thequietriot.com » transport http://blog.thequietriot.com Sustainable design. Design has to be quiet, he said. It has to stop shouting. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:37:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc en hourly 1 Copenhagen Parts for your bicycle http://blog.thequietriot.com/2010/06/14/copenhagen-parts-for-your-bicycle/ http://blog.thequietriot.com/2010/06/14/copenhagen-parts-for-your-bicycle/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:25:06 +0000 admin http://blog.thequietriot.com/?p=142 About half of all car journeys in urban areas are shorter than 5km and for such short distances a bicycle is, in most cases, the fastest means of transport. Bicycles need far less space than cars, they are quiet and – taking manufacturing into account – their CO2 emissions are very low. Copenhagen is one [...]]]> About half of all car journeys in urban areas are shorter than 5km and for such short distances a bicycle is, in most cases, the fastest means of transport. Bicycles need far less space than cars, they are quiet and – taking manufacturing into account – their CO2 emissions are very low. Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle friendly cities and Copenhagen Parts recently launched the Bike Porter, which makes it easy to get your stuff around town. 

To achieve a reduction of 40% of CO2 emissions by 2020 a country such as Germany will have to reduce its emissions from transport by 15 million tonnes per annum. Technical innovations and higher energy efficiency will help to achieve these goals. If, however, 5% of all car journeys were done by public transport and 30% of all car journeys shorter than 5km were done by bicycle, 3 to 4 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved each year.

Well, yes – I would use the bicycle, but how do I get what I need for work to the office and my shopping home?

Copenhagen Parts offers a solution: the Bike Porter – an integrated handlebar and basket.

Old-school basket weave is fine if that’s your thing, but what real choice is there if you care about how your bike looks, and your style is more urban than country cottage? What if you ride a stylish single-speed but you also want to carry bags and groceries?

The Bike Porter combines cool aesthetics with functionality without corrupting the clean, simple lines of your bicycle.

By integrating the basket into the handlebar, the Bike Porter offers a stylish transport option which works as part of your bike as well as introducing an evolution in style.

The Bike Porter is easy to fit and secure. It stands out through its quality, simplicity and style. The product is made from heat-treated alloy tubing and rod, making it lightweight and robust.  It is designed to attach to the stem easily, installed just like any normal handlebar and it can be attached to any bicycle using a two part stem.

For more details see the website – http://copenhagenparts.com

The product was designed by Good Morning Technology, Copenhagen – www.gmtn.dk

In London the Bike Porter is available at www.tokyofixedgear.com

]]> http://blog.thequietriot.com/2010/06/14/copenhagen-parts-for-your-bicycle/feed/ 0 Good architecture for the fringes http://blog.thequietriot.com/2010/02/02/good-architecture-for-the-fringes/ http://blog.thequietriot.com/2010/02/02/good-architecture-for-the-fringes/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:08:37 +0000 admin http://blog.thequietriot.com/?p=102 Most of us now live in urban or semi urban areas. For decades the fringes of our cities have been sprawling out into industrial estates characterised by functional, often cheap and ‘one way’ architecture. The transportation of goods and the use of cars have been the key denominators in the development of these areas: accessibility [...]]]> Most of us now live in urban or semi urban areas. For decades the fringes of our cities have been sprawling out into industrial estates characterised by functional, often cheap and ‘one way’ architecture. The transportation of goods and the use of cars have been the key denominators in the development of these areas: accessibility and functionality define a transitory aesthetic. Brightly coloured and illuminated petrol stations are a key element.

In Europe oil consumption peaked in 2005. There is a strong push towards renewable energy and this will also affect petrol stations. They will have to develop into charging stations for vehicles powered by gas, electricity and fuel cells and become part of an energy supply system based on smart grids.

Since 1999 the Munich based practice Haack + Höpfner Architekten und Stadtplaner BDA have been working with Allguth, a regional company running petrol stations. The project started as a competition with the brief to find an innovative way of construction which allowed for business growth in the short as well as the long term. The design had to support the brand values and avoid the aesthetic of the ubiquitous industrial shed architecture on fringes of our cities.

The architects proposed a contruction system which is open for future developments and can be adapted to different building sites and local business demands. The system should be based on standards which allow for economic and material efficiencies as well as future growth. At the same time the design should have a positive effect on the visibility of the brand and the company.

Haack + Höpfner . Architekten und Stadtplaner  BDA won the competition and their design integrates  the use of natural light and natural ventilation, modular layouts, energy efficient building automation, standardised construction elements, change of use and re-use of the building as well as recycling and sorting of (so called waste) materials. Another key aspect was the integration of the buildings into the urban environment allowing for plants and green spaces.

The modularity of the system and the high standards of design allow for appreciation by the users, low maintenance costs, easy upgrading and longevity. The introduction of renewable energies will demand more flexible and adaptable quiet design solutions like this.

 © M.HAUS 2009, all right reserved

]]> http://blog.thequietriot.com/2010/02/02/good-architecture-for-the-fringes/feed/ 0 Ready for a low energy take off? http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/12/21/ready-for-a-low-energy-take-off/ http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/12/21/ready-for-a-low-energy-take-off/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:11:51 +0000 admin http://blog.thequietriot.com/?p=86 The holiday season is upon us and many of us will travel to see family and friends or simply go on a holiday. The transport sector is the fastest growing contributor to Europe’s  energy demand and CO2 emissions. This trend is expected to continue in coming decades and air travel, which is damaging the atmosphere, [...]]]> The holiday season is upon us and many of us will travel to see family and friends or simply go on a holiday. The transport sector is the fastest growing contributor to Europe’s  energy demand and CO2 emissions. This trend is expected to continue in coming decades and air travel, which is damaging the atmosphere, is expected to double its share of overall transport between 2000 and 2030. Innovative materials can contribute to lower emissions.

Textile structures have enormous potential in lightweight construction because of their low weight. Whilst the commercial aviation industry has recently started to use fibre-reinforced plastics, coated fabrics and laminates are finding more and more smart applications in paragliders, kites and hot air balloons.

The Berlin based company aeroix focuses on the development of  innovative products in the field of applied aeronautical sciences and technical textiles. The inter-disciplinary team recently developed and successfully introduced an insulation  system  for hot air balloons called Aerofabrix. The material is a lightweight multilayer fabric and it has the lowest density currently available on the global market.

An air gap within the fabric is required to achieve the insulation properties. Flocked filaments create this air gap whilst being super light. Through this integrated flocked insulation material fuel consumption for ballooning can be reduced by more than 50% or alternatively, larger passengers groups can be transported.

The aeroíx team is currently experimenting with applications in architecture. Other applications could be in the field of protective clothing or outdoor equipment for extreme conditions. The material could also be used in light building structures. aeroix is also working with another Berlin based company called Zendome on lightweight, well insulated and mobile structures,building on Buckminster Fuller’s early groundbreaking structures..

Text by Dr. Sascha Peters, CEO haute innovation – translation by M.HAUS, © all rights reserved

Take your time and explore the two websites – www.aeroix.de and www.zendome.com .

]]> http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/12/21/ready-for-a-low-energy-take-off/feed/ 0 Energy Efficiency in Tyres http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/12/09/energy-efficiency-in-tyres/ http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/12/09/energy-efficiency-in-tyres/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:35:03 +0000 admin http://blog.thequietriot.com/?p=79 About 20% of the CO2 emissions in the EU are generated by road transport. Passenger cars are responsible for around 12% of CO2 emissions. From 2012 new cars will have to have emissions of 120mg/km or lower. In the same year a labelling system for fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise performance will [...]]]> About 20% of the CO2 emissions in the EU are generated by road transport. Passenger cars are responsible for around 12% of CO2 emissions. From 2012 new cars will have to have emissions of 120mg/km or lower. In the same year a labelling system for fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise performance will be introduced.

For many drivers, tyres have remained objects of mystery and purchasing decisions can be arbitrary or given over to the dealer. Most of us would not ask for their energy efficiency performance or know how to find the information. On 25 November this year, the European Parliament formally adopted a labelling system, which will make this information easily accessible to consumers.

The information design for this labelling system was done by Applied Information Group (AIG) in London and Mostra managed the project.

The labels build on the iconic and well known energy scale used on EU labels for domestic appliances. AIG has developed three pictograms for the information system, components of which are based on international standards for symbols, and subsequently tested options with would be users. The designers gave consideration to the pictograms’ representation at small sizes and at low resolution, for future multi-channel applications.

The design enables drivers to compare tyres in terms of economy, safety and traffic noise. The information design developed by AIG communicates these concepts and values across all the languages and cultural barriers of Europe. It allows the consumer make well informed choices and purchasing decisions.

However, to achieve a reduction of 40% of CO2 emissions by 2020 a country like Germany will have to reduce its emissions from transport by 15 million tonnes per annum. Technical innovations and higher energy efficiency will help to achieve these goals. If, however, 5% of all car journeys were done by public transport and 30% of all car journeys shorter than 5km were done by bicycle, 3 to 4 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved each year.

 M.HAUS 2009

]]> http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/12/09/energy-efficiency-in-tyres/feed/ 0 Waiting for the bus stop of the future? http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/waiting-for-the-bus-stop-of-the-future/ http://blog.thequietriot.com/2009/09/07/waiting-for-the-bus-stop-of-the-future/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:15:14 +0000 admin http://blog.thequietriot.com/?p=10 Buses, as part of the public transport network, provide an essential service to our communities. Bus stops are a key part of the infrastructure as they provide information and shelter. What will the bus stops of the future look like?

Proposed at a recent public design contest for the autonomous government of Catalonia, this is a [...]]]> Buses, as part of the public transport network, provide an essential service to our communities. Bus stops are a key part of the infrastructure as they provide information and shelter. What will the bus stops of the future look like?

Proposed at a recent public design contest for the autonomous government of Catalonia, this is a fully integrated, modular concept for a bus stop employing a number of innovative materials, self-generating energy and effective communication. These bus stops are conceived for small communities and/ or rural areas providing shelter and information with a minimum of environmental impact, both in the use of materials as well as the contextual formal relation it establishes with its surroundings.

All materials employed follow strict standards as far as life cycle and environmental impact. Seating elements are made with recycled plastics, with an average lifespan of ten years, and designed to be easily disassembled. Seat supporting elements are made of composites of recycled concrete. Bus stop roof is a single VIDURSOLAR solar panel element, which generates sufficient energy to light up the structure at night.

The often grey and dark bus stops are a thing of the past. Future bus stops will be pleasant, light, well lit at night and low on energy consumption a the same time.

The industrial design project was developed by Novell-Puig Design in Barcelona and visual communication by Loop+ in Barcelona.

If you want to learn more about this project please contact Loop+ at www.loopplus.com.

VIDURSOLAR is a provider of solar solutions in Catalonia www.vidursolar.es .

This project was submitted by Loop+ in Barcelona. © 2009 all rights reserved.

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