Big Dig House by SsD Architects

"SsD Architects designed the Big Dig house in Lexington, Massachusetts.

As a prototype building that demonstrates how infrastructural refuse can be salvaged and reused, the structural system for this house is comprised of steel and concrete discarded from Boston’s Big Dig utilizing over 600,000 lbs of salvaged materials from elevated portions of the dismantled I-93 highway. Planning the reassembly of the materials in as if it were a pre-fab system, subtle spatial arrangements are created. These materials however are capable of carrying much higher loads than standard structure, easily allowing the integration of large scale roof gardens. Most importantly, the project demonstrates an untapped potential for the public realm: with strategic front-end planning, much needed community programs including schools, libraries, and housing could be constructed whenever infrastructure is deconstructed, saving valuable resources, embodied energy, and taxpayer dollars."

Source: Contemporist

The Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing, Dubai

"The Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing is a new 1.7 kilometer bridge, which will be the largest and tallest spanning arch bridge in the world. The bridge’s form, a simple arch, is the most basic of structural solutions for spanning great distances. This particular application of the arch, however, is informed by the culture, topography, light, and script of the region. The structure visually connects to the earth, and then takes a bold leap. As it descends, the bridge touches down to embrace and frame the opera house. The structure again rises up and makes a lighter arch before ending in a gesture reaching skyward. The bridge also incorporates two metro lines."

Source: flylyf

iVictrola iPod Amplifier: Get back into the groove with a new twist

"You might think that the gramophone died with Nipper the dog, but it’s remarkable to see something of a bygone era relive through the blitz of technology. The iVictrola iPod amplifier created and designed by Matt Richmond might appear to be an old-fashioned object that brings back the memories of a bygone era however, is an extremely convenient gadget of the iPod age. What looks like an antique at the first sight can play your iPod without using batteries or an electrical plug or a solar panel for that matter, but the device runs on an acoustic amplification based on its simple and smart engineering. Handcrafted from recycled walnut pieces from the high-end furniture, the horn is made from metal that actually maximizes the amplification to keep you grooving. Expected to be a limited edition device, the iVictrola iPod amplifier will be priced somewhere near $400 and will be available soon at Design Without Reach."

Source: Bornrich