A bridge lights the way 10/12/2009
 © Cox Architects One of the world's largest pedestrian footbridges opened very recently in Brisbane, Australia. The Kurilpa Bridge is the world's first solar powered bridge. Its solar panels power its own LED lighting, and also pump surplus power into the main grid. The bridge connects South Brisbane with the city center, and spans the Brisbane River. It has 84 solar panels. The bridge is aesthetically unique, as it is inspired from sailboats. The design has been described as 'beautiful, bold' and even 'fantastic' and 'unreal'. It is unlike most bridges we have seen. It has a sculpted structure, with a series of masts, cables and flying struts, similar to those on boats. It looks like a series of poles pointing spontaneously to the sky. At night the structure is dramatically lit. The LED lights allow for different lighting settings, changing according to the environment and for various events or festivals. The 84 solar panels are mounted on the bridge and can generate a daily output of 100KiloWatthour. This is enough to light the bridge in most lighting conditions. When the bridge is completely lit the solar panels can supply upto 75% of the needed power. The bridge is connected to the city electric grid, so that it can draw power, and put supply excess power back into the grid as and when possible. Such beauty and functionality however, did not come cheap. The Kurilpa Bridge cost 63 million Australian dollars. It is also regarded as the first bridge to use tensegrity, or tensional integrity design principles. These are structures that stand on a synergy between balanced tension and compression components. It creates exceptionally rigid structures, that can stand with minimum supports. Tensigrity was proposed and experimented with by Buckminster Fuller. The first significant structure to use tensigrity was the Seoul Olympic Gymnastics Arena for the 1988 Summer Olympics. Tensigrity structures respond to gravity but are not dependent on it for their structural peformance. The construction of this bridge started in 2007, and it was designed by the Australian firm, Cox Architects. During construction the bridge was dogged with controversy regarding safe construction and cost issues. But after opening it has been drawing attention across the world for its unique design and solar friendliness. Do have a look at the video below to see the bridge on its opening day. By Armeen Kapadia 3 Comments Glowing in the wind 07/31/2009
 Tom Lawton, and the Firewinder We hear a lot about solar powered lights, but now there is a unique wind-powered light. Firewinder is a revolutionary decorative outdoor light, which lights up as the wind blows. In a soft breeze it gently glows, and in strong winds it lights up brightly. Firewinder is shaped like pasta spiraling upwards, the edges of which have LED lights. The turbine moves depending on how fast the wind blows, making the light respond to subtle changes in the environment, and enabling you to ‘see the wind’. It requires no batteries, mains power, or wiring, it has two brackets that make it easy to install and remove anywhere outdoors, and it is made to face the elements. As the website says, “While the aesthetics have been primarily influenced by the aerodynamic performance of the product, it was important to create a universally appealing form, which would fit in well with any outdoor environment; for this, inspiration was drawn from the naturally spiraling geometry of plants & shells, as well as a few seeds, insects and a 'living fossil' called the Nautilus.” Tom Lawton, a product designer, is the inventor of the Firewinder, and created it out of his desire to ‘see the wind’. He hopes his invention will inspire people to think about the awesome power and beauty of alternative energies that surround us. He says in an interview, “The obvious place to start is with imagination, without that you're never going to think in an original way. You have to dare to dream and be prepared to reject most of your ideas, but that's the fun - Imagineering is what I heard someone once call it. It definitely helps if you're optimistic. People so often seem to create their own barriers through negativity and pessimism and not allow themselves to dream. Then, if you think hard enough and ask the right questions, you start to invite inventive ideas. But that doesn't make the inventor, it's the 'doing' that counts, as so many people have ideas but nothing comes of them because they don't believe they can make them happen and they don't do anything about it. Inventors are not born with a special skill set; it's nurtured by learning from everything around.” He explains how the Firewinder came about, “Design to me is very much a form of self expression and Firewinder started out as a kind of art project, I wanted to experiment with creating lighting effects from the wind - it was November time in 2001 and the nights were creeping in - I wanted to create something that lifted people's moods in bad weather. I had also been searching for a project that would allow me to utilise all I had learned about minimising the environmental impact of my designs in a movement towards sustainable product design. As the days flowed and thoughts transpired I began to visualise a spiralling light that breathed with the wind, reacting to variations in wind speeds with delicate glows and mesmerising forms. Most importantly, the effect had to be an upward spiral. Slowly and surely Firewinder came to life.” You can see more videos of the Firewinder here, though apparently it is more impressive in reality. The Firewinder website sums it up perfectly, “Let there be light, from the wind in the night.” By Armeen Kapadia Wit with Smart Grid 07/08/2009
The aspect of wit in communication is missing in many commercials. The latest commercials for GE's Smart Grid reminds us that wit exists and can be effective in communicating messages. How does one convince citizens to use renewable energy? Twirl to shoot 07/07/2009
Sony has a new camera, which does not require any batteries. The Sony Odo Twirl and Take hand powered digital camera, when rolled on a hard surface generates enough power to take a photograph. Saul on solar 07/02/2009
Most people remember Saul Bass for his title sequences in many great films such as The Man with the Golden Arm, North by North West, Psycho, West Side Storyand Vertigo, among many others. Saul Bass was an American graphic designer, especially known for the AT&T ‘globe’ logo, and he was also an Academy Award-winning film-maker. |   Every monthSeptember 2010 CategoriesAll |
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