CasaSugar

Casa Verde: An Energy-Generating Revolving Door

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:59 -0800

When it comes to sustainable technologies, Royal Boon Edam is truly opening doors. The company has introduced the world's first energy-generating revolving door, which not only saves energy but also generates it with each person who passes through. The door was installed in the Driebergen-Zeist railway station in the Netherlands, which was recently refurbished by RAU, an architect firm specializing in ecological buildings. The energy that commuters apply to the door by pushing it is harnessed by a special generator, which safely controls the rotating speed of the door. Meanwhile, low-energy LED lights in the ceiling slurp up the stored energy to keep the door space constantly illuminated. To hear more about this inventive technology, read more.

What's more, red-to-green LED scales inside the door show how much energy is generated and "Human Powered Energy" stickers are adhered to the door, so that people are aware of their contribution as they pass through the door itself. With a daily capacity of 8,500 commuters, the average day-to-day schlep to work adds up to about 4600 kWh in energy savings per year, much more than a standard door that doesn't save any energy! In addition to that, your plain ol' revolving door makes heating and air conditioning more efficient as it prevents air flow in and out of a building. Though Royal Boon Edam's energy-generating revolving door is currently used in a commercial capacity, I think this is only the beginning, and I hope one day our doors will harness our own energy for homes as well - without making me sweat.
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Steal of the Day: Pottery Barn Rattan Luggage Rack

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:30:00 -0700

Still reeling from the parade of friends and family in your home this Summer? Prepare your house for the next busy season by outfitting guest rooms with the Pottery Barn Rattan Luggage Rack ($59.99, reduced from $89). The durable rack, made of thick rattan poles and wrapped with rattan strips, will host a revolving door of suitcases and seasonal gear.
Don't get many visitors? I'd transform it into a chic side table by having a glass top cut to fit, or even just setting a leather, rattan, or metal tray on top it. A portable tray top would be great for cocktail parties. Or you can buy two, and use them as bedside tables. What do you think?

Open House: How Does Your Home Have a Sense of Humor?

CasaSugar — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:30:35 -0700

Refinery29 recently toured the home of Vena Cava designer Lisa Maycock and while I did love the easy elegance of her home's "lost and found" look, what struck me most was its sense of humor. In a corner of her living room, she placed a wooden triangle pegged with metal spikes on her Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair. In her bedroom, a poster titled "Just Bone Me" with skeletons in kama sutra poses hangs above her bed.I once had a cocktail party, and lined the shelves of my medicine cabinet with medicine bottles filled with candy. Or, sometimes I'll write silly notes to my guests with lipstick on my bathroom mirror. On most days, though, my house is tame, aside from its playful attitude toward scale and trompe l'œil effects like my painted headboard. How about your home? Do you play tricks on your guests? Do you have any funny posters or artwork? Any revolving doors that go nowhere? Tell all below!

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