New Atlas

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Festival pods made from recycled plastic waste

Paul Ridden January 3, 2019

For about 8 years, Above All C6(n) has been designing sustainable structures for use in the construction industry. The firm's most recent project is a temporary shelter made from recycled plastic that's designed for use at music festivals, sporting events or as homeless or crisis accommodation.

Currently, the pods are made using 75 percent recycled plastic, but Above All C6(n) plans to ...

Environment

Dutch cyclists can now ride down a recycled plastic bike path

Paul Ridden September 13, 2018

When it comes to recycling plastic waste, the Dutch are a pretty inventive bunch. We've seen office furniture fashioned from Amsterdam's canal waste, and plastic trash street furniture too. Now the first cycle path constructed using recycled plastic has opened in the municipality of Zwolle.

PlasticRoad inventors Anne Koudstaal and Simon Jorritsma take a ride down the 30 meter stretch of ...

Architecture

From floating retreat to vintage taxi: 2018's Shed of the Year shortlist

Adam Williams August 16, 2018

A floating shed packed with musical instruments, a vintage taxi, and a luxurious yurt all feature in this year's Shed of the Year shortlist. Created by enthusiastic amateurs, the competition contains some of the most interesting self-built architecture you'll see in one place.

The 2018 Cuprinol Shed of the Year shortlist is made up of 24 amazing sheds, drawn ...

Environment

Floating park built using recycled waste plastic opens in Rotterdam

Paul Ridden July 12, 2018

As the Ocean Cleanup Project readies its floating barriers for collecting waste plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a similarly green project much closer to its home has opened a floating park in Rotterdam's harbor. The Recycled Park features connected blocks made from waste plastic.

The Recycled Park comprises 28 floating blocks made from recovered waste plastic

Architecture

Something borrowed for something new: People's Pavilion constructed using loaned materials

Adam Williams April 6, 2018

Locals in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, got involved in the construction of this temporary structure called the People's Pavilion by donating their trash and lending building materials to Bureau SLA and Overtreders W. Once the project ran its course, the items were eventually returned unharmed.

The People's Pavilion's upper facade comprises colored plastic tiles made by recycling household waste

Tiny Houses

Tiny cabin in the woods built for a tiny price

Adam Williams April 4, 2018

UK-based firm Invisible Studio made great use of recycled and inexpensive materials while building this appealing little prototype cabin in the woods. Named Trailer (Equivalent #2), it's envisioned as a residence or workspace and its total cost came in at just £20,000 (US$28,000).

Trailer is raised on stilts but can be placed on a removable trailer and towed if ...

Architecture

Rome may not have been built in a day, but this shipping container media lab was

Adam Williams March 14, 2018

MB Architecture harnessed its extensive experience with shipping container-based projects while designing a new media lab for Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Comprising four recycled containers, the prefabricated building was delivered in two parts and installed in just half a day.

The Bard Media Lab's total cost came in at slightly over US$200,000

Architecture

Gallery: Unboxing the best shipping container architecture

Adam Williams February 28, 2018

Shipping container-based architecture seems like a bad idea. They'e cramped, offer no insulation, and often require heavy modification. That said, limitation occasionally proves fertile ground for innovation, as evidenced by the imaginative shipping container projects that we're highlighting here.

Made to be Moved, by Arcgency, is a shipping container-based office that can be easily dismantled ...

Architecture

Shipping container water sports center makes a splash

Adam Williams January 30, 2018

Architects never seem to tire of experimenting with shipping containers and some of the many uses conceived for the metal boxes include houses, offices and swimming pools. We can now add water sports center to the list, courtesy of engineering firm Sweco.

The Water Sports Center Halsskov's diving tower is made from three stacked shipping containers

Architecture

Used shipping containers turned into passively-cooled homes

Adam Williams January 26, 2018

Re Arquitectura and DAO were commissioned by a family who wanted their three adult sons to have their own homes but remain close by. Three recycled shipping containers were used to create a like number of dwellings on the family property that don't require air-conditioning.

The Contenedores Franceschi project consists of three recycled 40 ft long cube shipping containers