SPEED IN HYBRID

Design is a beautiful process, and it would'nt be justified if i did not mention one of my passions, "The Need For Speed"! Porsche Unveils Plug-in Hybrid Panamera Sport Turismo at the Paris Motor Show, which is underway. This is a sleek concept the automaker says "unites the next generation hybrid drive with new ideas for an evolutionary, sporty body concept."

Front view Porsche Hydrid Panamera Sport Turismo

Talk about green vehicle monster under the hood, the Panamera Sport Turismo has 306 kW of peak system power that can be driven in 100% electric mode for 30 km at speeds of up to 130 KPH. This means that short trips can be done without burning any gasoline. I am personally impressed with much consideration has been given for carbon footprint with a good fuel economy based upon the NEDC standard as noted in its technical specs, with a combined fuel consumption of less than 3.5 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions under 82 g/km.

Side view Porsche Hydrid Panamera Sport Turismo

The electric motor produces around 70 kW, which is almost double that of the current in production offering, and is mated to a three-liter, V6 supercharged engine that produces 245 kW (whoever thought that going green could be so powerful).  

Back view Porsche Hydrid Panamera Sport Turismo

 

Acceleration of the Sport Turismo hybrid concept from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour is a zippy under six seconds. Its lithium-ion battery pack, which can be externally charged within 2.5 hours depending upon the power supply, can also be internally refueled via a special e-charge mode that makes use of the internal combustion engine by load point shifting.



Interior view Porsche Hydrid Panamera Sport Turismo

Turning to the interior of this technologically loaded down plug-in hybrid, the vehicle sports a large central TFT color display instead of a classic instrument display. It can call up a wide array of information, such as the tachometer or navigation. It is supplemented by two monitors, one on each side, that show images from exterior mirror cameras.



Heritage Swagg

And then they said we could'nt do it...Bashoeshoe le bo Shoeshoe had a different opinion! A young vibrant fshion label whose name is insipired by the concept of contemporary traditional Sesotho clothing. The designer,  Manapo Mopeli, has the vision to rebuild the youth's ethnic pride as Africans and to assist in re-evaluating our cultural values and to reflect back on our stylish sense of roots. In celebrating Heritage Day, I immediately had Miss Mopeli's vision in mind, Bashoeshoe le bo Shoeshoe. 

Picture: BLBS Logo

Mainly using the trademark Masolanka (traditional Sotho blankets) in the designs, we are reminded of one of the most significant iconic designs in the Basotho culture. They can be found in different designs such as:

• Colour: Red, Brown, Blue and black, Yellow
• Patterns: Mostly geometric and organic patterns known as litema(derived from ho lema, meaning "to cultivate"
• Headwork: Same design patterns transferred to braidings with the hair.

  

  Compliments of BLBS

  
  

The Basotho blanket owes its tradition to Moshoeshoe 1, who was presented with one by a French missionary in 1860. He wore the gift draped over his shoulder like one would the trdaitional skin kaross and today the result is a common sight in Lesotho. In the past, the blankets were made of cheap yarn from old woollen coats, but today the blankets are of fine quality and it has different meaning such as:

•  Social standings
• Traditional customs
• Geographic origin

Compliments of BLBS



Compliments of BLBS

Compliments of BLBS: Designer Manapo Mopeli

Orders available:

072 068 7955

napstology@gmail.com

manapo_mopeli@yahoo.com

 Take pride in your heritage...@MokD21

Teal:September 2012

Spring symbolizes the time for hope and to start celebrating all things bright and that are bursting with vibrant life. Introducing the coulour for the month of spring; teal in September 2012. I must admit, if it is used well it will bring out the fresh and crispy mood, perfect for spring.

Question is, "Is it the ideal colour for you and your home?"Here is a look of some of my favourate uses:

Living Space:Teal

Teal inspired

Spring harmony by Teal

What I personally admire about the colour Teal is that it compliments everyone and it is a unisex colour (perfect for both men and women) and also manages to blend in with a whole range of other different colours and shades.
The colours that make Teal work best are:

• Brown
• Metalics
• Naturals
• Orange and Red
• Pink

Teal looks beautiful and has a wonderful impact as a full wall colour in private spaces such as; bathrooms and bedrooms. It is a magnificent accent colour for smaller spaces; even in small doses, it still adds sophisticationn and richness to any look.

Teal in the study room

Timber Skyscraper

Think of substituting the concrete jungles in our cities to urban and eco-friendly forests of wooden skyscrapers. Changing from cement and steel to timber is the main mission and vision for a number of enviromentally-minded architects who are planning high-rise buildings across the globe.

Stadthaus London: Murray Grove Building

Timber has been used for centuries ago, but was stopped being explored with the advent of steel and concrete; now we're looking at a whole new system using mass timber products. One of the few cultures that still use timber in constructing shelter is the Japanese, with their elegance, class and sophistication.

Staudthaus:From a different perspective

The change came when we start thinking about climate change. Steel and concrete are wonderful materials to use, but they are not enviromentally friendly. Cutting down trees in order to create buildings is a cintradiction towards eco-friendly, but if the process is sourced from sustainably managed forests (e.g. those in Europe and North America) it can be more enviromentally sensitive.

Stadthaus London: Murray Grove

 One such of a building constructed completely from timber is the Stadthaus London: Murray Grove Building.

• Nine-storey high-rise
• Comprising of private units
• Provides twenty-nine apartments
• Assembled with a cross-laminated timber panel
• Up to 13m in length

This building is the first in the world of this length to not only be constructed on load-bearing walls and floors, but also stair and lift cores entirely from timber.

Remarkabble

Blu-Line Design Divine

When searching to achieve elegance, prestige and sophistication in your living space; one company comes to mind...blu-line. The company specialises in offering locally designed and manufactured kitchen, bedroom and component cablinetry for a niche clintele.

Source: blu-line

Source: blu-line

The company was formed in 2002 with the intention of producing custom designed products that would meet the functional demands of modern living, while at the same time creating an experience that would be born and maintained through consistent communication and professional interaction.



Source: blu-line



By achieving this, it has allowed blu-line to establish itself as the leader of high end, modern functional cabinetry, thus affording clients the confidence that their designs will not only boast aesthetic appeal but that ergonomics, relational interaction and overall functionality comes standard.

Source: blu-line

blu-line systematic approach is from the briefing and design phase right through to the installation phase which ensures customised, relational and ultimately functional solutions. Product and workmanship guarantees combined service call programs that ensure a return on investment and an overall hassle-free experience.

blu-line has a number of achievements such as the KSA best kitchen stand award, but also Best Overall Stand at the recent Decorex SA Expo.

Source: blu-line

The design process:

• The brief
• The design
• The presentation

Designs are supported by and made possible through the blu_line reputation for personalised service, professional project management and precision installations.

PLASCON 2013 FORECAST

At the offical launch of the Decorex SA which ended this past week, the 12th of August 2012, Plascon Trends is proud to have been the first to showcase the Plascon 2013 Colour Forecast. From my point of view, I was more impressed with Plascon's concept of anticipating total bliss at its best, by just merely adding colour in our lives.

 

Plascon believes that; "colour trends are influenced by the mood of society; we drawn to colours that reflect how we feel".

 

"When we stressed, we are drawn to gentle blues, greens and neutral colours and when we need a bit of motivation and energy; we crave more energetic reds and oranges. Our uncertain and changing environment has us seeking some balance and harmony in our lives", this inspired to the forecast theme "Balance".

 

The "Balance" forecast is categorized with the following four beautiful palettes, which were designed to introduce harmony, tranquility and "Balance" within the daily spaces we embrace:

• Pause
• Dare
• Simplicity
• Contrast

 





Dare Palette” Stand at Decorex 2012, by Egg Design

 



“Dare Palette” Stand at Decorex 2012, by Ink Designs





Pause Palette” Stand at Plascon Decorex 2012 by Yvonne O’Brian



Passive Design

Passive design is a concept that has interested me on green housing which does not need to be heated in winter; all it needs is the sun to shine on it. In constructing such a house a number of factors need to be considered such as:

Taken fom : MrGreen

·         Efficient ventilation

·         Sun angles

·         Excellent thermal insulation

·         Efficient energy appliances

In South Africa, aesthetics and costs are in most cases the determining factor when choosing residential appliances. Therefore, houses end up being built with no insulation, and then retrofitted with piping and cabling appliances which are usually preferred only when occupying and furnishing the house.

In order for us (humans) to survive, we need necessary shelter. The big concern is the impact of building on the environment and the need to live in a healthier environment are the active motivations to change of new materials; such as:

·         Cordwood

·         Adobe

·         Straw bale

·         Rammed Earth

·         Cob



Taken fom : MrGreen



The above mentioned materials are a few that have been used successfully across the world in building passive design housing. These innovative approaches are an introduction of a new way of thinking in reducing the ecological footprint of the building process.

Other routes one could undertake in lowering the carbon footprint would be:

·         The use of natural plaster as a finishing touch

·         Recycling of building material currently on the site

Taken fom : MrGreen

NOTE: The end result of building with the traditional materials such as Portland cement will negatively impact the environment. For instance; for every one ton of Portland cement produced, one ton of CO2 is released.

Green Building By alive2green

http://alive2green.com/about-us/

One of the innovative media organisation that has introduced the culture of sustainability in our environment is alive2green. The company has a number of programmes that aims to inform, educate and with end result of persuading leading industry stakeholders with government and designers. 

http://alive2green.com/about-us/

alive2green surfaces these issues through the following:



· conferences

· exhibitions

· handbooks

http://alive2green.com/about-us/

· ejournals

· websites 



· magazines

The conference and exhibition that has personally caught my attention was the Sustainability Week that was held on the 25-29 July 2012 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Based on the positive media response (traditional and digital), the event was a great success.

What I have noticed about alive2green is their unique manner of conducting their conferences:

· High Calibre Speakers: Credible speakers to share information on the latest and most cutting edge trends.

· Conference Structure: Gathering of feedback information from delegates and exhibitors and make every effort to fulfil the needs of all the clients involved.

· Balanced Content: Provide a neutral platform on which experts can express their views, solutions and insights into the issues at hand.

http://alive2green.com/about-us/

Design Future...

Taken from: www.sabs.co.za

As I was surffing through the internet, I came across the SABS website and discovered that not only do they test and accredit final product design, but they participate in building the future of proudly made South African designs and designers. Design leadership, promoting design as a career and most importantly nurturing it, is the main focus of the SABS Design Institute. This is just an initiative that creates opportunities for young designers in order to take part in the pivotal moments of shaping the future and showcasing that South Africa is a greatly talented nation with limitless potential. I for one believe in such programs like the Design Achievers Awards scheme through which the future designers are exposed to the different design fields.



Taken from: www.biodx.co.za



There is some truth in a meaning, “Design is an intellectually demanding activity and is the meeting point between technology and the arts “.

 Well I say “Design is 10% talent and 90% hard work”. There are of self-taught designers (Andrew Footit, Catherine Christie, etc.) whom they did not get where they are by having a piece of paper that took them 3-4 years to add another line on their CV’s! Granted that education is a starting point where training can prepare one with relevant skills/techniques and latest trends, but one has to take initiative and be proactive for their future. The ability to initiate, adapt and modify are a few of endlessly important aspects of design that will assist in solving agendas such as unemployment, underdevelopment, environmental issues and poverty. In all essence, a Design Culture must just be as relevant to a country’s socio-economic problems.  



Eco-Friendly Material

“Green” or should I say “Sustainable” design, is a common term that is being raised within the past, present and will definitely be raised within the next few years. Designers are now faced with the main objective of designing products that will not be a danger to our environment and create green corporate and residential spaces. The scarcity of natural resources is a problem therefore; the needs of the present must not compromise the future generation’s ability to meet their needs (www.econlib.org results). In other words, what we utilise in the present, must be still available for future generations.  

In designing a new building or redesigning an older building, the suitable method is being sustainable and green, so where to start? With the materials that are used in these new green buildings. One such material would be Eva-tech wood plastic composite (WPC), which makes aspects of outdoor living a breeze and most importantly environmental friendly.

http://www.besthousedesign.com/

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/

 Eva-tech became a great hit at the WoodEx exhibition this year March 20, 2012.  It is one of the very few eco-friendly materials that interior designers incorporate in their designs, as it is used for nearly any outdoor application traditionally made from wood, e.g: Cladding, decking, furniture, etc.   

 

www.homeexteriorinterior.com/interior-pictures



http://www.besthousedesign.com/



One can enjoy a book and feel like a million bucks on a garden bench under your Eva-tech pergola, as the decision we make today can benefit the future generation and the environment.









Kholwa on the Lookout

A young, up and coming dynamic interior decorating company that aims to dazzle the interior decorating industry by specialising in indoor renovations ranging from residential spaces, hotels, guesthouses and extend its expertise to office space renovations. Kholwa De'cor & Design is a definate must be on the lookout for. 



Taken from mood board



Kholwa, which means "believe" in Xhosa or Zulu, epitomises the vision of a young, visionary and creative lady, Lerato Sekoboto. It stems from a journey of buried talents where she decided to pick up the spade that she used to bury her dreams to dig them up again.

Taken from mood board

Kholwa understands that each client’s personal preference differs and takes pride in ensuring that each client’s uniqueness is conveyed and displayed into his or her living space by also integrating comfort and functionality.

Taken from mood board

Influenced by movements in art, architecture and interior design including the elegance of modernism, to the uncertainty and unpredictable nature of post modernism; embracing the outrageous “no rules apply” uniqueness of deconstructivism; and the supreme perfection of photorealism. All creative inspiration is drawn from centuries of artists, painters and creators of lifestyles in order to acquaint the designer with the diverse nature of trends existing that can influence and be tailored to meet each client’s needs, personality, look and at the same time achieving comfort and functionality.

 Book your experience by e-mail:Lerato Sekoboto lsekoboto@hotmail.com