Videos

Why Design Now?: Contour Crafting

Thursday July 12, 2012

Why? Contour Crafting is a construction technology that potentially reduces energy use and emissions by using a rapid-prototype or 3-D printing process to fabricate large components. Comprised of robotic arms and extrusion nozzles, a computer-controlled gantry system moves the nozzle back and forth, squeezing out layers of concrete or other material to fabricate a form. The ultimate goal is to print a house in a day while drastically reducing material and energy consumption.

Contour Crafting, Center for Rapid Automated Fabrication Technologies, construction, consumption, materials, energy, Why Design Now, Exhibition

Why Design Now?: Get-Together

Thursday July 12, 2012

Why? In the United Kingdom, more than three million seniors do not see a friend, neighbor, or family member in any given week. Get-Together, a service designed by the firm Participle, combats social isolation among the elderly using a familiar technology: the telephone. A social network has emerged and flourished, with weekly group meetings and activities planned around shared interests.

Get-Together, United Kingdom, seniors, social isolation, social network

Why Design Now?: Modular Traffic Light System

Wednesday July 11, 2012

Why? Dot Dot Dot Ex Why Zed Design (XYZ) claims that its modular traffic-light system is the worlds safest configurable traffic light. The pole consists of stackable tubular plastic or polymer sections held in place with a tensioned cable. It collapses if a car collides with it, minimizing vehicle damage and passenger injury. The unit requires little maintenance and has low replacement costs.

Modular, Traffic LIght System, MTLS, Cut, Down2, Dot Dot Dot Ex Why Zed Design

Why Design Now?: The Girl Effect Campaign

Wednesday July 11, 2012

Why? In many developing countries, impoverished girls are denied education and risk being forced into unwanted sexual activity, early marriages and childbearing, and exposure to HIV. The Girl Effect campaign aims to educate and empower girls, thereby increasing the health and wealth of the entire community.

Girl Effect campaign, developing countries, empowement, girls

Why Design Now?: H20tel

Wednesday July 11, 2012

Why? Water is the primary energy source in the H2Otel, and because of this comprehensive use of water, it is expected to be named the first carbon-neutral hotel in the Netherlands. Hydropower is one of the worlds largest sources of renewable energy, and the H2Otel benefits from the relatively low operating costs and low-tech water management solutions associated with hydropower.

H2OTEL, carbon neutral, Netherlands, no sound

ActiveMATTER from Material ConneXion

Wednesday July 11, 2012

ActiveMATTER from Material ConneXion. Design Watch Members got an insiders look at the 22nd annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair with Cooper-Hewitts deputy curatorial director Matilda McQuaid.

ActiveMATTER, Material Connexion, CHMembership, box, cardboard

Why Design Now?: Issey Miyake Spring/Summer 2009 collection, Color Hunting

Wednesday July 11, 2012

Featured in Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Triennial.

09SS, Color, Hunting, Issey Miyake, Why Design Now

Cooper-Hewitt: Rick Cook on sustainable design

Wednesday July 11, 2012

Rick Cook talks to the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt staff.

Cook+Fox Architects is a firm devoted to creating environmentally responsible, high-performance buildings. The firm has become known for innovative design at the highest standard of environmental responsibility and for their commitment to excellence enriched by the collaborative process.

Rick Cook, Cook+Fox, Bank of America, energy, water, Architecture, Bryant Park, design, New York, talk, long, public program

Bill's Design Talks: Pentagram

Wednesday July 11, 2012

Michael Bierut and Yve Ludwig of Pentagram talk about designing the catalog for the National Design Triennial: Why Design Now?

Michael Bierut, yve ludwig, Pentagram, graphic, triennial exhibit, New York, sustainable, Why Design Now, environment, Chuck Kim, Matilda McQuaid, Bill Moggridge, bills design talks, talk, long, public program

Cooper-Hewitt: Target Design Kids Festival

Wednesday July 11, 2012

On July 17th, the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, 5th Avenue and 91st Street, presents the FREE Target Design Kids Festival! Kids become designers and make fun projects all day! Visit cooperhewitt.org to learn more.

kids, target, Festival, event, long, public program

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