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bamboo an important player in doe’s solar decathlon competition

The Solar Decathlon, a biennial competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, is set to take place at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif, Oct. 3-13, 2013. The DOE describes the decathlon as, “an award-winning program that challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.” Bamboo...

cutting edge homes incorporating bamboo floors

Architects and designers in search of new ways to create spaces that are both stylish and ecologically sound are increasingly turning to bamboo as their material of choice. Bamboo panels and floors are being used in cutting-edge homes across the country due to their environmental sustainability and the wide range of looks and textures that they can add to various rooms. Seattle-area prefab home blends in with its surroundings Vashon Island, located in the Puget Sound southwest of Seattle, offers...

the golden ratio in modern design

For more than 2,000 years, architects, artists and designers have used the “golden ratio” as the basis for their work. Originally put forward by Euclid, the “Father of Geometry,” in about 300 B.C.E., the ratio is: a+b is to a as a is to b. While that may seem a bit technical, the ratio describes in a relatively simple manner a proportion that can be used to create buildings and design spaces that make them optimally attractive on a visual...

finding inspiration for your design project

When it comes to designing a home or office space, inspiration can come from anywhere. You can rely on a childhood memory or incorporate something from a friend or neighbor. You can turn to a favorite book, movie, stage or television show. The options are only as limited as your imagination allows. Searching for inspiration While some people will have a very clear idea of how they want their living or work space to look, others might start out with...

using paneling to accentuate your home

When people design or redesign their indoor spaces, most of the attention is often paid to floors, furniture and appliances. As for walls and cabinetry, they can often be second thoughts, or simply places to hang paintings and photographs. Whether you want to make your rooms to pop with appeal or casually blend in with the rest of the decor, spending some time, effort and thought on your wall and cabinetry design can go a long way toward achieving that...