Architecture firm K.A Studio has designed the remodel of an apartment building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, that included the addition of green space.
In an area filled with concrete and hard lines, this updated apartment building, which is now used for staycations, has been designed as an oasis in the city, with the curved balconies creating a soft edge on the facade.
Overhanging plants cascade down the side of the building, while taller plants add different layers and grow up between the voids created by the balconies.
The underside of the balconies is lined with wood, adding to the natural look of the building.
At night, uplighting creates shadows on the balconies above.
The balconies overlook a pool that’s located on the ground floor and has curves that mimic the exterior of the building.
Throughout the building materials like woods, local split stones, concrete, terrazzo, and rattan are featured.
Bright hallways with lighting embedded in the concrete floors, and in the ceiling, guide guests to their private apartments.
The apartments are minimal in their design, with simple wood furniture in the living room, and a kitchenette.
In the bedroom, a horizontal wood accent above the bed hides LED Lighting, which also complements the lighting on the opposite wall. There’s also a floating wood desk that lines the wall, and a sliding door opens to a balcony.
Photograph: Hiroyuki Oki | Architects: K.A Studio | Lead Architects: Doan Quoc Khanh | Design team: Dang Anh Khoa, Hoang Anh Dung, Tran Quoc Nhat, Le Duc Duy | Construction: La Maison Du K
Spotted: Fossil-fuel-based ingredients are widely used in cosmetic products for several reasons. For example, they lock moisture into the skin, provide a protective barrier, and disperse fragrance ingredients. They are also used as fillers and texture enhancers. FineCell is working to eliminate fossil fuels from cosmetics with an entirely bio-based cellulose that can do everything fossil-fuel-derived ingredients can do, and more. The company is a spinout of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, where initial research to develop the product was conducted.
FineCell’s CellOx dry cellulose powder is made by turning plant pulp into a biomaterial that can be used both as a powder and as a hydrogel. CellOx is produced by combining natural cellulose with oxalic acid, a natural chemical found in plants like rhubarb.
The new material is completely bio-based, lightweight, and requires 80–90 per cent less energy to manufacture compared to similar cellulose products. CellOx can be easily combined with other ingredients, making it an excellent binding agent for products such as sunscreens, skin creams, and even paints. It’s also transparent, making it suitable for a large number of applications.
The company has recently announced a €1 million seed investment led by Metsä Group. The funding will be used to improve R&D, engage with potential customers, and finalise plans for a demonstration production facility. The company aims to have the design of its demo plant ready for investment decision by the end of 2024 and larger-scale test production underway in 2025, with full commercial production commencing in 2027.
Beauty is a huge industry, and Springwise has spotted a number of innovations aimed at improving the sustainability of cosmetic products. These range from the use of forest by-products as ingredients to a process that uses fermentation to turn food waste into a sustainable palm oil substitute.
Industrial designer Mary Lempres has created a bio-cement structure developed to mimic naturally occurring oyster reefs that tackle coastal flooding, filter seawater and promote biodiversity.
Called Reef Rocket, the structure comprises a duo of bio-cement modules with ridged surfaces that can be stacked in two directions and create a rocket-like shape when assembled.
Reef Rocket is a bio-cement structure formed from two modules
Norwegian-American designer Lempres drew on biomimicry for the project, a practice that looks to nature to solve human design challenges.
The ridged modules were created to be placed underwater and emulate coastal oyster reefs, which naturally filter algae from seawater as well as attract and provide shelter for other aquatic organisms.
Mary Lempres designed Reef Rocket to emulate oyster reefs
Oyster reefs also dissipate wave energy, mitigate storm surges and manage eroding coastlines, explained the designer.
Lempres collaborated with bio-geotechnical specialist Ahmed Miftah to develop a method for growing plant-derived cement that makes up the modules, which she described as “similar to the irrigation systems required for growing a plant”.
The designer drew on biomimicry for the project
The pair poured a bio-based, non-toxic solution containing a crude extract from globally grown plants over crushed aggregate.
Sourced in New York City, the aggregate was created from crushed glass and oyster shells salvaged from local restaurants and New York Harbour.
“The packed substrate grows similarly to a plant,” Lempres told Dezeen.
Reef Rocket was created to attract oysters
Saturated for three to nine days, the substance becomes natural concrete after the extracted biocatalyst causes minerals to form “mineral bridges” between the glass and shell waste.
“The resulting product is water-resistant, durable and comparable with standard concrete containing the same amount of aggregate,” explained the designer.
Lempres created the bio-cement with bio-geotechnical specialist Ahmed Miftah
“It can be grown in any environment without heat or otherwise burning fossil fuels and is derived from waste products, making it an affordable and scalable alternative to cement,” she continued.
“Bio-concrete is chemically identical to the material oysters produce to grow their reefs. The key difference is the bio-concrete we’ve developed grows in just several days, while oyster reefs take millennia to grow.”
This process closely mimics the natural processes that occur when oyster shells and coral reefs are grown, according to the designer.
“I was inspired by the ability of this reef-growing material to withstand extreme wave energy and corrosive saltwater,” she said.
The structure was designed to be placed underwater
When creating the modules, Lempres and her team made “hundreds” of prototypes.
Eventually, they settled on prefabricated moulds, which the bio-cement can be packed into and set – “like sand” – without the need for heat or chemicals.
Lempres and her team created “hundreds” of prototypes
Reef Rocket was deliberately developed to be small in size, lightweight and easy to assemble, making the design accessible to as many people as possible, according to the designer.
“Nature has the incredible ability to grow intricate and durable material, like shells and coral, without polluting its surrounding environment,” said Lempres.
“Reef Rocket harnesses the natural process of growing durable minerals to re-grow vital reef structures, benefiting humans and our ecology from the worsening effects of climate change,” she added.
“This paves the way for a future where hard and durable material can be grown like a crop, regenerating waste rather than polluting our environment.”
Previously, US design workshop Objects and Ideograms conducted a research project that involves 3D printing with calcium carbonate to create sustainable underwater “houses” for coral reefs and marine life to grow. Chinese materials company Yi Design developed a porous brick made from recycled ceramic waste that could be used to prevent flooding in urban areas.
Spotted: Plant photosynthesis is limited by the amount of CO2, light intensity, and temperature. Plants typically convert just two to four per cent of available energy in radiation into new plant growth. This low efficiency has led to attempts to genetically alter plants to make them more efficient, which has provoked concerns over the associated risks to food security.
However, Malaysia-based agritech startup Qarbotech claims that its new product, QarboGrow, can enhance photosynthesis without resorting to genetic modification. It does this through the use of organic compounds with properties similar to chlorophyll. The startup’s product, QarboGrow, is sprayed onto crops, where it penetrates the leaf’s surface and interacts with chloroplasts. This interaction promotes greater energy transfer, helping to boost the rate of photosynthesis within a plant.
Qarbotech claims its nanotechnology-based solution can be used in-soil or on-plant, and can enhance the photosynthesis rate of plants by 30 per cent. This translates to a 30 per cent increase in plant growth, a 25 per cent reduction in crop growth cycles, and a 20 per cent increase in the sweetness of fruits.
The company recently announced that it has raised $700,000 (around €640,000) in seed funding, grants, and awards. Qarbotech will use the funding to strengthen research and development and expand its manufacturing facility to produce up to 50 times its current capacity.
Climate change and the growing global population are spurring a host of innovations aimed at improving agriculture. Recent developments that Springwise has spotted include a plan to make regenerative farming easier and cheaper to adopt and using bespoke bio-inoculants to improve soil health and reduce fertiliser use.
Architecture firm K.A Studio has designed the remodel of an apartment building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, that included the addition of green space.
In an area filled with concrete and hard lines, this updated apartment building, which is now used for staycations, has been designed as an oasis in the city, with the curved balconies creating a soft edge on the facade.
Overhanging plants cascade down the side of the building, while taller plants add different layers and grow up between the voids created by the balconies.
The underside of the balconies is lined with wood, adding to the natural look of the building.
At night, uplighting creates shadows on the balconies above.
The balconies overlook a pool that’s located on the ground floor and has curves that mimic the exterior of the building.
Throughout the building materials like woods, local split stones, concrete, terrazzo, and rattan are featured.
Bright hallways with lighting embedded in the concrete floors, and in the ceiling, guide guests to their private apartments.
The apartments are minimal in their design, with simple wood furniture in the living room, and a kitchenette.
In the bedroom, a horizontal wood accent above the bed hides LED Lighting, which also complements the lighting on the opposite wall. There’s also a floating wood desk that lines the wall, and a sliding door opens to a balcony.
Photograph: Hiroyuki Oki | Architects: K.A Studio | Lead Architects: Doan Quoc Khanh | Design team: Dang Anh Khoa, Hoang Anh Dung, Tran Quoc Nhat, Le Duc Duy | Construction: La Maison Du K
Industrial design student Avia Revivi has designed a biodegradable toilet paper named O-SOW, which integrates seeds to encourage plant growth.
Revivi first devised the product to be used by people going to the toilet outdoors during a hiking trip in an Israeli desert.
“There were days when I didn’t encounter any other travellers, but I did come across toilet paper,” the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design student told Dezeen. “That’s when I realised that I wanted to solve this problem.”
Avia Revivi created a seeded toilet paper
O-SOW was made from orange, aloe vera and plant seeds for hikers who “prefer to sow and fertilise the earth, rather than leave human waste behind”. She incorporated orange for its flexibility properties and aloe vera due to its softness.
She explained that the quick decomposition of citrus combined with active E.coli bacteria, which can be found in human faeces, allows the toilet paper to biodegrade quickly when left in the wild.
Each sheet of O-SOW contains different seeds
“Since we are talking about an orange slice, it can easily dissolve in moisture and liquids,” said the designer.
“Animals eat it, it decomposes in the ground and even on a sidewalk on the street.”
The O-SOW sheets are egg-shaped
Each packet of toilet paper has different seeds woven into it that travellers can choose based on the vegetation in their travel area.
“Seeds of different plants are woven into O-SOW and with the help of the nutrient-rich human waste, natural seeding occurs simply through its use,” said Revivi.
“The seeds I used are mint, peony, rose, parsley and cress, but I aim to map popular trekking areas and assign each a number of seeds suitable for growing.”
In ideal conditions, the seeds in the O-SOW toilet paper can nourish the soil and grow plants when dispersed.
O-SOW is wrapped in single-use packaging made from biodegradable paper, has a tear thread for opening, and a label which highlights the seed type and the number of sheets in the package.
The sheets incorporate orange and aloe vera
Revivi also designed a case made from leftover parachute fabric which can be used to carry the remaining sheets, once the package is open.
To keep the sheets moist the case also has an inner coating and, for easy opening, it has a layer of polyex which creates high friction allowing the sheets to be taken out individually.
Revivi created a case using parachute fabric
After researching the most adequate and suitable wiping method, Revivi chose a rounded shape as she found its length and width would be suitable for different hand sizes and would allow dual wiping. Each sheet has a smooth side and another side which is slightly dotted to increase users’ grip.
“When choosing the shape, it was important for me that there would be a double response option that would be product-oriented and look pleasant and promising but renewable and supporting the product values,” she said.
“It is a little thicker than toilet paper, very flexible and strong. It can break like ordinary paper, but only if you try.”
Each sheet has a smooth side and a textured side
To come up with the most efficient and convenient wiping design, Revivi conducted a study with four participants who used the sheet at different points during a two-month trip.
She asked them questions about the material and shape before giving them new products to try based on their feedback.
“It seems that the conventional square-shaped toilet paper we are familiar with doesn’t serve its purpose during the act of toileting,” she explained. “However, manufacturing square-shaped sheets is easier and more convenient for factories, even though the corners remain clean when used.”
“This prompted me to explore and discover a new and innovative way for effective toileting,” she continued.
O-Sow aims to makes use of human waste to grow plants
Other sustainable product design stories recently published on Dezeen include a rewilding trainer which enables the dispersion of plant seeds by Central Saint Martins graduate Kiki Grammatopoulos and a biodegradable juice bottle made from a potato starch-based material.
Spotted: The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) analysis of the solar photovoltaic industry found that “more than [a] threefold increase in annual capacity deployment [is needed] until 2030” in order to meet the global net-zero emissions goal for 2050. That is a huge increase in capacity and is a volume most agencies and governments struggle to meet. Solar farms in general require a significant amount of ground space, making it difficult to find locations that are large enough and close enough to the communities they serve to minimise transport costs.
France’s HelioRec is looking to coastal waters as a potential solution to this challenge. Many densely populated urban areas lack the land needed to build renewable energy sources at a usable scale. Many of those cities are, however, located on the coast. By looking to the surface of the nearby bodies of water as a potential foundation for a renewable energy plant, an entirely new space of opportunity is created.
HelioRec’s floating solar systems are customisable, made from recycled plastics, and designed to minimise maintenance costs and time. The floating solar farms use water for balance and stability, rather than costly and environmentally damaging concrete or metal. The company’s bespoke, flexible connectors make a range of configurations and sizes possible, with output ranging from 10 kilowatts (kW) of energy up to 100 megawatts (MW).
The company uses algorithms to help predict energy generation, making it easier for users to plan for a volume of power to sell and to project how much should be available for times of peak demand. The solar farms can also be used as a dock and charging station for electric boats.
Innovators are increasingly looking to the world’s waterways for solutions to global challenges. Recent developments spotted by Springwise include a nanogenerator that harnesses the energy of the ocean to power sensors and a floating platform for generating continuous electricity from rivers.
Spotted: Sustainably strengthening economies and agriculture is foundational to the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But climate change is putting increasing pressure on agriculture – with fluctuating seasons, changing rainfall patterns, extreme weather, and drought all becoming more common. Now, French agrobiotechnology company Elicit Plant uses plant-derived molecules called phytosterols to help crops survive dry periods.
Phytosterols are lipids that activate a plant’s resistance to environmental stressors. The compound is applied to plants early in their growth to encourage the development of characteristics that maximise the efficiency of water use.
Longer roots combined with reduced evapotranspiration help global cereal crops such as soybean and corn better survive the increasingly challenging environments within a changing climate. Elicit Plant’s trials show an increase in yield of between 13 and 22 per cent per crop, with a monetary value increase of up to $240 (around €219) per hectare.
The company’s first product is called BEST-a and is designed for soybeans. It can be used on corn, too, although a compound specifically for corn is nearing availability. As well as waiting for the final regulatory approvals, the company is also developing additional products to expand the range of crops it supports. BEST-a not only helps farmers grow more in drier conditions, the product also makes it possible to stretch available water supplies over a longer period of time.
Innovations that help farmers grow enough food for the world’s expanding population are crucial. Some that Springwise has spotted include urine-based fertilisers and sensors that optimise water usage for crops.
Spotted: Seeing the beauty in biowaste is an exciting movement in the art world as artists and innovators transform potential pollution into useful new items. Working with local Greek artisans, designer Alexia Mintsouli uses an ancient sea plant to create luxurious marble tables. And Mintsouli’s studio, Alex Mint, recently introduced the Oceanides collection of tables.
The tops of the tables are made from Posidonia Oceanica, one of the oldest living organisms on Earth and a plant that is usually disposed of because it is seen as having no value. The legs and base of the tables in the collection are made from Peloponnesian Tortora Marble. The name of the collection alludes to mythical sea nymphs from Greek lore.
By basing production in Greece, near where the material is collected, the studio greatly reduces transport costs and carbon emissions. Additionally, the collection of the biowaste saves money for local municipalities who would otherwise have to dispose of it. The tables also sequester the carbon ingested by the plants.
The collection currently consists of three tables, the square coffee table Oceanus, and two round tables, the Tethys and Calypso. The entire collection is available online.
Other ways that Springwise has spotted biowaste being used to create new, more sustainable products includes helmets made from waste scallop shells and automobile interiors made from lentils, coffee, and eggshells.
Spotted: Smart water use is a necessity for almost all households. And for the green-thumbed among us, irrigation is a tricky aspect of gardening. Too much water is as dangerous to plants as too little, so working with the weather conditions presents a daily challenge.
From a family desire to preserve plants passed down from previous generations, came the idea for a subsurface watering and irrigation system called the Root Quencher. Designed to minimise wasteful surface evaporation of water, while delivering water to the roots where it is needed most, the Root Quencher is available in two different sizes and can be used with existing sprinkler systems as well as a simple hose set-up.
The devices are made from sturdy recycled plastic and last for years. They come in different sizes and can be inserted into the ground at a variety of depths, depending on the size of the plants. Fertiliser can also be added to the device for steady application as the water flows through, and a series of holes in the device can be plugged or uncovered as needed to direct the water.
New products being released by the company in 2023 and 2024 include an in-ground device that connects to a drip line for hillside watering, and a lawn watering system designed to replace above-ground sprayheads.
Being more efficient with natural resources is a key component of many innovations as communities strive to reach their SDGs and national carbon neutral goals. Springwise has spotted a system that harvests solar power while providing energy for growing plants, and a zero-emission boiler for home heating.
