Good for the environment to the bitter end

Apparently these Australian designed coffins by Life Art are big in Hong Kong and in due time we hope these concerns will extend to other parts of the world including those over populated regions.

Another solution has been offered by Bios

Unlike Karim Rashid the solution offered by both organisations is to quietly allow the deceased to blend into the environment in the true sense of the word whereas Karim’s solution allows you to preserve yourself and ’stand out’ for the lifetime of the pod. We are talking 600 -700 years. Not much of a solution.

Via inhabitat

Design Hub

Design Hub, the Powerhouse Museum design portal / e-zine has been launched. I’ve watched it over the past week hoping to see daily content changes however in it’s ‘zine’ format Design Hub appears to be slowly increasing in content produced by Museum staffers and a few external design writers to become a helpful design resource.

A gateway to the worlds best design collections and online magazine
with news, interviews, opinions and ideas across the breadth of design.

New Inventors, an exercise in democratic design

Biolytix Filter by Dean Cameron

Tonight I watched one of my favourite programs in a rather reflective mode – The New Inventors 100th show. I may have been under the influence of a glass or two of wine, nevertheless I realised for the first time how much I enjoy this program. I couldn’t help but reflect on the reasons why. The program does not present celebrity designers like Rashid, Lovegrove, Arad or Philip Starck, rather it presents inventors of all ages, male and female from all walks of life, who have dedicated their time and energy to the efforts of improving our lifestyles not only through good and saleable design but also through thoughtful, functional and recognisably needed design, innovation and sometimes invention.

Design your self by Karim Rashid

Well it has arrived – the design your world publication according to Karim Rashid.

Well known now for Kit 24 displayed at the Toronto Furniture Fair, a range of iconic blobs (I don't believe he is the only one), an array of symbols that he has symbolically tattooed onto his body at significant times and places and now the design of a plastic sealed coffin that will preserve and mummify your body for 600 -700 years. It may not be everyone's idea of the perfect way to go – there are many other ecologically friendly methods of burial and disposal.

Karim Rashid’s Kit 24 at Interior Design Show 2006, Toronto

I have a soft spot for Karim Rashid – you have to love a cool cat who wears pink with confidence. He is the complete package merging into his interiors wearing what he preaches and so is Kit 24, an experimental 24 sided living space on show at the Toronto Interior Design Show 2006, 24 -26 February.