Higher and faster

A swing and music, not exactly two activities that you will combine together quickly. The Canadian desingcollectief ‘Daily Tous Les Jours’ have placed seven sets with special swings in the city Montreal, called ’21 Balancoires’. The swings all have a sound like a piano, xylophone or a ‘secret’ mode. So if you will you can play music with the one next to you.
Especially the concepts ‘together’ and  ’play’ important in this concept. I find this an interesting initiative because it’s not only for young childs but also adults can think this is interesting. This concept fits well with the trend that not only young people but also adults want to play and enjoy the good things in life

source: http://www.bright.nl

 

 

It’s a coconut tree!

Coconut fiber is a residual. Mainly used in agriculture to prevent freezing of the soil and known as the famous, not particularly trendy coconut mats and them certainly not trendy ‘welcome’ text.

Jorrit Taekema, designer at Studio Frederik Roijé wasn’t very positive about the use of coconut fiber so he search for a new place for the coconut fiber.  Below you see the result.

A chair made ​​from waste coconut fibers and latex. Although the question remains whether he will actually enjoy sitting, because he used different layers it looks like it’s comfortable. The material reminds me of a sponge and the different layers makes this chair remind me of a mid-cut tree.

This object is a typical example of the issue;  how can you give residual a new function?
Personally I find the seat looks quite cheap, messy and a different color would not become. Yet, on the other hand, the appearance of this chair fits what Jorrit want to radiate. Give residual a function. It is and remains ‘residual’ so do not expect high art.

Coolhunts TCA

Coolhunt 2, strawberry Earth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what is it?

Strawberry earth is created by Mette te Velde together with Ikenna Azuike. It’s inspired by initiatives from New York and the designers of this platform wanted to create trough creativity and optimism till grean solusions. Strawberry earth started first as a blog filled with sustainabillity design and other green initiatives. When the blog  was found by the early adopters, Mette and Ikenna started with organize party’s.

also, environmentally conscious people can sign up for the ‘Green Film Making Competion’.  This is in cooperation wiht the Ministry for Economic business. In this competition the moviemakers don’t only asssessed for their creativity, but also on the sustainabillity level of their movie. The competion starts on the festival itselfs.

why is it cool?

Sustainabillity is a word that doesnt have that much impact on us anymore. This is because it’s used so much and for anything  we can imagine. So actually,  we’re immune for this word. This Festival is another way to show people to be careful with the earth. The only difference is that is isn’t really visible. Besides with this kind of festival people be entertainment. the get something for in return. They don’t have the feeling they really have to give something back.

 

Coolhunts TCA

coolhunt 2, Path

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what is it?

Path is a smartphone app and it looks a lot the same like Twitter but more exclusive. It’s created by a ex-employee of facebook. You can only be connected with 50 people. max! and respond with only smilies. So when you have 49 connections and you want to add two people you have to make some choices. But why only 50 connections? evolutionpsychologe Robert Dubar concluded that our brains  prossesing only 150 social contacts. besides, social contacts expand always with factor three. So that’s the reasons why de creaters of Path use the rating 50!

why is it cool?

I think it has potential because instead of having the most friends of all the new challenge is to be best friends with the 50 most populair people. It’s creating status on a whole new level. Also, it links privacy, image building and exclusive together.

Coolhunts TCA

coolhunt 1, Twitter Terrorism

 

 

 

 

 

 

what is it?

It seems like a sport for some kids. Sending tweets around twitter with threats in it. Just for fun.. typical behaviour for kids. Don’t think about the possible consequences of their acts.

 

why is it cool?

I think it’s popular because the line for doing this is very low. It’s fast and anonymous. Besides kids want to get attention and getting negative attentions is a lot easier then try getting positive. Also they can reach the whole community of even the whole world with a easy click on their computers. They really think that they can fight the world.

 

Coolhunts, Instant Gratification

Coolhunt 5, Izkaya

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what is it?

It’s an Asian restaurant in Rotterdam.

There are different kind of seat positions, Lounge, Bar, Kitchen and restaurant.  Tables are rested with a digital touch screen table, which you can use to order some drinks or food.

why is it cool?

It’s easy and fast. You don’t need employees to take the orders. So no more waiting on the waitress for a drink or eat but you can decide by yourself when you order something. Customers are more independent. It’s a whole new experience for the customers. They can do ‘the job’ now by themselves. It is time saving for customers and for the stores who use this also money saving. (also for the customers because you don’t have to give a tip anymore!)

take a look at this:  http://www.izkaya.nl/#experience

 

Coolhunts, Urban Nomads

Coolhunt 3, Seats 2 meet

 

 

 

 

 

what is it?

This is a on-and offline space where you can meet each other, work together, co-creation, exchange knowledge, creating ideas, to innovate and inspire, but most of all, A place where you can bundle your power with others and work together.

It’s a innovative business concept in the meeting and conference industry and designed for people who wants to talk fast and easily without a agent.

why is it cool?

Also this is a good example of the change of the society. With the arrival of the ‘new work’ this kind of sites and organizations are more popular. People don’t have to leave their houses to create something new or to have business meetings. By doing this online you can do more work in a little time and make more money is a positive result of this. Besides this economic result I personal prefer onlinle meetings. I mean, doing a presentation online seems to me less scary then doing one in real life.

take a look at this: http://www.seats2meet.com/over.html

Coolhunts Urban Nomads

coolhunt 5, Youmeet

 

 

 

 

 

 

what is it?

Youmeet is a initiative of the YNNO, A advice office for innovative workers. In this office, meetings are totally prepared and among professionals. There are five different kinds of rooms with their own ‘mood’ and target. These are, speak, create, design, reflect and decide. Those offices can be used for having meetings or work at a command.  The problems with meetings are mostly the results that are not clear at the end of a meeting. But the meetings of ‘Youmeet’ are accompanied and very professional organized, so results are a simply and fast to reach.Timesaving is an important profit of this office!

why is it cool?

This is a good example of the influence that Urban Nomads has on the society. More and more there are organizations that offers a online service that make work easier and faster. This signal shows that about a little time everyone become a Urban Nomad. I think it’s not a group of people anymore but a real society change.

take a look at this: http://youmeet.nl/

Coolhunts, Urban Nomads

coolhunt 4, Office in a trunk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what is it?

Straight from Japan this office box for telecommuters and self-employed home-office dwellers  who don’t have the luxury of a dedicated home office.

why is it cool?

Urban Nomads love travelling and they don’t be a lot on the same place. With this office you can work everywhere in your home because it’s easy to move. Besides you can close the door of this box so after your work is done you can close it and hide it so you can leave your ‘work attitude’ behind and enjoy the rest of your day with other things without being confronted with your work. After all, you need to relax sometimes!

take a loot at this: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/trunk-station-home-office-on-wheels.php

Coolhunts, Urban Nomads

coolhunt 2, FOOW

What is it?

This is a car made for one person. The name of this car is ‘Foow’ and it’s a solar-powered concept car that has been designed to fold up to fit into small spaces.

Why is it cool?

I choose this coolhunt because the size of it. It’s small so you can go almost anywhere you want with this car. Besides, If it’s necessary you can even park this car in a bike stand. It’s a perfect car for people that live in the big city where the Urban Nomads live.