GreenPix is the largest color LED display in the world, but more importantly it is powered by a photovoltaic (solar) system that allows this massive media display to operate without using any power from the grid.  This massive curtain wall (20,000 sq ft) is mounted to the front of the Xicui entertainment complex in Beijing, near the site of the 2008 Olympics.  Harvesting solar energy by day and using it to illuminate the screen by night it is an important reminder of sustainable design in China, a nation that is undergoing rapid and almost unrestricted industrial growth. 

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We have posted energy use monitoring devices in the past but none as playful and beautiful as this one. The FlowerPod from Design Nord is a visual aid for the user to track energy consumption within the home. The concept is that the device will grow like an actual plant would…starting as a sprout then continuing healthily if energy use is favorable. However, if your demand increases the life will seep from the FlowerPod until eventually it dies! Predetermined energy levels dictate favorable energy consumption or overuse but the goal is to make the flower blossom and to be aware of your energy choices in a fun way.

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James Chu set out to design portable, cheap, lightweight and eco-friendly furniture, and he came up with the Perfect Perch.  The Perfect Perch is made out of of double-wall corrugated cardboard and covered in an eco-friendly UV varnish for water-resistance.  The Perch folds up flat or can be used as a bag, then simply stop, pop, and perch to rest your weary legs.  Chu envisions them as an effective and functional marketing tool…

Somewhere like Goodwood Racecourse could commission 1,000 carrying their name or a sponsor’s message and people could use them at the racecourse and then take them home afterwards. They would make excellent souvenirs.

These would be great for events like road races, golf tournaments, fairs…  The Perfect Perch is currently in production but there’s no word on when they will be available to the public.  We’ll keep you posted.  [via: Notcot]

If you are in the beautiful northwest part of the US in the Seattle area there is an urban paradise worth its weight in gold. 1Hotel is Seattle ’s premier residence, spa, and hotel featuring many prominent green attributes. With an on sight grocer carrying organic produce and open air design this is just the beginning of an unique urban oasis. The building of 1Hotel includes wood harvested from sustainable forests, local reclaimed building materials, water-efficient landscaping, natural lighting throughout, and accommodations for recharging alternative energy vehicles. Finally, the spa uses only naturally based organic products for your indulgence. So if you find yourself in Seattle and want to blast yourself with some Green relaxation check into 1Hotel.

Another great concept from The Greener Grass.  The “Current State” is a real time energy monitoring and control system that would all you to monitor and and control your homes energy use remotely.   The Greener Grass explains that it will work like this:

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Clay Moulton, a Virginia Tech student, has come up with a design with some serious environmental gravity.  An LED lamp powered by gravity to be specific.  This innovative design won him the  the runners-up honor at the Greener Gadgets Design Competition. 

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The LINC concept phone by Greener Grass is an iPhone-esque smart phone that is designed with the sustainable "Cradle to Cradle" philosophy.  It boasts all the sexy tech specs you’d expect: touch screen, wifi, bluetooth, 3G, movies, music… but instead of buying it, you lease it, for about a year.  When the new hardware comes out, they contact you, ship you a new phone and you send your old LINC back.  The phone is designed for automated disassembly so they can reclaim and reuse the components in the newer models.  This minimizes trash and reduces the amount of hazardous materials that are leaked from discarded electronic devices.  Components that become outdated and cannot be reused in future phones, like the graphics card are put into other devices, like hand help games.  We can’t wait for this product to become a realization, not only will it be a greenupgrade for phone users, but it will be a true greenupgrade  for the whole industry!  [via]

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