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  • The best shipping container architect projects in last decade

    The best shipping container architect projects in last decade

    Shipping containers have always associated us with the large, plain and simple metal constructions that help us pack our stuff and put them onto the ship. But, if you believe that these constructions can’t be used for something more creative, well, you are terribly wrong. However, in the last few decades, modern architects have started many projects and redecorated many shipping containers into amazing facilities. Here are some most interesting facts.

    The first thing you should know about shipping containers is that are multifunctional and eco- friendly. For they are off-the-grid constructions, they help us preserve the nature. The sole fact that they could be easily constructed and transported, inspired talented architects use them in their innovative projects.

    Home is where you feel at home

    One of the most interesting ideas is to turn the shipping container into a real dwelling and this venture could have numerous pros and cons. Since they act like a green house which is rather cheap and eco-friendly, many people have chosen to actually live in them. On the other hand, for there are no supplies of water or energy, they need to be additionally insulated and to prevent the construction from rusting. The diapason of possible ideas is really wide, from construction a guest home to a full time single family home. You could also choose the dimensions of the house, and use a single container or the combination of the several ones. Anyhow, if you think that this project is a mission impossible, here you are several facts that will prove that you are completely mistaken.

    Beach Box by Andrew Anderson

    One of these examples is the impressive Beach Box by the architect Andrew Anderson, which is located in the dunes of Amagansett, near New York. The house of 2000 square foot is constructed of six containers and looks really impressive.

    Three story container house by Ziegler Build(1)

    Another great example is the three story container house that was recently built near Brisbane. This breath-taking 6000 square house is constructed of thirty one brand new shipping containers and it numerous astonishing rooms including four bedrooms, four bathrooms and large balconies with an amazing view.

    Containerlove home by LHVH Architekten

    Finally, another extraordinary example is the Containerlove home by LHVH Architekten, which is situated in Kall, Germany. This interesting construction of three containers is placed in a quite rural environment, which emphasizes its modern design even more. One of the most fascinating things about those mansions is that, apart from their luxurious and cozy interior, their exterior looks spectacular, and not simple or hideous at all. This kind of dwelling could be a perfect solution for those who are interested in uncommon ventures.

    Relieving monotony

    Library in Baku

    Many talented architects have also proved that container shelters could be also used in even more complex projects, such as the construction of public institutions. A colorful library in Batu, made from eight recycled shipping containers is certainly a perfect example. Apart from bringing vivacity and relieving monotony of its surroundings, it was extremely cheap costing only $820 USD.

    Bharati Antarctic Research Station

    There is also The Bharati Antarctic Research Station, which is a self-sufficient energy composition of 134 containers, which use metal constructions as an insulation. It raised the purpose of the station on even higher level, making it both functional and magnificent.

    ECOntainer Bridge

    And last, but not least, there is also ECOntainer Bridge, which will soon be constructed in Israel. However, this miraculous construction will be used by pedestrians and light vehicles, and more importantly, it will be really easy to repair or replace its parts, without some larger reconstructions.

    Finally, as you have probably notices, these facilities have two important functions, Firstly, since they don’t waste natural resources, they will help us raise ecological awareness and save our planet. Secondly, they are affordable and easy to maintain. For every design enthusiast, constructing and decorating a dwelling made of shipping shelters would be a real pleasure.

  • How Automation And Building Management Systems (BMS) Can Help You Save   Up On Utility Bills

    How Automation And Building Management Systems (BMS) Can Help You Save Up On Utility Bills

    What with sky-high electricity rates worldwide, no household is safe from consistently escalating utility bills!

    Depressed-Money-ConcernImage Source

    The big question mark is how you can cut back on the level of electricity consumption in your home so as to save up on these pesky bills. This is a tough question, since 99% of our everyday household activities use up electricity in some way or another.

    The answer? Automation!

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    Image Source

    Many recent studies have shown that automated homes consume a lot less energy and can be much more easily maintained than non-automated homes.

    By far, the greatest chunk of your energy bill comes from costs such as heating and cooling, lighting and appliance usage. Now you can greatly curtail these expenses by installing a sophisticated, hi tech, computer-based energy control system known as the Building Management System (BMS).

    Passivhaus_section_en

    Image Source

    A BMS takes control of three key areas of home maintenance:

    • General home environment, by regulating the lighting system and the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
    • Added security, by providing CCTV entrance footage
    • A safer home atmosphere, through a sophisticated alarm system including access entrance and fire alarms

    With this system, you can monitor your daily energy consumption. The BMS is basically a monitoring structure that keeps tabs on your home’s electrical equipment and fittings. This computerized network has interior and exterior sensors that can detect luminance, temperature and pressure, air quality, humidity, and even oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, etc. In this way, the amount of electricity and energy consumption at any given time can be determined.

    Installing an automated BMS in your home will benefit you on many levels. Firstly, this automation makes for an improved and upgraded home environment that is ideal and safe for your family. The BMS ensures your home is protected from crises like burglary and theft, fire hazards and flooding. Secondly, this system will ensure a more efficient management of your electrical equipment, as appliances will now be working at their optimum ability. This way, you will also make savings on repair, maintenance, and servicing costs. Thirdly, you will also save up on hiring a local electrical contractor, since your energy system is now fully automated. Fourthly, you can get a minute-by-minute performance report about your equipment. Any failure or discrepancy in the electrical and mechanical network will be picked up and reported so you can get it fixed.

    While the cost of installing the BMS is rather high, you can compensate by making significant energy savings as a result. Now you can live a more tension-free life, unhampered by astronomically high energy bills!

    Author Bio

    Sarah Cohen is an avid blogger about energy efficiency and electronic sophistication. She is affiliated with texaselectricrates.com and provides detailed comparisons with respect to electric rates in Texas.

  • Aster Cucine – Ideal for Modern Women

    Aster Cucine – Ideal for Modern Women

    If you are keen that your kitchen should look stunning, incredible, and pricey with neat and clean lines and give a shipshape and organized look, then you should consider improvising your cabinets. To attain this unambiguous look without fail, all you must do is to look for fashionable and up to date kitchen cabinets.

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    Currently there are several manufactures that you will encounter upon when hunting for the latest kitchen cabinets. Numerous brands like American Woodmark, Thomasville are identified for their excellence, but not essentially for their modern designs. As a result, if your flavor is inclined more for the very contemporary, you can look for one of the leading manufactures like Aster Cucine. When you are looking for look, cost, and excellence, furniture giant Aster Cucine offers an extensive array of fashionable kitchen cabinets also.
    The audacious features of this brand , Aster Cucine Trendy range is a solid proof that this particular brand does not go after the convention, but also are trying desperately to find pioneering, inventive and useful solutions to fit the accessible kitchen place just completely. Though every brand has its own different elements, but Aster Cucine has brought all the good elements under one category and incorporated under one vision, that allows you to have an ideal kitchen. The end product is an aesthetically pleasant, finished product with a contemporary and fashionable appearance. These high quality fitted kitchens from the perfect brand from Aster Cucine are only built for social interaction and prospect to entertain, showing off a roomy and friendly feel.

    When you talk about modern kitchen cabinets, it is not important that you have to spend an exorbitant amount for the look you want to give it to the kitchen. You can spend the amount as per your requirement and affordability. There are many different ways to cut the costs like put in the cabinets manually. Whereas this can help you save quite a bit of cash, but you really need to be sure with the job before you actually put your hand into it. However, what on earth you decide, if you focus and give time to choose carefully, you will discover the accurate present-day cabinets for the needs of the kitchen.Aster Cucine - Ideal for Modern Women
    Aster Cucine is at the front position of modern kitchen design for a long time now. The company came into existence in the year 1983 in Pesaro, Italy and the novel and self-motivated company carries on to escort the way as far as the product and service are concerned .

    Aster kitchens have revolutionized the entire kitchen system and come up with the unique approach to workplace in the kitchen surroundings. It has an absolutely clean look, undoubtedly defined lines and veiled hinges, an Aster kitchen has always made the most excellent use of all up-to-the-minute technology has to present.5243043707_f5322cc5fc_z

    Aster Cucine can identify what the manufacturer wants and what he aims for to meet the artistic and well-designed requirements of every individual client or purchaser, as this is specifically in which the company likes to operate and offer the quality product.5427068134_80473328bc_z

    The Aster Cucine kitchens  in this compilation can be selected in a variety of styles, materials and colours to produce an elite and fashionable look. Italian designs and stylishness in combination with a tough desire to produce kitchens exemplified by pleasant-sounding shared space are at the sensitivity of all they are doing. Whatsoever else, you ought to be sure that that an Aster kitchen will certainly offer to their clients a warm and livable place and the entire family can sit, eat and share their day to day experiences.

  • Renovation Problems You Shouldn’t Face Yourself

    Renovation Problems You Shouldn’t Face Yourself

    There is this type of people that seem to be some kind of ninja DIY masters who simply take the tools into their hands and get every single job done in the best possible way. However, since the percentage of that population is really small, it is best simply to do all you can and just leave the job of fixing things to the professionals. It is hard to determine which things you can do on your own and which require some professional touch. Here is what you should solve only by picking up the phone and dialing the right number.

    Electricity

    renovation

    The only correct way to deal with anything that is remotely related to electricity is by hiring an experienced electrician of royal heights to ensure electrical safety. Not only that messing with wires is dangerous in terms of electric shock, it can also cause far bigger problems like fires. Therefore, if you are not sure, simply call for help and leave it alone.

    Tiles

    Tiles

    This is something that seems so easy and it is extremely difficult to do right. Installing the new tiles looks like a kid’s game and it seems like all you need to do is to put some glue down and put tiles one near the other. However, there is so much more to it than that. You need a good base, you need to calculate the tiles and their surface and you really need to be very skilful to place the tiles in the surface and make them all even, with the grooves between them all of the same size. Also, it is a quite tedious task so calling somebody to do it, which makes Sydney-based bathroom renovation services your best bet.

    Masonry

    Masonry

    Precision, know-how and dedication are essential for masonry. The fact that it may seem easy is only because people who do it are very skilful and in most cases, very experienced. This is not the chance to make sure your DIY skills are cool enough, especially if you are trying to fix the roof of your house. If you see the cracks on the walls, your roof leaks or you want another wall in your room, make sure that you are not the one who will be solving these things.

    Plumbing

    Plumbing

    From time to time, it is advisable to prevent some pipe blockage by pouring the boiling water or vinegar into the drains to clean them up. However, when you see some wet patches in your bathroom it is time to call the plumber. Bathroom renovation has everything you should avoid doing: electricity, tiling, plumbing and the like. This is really difficult and it is not a work to be underestimated.

    The real wisdom is knowing when to stop and call for help when it comes to home renovation tasks. Therefore, stick to woodwork and thorough cleaning and call the professionals for anything else that you may want to do in your home.

    Author Bio: This article was provided by Andrew Newitt. Besides being a full-time husband and dad, Andrew enjoys blogging about different home improvement techniques from garden decoration to available bathroom renovation options in Sydney.

  • How Skylight Windows Are Now Back In Fashion

    How Skylight Windows Are Now Back In Fashion

    Several years ago, placing windows in the roof space was seen as ingenious by architects. It was something that didn’t interfere with neighbour’s privacy, whilst allowed considerably more natural light into the property than your standard window.

    Skylight-Windows
    However, it was the latter benefit which made skylight windows briefly go out of fashion. For all they did bring lots of natural light in, this was very hard to control. They were largely inaccessible and this didn’t only mean that it became impossible to dictate how much light would be allowed into the property, but it also created difficulties relating to temperature management. In other words, during the summer months these windows allowed large amounts of sunlight to seep through – and at times make the house unbearable.

    Fortunately, advancements in the blinds industry seem to have rectified the above issues and skylights are back with a bang. They are one of the most common features across contemporary dwellings across the country – and that’s because blinds manufacturers have eradicated those troublesome disadvantages.

    Skylight-Windows-1
    No matter how high the skylight is situated – it’s always accessible

    One of the main ways in which blinds manufacturers addressed the lack of accessibility with these windows was through motorized blinds. At one stage, many of these windows were left uncovered – simply because there was no way to reach them and control the window treatment. Then, we reached a point where large stick-like objects were used to control them from ground level. Suffice to say, both approaches were riddled with problems.

    This is where the motorized blind has come to the rescue and means that the skylight can be controlled from anywhere in the house. While most households will take advantage of a basic remote control to allow in natural light as they please, others may set a programmable timer which eradicates day-to-day manipulation full stop.

    Regardless of the approach taken, it solves both problems. Light can be controlled by the literal click of a button, while at the same time you won’t be creating that stuffy greenhouse effect due to the sun beaming through in the peak of the afternoon.

    On the subject of the sun…

    While some people will be completely satisfied in controlling the heat of their house through a motorized system, others may demand much more.

    This is where advancements in the blinds industry have again created a new lease of life for the skylight, with solar and insulated blinds both hitting the market with something of a storm. Solar blinds do exactly as the name suggests and limits the amount of solar light and heat that enters a building. They are ideal in hot climates and when combined with a motorized solution, it allows the homeowner ultimate flexibility.

    Insulated blinds are somewhat similar, with their “honeycomb” design meaning that it is much more difficult for heat to transfer through the material. On the hot days this limits the sun’s rays, while in the winter months it prevents heat escaping. Again, when such technology is combined with the motorized option, it again makes the skylight completely flexible. Several years ago, this was something which seemed utterly farfetched.

  • Subtle design is not the lesser art

    Subtle design is not the lesser art

    As someone who reads a lot about interior design, I frequently come across interior photos where I think “wow, that’s really intriguing and stunning,” and simultaneously, “I could never do anything like that in my home.”

    1. neutral-one

    The conversation about interiors is often dominated by assertive aesthetics. This makes sense: a room that effectively uses a bright color or a space done up in stark monochrome (trending of late) will grab more attention and attract more eyes than a more discreet one.

    But there’s a difference between repinning something on Pinterest and choosing to live with it for many years. I’ll never have a space that’s highly stylized because I have too many beloved objects – art, photos, family heirlooms – that I want to highlight. I want those things to speak to my personality, and I don’t want them overshadowed by too many bright colors or ornamental wallpaper.

    Neutral gets a bad name because it’s seen as a default, and a middle-brow, highly-commoditized one at that. But a good neutral interior is anything but unrefined. Creating such a space can be broken down into three main components.

    Structure

    4. texture

    The structural design of an interior is usually figured out before construction (or before renovation). If you are in this phase, it’s a good idea to let your architect know what you plan on putting inside. Often times, a designer will want to visit your current space to get a feel for how you live.

    But after construction, it’s also important to think about structure as it relates to furniture and decoration. The photo above is of a basement-level entertainment room, and since the ceiling is a bit lower, the rectangular wood paneling and low-back sectional emphasizes the horizontal length of the room and lends a sense of spaciousness.

    Likewise in this space, decorative beams give a touch of chic to the wood ceiling. There is still a lot of aesthetic variance that’s achievable with a neutral palette. A space can have features that are architecturally interesting, but also don’t overwhelm key decorative elements, more examples on San Francisco store.

    6 moroccan rug

    Texture

    Texture is such an important part of good design, but probably also the element that’s easiest to overlook. It’s not just a matter of making something tactilely comfortable, texture lends nuance. It might reference the aesthetic of the occupants or the environment within which the space is built. It also can have a powerful oppositional force: Juxtaposing dissimilar materials gives depth; a place is always more interesting when it’s made up of contrasting elements.

    contemporary-modern
    rugs-contemporary-modern-wool-geometric-wool-camel

    The sleek minimalist living room above uses dark wood accents and a thick cream rug to offset its heavy linear structural elements and tall white walls. The use of brick and wood are stunning in themselves, but they still allow the art to take center stage.

    A good example of subtlety in texture is this mid-century vintage Moroccan rug to get a closer look see it here. The knotted pile quietly calls our attention with the way it shows its wear. From our contemporary collection, this cozy shag is bolder. Its color scheme may be muted, but the pile is decidedly playful.

    Color

    Beige and white are great standards, but they aren’t the only colors to work with. Deep grays, earthy reds, natural yellows and pale mauve also fall under the scope of neutral.

    9. wood

    Even working with neutrals, color picking is still a task that takes a lot of thought. One has to consider the architectural features of the space, what kind of mood is desired and what sort of objects and furniture the color will be paired with. Another reason neutral gets a bad name is often when people try to pick colors conservatively they tend toward hues that are too light, where a saturated shade would be the better choice.

    Color isn’t all about paint and upholstery. A neutral scheme often works best when it plays up natural elements. The wood walls and ceiling in the home above provide a delicious array of reds and browns, and the tile also contains serene purples.

    A neutral scheme poses myriad possibilities. Deciding which ones to seek out is no less challenging but is potentially more flexible and satisfying in the long-term than brighter schemes.

  • How to Make the Most of a One-Car Garage

    How to Make the Most of a One-Car Garage

    A large garage is one of the most sought after features of any home. Unfortunately, sometimes a one-car garage is all you have to work with, but this doesn’t mean you can’t reap the same benefits that you would with something larger.

    Maximize-space-accesories

    Making the most of a one-car garage can be easy if you follow the right strategy. By planning your organization and using the right accessories, you can maximize the space of your garage to meet all of your needs.

    Getting Organized

     The biggest challenge in any garage is the countless items that can end up there. Organizing all of your stuff will clear up space that you never knew you had.

    Start by gathering all of the smaller items such as nails, screws, and tools to clear up as much space as possible. This can also give you an idea of what you can get rid of.

    Find storage containers that you can use to place these items in and label them accordingly. This will make it easier for you to find when you need them. Consider using clear containers that can be stacked to make it easier to organize.

    Shelving

     Once you’ve gathered all of your items, throw out what you don’t need, and label the ones you want to keep. You can install adjustable shelving to take it off of the garage floor. The reason you want to have adjustable shelving is due to the fact that over time, most garages will have new items coming in. Therefore, having something that is mounted on the wall and can be moved whenever necessary will make it easy for you to adapt and keep your garage space maximized. If you use your garage for auto maintenance, then you’ll want to be able to set up the workspace in the exact way that works best.

    Flooring

     Most homeowners don’t think about the flooring in their garage, but having a properly maintained floor can also contribute to the functionality of the space.

    Cleaning up concrete is a challenge because oil and paint tend to seep into the pores of the floor. Using a coating for your floor will give it a fresh look and protect it from nasty spills. Best of all, it will make cleaning much easier. A quality coating will make the garage floor ideal for a variety of uses and also protect it from damage.

    Mobile

    Work areas that are easy to move around are the best choice for optimizing your garage space. Find storage units that have wheels for mobility. Similarly, mobile accessories can allow you to adapt to the changing layout of your garage.

    For storage units and workbenches, use durable models that can withstand the elements and store a large number of tools and other items. By using items that can hold more weight, you will minimize the number of garage storage units needed.

    The key to getting the most of a one-car garage is to maximize the use of space and minimize the amount of unnecessary materials. Using adjustable shelving and mobile storage units gives you the flexibility you need in your garage. This will provide you with a versatile space for all of your needs.

    Author Bio: Anne Flemings loves interior designing and is always in pursuit of the latest changes and trends in home improvement. Her other interests lies in cooking, painting and blogging. She is an enthusiast homemaker who lives in Toronto with her husband and two kids. Sheca ne followed on twitter @AnneFlemings

    Image source: www.shutterstock.com

     

     

  • How to Prepare Your Home for a Long Stay Away

    How to Prepare Your Home for a Long Stay Away

    It’s Christmas time and most of you would packing your bags for a long vacation with your family. After all it is a great opportunity to see how Christmas is celebrated at other parts of the world, right?

    home-long-stay-away

    But before you leave for the vacation make sure your home is safe. Your home is probably your most important asset, and damage to it can be very costly to fix. Review the checklist below to ensure that your home will be safe and sound upon your return!

     

    Energy Costs and Regulating Temperature

     

    Air conditioning costs can account for half of your energy bill so turn your thermostat up before you leave. You may be tempted to set your thermostat low if you’re leaving during winter, but frozen water pipes can lead to burst pipes, which can in turn grow to thousands of dollars worth of property damage. Simply managing general plumbing in your house while you’re away is not enough – you will need to spend money on heating home enough to keep things from freezing.

     

    Your Kitchen Can Be a Source of Problems

    frige

     

     

    Remove perishable items from the fridge and pantry to avoid cleaning the mess when you get home. In addition, spoiled foods can often leak from their original packaging onto the shelf or floor in the form of sticky liquids, perfect for household pests. It’s always better to prevent unwelcome bugs than it is to remove them from your home.

     

    You’ll Need a Friend to Check your Plumbing

     

    Shut off the main water valve before you leave to prevent leaking or flooding, which will go undetected until the next person enters your home. For absences of a month or longer, ask a friend or neighbour to switch the valve on and run the faucets to keep pipes from drying out and cracking. In addition, mechanical devices tend to run better with regular use, so in the same trip, your friend should also flush the toilets around the home.

     

    Prevent Dangerous Situations from Starting

     

    Shut down all gas devices and unplug electronic equipment because when things go wrong, although no one is around to be injured, there’s also no one to alert the authorities. In addition, you should test your smoke alarm before leaving in case of emergency. In the worst case scenario, a neighbour can overhear the noise and take the appropriate steps to address the issue.

     

    Avoiding Home Break-ins

     

    There are many ways that a burglar might be tipped off to your absence:

    • fallen leaves, dust, or cobwebs on your car
    • piled up mail through the mail slot or in the mailbox
    • gathered newspapers and flyers on your front doorstep
    • unruly front yard indicates no one has been caring for the lawn
    • lights are never on in the home

     

    There are a number of ways to address the indicators above. You may have your mail directed to an alternate address and install automatic light controls to turn on periodically. You will need to rely on a friend to help with all the other tasks. In addition, alert the company of your home security system of your intended absence, and check that all your house windows & doors are locked, including small ones and windows on the second floor.

    And now that all these things are taken care why wait? Pack your travel bags and set off to enjoy the holidays!

     

    Author Bio: Anne Flemings loves interior designing and is always in pursuit of the latest changes and trends in home improvement. Her other interests lies in cooking, painting and blogging. She is an enthusiast homemaker who lives in Toronto with her husband and two kids. She can be followed on twitter @AnneFlemings

     

    Image source:www.shutterstock.com