One Fish’s Trash, Another Plant’s Treasure: The Magic Of Aquaponics
Aquaponics is based on an elegant water loop between fish and plants. Fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, while plant roots filter water for the fish. Plants are fertilized organically and the need for fish waste disposal is eliminated.
On The Way: Pop-Up Cinema In Moscow
Muscovites, watch out. This travelling roadshow might be coming to a back alley near you. Russian group BBBspaces have put together ‘On the Way’, a mobile cinema space that can be set up with ease anywhere in the city.
Hand-Drawn London
You gotta love this awesome highly detailed hand-drawn map of London. Created by illustrator Jenni Sparks and print company Evermade, the giant A1-size map shows the city's boroughs and neighborhoods and highlights important and remarkable cultural spots — cool shops, pubs, clubs, local markets, et cetera. I noticed, for instance, the Boxpark pop-up mall that Dan showcased on this blog last year.
Bicycle Dinners
Here at the Pop-Up City, we value food beyond its role as basic sustenance. Food is a vital element of cultures and social interactions. We have written about the pop-up food culture, from food trucks to pop-up restaurants. Some time ago, I discovered a charming new way to host a dinner party. And, no, it does not involve eating dinner while riding a bicycle.
Chicago’s Streets Become A Life-Size Monopoly Board
Millions of children grew up playing Monopoly: I know I always looked forward to Grand Opera night where I could collect $50 from each of my opponents, and dreaded the feared Poor Tax Chance Card (fifteen whole dollars!). It embedded the names of the Boardwalk and Park Place for everyone as the best place in the city, especially if you could afford a fancy red hotel. Apparently, someone has tried to turn the streets of Chicago into a city-sized game of Monopoly. Nate Berg at The Atlantic Cities tipped us off about the new street art installations, and they’re all sorts of fabulous.
Win A Copy Of ‘Helsinki Beyond Dreams’!
This afternoon we published our interview with architect and urban designer Hella Hernberg, author of 'Helsinki Beyond Dreams', an inspiring book that showcases the Finnish capital's flourishing grassroots culture. We're happy to give away a copy of 'Helsinki Beyond Dreams' to one of our lucky readers!
Helsinki Beyond Dreams
The book Helsinki Beyond Dreams explores new perspectives on Helsinki, a city in transition.
Treehouse Hotels For Vineyards In Argentina
These aren't your typical childhood tree houses. German tree house maker Baumraum has crafted luxurious cocoons for the Mendoza resort Entre Cielos. The futuristic pods are designed to be surrounded by nature, located amidst the foliage of actual vineyards, yet elevated beyond the worries of everyday life.
Bibliotren Transforms Trains Into Virtual Libraries
Travelers of the Catalan Government Railways (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) will have plenty to read over the coming months as the trains are turned into virtual libraries, where 40 books are displayed on posters. After scanning a book's QR code, travelers are enabled to read the first chapter of every book.
Industrial Designer Creates Origami Printer
3D printing is becoming a true hype, and origami has always been restricted to the most patient and agile. Christophe Guberan, a third-year bachelor student of industrial design at the University of Art and Design in Lausanne, Switzerland, created Hydro-Fold, a printer that is able to print pieces of origami paper.
Rent-A-Goat To Mow Your Lawn
Urban farming has been all the rage, but what happens when you throw some multi-functionalism into the mix? How about goat rentals for mowing your lawn? San Francisco’s City Grazing has been keeping a herd of 50 goats to manage the growth in their pasture.
Ithaca’s Fabulous Mayor And The World’s Smallest Park
Whoever thought civic politicians were boring? Ithaca's 25-year old (!) mayor, Svante Myrick, recently decided that it was high time to lose his car. But what of his celebrity parking spot in front of city hall? He chose the obvious option: turn it into a park.
Aphrodite Of Amsterdam
Some time ago I noticed a visual artwork on the roof of the GAK Gebouw in Amsterdam's Bos en Lommer district, consisting of digital fireworks combined with flashing words that say "IK HOU VAN JE" ("I LOVE YOU"). I found out that artist Leonard van Munster is the man behind this light installation.
Playful Street Furniture By Dirk Ploos Van Amstel
We love multi-functionalism here at Pop-Up City. It is a great precursor for adaptability, which strengthens the resilience of space and facilitates spontaneous and creative uses. This recent creation by furniture designer, Dirk Ploos van Amstel, instantly transforms a space from one of play to one of repose.
Buy Your City A Landmark
London’s brand-new landmark looks like two cranes making love together. In fact, Anish Kapoor's 115 meters high structure is clearly meant to add a new icon to the city of London for the occasion of this year's Olympics.
