They Came to Protect the Earth

The good news about “Eco Design, the Sourcebook” by Alastair Fuad-Luke (Chronicle Books, 2002) is there are 700 entries of ecologically sound items. The bad news is that we’re not aware of many of them, perhaps because so many originated in Europe. Yet this picture-filled, 352-page paperback is an optimistic catalog of designs that lead the way to a more Earth-friendly future.

The opening chapter describes the evolution of the ecological movement, followed by insights into the latest thinking in designing for a sustainable future. The bulk of the book is a compilation of illustrated eco-designs with short descriptions, concluding with a chapter of resources throughout the world. This last section is particularly invaluable as a who’s who in the field. But best of all, on top of all the useful information, the book is fun just to thumb through and marvel at how designers have been rethinking our material lives.

There are classics, like architect Frank Gehry’s 1972 Little Beaver chair, made of layers of thick cardboard glued together, and funky ideas like the milk-bottle light made from discarded plastic milk bottles and designed by the Dutch firm Droog Design.

Solar-powered flying machines that explore new ways to aviate include the human-powered Gossamer Albatross aircraft that crossed the English Channel in 1979, made by Monrovia-based AeroVironment. Today, AeroVironment’s biggest products are solar-powered systems for electric vehicles and forklifts, as well as remote-controlled 9-pound drone airplanes, equipped with cameras, that fly at low altitude for up to five miles for military use.

Paul McGrady, founder of AeroVironment, says, “We’re developing a better ceiling fan and a natural gas motor that’s unusually efficient. Our development programs will never decrease. We’re always looking to the future.”

Nothing is too small or too large for a designer not to rethink. Free-standing lamps have been made from recycled paper, stackable chairs from veneer-faced plywood. There are solar roof tiles with photovoltaic cells, Honda’s Insight car that gets 83 miles per gallon, and even coffins made from recycled newsprint.

When author Fuad-Luke, a teacher of green design at Falmouth College of Arts in England, was asked which products impressed him most, he replied, “My favorites tend to be those which encourage us to ‘be’ rather than ‘have.’ ” He cited Germany’s solar-powered ferry, a chair made from wicker and steel, knitted products that turn into blankets and wraps, and felt squares backed with Velcro that can be reconfigured into items of apparel. “You return design democracy to fashion consumers with that one,” he says.

While flipping through the pages, it’s impossible not to note that most items seem to be of European origin. “I think the European dominance in the book reflects the maturity of the debate around green design, eco-design and, now, design for sustainability here compared to other regions around the world,” Fuad-Luke says. European Union legislation has been a driver in focusing manufacturers on developing environmental policies and, subsequently, corporate policies for social responsibility and sustainability.

He also points out that there are designer-led not-for-profits and prestigious awards for ecologically sound designs, and says European consumers are very aware of the issues, which he says he doesn’t see as a general rule in the U.S.

He does have hope, though, and says he believes the public is more aware of environmental problems today than at any time since he qualified as an environmental scientist in 1978. “I sense a gentle breeze of change in Europe and Japan, but not necessarily in the USA, Southeast Asia, China and India. Still, I believe consumers will respond to smart ‘eco-manufacturers’ who deliver the best product on the market and communicate why it is more sustainable than the competition.”

And this design-filled book may just help all that along.

Robotic Mower Means

Hands-Off Lawn Care

Here’s something the Jetsons would love--the 1-foot-tall, canary-yellow Robomower. Resembling a big, benign bug, this product of Friendly Robotics mows any lawn that a conventional, walk-behind mower could--only without the guidance of human hands. This tricky feat is done through the Roboscan navigational system, whereby the machine’s owner installs an insulated wire in the ground around the perimeter of the lawn to be mowed, adds a perimeter switch, presses a “go” button on the machine, and it’s off--albeit at half the speed of a regular mower. The fencing-in feature contains a small signal, carried through the wire, that the Robomower senses and won’t go beyond.

Running on a cordless rechargeable electric-power pack, the mower has six different blade-height settings and quietly makes a 21-inch-wide cut. When the mower is in action, it can either keep mowing until it runs out of juice or be timed to run for a limited period.

The Robomower, designed and manufactured in Israel, is both aesthetic and functional in its design. Yellow was picked because it’s friendly, says Jeff Stewart, vice president of the Dallas-based Friendly Robotics, USA. “We are really especially proud of its mulching ability. Its three small blades spin very fast and chop grass up into finer pieces than conventional mowers. That’s good for the yard, since nutrients are returned to it.” Robomower is the first robotic machine introduced by Friendly Robotics; early next year, a robot vacuum cleaner will follow.

Included in the $499.95 price of the mower are the wire, stakes and switch and an instruction video. Robomower is available at many local dealers. For information, call (888) 404-7626 or visit the Web site at www.friendlyrobotics.com.