Christopher Solomon of MSN Real Estate has a great article on the backlash toward McMansions, also called “starter castles”, “Hummer houses” or, my favorite, “garage mahals”. From the article: “Local governments and ordinary citizens are saying ‘no’ to so-called Hummer houses and starter castles. Tactics include energy-consumption restrictions, petitions and outright building moratoriums…” Great read!
Library design from salvaged passenger jets
Boing Boing has a link to a great design for a library from an architect firm. They’ve thought of using old bodies of airline jets, stacked and connected together, to create a cool, multi-level building. Nice!
From Boing Boing: “Xeni Jardin: Memepunks sez, Architects Lot-Ek have designed a public library made from the reclaimed fuselages of 727/737 passenger jets. The fuselages are the one part on an airliner that is more expensive to recycle than it is to just junk. Hundreds of old jet bodies litter the countryside, and now someone finally found a use for them…”
Let’s file this under cool, innovative ideas.
Caparo T1 at Monaco
From Gizmag: “April 22, 2006 We’ve already previewed the lightweight (less than 500kg), roadgoing Caparo T1, which a uses a compact 500bhp V8 engine to deliver a dramatic 1,000bhp-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio — nearly double that of the Bugatti Veyron. Well the Caparo had its coming out at the prestigious Top Marques show in Monaco yesterday when it was unveiled by no less than Prince Albert II…” Here’s the link.
Dr. Hercules of Hackensack
From Apple Hot News: “At first glance, Dr. Robert Gallo doesn’t look like Superman. Yet consider his extraordinary powers. He’s the father of 12 children. He’s a popular OB-GYN who remains on a first-name basis with hundreds of patients through every phase of their lives. And he delivers more than 200 babies a year. Luckily, he’’s got a Mac-based practice to help keep him organized.” This is definitely a cool read. I hadn’t known about Mac Practice until now, but this EMR certainly seems to work wonders for that doctor’s office. Here’s the link.
Earth Day is today
From Gizmag: “April 22, 2006 Today is Earth Day, when millions of people worldwide will participate in events to show their concern for the planet’s environment and natural resources. The official web site lists an array of ways in which you can meaningfully involve yourself and your family and Yahoo! has also assembled a comprehensive micro site that helps people take simple steps to slow climate change. Environmental experts warn that greenhouse gas emissions will lead to disastrous consequences unless the earth’s inhabitants make lifestyle changes…” Here’s the link.
Raoul Pop 