This blog is about the role designers need to take in reference to rising to meet the great environmental challenges we are facing every day.  We designers, customers, and people in general make choices everyday with our consumerism ways, the worlds land are filled with waste—let’s change our habit by rethinking the way we design.  How can we change our ways?  Let’s start by not buying more but by re-using what we have, by refurbishing and or finding a new use for what we already own.  Before throwing something away, make it nice, give it to charity or to a friend.

Inventions/ creativity happen when we are cornered and out of necessity we innovate.  We need to invent new ways of re-using what we now own—without the necessity of purchasing new stuff.  Designers can reinvent by creating great new uses for old things—this is the challenge.  We need to assume the responsibility of sustainability and conservation if we are to co-exist with our planet. Here are some examples of how we can re-invent and change our ways. Let’s keep reusable materials out of the landfills.

Great Finds for half the cost...

Talking about reused light fixtures…the treasures is endless, there are so many types to choose from, and it becomes overwhelming.  As if we did not enjoy day dreaming of where we can use this or that lamp?  Re-use is the way to go!

Old Cheery Wood Doors

Did you know that old doors are made of solid wood?  Imagine purchasing at half price a solid cherry door?  Old stuff are great to design with, the hunt for old materials is so much fun for the designer and for their customers.

Old at great savings!

When we are going to design a new space for our customer why not go over to the local recycled construction material yards—some township have a  Reuse or deconstruction yard.  If your town does not have one—start an initiative in your town, talk to the Mayor to start one, you may be surprise to know the local government, and community leaders are all for it!

Specialty Cabinets

The old cabinet doors are made with solid wood, all hand made with very little machinery involved, and the craftsperson had to be a real artist to create such detailed wood pieces.  We are blessed in America to have all these creative pieces to use in our design work. Are we truly taking advantage of what we have?  Are we doing all we can to be or become sustainable?  Let’s do this, it’s good for the economy and great for our planet.  What do you think?

How can we loose?

An old great tub with jets and all at a great price, all it needs is a good cleaning and magic happens.  Old tubs come in all size and shapes—great for designing a bathroom.

Re-wiring is not that difficult

Talking about reused light fixtures…the treasures is endless, there are so many types to choose from, and it becomes overwhelming.  As if we did not enjoy day dreaming of where we can use this or that lamp?  Re-use is the way to go!

To fix or not to fix...FIX

It is mind twisting to realize how many appliances the people from third world country fix.  My mother has as 25 year old refrigerator the type that is only refrigerator no freezer she has had the motor changed 5 or 6 times, and it still works….how frugal.  Is America is there a problem with being frugal? This appliance may not fit your décor, but it sure is a great looking!

Solid Wood Floor...at Incredible Cost!

Why do some designers take all the fun of distressed wood floors by banging metal chains to distress the wood….what a waste?  We can buy great distressed floors in all types of wood and in many colors.  After installing we can re-finish the wood with any color stain or paint we want….but why or why do designers distress new wood?  I don’t get it, do you?

Great old Fan

How many different ways can you think of using in a home decor an old ceiling fan, or refinish it and rewire it and you have a working recycled well built with lots of character old-new fan?

Old Oak Wood Wine Barrel...Just Beautiful!

These beautiful Wood Wine Barrels can be used as planters, for wine storage, there are many different ways of re-using.

Old Radiators

These beautiful cast iron radiators can be used as a show piece in your decoration, as table support, there are many different ways of re-using.

Wood Turning, a dying art.

How many old solid wood hand turned pieces are there in the marketplace?  It is wonderful when we find a piece from specific period that we can use in our designs.  Old wood, the way it has aged, the rich color, and the beauty of the design just inspires us to find a home for these pieces.

Plastic Barrels have many uses—rethink before you discard

Many third world countries have use of plastic 55 gallon barrels.  There are non-profits who may take your used plastic barrels, before discarding make sure you do your research to find an organization that is willing to take your barrels.  We know how busy we are but…we need to be socially responsible and think how many people may have a use for irrigation, cooking water storage, etc.  Let’s safe our world, by being sustainable conscience one person at a time!

By:  Angelica Redpath-Perez

Afordable 10 x 10 House

The contemporary looking building pictured here is not a high-end green building full of high tech features. Rather, it is a prizewinning affordable housing design for South Africa that costs significantly less than a new car. This is a house designed to provide affordable housing for very little cost: 50,000 South African rand (which is about US$ 6,000). And there are a lot of things to like about this design.

Green Community

Airy, sophisticated, green, affordable housing for healthy living

In today’s eco-aware, energy/water efficient, renewable energy world, tall towers are attracting the public interest, these half eco-friendly edifices—sites are affordable with energy efficiency will make profits for the corporate developers. Profits for both the corporations building green towers/homes/and communities and the planet and we the people benefit from conscientious sustainable construction—even if it’s profit driven. Design firms today are working diligently to reduce housing environmental impact through the use of technology, new green materials, and modernization.  The innovative housing community planning by Brainstones, Christensen & Co.  focused on low cost, energy/water efficiency and quality housing, their design was selected for the Low cost housing within12, 000m² projects.

Green Homes Troon-Tusayan

With new green materials, new technologies our home today can be designed to have none or little impact on the environment, be healthy, airy,  sunny, with renewable energy,  water efficiency, rain water recapturing, recycling of gray waters,  elegant and functional.   We can also implement these green designs features to low income homes in the USA and in developing nations.  As our environmental problems escalate we as designers can make a difference by choosing renewable, and healthy materials in new and rehabilitated homes.  These sustainable design practices benefit the home owners, the communities, and most importantly it our environment.

Great View-Green Design

The panoramic valley, city light, and mountain views are just the beginning of the highlights for this Troon Tusayan hillside home. Built by Construction Zone, the simple concept was to create a home that is conscious of its environment and will provide generations of modern green healthy living. Glass, steel, stone, and concrete are the building blocks, and the mountain’s constant breezes are fully utilized to aid in cooling and heating the structures.

Open Plan

Large open plan spaces create elegance, simplicity and functionality.

Open Plan with great views

Large open plan spaces create elegance, simplicity and functionality.

Great views

Elegant outdoor spaces with great views.

Healthy Green Living-Plenty of light

Airy, open, sunny kitchen

Open plan, large windows for illumination and views

Open, elegant sunny bedroom

Large bathroom with quality materials, large operable windows make this space healthy and sophisticated

Great pool to enjoy

Great outdoor pool-water conservation by rain water harvesting and sun heated.

Water, sun, air.... nature at its best

A great sunset-green home design…..

Night view

By:  Angelica Redpath-Perez