Designed and constructed by German Architect Matthias Loebermann, this temporary pavillion was built in 2005 for the Nordic Alpine Skiing World Championship in Oberstdorf, Germany.
It was made entirely from 1300 shipping pallets and held together with tie rods and pull straps. The pavillion was used as a meeting place and media room for the athletes competing in the championship. Apparently they dismantled and recycled the structure after the event, however I think this would be a pretty amazing permanent structure if it could survive in a particular climate without any major damage.
Upon further research into this subject, I discovered that there is a lot to read out there on “palletecture”. So search away, SuperForesters! Let’s learn more about sustainable building ideas! Incidentally, SuperForester Julius and SuperForester Jackson have also expressed their love of upcycling pallets:
Back in 2009, during the heat of the recession, a trio of love-minded individuals decided to quit their day jobs in order to pursue the sustainable lifestyles they’ve always wanted to live. As a result, they eventually created “Holstee“, a design company that has produced a line of sustainable products.
You might remember the name from my recent post on their manifesto, which was definitely rad, but the biggest reason to celebrate this company, of course has to do with their products and their designs. One of these products, is the “Recycled Wallet” pictured above. It’s beautiful, yes, and it also features the writing of one of their mottos “Live Your Dream”, which might be either the best thing…or the worst thing to have sewn onto a wallet, of all things. But apart from the elegant and classy design, underneath the surface of the wallet is an even better feature. It’s made from found materials scoured across the streets of Delhi. And as if that wasn’t good enough, the company works with a family-run, non-profit organization in India to produce them.
Sayeth Holstee:
Production of this wallet helps reduce waste in Delhi, provides fair wage employment and subsidizes healthcare and education for each employee’s family.
That, my friends, is what Michael Scott would call a “win-win-win scenario“.
You can learn more about the wallets by clicking, here!
Today I have stumbled upon this incredibly fun and entertaining video! Watch the grooves and the moves of this young buck, and become thoroughly entranced. After that put on a song and do some of your own dancing!
Pretty cool, huh? Go get your groove on SuperForest!
Hello SuperForesters! I’d like to share with you my very first D.I.Y. project! I have to admit that this is not a unique idea; you know what they say about there being “no original ideas”, however I didn’t let that stop me from doing the project! The first thing you will need is an abundance of corks. I amassed mine from my family’s passion for good wine, but you can also visit a local restaurant or wine bar and ask them to save the corks for you, they just might do it!
After you’ve collected many corks, get yourself a basic frame. I found mine at a craft store, but it would be even better if you could reclaim some wood and make your own frame.
Take some time and practice patience when arranging the corks within the frame. Because the corks are not all the same size and some may be slightly warped, it will take a calm, creative eye to arrange them so they all fit nicely.
When you are ready, pick the corks up two by two, and glue underneath them, gently pressing them into the glue as you put them back in place. This will keep your design together while you glue the corks down.
After all of the corks have been glued to the frame, place some heavy books on top to help the glue set and adhere the corks securely. Leave the books on overnight or for a few hours.
Ta-da! The frame is now complete and ready to hang on your wall! I am going to use mine as a “vision board” to keep myself mindful of my goals and intentions on a daily basis.
What do you think, SuperForesters? Should I leave my frame minimalist or should I paint it?
-Arrived at my new school, Claremont McKenna College.
-Met my new and amazing roommate, and so many other people.
-Gone surfing in Santa Barbara!
-Gotten involved in a massive water fight!
-And I am sure I forgetting lots of stuff…
During that time I had little to no internet access, and now for the first time, in what feels like years, I have been able to sit down and read my dearest friend’s words and comments in my favourite place. Being away from SuperForest this time was unique. I have taken breaks from writing before, but I always kept reading. This time I couldn’t even read, and that sensation was very strange. I missed you! So, I write this after catching up on all the posts and comments I had missed out on! Reading the wonderful words of my fellow Team SuperForesters has brought me so much joy, excitement, contentedness, and gratitude. Thank you Team for being you, and for doing what you do. So, now that I have said that more about what I have been up to.
My first night in L.A. led me to being invited to a Crowed House concert, which was simply amazing! Check out this great video I got the chance to record!
After that I moved to my new home for the next four years! I quickly ended up leaving for an orientation trip: Surfing in Santa Barbara! This was my first time surfing, and what an experience it was. The waves hitting you as you waited for that perfect swell, only to be disappointed one second, and then be thrilled the next. Then all of a sudden to be thrown into the ocean by the wonderful forces of nature, only to pop up panting with excitement! I loved it!! I also got the chance to meet, and get to know 20 or so of my future classmates, along with three older students! Soon after that…
I came back to CMC to officially move in! I met my room mate, Donald. And let me tell you, we hit it off immediately! This is going to be an amazing year! I have met so many incredible people, and gotten a taste for so many amazing things to come. I am drooling at the thought of starting classes (Tuesday), and then delving into my major…which is SuperForest (at least hopefully): Economics, Environment, and Politics! A totally amazing and incredible interdisciplinary major that I am so excited for. There is so much on the horizon to be excited for!
All of that brings me to two ideas, thoughts, and/or emotions that have been popping up, especially as I have read up on my SuperForest: Love & Gratitude. There is so much love to be given in the world. Everyday and every second, and if you ever doubt whether you should hold back or go full out in love, choose the latter. Which ties in perfectly with gratitude. My next four years are going to be amazing, shared with amazing people. The opportunity was given to me because of soooo many amazing and inspiration people, most namely my parents. Thank you Mom & Dad!
I am bursting with possibilities, ideas, and so much else right now. I am now on a mission to share SuperForest, Sun Shines On, Simply Smiles, Blend Apparel, Matt Wadleigh LoVE Foundation, and everything else I am tied to with my new amazing community. SuperForest is going to take the Claremont Colleges by storm! With the help of SuperForester Chris of course, who is going to Pitzer, my neighbour school (literally down the street from my dorm). I am on a new slate with new chances and opportunities, and I can’t wait to share it with you all!
More to come soon, but in the mean time keep doing what you do best SuperForest, I love you very much! It is now time for me to pull on my Blend shirt, head over the Pitzer campus, and have a little luau with the other Claremont Colleges’ freshman! What an exciting journey life is, and how wonderful it is to share it with you! Stay safe, smile, be LoVE, and take care SuperForest!
Every month SuperForester Jordan “rediscovers” a literary gem from the vast treasure trove of an art form that, in our technological age, has become largely under-appreciated and “lost”.
This week’s poem was found by SuperForester Heather, who discovered it by way of youtube where an adorable 3 year old graces us with a memorized reading (impressive!). I don’t think I’ve found a more popular youtube video about poetry. I recommend starting the video and then reading along with the poem, written by the always funny and fantastic Billy Collins, who I’ve posted about before.
Litany
You are the bread and the knife,
The crystal goblet and the wine…
-Jacques Crickillon
You are the bread and the knife,
the crystal goblet and the wine.
You are the dew on the morning grass
and the burning wheel of the sun.
You are the white apron of the baker,
and the marsh birds suddenly in flight.
However, you are not the wind in the orchard,
the plums on the counter,
or the house of cards.
And you are certainly not the pine-scented air.
There is just no way that you are the pine-scented air.
It is possible that you are the fish under the bridge,
maybe even the pigeon on the general’s head,
but you are not even close
to being the field of cornflowers at dusk.
And a quick look in the mirror will show
that you are neither the boots in the corner
nor the boat asleep in its boathouse.
It might interest you to know,
speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world,
that I am the sound of rain on the roof.
I also happen to be the shooting star,
the evening paper blowing down an alley
and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.
I am also the moon in the trees
and the blind woman’s tea cup.
But don’t worry, I’m not the bread and the knife.
You are still the bread and the knife.
You will always be the bread and the knife,
not to mention the crystal goblet and–somehow–the wine. dd
Billy Collins
The Genius of Billy Collins is the way he plays with the conventions and history of poetry, the way he reinvents the traditions and art that has come before him and then twists them to both pay honor to his predecessors while also creating his own original work. This poem for instance is a sent up to Shakeaspeare’s most famous Sonnet: “My mistresses eyes are nothing like the sun”, and the entire tradition of Litany (that is romantic worship) Poetry. But Billy can tell you all of this better in person:
Hey SuperForest! The other day I received this lovely hand-painted plate as a gift from my 87 year old Great Aunt Flo! It was hanging around her house and she felt that I might enjoy it more than she would so she decided to “re-gift” it. This made me ask myself: “When did “re-gifting” get a bad (w)rap?” (couldn’t resist the pun…)
I suppose most of us think of re-gifting as a thoughtless, perhaps lazy way to impart a useful or beautiful object to someone in celebration of an occasion or event. I would like to challenge all of you SuperForesters to “rethink the re-gift!”
Re-gifting is green! Passing something on to someone else who may appreciate it or use it more than you might is a very environmentally sound practice. If you even go as far as to use the same gift wrapping it came in, then you are really performing a green deed! (Just make sure it’s not ripped and the gift tag with your name on it is removed!) The one flaw in this plan is of course trying not to offend the original “gifter”, so I suppose we need to consider the re-gift on a case by case basis.
I am not suggesting we disregard the generosity of others who give us wonderful gifts, but if there is something in your possession that you do not need or no longer appreciate, perhaps someone else would give it a new life! That is what my Aunt has done for me with this beautiful plate that is a work of art on its own but will also be the vessel for many lovely food items in the future!
By re-gifting something that you may not use instead of buying something new, you are also making a conscious choice not to consume, not to purchase a needless gift simply because a certain holiday requires you to do so. Having said all of this, of course there are gifts that are purely meant for you and you should keep them and enjoy them! However, sometimes we receive gifts and we are grateful for them but we see someone in our lives that could use this object more, so I think it is a thoughtful, “green” thing to do to pass it on to that individual. You can even take it one step further and be completely transparent about your re-gifting by hosting a Clothing Swap! (I am attending one this Saturday and will share my experience with all of you soon!)
There is a certain fence on the Isle of Wight, that when hit with a special rock produces a special tune… When played correctly, dolphins sing in the ocean and smiles can be had on the faces of all people within earshot! While this world may need boundaries, nobody said they couldn’t be fun and uplifting!
Grab a rock, make some noise today. Then jump over that fence and give someone a hug.
The members of our team are scattered across several countries, all united in a journey toward exploring how to redefine "environmentalism" and "sustainability" to encompass all aspects of life.
Being so, everything you find on this website has been chosen to uplift and inspire one person: you.
(Click on a picture to read individual posts.)
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