turned on by the Heng ping pong table; and one of my favorite finds of the day was Premium Aquascapes.  Their Rain Water Harvesting System enables you to capture, filter and reuse rainwater for watering your garden or lawn, or provide a clean water source for wildlife and a beautiful “pondless” waterfall.  We’re heading over there again today to catch Ed Begley, Jr‘s live presentation at 12:30noon.  Mariel Hemingway will be making a presentation there tomorrow at 12:30.

Go Green Expo provides an easy way to experience, first-hand, innovations in healthy, eco friendly living.  Visit gogreenexpo.com for details.  Perk:  use code GGENYC for discounted tickets – only $10 for the weekend and it includes complimentary admission to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show located next door, (normally $25).  Don’t forget to bring a reusable bag to stash samples, etc.  

Designer Rachel Griffin undertakes many interesting design projects.  Challenged during a workshop to create a seat out of recycled materials she gave birth to the Seatcase – a portable little chair born from the unlikely union of a microscope case and discarded chair parts.  Now hit your basement or garage to find you own DIY raw materials.  via: muuuz.com

related:  Italian car sofa – w/headlights