ECO-CHIC

Stop! Red Light
"Stoplights" from Greenlight Concepts is a line of retro-modern hanging light fixtures that are fabricated using reclaimed glass lenses from discarded traffic lights. Designers Daniel Krivens and Nicholas Lee created the unique fixtures after discovering that truckloads of traffic light lenses were being tossed into landfills as cities upgraded to more efficient lighting technology. The clean and simple design highlights the beautifully textured glass lens. They look great hanging in a series or as an accent to an office or kitchen. The glass lenses come in 8 inch or 12 inch, are available in Ruby Red, Yielding Yellow, Go Green or Clear and range in price from $240 to $299. Call 415.287. 3491 or visit www.greenlightconcepts.com.
Images courtesy of Greenlight Concepts

Dream Catcher
Chicago-based Studio 1a.m. designers Donna Piacenza and Jody Work created Dreamgate as a reinterpretation of the headboard from the traditionally heavy piece of furniture to a lightweight modernist wall application. Dreamgate is fabricated using reclaimed cork from the bottle-stopper industry and the surface is screen printed by hand with water-based ink. The designers were inspired graphically by star formations and vintage tufted leather furniture. As a headboard or art object, the long proportion encourages creative placement in any environment. Dreamgate is reusable and can be trimmed easily to fit beds ranging from children's to king size. Self-adhesive backing makes installation simple. Dreamgate retails for $160 and weighs four pounds. For more information please visit www.studio1am.com.
Images courtesy of Studio 1a.m.

Community Green
The Gale School Community Center, scheduled for completion in late 2007, will feature the latest technology in green building solutions. Located in Rogers Park, the 17,000-square-foot field house will include a gymnasium, fitness center, meeting rooms, locker rooms, a kitchen and offices. Designed by the Chicago office of Perkins & Will, sustainable design elements include such features as a green roof, natural ventilation and strategic building placement. An example of the building's natural ventilation strategy is found in the gym, where rows of horizontal windows on opposing walls allow for natural airflow that is enhanced by the off center "butterfly" shape of the gym roof. To maximize natural daylight, the building is oriented in the most beneficial way, along an east-west axis, which allows the southern exposure to be shaded in the summer and have maximum exposure in the winter. High performance glass is used throughout to minimize heat gain and loss, and has an added frit pattern where additional solar shading is needed.
Images courtesy of Perkins & Will