Bringing green design to your living room?

March 10, 2006

This week on Science Friday, Josh Dorfman will talk to us about trends in environmentally friendly design. He is the CEO and Founder of Vivavi, which sells sustainably-made, high-end home furnishings. Check out some of his eco-chic furniture on the screen to the right.

His furniture may be right for movie stars like Robert Redford, who recently outfitted one of his buildings with solar panels and toilets that flush themselves with rainwater, according to an article in Wired. But is there a larger market? Jill Salisbury, the founder of a sustainable furniture company called EL: Environmental Language, told the Chicago Tribune that hers is a niche business, but it's growing as "people are starting to ask questions about manufacturing practices." Her company's goal is to develop products that are 100% biodegradable. For more eco-friendly furnishings, check out Greener Grass Design--a Houston-based company.

Part of the challenge of sustainable design is finding sustainable materials to build with. One promising material may be recycled paper that is turned into a material like stone. Check out these 100% paper countertops and tables. You can also find carpet made of soy. In fact, a bio-based economy may not be so far off, Wired reports. Before long, you may be wearing tee-shirts made of corn and driving a biodegradable car. Ply boo--laminated bamboo--may also be a promising building material because it is durable and grows quickly. India's former prime minister has called it "green gold," says an article in the Christian Science Monitor. But there is some controversy: are bamboo floors really that great?

Want to keep your finger on the pulse of green design? Check out the web log Inhabit. If you are interested in cutting edge materials, see architect Blain Brownell's blog, transmaterial.

-flora lichtman