Aptera's 300 MPG car of the future!

Developed by San Diego based Aptera Motors, the Aptera Typ-1 is a three-wheeled two-seater. It is currently under development, though they are accepting pre-orders from California residents. The claimed long-range fuel efficiency of the hybrid model of 130 mpg at 55 mph would make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. A higher figure of just over 300 mpg is used for shorter (approximately 100 mile) trips, where the pre-charged batteries are able to run the hybrid vehicle for approximately the first 60 miles.
Aptera Motors claims the Typ-1 accelerates from 0–60 mph in less than 10 seconds with a top speed over 85 mph. They have set the price at US$26,900 for the all-electric Aptera Local (formerly the Typ-1e), and US$29 900 for the plug-in hybrid Aptera Everywhere (formerly the Typ-1h). The name Aptera is Greek for "wingless," a nod to the light-aircraft-inspired design and construction.

Cantilevered Leather Wine Bottle Holder

This Gravity Leather Wine Bottle Holder displays your wine for all to see in a unique way. Just insert the neck of your wine into this black genuine Italian leather wine bottle holder and watch as it defies gravity to your guests amazement. An elegant and unique way to display your favorite wine bottles, perfectly balanced in mid-air!

Solar Powered Golf Cart

Now everyone can go green, on the green! Cruise Car Inc. has developed a solar powered roof that is easy to assemble and install on most popular golf carts. So while you and your friends tee off the roof is constantly recharging itself. The solar panels can generate up to 180 watts, 60 volts, and supply a whopping 3 amps directly to a 36 or 48 volt battery, enough to power it 30% further on the course then traditional golf carts.

Aqua Building in downtown Chicago

Aqua is an 87-story skyscraper currently under construction at in the Lakeshore East area of downtown Chicago. I had the privilege of meeting and speeking with Jeanne Gang who is the designer of the building and head of the Chicago based architecture firm Studio Gang. The $300 million dollar project is expected to be completed in 2009. Below is a picture of the construction progress as of April 5, 2008.

Construction as of April, 5 2008

"In an increasingly dense city like Chicago, views from a new tower must be negotiated between existing buildings. Aqua tower considers criteria such as views, solar shading and function to derive a vertical system of contours that gives the structure its sculptural form. Its vertical topography is defined by its outdoor terraces that gradually change in plan over the length of the tower. These terraces offer a strong connection to the outdoors and allow inhabitants to occupy the building façade and city simultaneously. The result is a highly sculptural building when viewed obliquely that transforms into a slender rectangle from further away. Its powerful form suggests the limestone outcroppings and geologic forces that shaped the great lakes region." (http://www.studiogang.net/site/projects_e1.htm)

Rendering of the completed building

RevoPower Motorized Bike Wheel

Do you want an easier way to get around campus, the city, rural areas, and hilly areas? Here is an ultra modern design solution for those peddlers. This motorized wheel brought to you by RevoPower packs in an entire two stroke engine and gear train within the front wheel of most bikes. The wheel simply replaces the existing wheel with easy installation. The wheel enables you to cruise at 20mph while achieving a whopping 200mpg!! The user must pedal from a dead stop to start the motor as it will not idle. The wheel weighs less than 15 pounds and meets EPA emissions requirements. For more information please visit RevoPower including installation instructions and much more. I have to get myself one of these!

The RevoPower wheel installed

Whats inside the wheel

The National Aquatic Center in Beijing, China (aka: the water cube)

The National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube", is located in Beijing China. The Aarchitecture firm PTW won the international design competition for the National Aquatics Centre for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The structure was inspired by the natural formation of soap bubbles which give it a random organic appearance. The Water Cube’s plastic translucent structure is illuminated by Cree LEDs, allowing the entire building to glow with vibrant color-changing LEDs. For additional information on Cree visit http://www.cree.com/xlamp.(Exterior Airel View)

(Olympic Pool Inside)

(Exterior airel rendering with the Birds Nest stadium in the background)

Cantilevered Bookshelf

This bookshelf designed by Lift Architects uses a concrete counterweight to support the weight of the books. The slit in the middle of the steel is for an optional adjustable bookend (not shown) to keep the books from toppling over.

Ideal House by Zaha Hadid

This house was designed for the International Furniture Fair by architect Zaha Hadid in Cologne, Germany in January of 2007: http://www.imm-cologne.com/

This annual event calls for use of a cube as the basic structure. Hadid's approach illustrates her idea of creating spaces that seamlessly flow into one another. She says, ‘what we created is not so much an 'ideal house' as a snapshot of our vision and understanding of how people will live in the future.’