Cool Hunting
| 09 June 2009view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
Brand X Video Shorts Call for Entries
by Nathan Suberi
The LA Times' up-and-coming new-media site Brand X is hosting a video competition (that we're judging) to explore what it means to be a next-gen Los Angeleno. Shape your creative vision in a three-minute or less video exposé by this Friday, 12 June 2009 and enter to win a featured showing at the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival. We'll see you there.
Benjamin Graindorge x Duende Studio: Floating Garden Aquarium
by Brian Fichtner
Floating Garden, a new freshwater aquarium concept by Benjamin Graindorge and Duende Studio, tackles waste management, the primary concern of aquariums, with an innovative, 100% natural filtering system.
By enlisting two forms of natural filtration, gravel-bed filtration and aquaponics, the set-up removes nitrates, thereby eliminating the need for harmful chemicals and frequent water changes.
In the first instance, tank water flows over a tray where it passes through a thin layer of river sand, which forms a host environment for the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to transform azote into nitrates. Nitrate-enriched water then flows over a layer of plant life, whose substratum of roots serve to extract the nitrates, both feeding the plants and purifying the water.
Floating Garden will be available in a plastic and ceramic production version beginning in the spring of 2010. For serious aquatic aesthetes, a limited series of 10 prototypes will be produced through rapid prototyping and offered with a tinted glass aquarium (price on demand). The prototype will be on view and available for special order at Forum Diffusion beginning 25 June 2009.
The High Line NYC
by Wendy Dembo
Beginning with a dream in 1999 to save a 1.5-mile-long unused elevated rail structure running through NYC's lower west side, Friends of The High Line founders Joshua David and Robert Hammond (pictured below, left) have a lot to smile about today with the opening of the new park and community space.
The High Line, which also offers a new bird's eye view of the Hudson River, extends from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 20th Street—although 34th Street will eventually be the final stopping point. Designed by famed architects Diller, Scofidio + Renfro, the amazing public space has been reclaimed and refitted but keeps a semblance of the original state of the abandoned area with pathways resembling train tracks, weed-like plants and benches made of wood, concrete and steel.
The stairway entrance on Gansevoort Street leads pedestrians through the structure, past Spencer Finch's (pictured below, right) illustrious wall of multi-colored, light-changing glass panes entitled "The River That Flows Both Ways," to an amphitheater at 18th Street that offers a view of the traffic going north on 10th Avenue.
A true neighborhood park and spectacular addition to NYC's landscape, the hard work and dedication of everyone involved is an effort much appreciated by both residents and visitors.
Margo's Bark Root Beer
by CH Contributor
by Julie Wolfson
Just about a year ago, at the age of six, Oscar Youd made root beer for his science project. With some help from his parents Jessica and Tim, his project was such a hit at school that it spawned a new line of root beer called Margo's Bark.
Made with all-natural cane sugar and micro-brewed in Los Angeles, the family named Margo's Bark after their pet who was a rescue dog. All of the profits go to helping the causes of shelter and rescue dogs.
For more information, some entertaining "dog tweets" and to find out where and when Margos' Bark will be available, follow Margo and her root beer adventures on Twitter. With her slogan "Drink a Bite," we wonder if Margo has some root beer in her dog bowl.
Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs Co.
by Lost At E Minor
Tired of seeing imported water from the other side of the world on tables of their local restaurants, the Melbourne-based founders of Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs Co. decided to act. Today, the team bottles and distributes water from the heart of Melbourne's mineral springs capital. Not only are their products natural, sustainable and local, with bottling and packaging just 100 kilometers from the source, but they're stylish too. Their line of sparkling fresh fruit mineral waters showcase brightly illustrated retro-looking labels with sweet colors that match their equally scrumptious contents. Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs Co are growing a dedicated following as Melbournians, Victorians and Australians as a whole go for their beautiful local goods.
