Unemployed Portuguese creates bodyboard with Cork

Dodo Cork Boards is the name of a new Portuguese project which combines originality environmental sustainability â€" this time with boards of Bodyboarding. The booster is Fernando Simões, of 34 years, residing in Figueira da Foz.

The idea of creating boards from Cork emerged five years ago, "as a joke", according to his own. What started as a hobby has become a full-time occupation that he lost his job. Fernando, fiscal technician of public works, is currently unemployed and attends a degree in mechanical engineering.

Dedicated now to this project, its main objective is to promote reduction in the use of plastics in this kind of sports equipment, "through the incorporation of organic raw materials, recyclable and sustainable," explains Green Savers.

The project works in partnership with Granorte, company that provides support in the supply of Cork used in surfboard bodyboard and that allowed Fernando do the first experiments with the material.

All boards are produced manually by Fernando. Consist of Cork, polystyrene and fibreglass network and are glued together with resin-that is, at the end of its life cycle can be fully recycled. All raw materials are produced in Portugal, with the exception of the resin.

"The choice of materials was based on their subsequent recycling," says Fernando. And added: "I'm working on other articles that can be based on the recycled materials the planks and remains associated with its production."

The bodyboard â€" who has recently received the provisional patent of utility model â€" is just the first of many. You can see it on the page Dodo Cork Boards on Facebook and order it via email of the project. Prices vary between € 150 and € 300, depending on the sizes and characteristics.

Read More

Temple Centennial high 12 meters above the ground

A building with almost 3,200 tonnes is currently suspended in the air in the city of Provo, Utah, in the United States. The massive outer walls of the temple Centennial rest on foundations with more than 12 feet tall, creating a surreal scenario that intended for its restoration.

The Provo Tabernacle â€" historic treasure and the city's landmark-was damaged in a fire in 2010, which is now being restored and transformed into a Mormon Temple. It was originally built between 1883 and 1898 and, since then, has been used as a venue for community meetings and cultural events.

After the fire, church leaders decided to convert it into a Mormon Temple. For this, was excavated a huge area around and underneath the walls of the building, with this insurance by scaffolding, which creates an extraordinary scenario â€" and reportedly stable.

To preserve the most important parts of the Tabernacle, the engineers destroyed the interior of the building and excavated the soil to create a two-storey basement. First, stabilized the outside of the building, eliminating two of the five rows of bricks on the walls and putting steel ties around the remaining queues.

According to Inhabitat, was inserted within a brick wall of concrete to give it greater stability and resistance. The foundations were then installed and the team dug in more than 12 feet deep, making room for the large area where the remaining works will flow.

Read More

Cat with rare disease uses wheels to take first steps

Thumper was abandoned in a backyard baby still in California, but fortunately managed to be rescued in time by PACT â€" People and Cats Together. Was different from the other kittens because he couldn't walk, not even remain standing. The hind legs were not strong enough to withstand its weight and shifted himself dragging the body. But thanks to an engine with wheels, Thumper might take its first steps.

When the PACT took him to the vet, she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease and no cure. No one knew if the animal could ever come out and if it had not been rescued by the non-profit organization, probably never would have survived on his own.

The PACT brought immediate efforts in the search for solutions for the rehabilitation of Thumper and eventually come up with the idea of creating a special mobility aid system that helped strengthen the legs of the animal. Some people were sceptical about the recovery by this route, but the truth is that the mechanism enabled him to walk.

Thumper began to walk faster, day by day, and his legs were gaining strength. With the help of simple locomotion system, the cat managed to even learn how to run. After two weeks of treatment, Thumper already showed his potential, walking as if determined always had. And soon dropped the "training wheels" for going out on your own, to everyone's surprise.

Today, nobody stops â€" flying solo and plays with the other cats, and do imagine the limitations that previously depended. Run, don't seem to get tired and became an inspiration.

The Huffington Post advances the little Thumper is still waiting for adoption, so you can run and grow healthily in a safe place, as it deserves.

Read More

The shocking photos of waste electronic garbage in Accra, Ghana

Photographer Michael Ciaglo recently shared some photos of Agbogbloshie, a digital dump on the outskirts of Accra, Ghana. This is where a lot of spam is "processed" and destroyed-wires, televisions, computers or mobile phones.

In this dump, all these electronic components are burned and melted. Saves only the metal, which is then resold. This process creates highly toxic fumes that poisoned the employees from the Recycle Bin and the local community.

See pictures of Ciaglo, absolutely shocking, and read here what are the major challenges of collecting electrical and electronic waste.

Read More

Disused public bus converted into housing with penthouse

An Israeli has transformed a public bus in disuse in a two-story apartment, which includes a penthouse on the roof. The solution appeared in alternative to high housing rents in force in Israel.

Avishari Reuven, of 34 years, was looking for alternative forms of accommodation, after returning from a trip to India. At the beginning, sought common caravans but high prices and claustrophobic spaces led him to abandon the idea. Instead, he chose to buy a disused bus, on sale for € 7,400 ($ 22 million). Buses with more than 20 years, according to the Israeli law, must be withdrawn from circulation, even if they are in good condition-as seems to be the case.

Given the increasing rental prices and purchase of dwellings in the country, the value that Reuven invested is considered very low, considering we ended up buying a House. Left him enough to acquire the materials needed for the renewal of the vehicle and its transformation in a suite on wheels. Its great asset was knowing work in carpentry, plumbing and welding, so didn't have to pay the labor.

The Green Prophet reports that housing was equipped with kitchen, bathroom, living room and even a guest room as penthouse. The trunk and the basement of the bus have been converted into storage spaces. The water needed for housing comes from a tank placed on the roof. And a staircase linking the two floors.

The project involved a small-scale design process that allowed to reduce costs, but also create a true feeling of affinity for the work. In the future, Reuven wait convert over three public buses home furniture for this time, sell them.

Read More

New Zealand opens the world's largest geothermal central

The New Zealand has just announced the completion of the largest geothermal power plant in the world. Designed by Mighty River Power, geothermal central Ngatamariki of 100 MW is the third geothermal project carried out in the country since 2008. The infrastructure is located near Taupo and is considered a strategic framework as an important achievement.

Due to the complex nature of geothermal projects, the company has devoted more than a decade to build partnerships and more than €55 million ($ 165 million) in holdings before taking the decision to move towards the construction of the factory.

"Our commitment (...) for this project was only confirmed after we meet in each one of its fronts â€" and the long-term sustainability of resources and returns from our investors, "said Joan Withers, the Mighty River Power.

The Ormat, company responsible for building the factory, says it is the largest installation of its kind in the world. Works by feeding power converters with high-temperature geothermal fluid (193 C). In this configuration, 100% of the geothermal fluid is reinjectado with zero water consumption and low emissions, minimizing the impact on the environment and without depleting the underground reservoir.

Unlike other forms of sustainable energy, the geothermal energy is not dependent on climatic conditions, which means that it can be performed at any time, without interruption.

The Inhabitat added that the five Mighty River Power's geothermal plants generate about 10% of the total annual electricity of New Zealand. The geothermal company initiative avoids the use of coal, sparing the country more than three million tons of carbon emissions per year.

Read More

Comoco Architects wins 2nd Edition of the national prize of architecture in Wood

The draft N10-II, sports and multipurpose space situated in Coimbra and that has the wood as raw material of choice, is the winning project of the second edition of the national prize of architecture in wood.

Sports and multipurpose space, implemented in an old industrial Hall, covers three areas: reception, changing rooms and party zone. A porticoed structure built with American pine elements defines the basic structure of space, whose filling or frosting as on the walls, is done with the use of MDF boards.

The application of MDF boards has been thought for a result of excellence in structural terms as in the definition of construction. The option for MDF with natural finish allows a harmonious aesthetic result with other options of materialization, as the use of white tiles, in the locker room, and with the design of the pieces of furniture in pine and MDF boards lacquered in black.

Thus, the architects Luis Miguel Correia, Nelson Motta and Susana Constantine, of the atelier Comoco, received a monetary prize, awarded by the Gold Sponsor-Sonae Indústria â€" and a unique work by Siza Vieira, while the developer received a commemorative wooden plaque.

Among the range of works finalists the jury distinguished two citations attributed to the Swing Project, authored by. Manfred Eccli and Pedro Leitão, Babble and at the laboratory of Curated by João Mendes Ribeiro in collaboration with Catherine Fortune, Inês Lourenço and Joana Brandao

The prize, biennial, could apply for projects constructed between September 24, 2011 and June 28, 2013, in Portuguese territory, designed by architects registered in the order of Portuguese Architects and which reflect the quality and versatility of wood, incorporating a significant volume of wood and/or their derivatives in any structural or decorative solution.

The next edition of the national prize of architecture in Wood will happen in 2015.

About the works of honorable mentions

First Honorable mention | Swing project â€" Atelier Address Vague â€" Manfred Eccli and Pedro Cavaco Piglet 

Interactive installation conceived for the exhibition Pop Art of Guimarães, European Capital of culture 2012. The installation was built with wooden pallets, re-used, which in conjunction with other materials such as iron structure, giving it an "old look" style and the sound evokes the sounds previously industrial ears in town



2nd honorable mention |Curatorial lab-Atelier João Mendes Ribeiro â€" João Mendes Ribeiro in collaboration with Catherine Fortune, Inês Lourenço and Joana Brandao

Temporary installation conceived for Guimarães â€" European Capital of culture 2012, produced in madeira, to host exhibitions and works of artists.

Read More