The Porta Hedge Allows You To Study Nature Incognito & Eco-consciously

The Porta Hedge is a mobile artificial hedge created by Justin Shull. The exterior repurposes discarded artificial Christmas trees and on the inside, it can accommodate people, offering them an opportunity to study what's around them, such as birds and plants, all while enshrouded and incognito from nature.



above: exterior, Mixed media, including artificial Christmas trees, birdsong audio, video surveillance cameras, 21′x8′x6′


above and below: interior Mobile Observation Lab


As described by the designer:
Like all hedges, the Porta Hedge is a physical barrier that provides a certain amount of privacy in the guise of greenery. Built within the ‘green’ paradigm, the Porta Hedge features several eco-conscious design features including solar power, a small physical footprint (2 tires and a swivel jack), recycled Christmas trees on the exterior, living plants and wood finishing on the interior, and the relaxing sound of birdsong audio on the interior and exterior.



BRANCHES: The exterior of the Porta Hedge is constructed from thousands of recycled artificial Christmas tree branches donated by 7,000 EVERGREENS Instead of going to the landfill, these artificial tree branches become part of a new mobile landscape.



AUDIO: The Porta Hedge also features exterior audio of prerecorded, arranged birdsong. Robins, Cardinals, Chickadees, Blue Jays and Mourning Doves are just a few of the birds that one hears crooning softly from the Porta Hedge.

WILDLIFE HABITAT: A study is currently under way on the Summer '09 Tour to determine if the combination of artificial branches and precorded birdsong audio will attract other bird and animal species to use the Porta Hedge as a home.

SOLAR:

The roof of the Porta Hedge is the perfect location for photovoltaic solar panels. Generate additional electricity either for the interior of the Porta Hedge, for your home, or for any structure nearby.

What About the Trailer?
With minimal impact upon the landscape, and mobility for the lifetime of the hedge, the Porta Hedge and its related Porta Projects are a novel approach to landscape design.


Like many other contemporary products, all Porta Projects are designed to be modular and easily relocated when necessary. With only 5 points touching the ground, Porta Projects have minimal impact upon the land they are situated on.

INTERIOR:





The Porta Hedge's interior Mobile Observation Lab features surveillance cameras/monitors, a rooftop observation hatch and peep holes with accompanying chalkboards to observe and respond to one's surroundings. For the comfort of the inside observer, amenities include a small bathroom, live plants, and an internet uplink.

Rooftop hatch and live plants:

bathroom:


Since July 2009, the Porta Hedge has been travelling the country in search of suitable sites, for field testing, and to meet the public. To learn more about it and see other projects of Justin Shull, visit his site here.

all information and images courtesy of Justin Shull

The Soliloquy. Super Modern, Super Luxurious, Super Green Superyacht.

The 58m modern looking Soliloquy Superyacht designed by Alastair Callender uses a combination of solar, wind and hybrid marine power to move through water. The vessel also boasts retractable, cutting-edge, rigid-wing technology and has zero emission capabilities.


As reported by Super Yachts:
Soliloquy is a renowned revolutionary concept with an entirely eco-friendly focus set to feature at the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show later this month featuring an ultra-modern design and adaptable superstructure.



The ‘Super-green superyacht’ model has been showcased around various shows in the past, such as the Monaco Yacht Show, displayed in the Lürssen stand which drew in throws of owners and onlookers to revel in its unique design.





The elegantly crafted Soliloquy model is now set to feature at the prestigious 2010 Abu Dhabi Yacht Show which takes place in the capital's beautiful Yas Marina.


above: Alastaire Callender, his model and Brian Horner, CEO of Visioneering

Alastair Callender designed the eco-cruiser as a 58 metre “rigid wing solar sailor” holding sails that will raise themselves from the superstructure to easily cruise the sleek design around sun-rich waters. “I am thrilled that this eco-superyacht concept will now be on show in the area of the world from which the influence first began.” Soliloquy’s influence was taken from eco-conscious Masdar City in Abu Dhabi which is currently set to become a central focus in the yachting world.




Callendar is an award winning designer and will be proudly enthralling owners and onlookers at the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show with his design's display, a concept which has stemmed from a passion for yacht design and for a sustainable planet.



Soliloquy will be propelled by solar, wind and hybrid marine power using technology from the Australian company Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd. offering the design proven ground breaking technology. Reduced running costs and zero emissions means Soliloquy will utilise the raw power of nature to give a luxurious and comfortable cruise with minimal noise and vibration.






The superstructure has an open plan design when its retractable windows come down and shows off an impressively natural aesthetic when sealed. The exterior design of Soliloquy holds 600 sq metres of solar surface coverage, allowing her to run at 8 knots after a day's charging, with the panels also doubling up as a black gloss finish.






The Abu Dhabi Yacht Show will be taking place on the 25 – 27th of this February and will feature the revolutionary design to be appreciated by any and all.

Click on the images below to enlarge:


additional images and info courtesy of Superyacht Times.

All specific enquiries about Soliloquy please email:
soliloquy@solarsailor.com.au
For information on Solarsails & Hybrid Marine Power by Solar Sailor Ltd. visit: www.solarsailor.com.au
For Alastair’s other designs please see: www.callenderdesigns.co.uk
Solarsails designed and patented by Solar Sailor Pty Ltd.

© Copyright 2009 Alastair Callender. UK and EU Design Right. Registered Design UK 4011030. Other rights pending.

Video:
 

Lots of other amazing modern yachts to see, check these out: The Wally Power 118

 
The Oculus Yacht
 
The Inifintas yacht
 
the The ISA 120 Luxury Yacht
 

and the Hermes Wally WHY Superyacht
 

The Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle: Another Pricey Green Machine

Having blogged about The Mission One electric motorcycle, it's only fair to share with you another expensive eco-friendly bike; The Brammo Enertia, an 18-horsepower electric street legal motorcycle with a top speed of 55 miles an hour, which made its public debut in New York yesterday.



The 280-pound Enertia is available for preorder at $11,995 — or a serialized limited production model for $14,995-, though the electric motorcycle is eligible for a 10 percent federal tax credit. Rumor has it five west coast Best Buy stores are stocking and selling the Enertia street bike.






Design Influences
The Enertia has been shaped as much by current events and our cultural history as the pencil of the one designing it. With global warming and dependence on foreign oil becoming increasing important social issues and a response from the transportation industry seeming elusive, the Enertia was designed as a solution to a problem.



The designers of the Enertia focused on eliminating elements that contributed to intimidation and instead emphasized the ones that exposed the pure joy of motorcycling. The lightweight motorcycle has a magical history in the US and worldwide, changing attitudes and capturing the imagination of the people every time we needed a more efficient, friendlier mode of transportation. Celebrating the spirit of these iconic bikes was a design goal for the Enertia. A dichotomy of old school purist values and new school technology, the Enertia hits that perfect balance between the familiar and the future.



Truly Designed from the inside out, the Enertia's sculpted form hints at the geometric order within. Major components are either exposed, like the chassis, or referenced, like the logo plates, which have the same diameter and plan view location as the electric motor they shield. The design details have not been left to chance either, with materials, colors and textures reminding you that you're riding a motorcycle of the highest quality.



The following charts are courtesy of Brammo:




specs:


ordering options and pricing:



reserve yours now here.

Company Overview / Mission (from their site):
Brammo Motorsports was founded in 2002 to focus on research and development that would enable us to excel in the manufacturing of specialty performance vehicles. Our integration of digital engineering, tightly meshed with innovative industrial and production design, allows us to be prolific in product development.

Creating compelling, sustainable transportation that is fun to use is our goal.

In 2005 to further develop our design and production processes, we began manufacturing the Ariel Atom, a ground breaking sports car concept by British designer Simon Sauders. The Atom is a lightweight vehicle based on GM's Ecotec engines and provides a ultra high performance driving experience with a small displacement and fuel-efficient power plant. Comedian and uber car collector Jay Leno says, "I've had my Atom for a few months now. I love it. It's actually my favourite car in terms of driving."

We have designed a new product line of plug-in electric motorcycles named Enertia™. The Enertia is an all electric, plug-in motorcycle with a 40+ mile range and 50+ mile per hour top speed.

Leveraging formula race car technology the Enertia utilizes a carbon-fibre chassis producing an ultra strong and lightweight vehicle platform of just 275 pounds. This ground breaking chassis design combined with the most powerful lithium-phosphate batteries in the world from supplier Valence Technology has produced an emissions free commuter motorcycle designed for today.

all images and info courtesy of Brammo.
Take a look at Engadget's review here.


Brammo is located in Ashland, Oregon.
Enertia microsite

The Mission EV 1:

Read about the Mission One EV Electric Motorcycle here.

The Fastest Electric Bike:

And, if you're wondering what happens to be the world's fastest electric motorcycle, that'd be the KillaCycle which has been clocked at a top speed of 168 mph.